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Peer support battles PTSD BY TOM SCANLON
Peoria Times Managing Editor
NEWS..............4 Online forum planned for state candidates
They save your homes. When a call comes in about a raging fire, they jump in the engine, sirens race to the scene and battle to keep a home from burning down. But those are the rare calls. For the most part, firefighters are the last line of defense, fighting to keep people from crossing over from life to death. Peoria firefighters do CPR on kids pulled out of pools, push down on gunshot wounds pumping out blood and cut teenagers out of grisly car wrecks. A budding peer support program is helping responders realize they need to talk about the
traumatic experiences that are part of the job. “There’s always been a stigma associated with seeking help from these types of incidents,” said Peoria Fire-Medical Deputy Chief Rob Brewster, a firefighter for 31 years. “The old saying was, ‘Suck it up, buttercup.’ You just don’t take it home to your family; you don’t want to burden them with what you see. ... So you don’t talk about it.” September is Suicide Prevention Month, which reminds Peoria firefighters about a peer support program. The program is crucial, as the intense calls never stop, many involving children being severely injured—or worse. SEE FIRE PEER PAGE 2
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September 24, 2020
After “high-stress incidents,” members of the Peoria Fire-Medical Department Peer Support Team reach out to first responders, to help them work through the trauma they have witnessed or treated. (Photo courtesy Peoria Fire-Medical)
Antibody research as schools set to open BY TOM SCANLON
NEWS..............6 Medical campus planned at abandoned site
OPINION...................9 BUSINESS...............11 FEATURES...............12 RELIGION................15 YOUTH....................16 CLASSIFIEDS...........17
Peoria Times Managing Editor
Officials say a new antibody test will help them analyze the spread of COVID-19—and potential immunity to the disease. The test could provide more data for schools to consider. Though most public schools remain in online mode, recent data is giving districts confidence to move forward with plans to reopen classrooms in the coming weeks. Peoria Unified School District is leading he way, with a planned Sept. 28 restart after reopening classrooms for kindergarten through second grade last week. “If the positive trend in our data continues, we will invite the remainder of our students
to return on Sept. 28,” PUSD Superintendent Jason W. Reynolds said. According to a Glendale Union High School District post, “Due to the current data ... GUHSD will begin the hybrid learning model starting Monday, Oct. 19.” Similarly, Glendale Elementary School District posted: “Based on (recommended) health metrics, and as long as the data continues to be favorable, we project we will be able to reopen our schools on Monday, Oct. 19.” This week, Maricopa County Public Health is finalizing a new “serosurvey.” The random test includes Peoria ZIP code 85382 and Glendale 85304 and as well as Avondale 85323 and SEE TEST PAGE 3
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is reaching out to several West Valley neighborhoods for a “serosurvey.” Testing blood draws from volunteers is aimed at determining the percentage of Maricopa County residents who have COVID-19 antibodies. (Photo courtesy MCDPH)
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