After firefighter suicide, advocates call for action on PTSD

Advocates push for PTSD recognition after local firefighter takes her own life
By: KIRO 7 News Staff
Updated: Feb 23, 2018

Advocates for local first responders are pushing for new legislation to protect firefighters who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It’s something Heather Murphy knows about all too well.

Her wife, navy veteran and Lacey firefighter Crystal Murphy took her own life on Christmas Day in 2017.

“This would have never happened if it were not for her job and those calls,” Murphy said. “She may have not been on shift, but her mind was always on shift.”

While hundreds of Crystal’s fellow firefighters attended her funeral where she received full honors, her death is not considered a line-of-duty death.

That means, her family will not collect line of duty death benefits.

Coming up at 5, KIRO 7 goes in-depth on the local fight to recognize a condition other states cover, but we don't.
go here for that update

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