Friday, March 13, 2026

Justice, Accountability, and the Common Good (The Story of the Clan)

(Illustrative Only)

Injustice is a willful act
in the same way that justice
is a willful act. 

A wise man once said, 
"You can commit injustice
by doing nothing."
Marcus Aurelius

Lou has lived a full
life. A piece of advice
for people. Always
strive to do the right 
thing as a man's (woman's)
choices are a reflection
of their soul. 

He returns back to his
book knowing nature
has its own system of 
resolution. Time
will answer all questions.

What reflects your
world? 


Access to justice is essential for a healthy society and for building the foundations of economic and social development. Most people simply want to live their lives without being mistreated or unfairly hindered. Because individuals hold different political, racial, ideological, or religious beliefs, these perspectives can influence how they see the world and how they treat others (Initially called a 'filter model' by Donald Broadbent in 1958 in which some information is selected for attention and others ignored. i.e. your mirror. That leads down a train of development on cognitive distortion.). A justice system provides a process for addressing wrongdoing and gives people a way to seek recourse when others fail to follow basic principles of fairness, such as the Golden Rule. 🪙

Problems arise when unofficial beliefs—such as ideas of superiority based on religion, politics, or identity—begin to influence official actions (Mix power with congnitive distortion and you got a real issue.) When this happens, people may start treating those outside their group differently, which can lead to unequal outcomes. If this occurs over a long time it will have a long tail negative impact difficult for scientists to measure (It can be imperfectly measured if you look at broader sociological trends.). These dynamics can also have economic consequences, because societies function best when people share core values such as fairness, accountability, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and respect for the rule of law. 👆

A philosophical allegory called The Story of the Clan helps illustrate this point. In the story, widespread injustice occurs because of bigotry, extremism, corruption, and discrimination based on race, religion, and political views. Those who are harmed have little recourse because of the fear of retaliation prevents them from reporting wrongdoing. Even when the harm becomes known, those responsible refuse to correct it, remove incentives for misconduct, or assist the victims whose futures were diminished, ultimately harming the broader good of society. Institutions should never be partisan or sheild wrongdoing. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that corruption is more widespread than initially believed and that additional victims were morally dimissed or undermined. Others complained of similar Good Old Boy networks and retaliation only to have their concerns ignored. In some instances, perpetrators are rewarded while misinformation is spread about the victims, contributing to their dehumanization. 

However, the story also shows that positive change is possible, as the sacrifice and courage of individuals and the integrity of oath-faithful officials eventually inspire others to pursue fairness and rebuild a commitment to justice and shared values. Although it can be difficult to change the minds of those who have decided their answers before hearing the questions (pre-cognitive bias), people can still foster greater unity even when decision makers pursue their own agendas, and the story ultimately points toward an adaptive outcome in which lessons learned help protect future victims where past harm resulted from biased and selective thinking. In other words, while they cheated victims, They also cheated society creating a long-tail of outcomes. Further, they also know that people are aware and that limits future wrongdoing due to fear of being exposed. Awareness changes things and improves deeper understanding of justice and the necessity of togetherness and shared values. A hard sell in some connected circles but the people know the benefits of a sense of community and shared paths forward.

This is an interesting piece on access to justice and democracy, 

Access to justice and economic development: Evidence from an international panel dataset.

  • The study examines the relationship between access to justice (ATJ) and economic growth using an international panel dataset covering multiple countries from 1970–2019.

  • Researchers created a new dataset measuring access to justice by analyzing the number of judges per capita across countries.

  • The analysis uses econometric methods (including instrumental variable techniques and dynamic panel models) to address potential causality and endogeneity issues.

  • Results show that greater access to justice has a significant positive effect on economic growth across both developed and developing countries.

  • The economic benefits of improved judicial access are stronger in poorer countries, suggesting legal capacity may be especially important for development.

  • Access to justice supports growth partly by increasing government accountability and improving overall institutional quality.

  • The positive relationship between access to justice and growth appears independent of factors such as legal origin, rule of law traditions, or level of democracy.

Deseau, A., Levai, A., & Schmiegelow, M. (2025). Access to justice and economic development: Evidence from an international panel dataset. European Economic Review, 172, 104947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104947

Thursday, March 12, 2026

From Trails to Main Street: Connecting Outdoor Recreation and Local Business In the Upper Peninsula (Tommy Thinks of the Economics of Start-up Recreation in Delta County)

(Illustrative Only)

Tommy is a local artist
and gardener. He has
decided to start a 
small business selling
flowers from his and other
farms through custom made
flower pots with 
paintings on them. He
has a flowerpot line for local 
outdoor scenery and
one for funny cartoons. 

