If you spend any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with Curt Isakson. He has a massive presence on Facebook and about 6,000 followers.
Chief Ike, as he’s also known, has had a 30-plus–year career in the fire service.
He’s also been remarkably open about his struggles with job-related PTSD.
So it was not a big surprise when Curt decided to enroll in the IAFF’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery.
It’s an in-patient treatment program held at a facility in Maryland. The program is designed for firefighters and treats a variety of mental and emotional problems. While about a third of the participants suffer from PTSD, there are also victims of substance abuse and depression.
In Curt’s case, he decided to check himself in to be treated for PTSD.
As his social media followers know, his request for time off to be treated was denied by his employer, Escambia, County, Florida Fire Rescue.
Curt decided to go anyway.
When he returned, he was forced into retirement.
But Curt is not sorry he went.
Chief Ike is on Code 3 this week to tell us how effective the treatment was.
Resources:
The IAFF’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery