First responders are often the primary line of defense for communities in the event of a natural or man-made threat. They typically include paramedics, police officers, firefighters and a variety of emergency medical responders. Due to the nature of their professions, first responders often witness traumatic events which can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The National Institute of Mental Health defines PTSD as "a disorder that develops in some people that experienced a shocking, scary or dangerous event." While nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after a traumatic incident, those who continue to feel stressed or frightened even when they're no longer in danger may be suffering from PTSD. Related: Post-traumatic stress disorder in workers' compensation |

PTSD and workers' compensation

Conversations about PTSD and first responders have gained steam as traumatic events like mass shootings and natural disasters have increased in frequency. In the insurance industry, PTSD is particularly pertinent to workers' compensation. Workers' compensation claims typically involve a claimant's mental or physical condition, or a combination of the two. To better understand how to treat trauma in first responders with regards to workers' compensation, R3 Continuum held a webinar on the subject. Hosted by Tyler Arvig and Sarah Hathaway, the webinar covered what to know when it comes to treatment of trauma in first responders. With this in mind, here are 10 questions to consider when treating trauma in first responders. Related: Recognizing the unsung heroes of disasters