Southwest Messenger - May 5th, 2019
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
www.columbusmessenger.com SOUTHWEST MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 5, <strong>2019</strong> - PAGE 23<br />
By Rick Palsgrove<br />
Southeast Editor<br />
The stress of life as a police officer or a<br />
firefighter can exact a painful toll on first<br />
responders.<br />
This strain is expressed in the following<br />
words in an anonymous note written by a<br />
police officer, “I never knew that being a<br />
cop could hurt so much. I can’t do this any<br />
more. I am sorry.”<br />
Groveport Police Chief Ralph Portier is<br />
well aware of this stress and its impacts. In<br />
1998, to help combat the depression and<br />
strain felt by first responders, Portier created<br />
the program, “Dying in Blue.” It’s purpose<br />
is to create and maintain awareness<br />
for all first responders and their families<br />
about the dangers of the trauma they see<br />
each day.<br />
Helping first responders cope with the stress of the job<br />
“In 1998, I noted the suicide of an officer<br />
I knew and tried to determine the reason<br />
for the death,” said Portier. “What I<br />
found during my research was the lack of<br />
employer assistance and that police chiefs,<br />
fire chiefs and sheriffs did not understand<br />
how to handle these situations before a suicide<br />
occurred with their agency.”<br />
Portier, who has been involved as a first<br />
responder himself since 1971, said his life<br />
in public service gives him credibility with<br />
fire/EMS and law enforcement.<br />
According to Portier, so far in <strong>2019</strong>,<br />
more than 50 police officers have committed<br />
suicide.<br />
“Presently firefighters are gathering<br />
that information, but it is happening,<br />
throughout the United States,” said<br />
Portier.<br />
Divorce frequency based on the stress<br />
and depression they deal with is also high<br />
among first responders.<br />
“Oddly, the American public has a<br />
divorce rate of 51 percent, but first responders<br />
can see it as high 60 to 70 percent,”<br />
said Portier.<br />
Portier has been presenting “Dying in<br />
Blue” (which he funds himself) all over<br />
Ohio, primarily through mental health services.<br />
He said he has expanded over the<br />
years to individual departments who may<br />
not have the means to have this type of<br />
training. Portier said it is hard to estimate,<br />
but he thinks he has presented the program<br />
to about 2,000 first responders over<br />
the years.<br />
“I speak frankly in terms of awareness,<br />
physiological and psychological information,<br />
seeking help and helping others,” said<br />
Portier. “What I have found during and<br />
after each lecture is that first responders<br />
will open up and begin to talk to each other<br />
and pretty soon, help starts immediately.”<br />
Portier also keeps the stories he hears<br />
from first responders private.<br />
“My promise to those who have opened<br />
up to me is to keep their stories confidential,”<br />
said Portier.<br />
When asked how the public can help<br />
ease the strain first responders face,<br />
Portier said, “This is a hard question to<br />
answer, but I believe supporting your<br />
police, firefighters, EMS, doctors, nurses<br />
and dispatchers truly helps. These first<br />
responders never ask to be recognized, but,<br />
like what many of our residents in<br />
Groveport do for us all the time, we love<br />
cookies!”<br />
CLASSIFIED ADS<br />
Deadlines: Southeast and West editions, Wednesdays at 5 p.m., • East, <strong>Southwest</strong>, Madison editions, Tuesdays at 5 p.m.<br />
All editions by phone, Tuesdays at 5 p.m. • Service Directory, Tuesdays at 5 p.m.<br />
INFORMATION<br />
xInformation<br />
MAY GIVEAWAY<br />
Place a prepaid classified line ad in our paper<br />
during the month of MAY and be registered<br />
to win a $50 Gift Card from<br />
The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong><br />
Newspapers.<br />
All ads received by mail, in person, e-mail or<br />
phone will be included in the drawing.<br />
Drawing will be held <strong>May</strong> 29th, <strong>2019</strong><br />
and the winner will be notified and published<br />
in our June 2nd, <strong>2019</strong> issue.<br />
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!<br />
Congratulations<br />
To Our Gift Card Winner<br />
For April <strong>2019</strong><br />
Joe Morton<br />
From<br />
The Columbus <strong>Messenger</strong><br />
Newspapers<br />
Information<br />
Spring Into a<br />
New Hair Style!<br />
Call Marilyn Weaver<br />
For An Appt.<br />
For a New Haircut/Style<br />
614-277-1921<br />
Indulgence Hair Salon<br />
3387 McDowell Rd.<br />
Grove City<br />
ASSOCIATION ADS<br />
DO YOU HAVE AN AN-<br />
TIQUE OR CLASSIC<br />
CAR TO SELL? Advertise<br />
with us. You choose<br />
where you want to advertise.<br />
800-450-6631<br />
visit macnetonline.com<br />
for details<br />
Dish Network Satellite<br />
Television Service. Now<br />
Over 190 channels for<br />
ONLY $59.99/mo! ,<br />
FREE Installation, FREE<br />
Streaming, FREE HD.<br />
Add Internet for $14.95 a<br />
month. 1-800-219-1271<br />
DISH TV - Over 190<br />
Channels Now ONLY<br />
$59.99/mo! 2 yr. price<br />
guarantee, FREE Installation!<br />
Save HUNDREDS<br />
over Cable and DI-<br />
RECTV. Add Internet as<br />
low as $14.95/mo! 1-<br />
855-977-7405<br />
Call Empire Today® to<br />
schedule a FREE inhome<br />
estimate on Carpeting<br />
& Flooring. Call<br />
Today! 1-800-508-2824<br />
Put on your TV Ears and<br />
hear TV with unmatched<br />
clarity. TV Ears Original<br />
were originally $129.95 -<br />
NOW WITH THIS SPE-<br />
CIAL OFFER are only<br />
$59.95 with code<br />
MCB59! Call 1-855-993-<br />
3188<br />
xPublic Notice<br />
LEGAL NOTICE<br />
The Grove City Police Department has recovered<br />
numerous bicycles, tools, electronic equipment, clothing<br />
and monies over the course of several months.<br />
The bicycles are of various types and models, as are<br />
the tools and electronic equipment. All properties are<br />
held in a secured police facility at all times. If you<br />
believe you have claim to any of the property and have<br />
proof of ownership for the property, you may call the<br />
Grove City Police Department Property Room at<br />
614-277-1757. A review and release of any and all<br />
property is by appointment only. All items not claimed<br />
will be sold at public auction, turned over to the Law<br />
Enforcement Fund, or destroyed according to Ohio<br />
Law.<br />
CHARITABLE DONATION<br />
Qualified organizations may be eligible to receive<br />
bicycles as charitable donations from the City of<br />
Grove City. Qualified organizations must have a valid<br />
ruling or determination letter recognizing the taxexempt<br />
status of the organization, pursuant to Internal<br />
Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or (c)(19).<br />
Representatives may call the Grove City Police<br />
Department Property Room at 614-277-1757 to<br />
inquire about the donation process.<br />
TO ADVERTISE<br />
YOUR LEGAL/<br />
PUBLIC NOTICES<br />
CALL KATHY<br />
AT THE<br />
COLUMBUS<br />
MESSENGER<br />
NEWSPAPERS<br />
614-272-5422<br />
Public Notice<br />
xMother’s Day Greeting<br />
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY<br />
TO OUR READERS<br />
Mother’s Day Greeting