Behind the Line Support, Marion, MA (2025)

10/31/2025

We often spend so much time telling ourselves that we are ok and we’re fine, but are we really ok?

The demons exist yet we fail to recognize their existence. Maybe we do recognize it but we fail to take the steps we need to protect those around us (and ourselves).

Take a step back and look in the mirror. Want the real truth of what you look like? ask those closest to you. Why don’t we do this? because were afraid of the answer.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of others. Don’t let your demons become theres.

10/21/2025

Raise your hand if this has ever happened to you? I’ll start…🙋🏻‍♂️

BUT everyone says “leave work at work”… “dont take the job home with you”

Wouldn’t that be nice! Lets be realistic. Most calls we can absolutely leave at the station, but then there are those calls that stay…they linger…they never seem to go away.

Does this make you weak? No
Does this make you not strong? No

IT MAKES YOU HUMAN!

We see things we shouldn’t.
We see thing’s that would make most run away.

Our biggest problem..we don’t talk about it. We fake the smiles, we fake our mood, but who are we really faking? you guessed it..US!

If you find yourself dwelling about a call, its ok. It just means its time for a cleanup or tuneup. Its a red flag waiving inside you saying “hey, we need to talk about this to process it”….nothing wrong with that.

Need help finding a place to talk? Reach out.

Stop faking the smiles, not only are we hurting ourselves but were hurting those who mean the most to us…our loved ones.

10/20/2025

I can only imagine the stories our fire horses and dogs heard after a bad call…

- No technology to seak help
- No phone numbers to call for assistance
- No CISM or Peer Support programs
- No resilience training

I’m sure the local watering hole had a line out the door, but the firehouse probably had everything they needed to wash away the memories to continue on inside of it.

We may not be where we need to as a profession regarding mental health but we are at least moving forward!

10/20/2025

When we are done and our gear is hung for the last time, how are we going to look back at our time?

It doesn’t matter your role, career or volunteer. The hours you dedicated from your personal life to give back to others is what makes us stand out from others.

We literally give what we have to ensure those who need will receive. We don’t put ourselves first, we don’t put our needs first. Many times we actually get mistreated by those we want to help, the local government, or even by the ones called our “leaders”. But we always show up.

Its important now to stop and think of what we want to see when we look in the mirror when we’re old. Are we on the right track? are we where we want to be?

No? Then the time is now to make change.

You are solely responsible for you. Don’t regret it later.

10/19/2025

Does time really steal from you or does it give you rewards?

People say time steals from us when talking about our children, but how lucky are we that we get the time to actually see them grow and become their own person?

How many people don’t get that opportunity?

Its all in the perspective.

Maybe as a first responder we look at things differently than others. We don’t just see death in the old, but also the young and inbetween. We see how some people aren’t allowed to grow with time and are taken away so early.

We also see how other factors play a role in how time can be perceived. Elderly with no family, mothers and fathers addicted to drugs living on the street, children living in foster homes with no parents, or those living with a disability.

Stop thinking time is taking something away from you. Change your perspective from time
being a bad thing to being a wonderful opportunity that not everyone gets.

Its all about perspective.

10/19/2025

If you have not watched Code 3 yet and plan to, be careful!

⚠️ If your a person that struggles from previous incidents or have PTSD: they do so well depicting EMS that you may run into some triggers. A few times while watching, the heart racing began..mind went directly back to a place I didn’t need to be. Just a warning…⚠️

BUT…this movie was done perfectly to show how being a first responder (primarily EMS) works. They took all the things we as providers complain about and make them into a comedy that we can totally relate to.

BUT…they depict PTSD and burnout pretty spot on. They do it in a way that those who are not suffering (family, friends) can pretty much see first hand why we are how we are. Is it 100% accurate? no…but what first responder movie is?

I give the actors and producers A TON of credit for sending the messages they did about working in EMS and highlighting burnout and PTSD. Instead of being listed as a hilarious comedy, it should be a documtentary and used for educational purposes, in my opinion.

If you have watched it, let us know what you think below in the comments!

10/06/2025

Love to see gifts being recieved by our followers!!

Every person who participated in our good feels thread received a 4 pack of stickers and a handwritten note (from either our 12yr old or 4yr old helper) thanking them for supporting our mission!

Let’s keep spreading the world on first responder mental health!!

