PTSD Patrol Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Suicide Broke The Silence

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
August 9, 2020

Todays feature video is about a firefighter who had PTSD but couldn't find what he needed to heal. He sent out a plea for others to find the help they needed before he ended his own life. 

The story of Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield is one of losing hope at the same time holding onto hope that his death could make a difference for those he left behind. 

His life ended in 2016, but his legacy goes on as more and more understand that PTSD is not just what military people get....#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

The story of Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield from TC Palm news

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Firefighters and paramedics are mourning the death of a man who worked alongside them for nearly three decades.

Indian River County Sheriff deputies went to a wooded area off State Road 60 west of Interstate 95 about 10:30 p.m. Saturday following a 911 call from Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield, Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Eric Flowers said.

Dangerfield had driven his pickup to mile marker 13 about midway between I-95 and Yeehaw Junction, Flowers said. Dangerfield told dispatchers where he could be found, Flowers said. Deputies located the pickup and found Dangerfield a short distance away in the woods, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Sheriff's Office said.

Emergency Services Director John King sent an email late Saturday night to Dangerfield's co-workers about his death, Assistant Chief Brian Burkeen said.

"It is with great sadness I share with you the passing of Battalion Chief David Dangerfield this evening," King wrote in the email to his firefighters and paramedics. "Please keep Dave’s immediate and extended family in your thoughts and prayers."