TAMPA BAY, Fla -- Mental health care for first responders could be expanded to help protect crime scene investigators and dispatchers from PTSD.

The proposed legislation — highlighted by State Fire Marshal and CFO Jimmy Patronis — would provide post-traumatic stress disorder coverage for emergency dispatchers and crime scene investigators under Florida’s workers’ compensation system.

“Florida’s first responders work day and night to keep us safe, exposing themselves to unthinkable tragedies on a daily basis," Patronis said. "Our 911 dispatchers and crime scene investigators also work tirelessly to support our first responders and are exposed to the same life-threatening impacts of PTSD.

"We must work together to ensure everyone in Florida’s first responder community, including our civilian emergency support personnel, have easy access to the help they need so they can continue to keep our communities safe."

Brandie Ball, who has worked with St. Petersburg Police Department’s Emergency Communications Department for 30 years, said it makes sense to include dispatchers in PTSD health care coverage.

“A lot of time, in a sense, we are the first responder or the first link in that chain to getting help,” said Ball, who has provided that help as a call-taker, dispatcher and now supervisor.

She said dispatchers never know what type of call is going to be on the other end of the line, and call after call can turn traumatic for some.

“We’re left with those visual images that we paint for ourselves, and sometimes those can be much worse than what actually happens," Ball said. "Sometimes not, sometimes they’re not as bad as what actually happens.

"But we’re left with that lingering thought, and by the time the call is already completed and done, we may have taken four or five more calls."

Ball said it would be beneficial to have legislation that specifically includes dispatchers and CSI.

“If something comes through a state statute, I think that’s even better for the industry as a whole,” she said.

Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, said her group's call-takers hear the need for help firsthand on its First Responder Hope Line.

“Often times we forget about the vicarious trauma that our dispatchers and crime scene investigators experience when they take these calls and then have to do further investigation," Reynolds said. "So I think this is an incredible expansion."

Expanding coverage, Reynolds said, would create a healthier workforce.

“Because they’re going to be able to get the help that they need when they need it,” she said. “And they’ll be recognition across our state of Florida that these first responders, dispatchers and CSI are as vulnerable to the stresses of the job as somebody who is directly on the quote unquote front line.”

Receiving that help, Ball said. might keep emergency workers on the front lines longer.

“Knowing that there’s a resource is extremely beneficial and I think will help for more longevity for people to stay in this type of career,” she said.

Check below for resources:

• First Responder Hope Line
• Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
• Senate Bill 352
  
• House Bill 337