Outdoor tourists love to look in
the window, see the process,
buy them. He has been selling
them online and can't 
keep up so he is starting 
to scale his business. Online
sales and exports have risen.
His business contributes
to local tax revenue, 
artists are getting paid 
for their designs
(they get a percentage
of each pot sold
with their designs),
money circulates locally,
and once he scales he might
be able to hire a few
more people contributing
to the lives of others.
He might call it
Pot-Pics Inc.

He has a few thoughts 
on broad based capitalism
that fosters micro, small, 
medium businesses that
can balance with corporations
and lead to increased
wealth for average folks,
rebuild downtowns, and
foster higher quality of life.

Outdoor enthusiasts
are a little bit of free spirits.
A few ideas below
that ultra rich and 
the politicians they 
donate to may not
like....

Adventure Tourism
Rebuilding Downtown
Tourism Experience
Tourist Micro
MultiClusters
 Outdoor recreation is highly important for places like the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As the release below shows, a portion of Michigan’s economy is tied to outdoor recreation. In the Upper Peninsula—especially in Delta County—there are many outdoor opportunities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, golf, hiking trails, bike trails, fishing, and recreational boating. The area is also about an hour from several ski hills, making it an outdoor destination. The Upper Peninsula as a whole attracts visitors who come specifically for these experiences.

To maximize the benefits of outdoor recreation and tourism, it is important to recognize that the economy is not driven only by local residents who enjoy these activities. Tourists who travel to participate in outdoor recreation are also consumers and contribute significantly to the local economy. As shown in the chart referenced in the report, parts of the outdoor recreation economy include arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services, but it also includes manufacturing and retail trade.

One way to think about developing downtowns in tourism-oriented communities is through a cluster approach. Outdoor recreation enhances quality of life and attracts visitors, but it also helps retain residents, attract new industries, and bring in knowledge-based workers. These factors together help strengthen and grow the local economy and make the community a more attractive place to live. It is one component of multiple components that can help a community stay resilient if one industry suffers but other local industries thrive therefore supporting all the industries and the economic and social health of the community (i.e. not being overally reliant on a single industry but enhancing the hedges of different industries to support and grow off of each other. In Theory.)

Manufacturing and micro-manufacturing can play an important role in this ecosystem. Small-scale production helps create export opportunities, generates local wealth, and contributes to branding the area. For example, local businesses might produce custom golf carts, golf clubs, fishing poles, polo mallets, snowshoes, candles, or specialty foods such as fudge. These products involve both a manufacturing component and a retail component, which supports multiple parts of the local economy.

This means tourism is not only about bringing people to the area but also about creating the products and experiences they purchase while they are here. When products are made locally, visitors often enjoy seeing them being produced, such as watching craftspeople work through a storefront window. Encouraging startups and small businesses downtown to engage in micro-manufacturing or craft production can enhance both local life and the visitor experience.

Marketing also plays a role. Affinity marketing recognizes that visitors who come for one activity often have related interests. For example, someone visiting to go fat biking may also need equipment such as helmets or clothing, or they may need bike repair services. Having specialized retail and service businesses that cater to these needs can help capture additional economic activity.

There is also an opportunity to think about behavioral targeting. Visitors who enjoy outdoor recreation often share other interests such as attending theater performances, art shows, live music, breweries, seminars/trade shows, or community events. Communities can design experiences that connect these activities—for example, allowing people to bike around downtown while attending music or cultural events. Policies such as allowing golf carts or ATVs on certain streets may also support this broader approach to enhancing the outdoor recreation and tourism experience.

Overall, outdoor recreation can serve as both a quality-of-life asset and an economic development strategy. Communities that connect recreation with tourism, retail, small-scale manufacturing, and cultural activities can capture greater economic value while strengthening their identity and attractiveness as places to live and visit.

Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024
  • The U.S. outdoor recreation economy contributed $696.7 billion to U.S. GDP in 2024, representing about 2.4% of total U.S. GDP.

  • The sector generated about $1.3 trillion in total economic output and supported approximately 5.2 million jobs across the United States.

  • Outdoor recreation includes three major categories:

    • conventional activities such as bicycling, boating, hiking, hunting, and fishing

    • other activities such as gardening and outdoor events

    • supporting activities such as tourism, travel, construction, and government spending.

  • Boating and fishing were the largest conventional outdoor recreation activities in the United States, generating about $38.4 billion in value added.

  • Major industries connected to outdoor recreation include arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services, retail trade, and manufacturing.

  • In Michigan, outdoor recreation contributed about $15.1 billion to the state economy in 2024, reflecting the importance of activities such as boating, fishing, hunting, and trail recreation to the state’s tourism and manufacturing sectors.

