Altoona Fire Chief Addresses Risk of PTSD in Firefighting

A class on dealing with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder was hosted by the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Company and led by Altoona Fire Department Chief Tim Hileman, Tuesday, Feb. 11. More than 40 area firefighters were in attendance.

Hileman opened the seminar explaining how the course came about. "Basically, I saw a need in my department. We've had some issues with PTSD," said Hileman.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event - either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may...