09/27/2025

Have you checked out the online store lately?? Head on over to btlsupport.net because Squad Life is offering a special 20% all items from out store this weekend only!!

Hoodies, hats, stickers, t-shirts, and stickers that all help you show your support for first responder mental health!

The profit from your purchases goes directly into activities such as peer support group meetings and items our spouses & family group make for first responders currently in treatment facilities. So not only do you show support by wearing it in public, but your contributions also play a crucial role. Check out the store!

Enter the discount code "20offBLS" (no quotes when you enter) at checkout, but the code is only good until 9/30/25 @ 11:59pm.

09/14/2025

With social media still being pretty depressing, we wanted to change that! Let's flood a thread with something that makes everyone happy.... OUR PETS!! Let's put some smiles on people's faces!

Whoever gets the most likes on their adorable pet will receive a pack of 4 stickers free!!

👉 Drop a photo and name of your adorable pet in the comments
👉 Like and share the post with your friends - have them vote for you!
👉 Make sure you like and follow the page to be eligible to win

We will leave voting open until Thursday September 18th so don't miss out. Let's spread good vibes through our pets for everyone to enjoy!!

09/12/2025

As a first responder, can the job physically change you? YES!

Let's talk science and psychology for a minute.

Every person has an amygdala which is a small sized structure within your brain that plays a role in emotional processing and fear responses.

The amygdala acts as a personal alert system so when danger is detected it sends signals to the hypothalamus activating the HPA axis which then releases cortisol into your bloodstream as the fight-or-flight system activates.

The amygdala also plays a role in memory storage based off stress hormones and memory consolidation by transferring new learning into long-term memory while encoding those memories at a deeper level when the situation is emotionally arousing.

Research has shown that those diagnosed with PTSD have a structural difference with confirmed changes or deformities to the amygdala's structure or grey matter. Unfortunately, the functional consequences that result from the physical changes caused by trauma exposure has not yet been found.

In short - people who are subjected to trauma can and will eventually have deformities made to physical components in their brains. The physical changes made to the brain affect our fight or flight responses and memory. If you have PTSD or have symptoms of PTSD, doesn't this make sense?

**Picture is an AI generated photo that shows the amygdala as its affected and reacting to a trauma response**

09/11/2025

The ugly truth about society is that now social media is bringing attention to the bad of the world and putting it in the faces of people that have been hidden from it their entire lives.

First responders, especially correctional officers, hide the evil of the world behind concrete walls where these people are hidden from society for however long the legal system deems necessary. There crimes and scenes are handled by police officers, firefighters and emergency medical workers that try to prevent society from facing the ugly truth of real life. Allowing people to live in whatever fantasy world they tend to believe in.

Now with social media and technology, these incidents are thrown in people's faces. People are sick to their stomachs thinking of the evil that lurks around in every community (yes, every community). They can't comprehend the level of insanity it would take to commit such an indescribable crime.

Now, look at the first responder you know and ask yourself again, why are they the way they are?

Why do they sit with their backs to the door? Why do they constantly look around? Why can they not be comfortable sitting in large public places? Why are they on edge around people they don't know and are never really able to relax?

It's because first responders witness the ugly truth about society. They look these people in the eyes and deal with them firsthand. They physically have witnessed the aftermath of the crime and have physically seen the look of death in a person's eyes.

As a first responder, we try and shelter our loved ones from the ugly truth. Unfortunately, the ugly truth has been shown numerous times lately and thrown in their faces. Maybe now is a good time to thank those who have provided shelter from evil for so long, it's the ugly truth.

After 9/11 our country came together and became one. It was beautiful and society thrived. I can only hope that this happens again.

09/11/2025

From departments that are small to the ones that are huge. Stickers, flags, and memorials are found with todays date on them to constantly remind us of the sacrifices made by so many and to remember all those who were never given the chance to go back home.

Let us never forget them or their families and all they have gone through.

With everything going on in the world right now, maybe it’s worth putting your phone away, shutting off the news, and just focus on those closest to you. Don’t subject yourself to the negativity if you know it’s not good for your wellbeing.

If this craziness is not within your power or control, don’t let the power or control take over you.

Stay Strong and Stay Positive.

Behind the Line Support

10/31/2025

10/21/2025

10/20/2025

10/20/2025

10/19/2025

10/19/2025

10/06/2025

09/27/2025

09/14/2025

09/12/2025

09/11/2025

09/11/2025

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