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. (2026). Outdoor recreation economic statistics, U.S. and states, 2024. https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/outdoor-recreation-economic-statistics-us-and-states-2024

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Escanaba City Council Meeting (March 5th, 2026): Escanaba Yacht Club and City Manager Position

(Illustrative Only)
I'm just putting 
here to help visualize. 
You can look on their webpage
for their actual logo and information. 
Consider joining. 
EYC Webpage
A couple of primary ideas came out of the Escanaba City Council meeting. Two of the biggest topics were the hiring of a new city manager and the discussion surrounding the Escanaba Yacht Club (EYC).

City Manager Position

The current city manager, who is leaving, appears to have done a solid job for the city. From my perspective, there are no complaints. He seems to be a capable young professional who did what he needed to do while creating opportunities both for the city and for his own career. It is always encouraging to see talented people come into a community, contribute positively, and continue to grow professionally. While it would be ideal for communities to retain that talent long-term, the transition also creates an opportunity to bring in new skills and perspectives that may support the next phase of the city’s development.

As the city looks for a new manager, the council appears to be focusing on the right priorities. Housing is a major need, particularly downtown housing. In addition, the city needs to continue attracting startups and investment, especially businesses downtown as well as manufacturing and industrial development in the area. At the same time, it should continue building on the growth in tourism that Escanaba has experienced over the past few years. Interesting article on Hiring Executives -SHRM

Escanaba Yacht Club

The second major topic was the Escanaba Yacht Club and the discussion about the value it brings to the community. It was a productive conversation because it gave the yacht club an opportunity to highlight what it currently contributes as well as what it could potentially contribute in the future. Several ideas were discussed that could strengthen its role in the community. The conversation is what is important.

One idea that came to mind while reflecting on the discussion involves partnerships with the nearby Gladstone marina and sailing community. For example, the Escanaba Yacht Club has facilities that could potentially be used as classroom space for sailing or boating education. Courses could combine classroom instruction at the Escanaba Yacht Club with hands-on sailing experiences on larger private boats that volunteer to take people out, while also partnering with Gladstone for practical training using smaller boats from the boat house (Gladstone Sail School). In this way, both communities could benefit by working together and developing a stronger regional sailing and waterfront program (EYC Webpage and GYC Facebook).

(Illustrative Only)

For just a moment
the world stops.

Tourism sells experiences.
Strong communities
create experiences.
Positive affectivity 
and improved spending
can support businesses
on Ludington Street
that can foster 
investment, tourism,
and tax revenue.

Trajectory of American
Yacht Clubs
As a side note, I am considering joining the Escanaba Yacht Club. I'm already a member of the GYC . Membership reciprocity between clubs can be helpful when traveling, since many yacht clubs honor each other’s memberships. I also like hanging out with people. Local memberships are also relatively affordable around 100 ish compared with clubs in other regions, which can cost thousands of dollars to join.

Another idea is to strengthen the tourism and visual identity of the waterfront. Decorative flags or banners with the Escanaba Yacht Club logo could be placed along the east side of Ludington Street to help beautify the area and highlight the connection between downtown and the waterfront. When combined with the marina, beaches, and other downtown improvements, small visual enhancements such as flowers could help strengthen the attractiveness of several blocks of the downtown area.  A certain level of co-branding with the city in Great Lakes tourism and sailing venues (Ideally Escanaba, Gladstone, Delta County and businesses can create cobranding.) One even consider a monthly activity or sailing column in the local newspaper.  That could inturn lead to investment on that side of the city to enhance the investment that is already coming in.

Overall, when considering the value that yacht clubs can bring to a community, it can be helpful to think beyond traditional expectations and explore broader possibilities related to tourism, education, partnerships, investment, socialization and waterfront development.

Bullet Point Summary for March 5th, 2026 City Council Meeting Notes:

  • City council uses a consent agenda to approve routine items together unless a council member or citizen asks for a separate discussion.

  • The March 5, 2026 meeting agenda included approval of minutes from the February 19 and February 24 meetings, agenda adjustments, conflict of interest declarations, and public comments.

  • A public hearing was scheduled to present the final report and close-out of a Community Development Block Grant awarded to LeverEdge Chiropractic PLLC.

  • Council considered approving Resolution 26-04 to support a charitable gaming license request from New Life Community Center to allow large fundraising events.

  • Council reviewed a request to approve a special event permit for the RRN Block Party on July 24, 2026, including closing the 100 block of South 11th Street and allowing alcohol sales under state and local rules.

  • Administration requested approval to hire Pemble Concrete to redo epoxy flooring at the Public Works facility for $7,940.

