Firefighter goes the distance to raise mental health awareness
SAN FRANCISCO - A firefighter has taken to the road to raise money for a foundation, helping families of firefighters. As he rides his bike from Oregon to the Central Coast, he rolled into the Bay Area with an important message to share.
It is said of mail men and women: "Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night will keep these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Now, we can add a firefighter to that slogan who's braving all thet to help fellow firefighters.
There is an old adage that a trip of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In the case of wildland firefighter Kevin Conley, it began with a single pedal push.
The backstory:
Conley, says he's a fire engine boss and a member of a hotshot crew. He also says he suffers depression in the off season from fires as many wildland firefighters do who see many grotesque and horrible things on the job. "You know, a few years ago I almost killed myself and I was super lonely," said Conley.
Much of it has to do with the big winter let down. "We go zero to a hundred all of a sudden from April or May, we fight fires from April or May all the way to November. And, we go through these mental health issues with this giant purpose and then, all of a sudden, we're shut down.
Instead of taking his own life, he says he decided to ride his bike from San Francisco to St. Augustine, Florida, 3,500 miles in honor fallen or mentally disabled firemen and women. He says that led to helping other firefighters and a book to help others.
Today's ride, from Astoria, Oregon to San Francisco, will raise money for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation helps families of severely injured, ill, or deceased firefighters. "What I'm doing, I'm trying to live my life to a greater purpose. So. I'm riding my bike 1,000 miles for the Wileland Firefighter Foundation," said Conley.
There is another goal to this ride, to spread some of the ashes he wears in a vial around his neck, of an Oregon firefighter who took his own life. A promise to the deceased's parents Monday near the Golden Gate Bridge. "Not only do we see this trauma, we live this trauma," he said.
The International Association of Wildland fires estimates that some 30 firefighters take their own lives every year.
If you or someone is struggling with suicide ideation, call the Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 988.
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