It’s been almost a week since severe weather wreaked havoc on the community of Sulphur and storms ripped through eastern Oklahoma. First responders from all over the state have been working tirelessly to help the community recover, working long 12-hour shifts sifting through the wreckage of buildings and homes. The demanding and emotionally taxing nature of this work is raising concerns about the mental health of these first responders.
State Trooper Matthew Krupczyk has been on the ground helping since the very beginning of the disaster. He acknowledges the challenges of the situation, stating, “It’s been pretty difficult cause you’re dealing with people that lost their livelihood, they lost their homes, they lost their businesses, you got to worry about people looting.” In addition to managing their own mental wellbeing, first responders are also focused on assisting the hundreds of individuals who have lost everything in the storms.
The devastation and aftermath of the storm have been harrowing for everyone involved. Krupczyk emphasizes the importance of ensuring safety in the community, stating, “We want to make sure that business owners aren’t going into their business preemptively or too early, and it’s actually a danger zone because it’s half-collapsed or if there’s live electricity.” Alongside their efforts to keep the public safe and away from hazardous situations, first responders are also prioritizing their own mental health needs.
FEMA is urging those in Sulphur who require disaster assistance to reach out by calling 1-800-621-3362. The community and first responders continue to work together diligently to navigate the challenges brought on by this natural disaster, supporting each other in the recovery process.