EDITOR'S NOTE: This story mentions "suicide" and could be considered graphic to some readers. Reader's discretion is advised.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department is grieving after two firefighters died by suicide in less than two months.
Fire Chief Sal Scarpa sat down this week with WRBL News 3 to discuss the toll on the department and the steps being taken to address mental health concerns.
"Our folks need to be able to reach out when they're hurting and have resources to connect with, to provide support when they need it," Scarpa said. "We can't do that if we're going to hide behind a veil of secrecy. There needs to be transparency. This is a real challenge. You are more likely to die by suicide in the fire and EMS service than in the line of duty. That's a sobering fact."
Firefighter Brittany Zerwick died on July 10. On Sept. 3, firefighter Jakobe Smith also died by suicide.
Scarpa said both losses underscore the need to normalize conversations around mental health in Columbus Fire and EMS Department and throughout public safety agencies in the city and beyond.
"We want our folks to recognize when there's a challenge in their own life, to say, 'I'm not feeling right, I need help,'" he said. "We need to ingrain that critical thinking so they don't take those challenges home to their families or outside the firehouse."
Scarpa, a 35-year veteran of municipal service, said that the department is working internally and with community partners, including churches and mental health professionals to expand support services, including counseling and chaplain programs.
He noted some employees may prefer talking with counselors outside the department to avoid stigma.
"This is personal. I cried hard when Brittany passed. I cried hard when Jakobe passed," Scarpa said. "It's been incredibly difficult for our people who worked closely with them every day."
The two deaths have reverberated across the 450-person department and the city's public safety community. Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said the city is looking at ways to strengthen mental health resources for first responders.
"We've been working on ways to provide access to the proper individuals so our first responders have a pressure release valve," Henderson said. "We're trying to encourage them not to keep these kinds of things bottled up inside."
Scarpa said the urgency of the situation is clear.
"We as an organization are still hurting," he said. "We all collectively want to take care of our people. This is a high-priority item."
Scarpa reflected on the impact both firefighters made in their short careers. Zerwick, a five-year veteran, was the first woman firefighter Scarpa hired when he came to Columbus five years ago.
She graduated at the top of her paramedic class. Smith, who is newer to the department, had completed fire training and was finishing EMS training. He had been in the program for nearly two years.
"Brittany was bright, talented, and well respected. ... Jakobe was quiet but could light up a room with his smile," Scarpa said. "To lose those lights in our community hurts, and we have to do something about it."
Scarpa, Henderson, Police Chief Stoney Mathis, Sheriff Greg Countryman and Muscogee County Prison Warden Herbert Walker III are developing a crisis plan to better support first responders.
"Quite frankly, we need to make sure we're doing everything we can to wrap our arms around our people and provide the resources they need to be effective in doing their job," Scarpa said. "I don't know that we'll make sense of these deaths, but I hope we can prevent future tragedy."
Anyone seeking help is encouraged to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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