Watch Manager Craig Sadler was contacted by Waterlooville local resident Sarah who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a serious road traffic collision.
Sarah reached out to Waterlooville Fire Station and was invited by Craig to visit when she felt ready to.
During the accident, their car caught alight and Sarah was pulled from the back of the vehicle when she couldn’t escape herself.
The couple suffered injuries such as fractures and broken ribs, which still affects their day-to-day living.
Since the incident, Sarah has suffered from panic attacks and PTSD when she has seen a fire engine. Experiencing shaking and crying, she’d need to pull over onto the side of the road to calm down.
She began to associate fire engines with danger, and the sight of the appliance along with the loud sirens and flashing blue lights would bring back memories of the collision.
Sarah said:
“I never realised so many people have PTSD from car accidents and trying to find help is so exhausting, it took over a year to get counselling. In that year my fear had grown immensely and was locking me in.”
After seeking counselling and knowing this couldn’t continue, Sarah was recommended to contact her local fire station to see if she could become ‘friends’ with a fire engine and dispel her fear of them.
Having exchanged emails for a few weeks, Sarah mustered the courage to meet Craig and Waterlooville’s fire engines on Sunday 6 December.
Sarah continued,
“Going to Waterlooville Fire Station gave me another avenue to try to conquer my PTSD and gain control again.
“Since talking to Craig and going to the station, I’m hoping I can show others that there is more help out there than you think and you’re not alone. I felt I was the only one having a panic attack when I saw fire engines or an accident which is surrounded by emergency vehicles. I hope I can help others who are suffering from PTSD.”
Craig reassured Sarah that not everything firefighters do is associated with ‘death and destruction’ and that a fire engine travelling on blue lights doesn’t always mean a bad accident is ahead.
He spoke of all the community activities they take part in and the variety of incidents firefighters can respond to; that it isn’t just fires or RTCs.
Sarah was able to work up the bravery to even sit in one of Waterlooville’s fire engines and allowed the lights and sirens to be switched on too.
Watch Manager Craig Sadler said,
“Sarah has shown such courage in coming to the station to become friends with a fire engine.
“She is an inspiration and I know she will inspire others who are suffering with fears or PTSD from traumatic experiences.
“No one should ever feel like they can’t ask for help.”
Sarah and Andy have since made a donation to The Fire Fighter’s Charity as a thank you to Waterlooville Fire Station for welcoming them.