В Кентукки возобновили программу духовной поддержки для пожарных и пострадавших

CALDWELL COUNTY, Ky. — The Princeton Rotary Club welcomed Chaplain Jenny Franke, Princeton Fire Chief Brent Francis and Princeton Mayor Brock Thomas on Tuesday to discuss a revival of the town’s Fire Chaplaincy Program. The program is an organized service inside a fire department or emergency response organization that aims to deliver spiritual, emotional, and psychological care to firefighters, emergency workers and their families. The service also helps victims and their relatives during times of crisis. Franke, the current chaplain and local woman who helped relaunch the program, detailed the path that led her to do so. A Caldwell County resident, Franke witnessed her neighbor’s devastating house fire four years ago, just in the aftermath of the December 2021 tornado. After seeing the amount of devoted resources available for natural disaster victims, Franke pondered if such resources could be implemented for survivors and emergency service workers of equally devastating situations. She then approached Chief Francis about if a chaplain service was possible for her community. “We had a great conversation where he ultimately said, ‘I think we need the chaplain service again,’" Franke said. “These are people that get paid a very nominal amount to respond to this type of call and are doing this for their community.” Around two months ago, Franke embarked on her journey to become a certified chaplain who would assist all involved consoling both the victims and first responders in the aftermath. While Franke initially focused on the victims, the realization did not dawn on her until her training that the volunteer firefighters might need just as much support. “Many times, it’s a bad multi-vehicle accident, with fire on one car and injuries here and deaths there. Sometimes, it’s a home fire with injuries and deaths,” Franke told Rotarians. “Our first responders are subjected to stressors of the job — responding to emergencies, having to leave their house in the middle of the night, having to leave their kids’ ballgame. But also, really the trauma of seeing what they see.” Franke stressed that her training was an eye-opener, which is what drove her to provide a therapeutic and spiritual space where firefighters may decompress, discuss their own trauma honestly and find support before they equip themselves for the next call. Training also assists the chaplain on how to approach each situation appropriately, depending on severity. Francis then took to the podium, discussing the program’s importance and the difference that such an initiative will make within the community for years to come — not only for a single firefighter, but for an entire department. Francis gave multiple examples to Rotarians of the devastating instances many firefighters face — extrications after bad wrecks, tragic house fires, misfortunate concerning children who had just lost their parents or vice versa. “A lot of times family members are on scene before we get on the scene,” Francis said. “That’s adds a whole other dimension of trauma, not only for family members, but also emergency responders. Not only do we have to deal with the emergency, but we have to deal with the people that are having the worst day of their life.” Francis said that having chaplains not only helps first responders overcome traumatic experiences, but also equips them on ways to help the victims after a potential rescue or devastating situation. Francis detailed specific and graphic details of some cases throughout his tenure, many of which have stuck with him and the entire department. For these reasons, Francis said, chaplains are crucial. “The need is there,” Francis said.