Bystander Support

Firefighter hands hold hand of bystander offering comfort

Dear Community Member,

Thank you for stepping up during a critical moment. Your willingness to help before our first responders arrived reflects the strength and compassion that make our community resilient. Experiencing or witnessing a serious emergency can affect people in unexpected ways. It’s normal to feel a range of emotions afterward, even if you weren’t physically harmed during the incident. You’re not alone, and resources are available. If you find yourself needing support to process what you experienced, below is a starting point for resources and information that may help.

With gratitude and care.

TVF&R

Common Responses to Trauma You May Experience

  • Physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, or stomach upset
  • Feeling jumpy, irritable, or easily startled
  • Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
  • Recurring painful thoughts or images
  • Sadness, grief, or depression
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Increased worry about safety

Immediate Resources - If you or someone you know needs help.

  • Call or Text 988 – 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Visit 988
  • Dial 211 – Community Resource and Referral Service (language interpreters available)
    Toll-free: 1-866-698-6155
    Text Your Zip Code to 898211
    Visit 211

Local County Mental Health Services

Understanding the Chain of Care

When you assist during an emergency, you become the first link in a vital chain of treatment and care. Your actions whether calling 911, performing CPR, providing treatment, or simply offering comfort can be lifesaving and help set the stage for professional medical intervention. Once our first responders arrive, they take over by providing advanced medical care and working to stabilize the patient. The patient is then transported via ambulance or air ambulance, to a hospital, often one equipped with specialized trauma, cardiac, or neurological services. At the hospital, further evaluation and treatment are provided. However, due to federal privacy laws (HIPAA), bystanders typically cannot receive updates about the patient’s condition or outcome.

Why You May Not Hear More

We understand that not knowing what happened after your involvement can be difficult especially following such a meaningful and potentially emotional experience. Please know this: Your help made a difference. Whether or not you ever learn the result, your actions mattered deeply and contributed to the care and safety of someone in need.

Healing takes time. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. For further assistance, contact TVF&R's team of chaplains at tvfrchaplains@tvfr.com or call 503-259-1699 (voicemail | non-emergency only).