ATLANTA — Working on a team and serving his community drew Smyrna Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Brian Marcos to the job. The job came with rewards and risks. Chief Marcos and other first responders often deal with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which he said could bleed into their lifesaving work. 

“They’re seeing things most individuals don’t see, so they’re certainly exposed to a lot of traumatic events, whether that’s through vehicle accidents, families that are in their worse situation,” Marcos said. “If they’re stressed and their cup is empty and there are a lot of things going on to where they’re having to make stressful and tough decisions, and they themselves are not in a good position, it compromises the whole situation.”

State Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta) is the primary sponsor of HB451, a bill that would create an insurance program for first responders diagnosed with PTSD on the job. State Rep. Gregg Kennard (D-Lawrenceville) is also one of the sponsors of the bipartisan measure. He was inspired by a police officer who he said had to pay $20,000 out of pocket to treat his mental health. Kennard said this bill is long overdue for those who lay their lives on the line.

“It’s more likely for a law enforcement officer to die by suicide than in the line of duty,” Kennard said. “If someone is diagnosed while in the line of duty, they immediately get a lump sum benefit. From that point, if there continues to be lingering symptoms, there is a disability payment that would be paid for up to three years. And that’s a one-time deal.”

Kennard said the insurance policy totals out to about $155 annually for each first responder. Lawmakers originally deliberated over a more robust worker’s compensation program, but Kennard said they found it too litigious. 

“It’s a pretty wide array of people who are putting their lives on the line literally every day for the benefit of the community,” Kennard said. “It’s going to make them more effective in their ability to perform their duties.”

As a veteran, Atlanta City Councilman Jason Dozier of District 4 said he felt Georgia’s largest city, which has the largest police force and fire department in the state, should back the bill at a local level. 

“Oftentimes, people who suffer from PTSD suffer in silence, and having those tools available to our first responders not only while they’re on the job but even beyond is something that will go a long way to ensure our first responders we’re taking care of them,” Dozier said. “Cities across Georgia, counties across Georgia, we want you to carry insurance for first responders, police officers, firefighters, our folks who are answering 911 calls to make sure they have the mental health that they need.”

Marcos said this bill would build on strides in fortifying mental health parity and resources in the state. He said in the long-term, the measure could help recruit, retain and restore first responders and their health long-term.

“It certainly helps remove the stigma around mental health concerns, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Marcos said. “There’s no silver bullet, there’s no one thing that’s going to get it done. It’s going to be a complement of many things to reduce what’s happening in our country, state and at the local level.”

HB451 passed unanimously out of committee this week. It will next go to the Rules Committee and then to the floor for a vote, where it is widely expected to pass.