The Lost Firefighter

Jason Corthell 1985 (Portland Oregon)



The Lost Firefighter

Feel the tug, reach for a rung.
Hold on tight for another night.

Isolated and desolate yet busy and chaotic.

Scenes like these shouldn’t be seen, can’t stop hearing that frightful scream.

“Off duty” they say. But don’t they know my mind is frayed?

Stayed on shift in my mind at home, makes for a disastrous mind roam.

Losing hope on life and love, trying to keep myself above.
Not knowing what’s to come.

The thrills can be duplicated by pills but don’t I know what’s to come from the scenes I’ve run?

All over now, I can’t go on. Time to turn my job into a reason for others to sob.

Gone from this place, that I felt so misunderstood and onto somewhere I’m reassured.

Family taken care of, my duty here is done. I wish it wouldn’t have ended with a gun.

About this poem

This poem came to fruition from my own struggles and research within firefighter mental wellness.

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Written on May 10, 2023

Submitted by jacorthell on May 10, 2023

50 sec read
5

Quick analysis:

Scheme X XX X X X X XX A X X A
Closest metre Iambic heptameter
Characters 817
Words 169
Stanzas 11
Stanza Lengths 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1

Jason Corthell

​Division Chief Jason Corthell if the founder of Ironclad Wellness and has been a student in studying the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post Traumatic Growth in individuals with himself being diagnosed in 2017. Jason has presented to many organizations throughout his speaking ventures. Although being a first responder and promoting his message within the emergency services realm, he feels it is crucial to deliver his emotional and passionate journey to anyone who will listen. Jason is currently working on publishing his first book! Be on the lookout in 2024. ​Jason’s program is highly customizable in order to adapt to any organization’s needs. first responder or not. Do not pass up an opportunity to see how your establishment can benefit from what Jason has been able to accomplish in his own organization. ​​Jason is a 4th generation firefighter started his career in 2004. Jason also proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Chief Corthell is now the Division Chief of Training for his home department and also works as an instructor at Lone Star College Fire Academy. ​​Chief Corthell serves as the Wellness/Fitness Initiative Director for his department as well as many other works within the organization’s public relation roles. Jason has a great passion and drive for progressing mental wellness in the fire service and beyond through both personal and professional battles and experiences. He has implemented and influenced many others in the pursuit of providing first responders and public/private sector organizations the help that they need. ​​Chief Corthell holds two Associate Degrees, a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management. more…

All Jason Corthell poems | Jason Corthell Books

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    "The Lost Firefighter" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/159171/the-lost-firefighter>.

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