Massachusetts Firefighter Battles for PTSD Disability Benefits

Jeff Sirois, a firefighter in Methuen, Massachusetts, is fighting for disability benefits after being diagnosed with severe complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) stemming from his two-decade career in the fire service. The challenges he faces highlight a significant issue regarding mental health support for first responders, especially in relation to state regulations.

Throughout his career, Sirois has endured numerous traumatic incidents, including a heartbreaking call in which he attempted to resuscitate a baby trapped in a vehicle filled with exhaust fumes. “I have the mother screaming, ‘save my baby, save my baby, that’s all I have to live for,'” Sirois recounted. The trauma from that incident lingered, particularly as he was a father to a young child at the time.

In 2020, after responding to another distressing call, Sirois experienced a severe panic attack while trapped in a smoke-filled basement. “I thought I was going to die,” he said, marking a turning point in his mental health journey. Following this incident, Sirois sought help and was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD. He left work and underwent four inpatient hospital stays before applying for retirement benefits.

Massachusetts law allows first responders to receive up to 72% of their salary, tax-free, for life if they can demonstrate that their injuries are job-related. However, Sirois’s claims have been denied twice by the Methuen Retirement Board, despite the support of numerous medical professionals who corroborated the connection between his PTSD and his work experiences.

The board’s decisions hinge on a Massachusetts law that requires first responders to apply for retirement benefits within two years of their injury. Sirois’s therapist, Jeff Zeizel, criticized this regulation, noting that PTSD symptoms can manifest long after the initial trauma. “A first responder could be exposed literally decades prior, and the symptoms show up currently,” Zeizel explained.

In a statement, attorney Michael Sacco, representing the Methuen Retirement Board, indicated that the board disagrees with the medical panel’s assessment linking Sirois’s PTSD to his last incident. “The board believes the evidence does not support that opinion,” he said, underscoring the complexities involved in such cases.

Following the board’s denials, Sirois successfully appealed to a magistrate, but the Retirement Board is now seeking to reverse that ruling through another state board, a process that could extend for five to seven years.

As he navigates this lengthy battle, Sirois is determined to raise awareness about mental health issues among first responders. “I can’t take the pressure. I can’t take the sadness. It’s got to change. This is costing people’s lives,” he stated passionately. He hopes to erase the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service and encourage others to seek help.

For those in need, resources are available to support first responders experiencing mental health challenges. Programs like the On Site Academy provide inpatient care for PTSD, while the Leader program offers specialized mental health services at McLean Hospital. Additionally, Wild Hearts Horses for Heroes provides unique therapy experiences that connect first responders with horses to address PTSD.

As the debate over mental health support for first responders continues, Sirois’s fight exemplifies the urgent need for systemic change to better support those who serve their communities.