Westerly Ambulance IAEP Local 732

We can’t believe it, it’s already almost June! We have officially entered what is typically Local 732’s busiest time of year. A quick recap of recent events:

-We celebrated EMS week last week! Thank you to all of our providers who strive to excel daily and help the residents of our PSA day in and day out.

-We observed Memorial Day this past Monday. Thank you to all veterans who have served, including several of our members.

-Dispatcher Lassell worked his final shift after over a decade behind the desk on Wednesday. We appreciate Nick’s hard work and dedication to our dispatch center. His steady voice and consistent manner have benefitted our providers, the agencies we serve and the citizens we protect. While we will miss him dispatching, he won’t be going far as he will be remaining as a volunteer at WAC!

Donate to Support for the Seekell Family After Tragedy, organized by Charlestown Ambulance On May 18th, 2026, the Seekell family suffered an insurmountable lo… Charlestown Ambulance needs your support for Support for the Seekell Family After Tragedy

We would like to commend the exceptional collaboration and professionalism exhibited by dispatchers, EMS, police and fire personnel who responded with promptness and unity during today’s challenging incident. Their commitment, empathy and teamwork under duress have not gone unrecognized. The community of Westerly is indeed fortunate to have such dedicated public safety professionals serving its citizens.

Thinking of the acquaintances, relatives and loved ones impacted by the unfortunate plane crash that occurred today. This devastating news has sent shockwaves through our community and we extend our deepest sympathies to those mourning this loss.

Yesterday evening, Dispatch Trainee Kingwill participated in a multi-evolution drill facilitated by her trainer, Dispatcher Bercovici. The drill involved a simulated sinking vessel with occupants on board somewhere in the area of Sandy Point. The second evolution involved handing a multi-alarm commercial structure fire at one of the hotels in Misquamicut. To simulate a real life incident, a couple of routine EMS calls unrelated to the “incident” at hand were thrown into the mix to tax resources and have Trainee Kingwill think on her feet in regards to assets.

Special thank you to Dispatcher Bercovici for creating and facilitating this great training. Thank you to off duty Dispatchers Koretski, Harold, Cook, and Salaun for participating. Thank you to Dispatcher Koretski’s fiancée Charlotte for being a mock 911 caller. Also thank you to the Watch Hill Fire Department for the use of portable radios, and the Pawcatuck Fire Department for giving the helpers an off site base of operations.

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Trauma doesn’t clock out—and neither does its impact.

A recent article highlights a reality many already know: first responders face repeated exposure to trauma that doesn’t just affect them—it affects their families too.

🧠 What the article emphasizes:

First responders experience higher rates of:
• PTSD (estimated 15–30%)
• depression and anxiety
• cumulative stress from repeated exposure

And it’s not always the “big call”; it’s the accumulation of many difficult calls over time that wears people down.

💡 The part we don’t talk about enough:

👉 Families become the “second patient.”

Spouses and partners may experience:
• anxiety and depression
• secondary traumatic stress
• emotional strain from what their loved one carries home

Children may also show:
• behavioral challenges
• emotional regulation difficulties
• changes tied to the stress in the home

⚠️ Why this matters:

This job doesn’t stay in the truck, on the radio, or at the scene.

👉 It shows up at the dinner table
👉 in conversations that don’t happen
👉 in the moments people feel “different” after shift

🛡️ What helps (according to research):

✔️ Communication within families
✔️ Peer and family support programs
✔️ Access to trauma-informed care
✔️ Organizational awareness of family impact

👉 The takeaway:

We can’t talk about first responder wellness
without talking about the people at home.

Because the job doesn’t just change the responder, it changes the family system too.

🔗 Read more:
https://www.jems.com/mental-health-wellness/mental-health-challenges-among-first-responders-and-their-families/

May is mental health awareness month! Don’t be surprised if you happen to see our crews showing their support with green shirts!