First responders often put their lives on the line to help people on what is most likely “the worst day of their lives.” Here in Newtown, a lot of these first responders are volunteers.

Dr Joanna Rosen, PsyD, is one of the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT) members and a Newtown resident. Rosen is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in trauma and owns a “two-fold” practice in town. In her practice, Rosen offers a unique approach of “upfronting the hours” for her sessions.

“I may work with people from between two and six hours at a time to really make the trauma recovery more effective, more efficient, without drawing it out,” she explained. The second part of her practice, BETWEEN2EARS, is a consultancy aimed at bridging gaps in trauma awareness and expanding the reach of trauma-informed support through consulting, training, and outreach.

What Fairfield County Trauma Response Team Is

Rosen became aware of FCTRT after it was founded in 2011 following the “Christmas Day Fire.” In Stamford, two grandparents and three children lost their lives in a devastating fire, and it left a lasting imprint on the firefighters who responded. After fighting the fire that claimed five lives, the firefighters tried to return to their families and celebrate their own Christmas, but realized they needed help.

“The level of devastation left an unbelievable mark on the firefighters themselves. When they went to reach out for help shortly thereafter, they couldn’t find anything. It was Christmas Day, and they couldn’t find support,” Rosen said. “One of those fire members had a wife who was a trauma therapist, so this group of, initially, three seasoned trauma therapists banded, then led to seven, and then, we have where we are today.”

Those therapists worked with the fire departments as a response to that fire and the devastation it left behind. Rosen explained that there were other “trauma response teams” in the country at the time. This incident became the “catalyst,” Rosen said, to start FCTRT.

Almost one year later, 12/14 claimed the lives of 26 children and adults. Rosen, as a licensed clinical psychologist, was reached out to during this time to join the team.

“It was really game changing for me, and a number of us, shortly thereafter, became part of the FCTRT as a result of what they did for us and to our community as a whole, as well as first responders,” Rosen said. She officially joined FCTRT in 2013.

Those who are part of the team must be certified in EMDR, or eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing, therapy. She said that EMDR is the “foundation” that brings the team together because “it works.”

Since 12/14, the idea of a trauma response team spread across the state, with several other counties in the state forming their own teams.

“The purpose of the FCTRT is to help first responders, but, what makes somebody a first responder has widened considerably since 2011,” Rosen noted. First responders are now considered the first people who arrive at a traumatic scene, including firefighters, police officers, animal control officers, dispatchers, healthcare workers, or even other professions, like reporters, public works employees, tow truck drivers, and others.

Rosen said that there is a very specific definition of trauma that will yield a “post-traumatic response” versus a stressful life event. Being exposed to “overwhelming life events” rewires the nervous system and how it responds to triggers of all kinds. Rosen explained that the goal of therapy is to realign the system and “getting it back to alignment.”

What Fairfield County Trauma Response Team Does

FCTRT offers educational programs and trainings about trauma prevention and intervention. FCTRT works with fire departments, police departments, ambulance corps, and other groups in different ways.

Team members can offer “embedded weeks” with these departments where trainings and programs are held daily. Team members can also help establish peer support groups in these departments.

FCTRT offers workshops and conferences for specific public safety groups. The team offers presentations and booths during those conferences.

While prevention and intervention education is a big part of what team members do, there are also dedicated clinical coordinators who will answer calls and get people seeking help matched with a clinician in the pre-established network to get treatment right away.

Rosen said the nice thing about FCTRT is that these first responders can get help right away, whereas other individuals may make an appointment that is weeks or even months away.

“First responders, typically, when they reach out, it is time and time becomes of the essence,” Rosen shared. “It’s an opportunity … It’s really like taking on this idea of caring for our own, or helping the helpers … It starts with education.”

She noted that there is a “culture” first responders adhere to. Oftentimes, they are seeing scenes and incidents that no human should see or is prepared to see. Their everyday workload is comprised of their patients’ worst days. Then, as Rosen said, there is an understanding that these first responders cannot talk about what happened. Rosen hopes that with the help of FCTRT, this can change and the team can help “normalize,” in a way, what first responders experience.

As she pointed out, communities need their paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, dispatchers, and others to stay in their jobs and show up at their best. “This really is to improve the health and well-being of everybody, so that when you … have somebody coming to you, you know you’re getting the best version of them,” she said.

Rosen spoke highly of the others on FCTRT, saying that it is an “amazing team” made up of volunteers who step away from their daily practices to provide these services to others.

“The organization gets stronger in its capacity when there’s funding behind it to do what we do,” Rosen explained.

How To Support FCTRT And Its Mission

On Sunday, September 13, FCTRT will have a “Halfway to St Paddy’s Day” fundraiser at Stonebridge Restaurant, 50 Daniel Street, Milford, at 2 pm. Tickets are $15 for general admission, or $25 for a charity ticket, in which the $10 difference will be donated to FCTRT. These charity tickets also include door prize entry.

There will be more than Irish food and beer, though. New York’s Shilelagh Law will be performing live music for the occasion. Known as “New York’s thirstiest Irish band,” they grew out of the Irish American communities of Yonkers and the Bronx and have built a loyal following throughout the region. Their music has taken them from neighborhood Irish pubs to major festivals and events while maintaining their unmistakable New York Irish sound.

There are over 12 restaurants between Newtown and other areas that have donated gift cards for the event. Among those who committed early to the event are Angelina’s Italian Deli, Cover Two Sports Cafe, Nostrano Italian Eatery, Ralph’s Sandy Hook Café, Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, Shortt’s Farm & Garden Center & Ice Cream, Sugo Gastrobar, Taco Dia, and Yankee Wine & Spirits.

There are also donated items from other businesses, and more are coming in every day, according to organizers. There will also be a silent auction for attendees to participate in. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue will be offering two raffle prizes as well. T-shirts to commemorate the occasion were also created. At this point, there will be day-of sales only, and limited sizes and quantity will be available.

Rosen said that this fundraiser is “100% about improving the foundation of our communities” and supporting those who help keep them safe.

Tickets can be purchased by going to stonebridgerestaurant.com/events. Learn more about FCTRT by going to fctrt.org.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.