WATCH: Fire chief issues heartbreaking message after department loses two members to suicide

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If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The chief of a Florida fire department issued an emotional message this week after two firefighters committed suicide over a three-week period in January.

Marion County Fire and Rescue Chief James Banta said Tuesday the department is “in pain, confused and upset” over the sudden losses of Fire Medic Allen Singleton on Jan. 28 and Fire Medic Tripp Wooten on Jan. 9.

Fire Chief Banta said, “Our department is in pain, confused, and upset. We are all searching for answers and trying to assign blame. These are all normal reactions to such an emotional event, as we have lost several member of our family. As your fire chief, I’ve been feeling these emotions as well.”

He noted that he has had “many difficult conversations” with members of his department since the deaths of Fire Medics Wooten and Singleton.

“Low pay, work load, mandatory overtime, lack of sleep, substance abuse, PTSD, and addiction could be examples of the root cause,” Banta added.

“If the answer was as simple as eliminating mandatory overtime, I would shut trucks down immediately, but I can tell you that it goes way deeper than that,” he said.

He called on firefighters to help identify coworkers that are “suffering and in crisis” by watching for warning signs.

Banta pleaded, “I need each of you to be my eyes and ears. I shoulder the burden of leading us out of this crisis, but I cannot do it alone.”

The fire chief encouraged firefighters to use the department’s mental health resources, including the chaplain, peer support team, and employee assistance program. He added that after Singleton’s funeral on Saturday, the International Association of Firefighters will be arriving to make recommendation, which will be implemented and continued.

In response to the tragic losses, the IAFF released the following statement on behalf of General President Edward Kelly:

“We mourn the loss of our IAFF brothers. Stressors, including financial strains which impact personal relationships, work-life imbalance, and substance use, consistently contribute to firefighter suicide. Our Marion County firefighters have a workload that is double that of larger departments in Florida, with half the workforce. Municipal decisions to de-prioritize public safety, including forced overtime, all negatively impact the quality of life for fire service professionals. The citizens we serve value our contributions; we need policymakers to do the same.”

Banta ended the video, pleading, “If you are watching this and are experiencing depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts, please know we are all here for you. I am here for you. Please do not give up.”

Wooten, hired by the department in 2006, was a member of the 2006 MCFR Career Academy Class. According to the post, he was an “amazingly talented” firefighter/paramedic with a sense of humor that brightened everyones day.

Singleton was a six-year veteran of the department, a proud member of the MCFR/MSCO SWAT Medic team, and a back-to-back Golden Axe winner.

According to Facebook posts by the department, both Wooten and Singleton left behind a wife and two children.

WATCH:

On Facebook, the Marion County Fire Rescue posted the following statements:

It is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of MCFR Firefighter Paramedic Allen Singleton. Allen passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Allen was a 6-year veteran firefighter who joined the ranks of Marion County Fire Rescue on September 12, 2016. Prior to his hiring, Allen was a member of the 2016 MCFR Non-Certified Recruit Academy. His last assignment was Rolling Greens Station #28, where he was a proud member of the MCFR/MCSO SWAT Medic team. Allen was a competitive person by nature, winning back to back Golden Axe awards for MCFR physical competitions.

Our department has been shaken to the core and I am at a loss for words. Your leadership team has been engaged with Allen’s family and are caring for their needs. Please take some time over the next couple of days to talk to each other and check on your friends and coworkers. We have reached out to the Florida Fire Chiefs Association to utilize their Mental Health Strike Teams, there will be more information to follow.

Badge covers are authorized to be worn for the next thirty calendar days. Class “A” uniforms are to be worn by all sworn personnel attending any related services. (Black ties as applicable.)

The Departmental Funeral Contingency Plan has been implemented and all planning shall proceed through proper channels. As more information becomes available, the public information officer will update the department.

9 January 2023: **MCFR Announces Passing of FF/PM Tripp Wooten**

FROM THE DESK OF FIRE CHIEF JAMES BANTA

It is with deep sadness and regret that I announce the passing of MCFR Firefighter Paramedic Tripp Wooten. Tripp passed away today, January 9, 2023. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

Tripp was a 14-year veteran firefighter who joined the ranks of Marion County Fire Rescue on December 15, 2006. Prior to his hiring, Tripp was a member of the 2006 MCFR Career Academy Class. Most recently assigned to our Lynne Station #4, Tripp spent many years as a member of the “Hames Road Hooligans” at our MCFR Belleview Station #18. Tripp was an amazingly talented FF/PM, he never met a stranger and possessed a sense of humor that brightened the days of all who came in contact with him.

Badge covers are authorized to be worn for the next thirty calendar days. Class “A” uniforms are to be worn by all sworn personnel attending any related services. (Black ties as applicable.)

Florida fire chief issues heartbreaking message after department loses two members to suicide https://t.co/VXlegODK1a via @foxnews

— Chris (@Chris_1791) February 4, 2023

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