Written by the International Association of Fire Fighters
If you are both a fire fighter and a parent, your kids probably already know your profession is different
than the 9:00-5:00 jobs their classmates’ parents have. Whether it’s responding to a fatal fire, a mass
shooting or a natural disaster, even young children can understand the inherit value, sacrifice and danger
of your job. Likewise, when a line-of-duty death occurs in your department, the impact can be felt
through every layer of your community. This can include your firehouse, your neighborhood, your family
and your kids. Regardless of whether your children knew your deceased brother or sister, talking to your
kids about the loss of life is never easy, especially when you are coping with your own grief and shock. To
help you and your children during this challenging time, consider the following points:
Consider the Age
The developmental stage of your child should guide your approach in talking to them. For kids ages 0-5,
it’s possible they are unaware of the event and, thus, do not need an explicit explanation of the incident. It
may be appropriate to say, “Daddy had a bad day at work,” and leave it at that. At this age, children lack an
understanding of death and value predictable routines above all else. For kids ages 6-11, it may be helpful to inquire about what
your child has already heard or understands about the incident. While avoiding the discussion together may
feel more comfortable for you in the short term, not directly acknowledging the loss can produce confusion
and anxiety for your child at times when they need stability and reassurance. It’s appropriate to confirm broad facts of
what occurred while limiting exposure to media and discussion of unnecessary details or graphic content.
While teenagers may seem to have little reaction initially, they certainly understand that death is real, inevitable, and
irreversible. As a primary adult in the life of your teen, you have a critical opportunity to model some
important life lessons: death is a part of life and sometimes bad things happen to good people. In particular, when
death occurs earlier than it should, remind your teen it’s perfectly normal to be sad and
angry, and want answers to important questions. Be honest with your teen that you may not have all the
answers, but you are here and ready to listen when they are ready to talk.
Offer Reassurance to Your Child
Regardless of what type of fatality occurred, kids of all ages need to know they are safe and that their
parents are safe. Kids need reassurance that adults in their life — parents, teachers, fire fighters and police
— are doing everything possible to keep them safe from harm. In chaotic or emotional times, it is critical
for your child that you stay consistent with mundane routines, such as pick-up and drop-off schedules and
family meals. These rituals help convey a sense of normalcy to your child and send the message, “Even
though this tragedy occurred, I am still here for you and your world is not changing.”
For kids of fire fighters, convincing your children you are safe is a more complicated
message. Don’t offer false realities or promises that you cannot keep. Instead, acknowledge
your children’s fears and the inherit risks of your job, while offering assurance that fatal
events (such as what occurred) do happen, but are exceedingly rare. Educate your children
on the numerous precautions that are taken to ensure your safety on the job. When you are
off duty and feel the time is right, consider taking your child to visit your firehouse to
introduce them to some of the crew members and equipment that helps keep you safe.
Acknowledge Your Own Feelings
In responding to a line-of-duty death or a tragedy, your kids will take a cue from you on
how cope. Teach your kids it’s okay to grieve by talking about your feelings, accepting
support from others and finding healthy outlets to manage pain. It’s okay to say, “Mom and
dad feel sad (or scared) too. We don’t know why this happened, but we know we love you
and love each other.” By acknowledging your own feelings in response to a tragic event, you
are modeling a crucial life skill that your children need to cultivate: emotional intelligence.
Watch for Signs
Just as adults, no child responds to grief or tragedy the same way. Your main
responsibility as a parent is to convey unconditional love and support to your child, listen
when they are ready to talk and continue taking care of yourself. Despite your efforts and
communication, some children will still have a tough time processing their grief, shock or
trauma. If your child is displaying any of these signs, consult with your child’s teacher,
counselor or physician for help.
Physical
- Eating much less/ more
- Sleeping much less/ more
- Urine or bowel accidents
- Changes in hygiene
- Persistent colds or stomach aches
- Fatigue or sluggishness
Emotional
- Persistent Crying
- Irritability
- Clinginess
- Overactivity
- Fear or anxiety
- Guilt/ shame
- Acting aloof or distant
Behavioral
- Not wanting to talk about it
- Withdraw from family/ friends
- Withdraw from hobbies/ sports
- Changes grades
- Aggression towards things or people
IAFF, I. A. F. F. (Ed.). (2020, February). Tough Talk: How to Talk to Your Kids About Tragedy and Line-of-Duty Death. International Associations of Fire Fighters. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Talking_to_kids_about_tragedy_flyer_2018.pdf