As the United States marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, former San Francisco EMT and paramedic Ed Sawicki is using his own experience of responding to the disaster to support first responders dealing with trauma.
Sawicki was among those who travelled to New York in the aftermath of the attacks. He later told KTVU that the experience had a lasting impact and helped shape his commitment to improving mental health support for emergency workers.
His work now forms part of the Strengthen Your Mind Initiative, which provides programmes focused on stress management, resilience and wellbeing for first responders, military personnel and veterans.
Sawicki has been a nationally registered paramedic since 1988 and joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster Medical Assistance Team in 2001, according to the initiative. He has also responded to other major emergencies, including Hurricane Katrina and the Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco.
He spent years working in San Francisco emergency medical services, including as a paramedic rescue captain and instructor for EMTs and paramedics. The organisation says he has more than 35 years’ experience in emergency medical services.
As commemorations take place across the country to remember those killed and the millions affected by 9/11, Sawicki’s message is centred on the need to recognise the psychological effects that can continue long after an emergency has ended.
