2018 Virginia Fire + Rescue Conference

Jeremy Johns




Jeremy has been a firefighter/paramedic with the city of Norfolk (VA) Fire Department since 2014, and previously served 5 years in York County (VA) Fire-Rescue. Prior to being a firefighter, he was a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed to Iraq three times in support of combat operations. He was assigned to the 2/325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and conducted many high level operations, raids, and close combat missions. Jeremy separated from the Army in 2006 and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2004, however, he did not begin receiving treatment for PTSD until 2009. He initially resisted treatment and lived in denial for several years, and tried many forms of treatment over time. At one point he contemplated suicide, but decided to give life a little more time. Since that time, Jeremy has become very vocal about firefighter mental health and he feels that his experiences may help others who have or are having the same experiences.

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