The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.
West Covina Professional Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 3226
🔥 Introducing our Unions October Firefighter of the Month: Firefighter Paramedic Guy Hamilton🔥
Firefighter Paramedic Guy Hamilton was hired on April 2, 2001. Prior to getting hired with West Covina Fire Department, he worked 3 seasons as a wildland firefighter/helicopter rappel crew member and also worked 4 years as an ambulance operator for AMR.
Firefighter Paramedic Hamilton plays a key role for our union and is our current Union President. He is an active member of both the REMS and USAR teams. Guy has also been the MDA liaison for seven consecutive years, leading the department’s annual Fill-the-Boot drive. He was awarded the Firefighter of the Year Award in 2018 and recognized as part of a crew that received a Life Saving Award in 2022.
FF/PM Hamilton’s favorite meal to cook at the fire station is a spicy pork chop with pear reduction sauce, served with baked cinnamon yams and baked garlic broccoli/carrots.
Outside of the fire house, FF/PM Hamilton was a former competitive beach volleyball player and still enjoys hitting the sand whenever he gets the chance!
Thank you Guy for your continued hard work as our Union President and dedication to your brothers and sisters. 💪🏻🔥 ... See MoreSee Less
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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 🧠🚒
As firefighters, we are exposed to potentially traumatic situations by the nature of our work. But the mental toll of the job doesn’t always end when the call is over.
Roughly 20% to 22% of fire service members experience PTSD during their working lives.
A survey by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) reported that 65% of members experience recurring intrusive memories of critical job-related stress, and 21% met screening criteria for active PTSD. These numbers are a reminder that the impact of the job extends far beyond the fireground. Too often, the culture of being strong for everyone else can make it difficult to ask for help.
Let’s continue breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service. Take care of your crew, look out for one another, and remember that no one should have to navigate the mental toll of this profession alone.
Additional resources:
PTSD & Mental Health Hotline for IAFF members
855-900-8437
The IAFF hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you have.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
* 800-273-TALK (8255)
The National Institute of Mental Health
* 844-758-6989 ... See MoreSee Less
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Yesterday, Firefighter Tony Andrade, FF/PM Grigor Konduralyan and Engineer Brian De La Cruz completed the 33rd Annual Ketchum-Downtown YMCA U.S. Bank Tower Stair Climb. It is an annual charity fundraising event that consists of climbing 75 floors to the top of US Bank Tower.
Great work boys!! 💪🏻🔥Proud to see our members representing and taking on the challenge for a great cause. #YMCAStairClimb #westcovinafirefighters ... See MoreSee Less
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The training continues with our new recruits as they recently completed an intense live fire training day, putting their skills, teamwork, and decision making to the test through three operations. 🔥
Phase 1 - Flashover Container
Vent Over Fire
Multi - Company Drill
These evolutions provided our recruits with valuable hands on experience in a controlled live fire environment while reinforcing the importance of communication, coordination, and sound fireground operations.
A special thank you to El Camino Fire Academy and the West Covina Fire Explorers for their support in helping make this training possible. 💪🏻 #westcovinafirefighters #LiveFireTraining 📸: Fausto Garcia ... See MoreSee Less
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25 years. 09/11/2001. Never Forget. We take a moment of silence to honor the firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
They answered the call without hesitation and made the ultimate sacrifice. 🇺🇸 #neverforget911 ... See MoreSee Less
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Two weeks down for our new recruits.
Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep earning it. 👨🚒💪 ... See MoreSee Less
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