Brian Steele said it’s important for first responders to take care of their mental health and seek support when needed.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Columbus residents endure a brutal weekend, the first responders feel the effects, too.
“It seems like shootings don’t stop every day,” said Brian Steele, executive vice president of the Columbus Fraternal Order of Police. “Whether it’s gang violence, whether it’s a mass shooting, it’s on everyone’s mind. Now, so you think about going on a shift.”
Steele said officers ran to what he described as a shootout between two different groups of people on North High Street just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning.
The police said Officers found several victims, but did not release an exact figure on the number of injured. Police said one of the victims was in critical condition.
These situations affect each first responder differently, he said, and it’s important to reach out to the wellness center and support services to handle all injuries.
“Some people can run thousands and thousands of runs in their career and never have a problem. Some may go to one and it will affect them greatly,” Steele said.
He said it was important for first responders to take care of their mental health and seek support when needed.
As for community change, Steele said we need to come together, not divide.
“We are very polarized right now. We have to start identifying ourselves as Columbus residents, Ohio residents and American residents,” Steele said.
Columbus police are expected to provide an update on the shooting in the Short North.
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/first-responders-feeling-impact-from-violent-weekend/530-cdb363a1-2999-46c5-85ab-66413b7268e3