  • Council considered purchasing a playground from GameTime for West Side Park for $15,318.06.

  • Council planned the first reading of Ordinance No. 1317 to amend winter parking restrictions, with the second reading and public hearing scheduled for March 19, 2026.

  • Council scheduled discussion on next steps in the city manager hiring process after interviews held on February 24, 2026.

  • At the February 19 meeting, council approved electrical safety training for water and wastewater staff up to $6,000.

  • Council approved the purchase of a wastewater treatment plant mixer for $17,500.

  • Council adopted a resolution allowing golf carts on certain city streets with restrictions such as 30 mph speed limits, daylight operation only, and licensed drivers age 16 or older.

  • Council approved a $137,814 contract with Roy Ness Contracting for public safety locker room and bathroom upgrades.

  • Public comments at the February 19 meeting focused on issues related to the Escanaba Yacht Club.

  • A February 24 special meeting was held to interview candidates for the city manager position and discuss topics such as downtown development, housing, utility rates, inflation, and communication with residents.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Shared Morality May Help Reduce Hate and Corruption While Securing Our Future

(Illustrative Only
Eagle Eye, the Northern Star,
and Basic Societal Values.)

Representing the morality,
morals, codes, oaths and the very
purpose of our existence through
the generations. Some
have given up everything to do
the right thing and some
will always protect wrongdoing.
Who we choose to lead us
will determine our futures. 

Vote your conscious and be
your own person. 


 Let us continue exploring hate and corruption through the learning Story of the Clan. In the story, a group of people spread hateful rumors to benefit themselves socially and financially. Over time, the situation grew worse as some corrupt officials misused taxpayer resources to target people they disliked, including those with different political views or those who spoke out against corruption such as whistleblowers. This pattern continued for years. Eventually the situation had an opportunity to be corrected, but only after significant struggle to uphold shared values such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to pursue happiness. The victims upheld their oaths while a minority of officials undermined theirs (The clan courts gave good old boy free passes and struggled to understand the essence and purpose of law. Even confusing the prupose of the institution.). In practice, these values sometimes became subjective depending on who benefited and who was harmed, suggesting that the system still has room for improvement.

 ( Shhhh Don't say that too loudly. You could go on a list for extremist targeting. 😕🤷).

In the story, the turning point came from the many public officials who honored their oaths and acted with integrity became tired of open protection for corruption and the large group of victims this network created (This is proof most are good people and enhancing policing by removing bad apples is needed. Politicians and their hand picked "yes men" may give cover to criminal wrongdoing.). What nearly undermined the system, however, were a few corrupt individuals who abused power and targeted minorities and others in the community. Some were eventually caught engaging in wrongdoing, though a few received lenient outcomes, again highlighting weaknesses in the system.

An unwritten pattern seemed to emerge: quick to harm and slow to correct. Policies and procedures were originally designed to create protections, but they could be manipulated by individuals or groups with agendas. From a systems perspective, this suggests the need to review and improve policies so that they better serve the public good and prevent misuse. While they may mostly work ok someone with knowledge can navigate them indicating long-term corruption and many other unknown victims (False information and fake investigations).

The research below adds an interesting perspective. It suggests that groups organized around shared moral values are not necessarily the ones most likely to harm others. While people sometimes misuse religion or politics to justify harmful actions, the study indicates that shared moral beliefs alone do not automatically lead to hostility toward other groups. Perhaps one could say shared moral values strengthen the system (Some officials will struggle with why we say these oaths and make pledges.)

This raises an important philosophical question. What happens when societies anchor themselves in shared values such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the principles found in the Bill of Rights? Ideally, these values encourage people to support their own communities while still respecting the rights of others. Can it lead to greater economic and social growth as people improve interaction, movement of information, business dealings, social engagement, etc.? Or is cohesion a wasted idea only talked about by poets and dreamers?

From this perspective, when individuals or groups harm others, it may indicate a disconnect from those shared values. It raises questions about where loyalties lie—whether with the broader public good or with narrower interests such as personal networks, partisan loyalty, or the protection of corruption. Regardless of a person’s role—whether a judge, public official, a politician or private citizen—misusing systems of power suggests the need for continued reflection and striving for the next rung of development. 

Feel free to make your own opinion and that is fine as long as you took a minute to think about it and don't harm others. This hypothetical, philosophical, thought experiment is designed to encourage you think and delve into possibilities. It is you who must determine whether something deeper is sparked in your moral conscous. You will then be free to vote that conscious. 

"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened." — Lao Tzu

Helping the ingroup versus harming the outgroup: Evidence from morality-based groups

  • The study examines when preference for one’s own group leads to harming another group.

  • Earlier research using real social groups suggested that groups based on shared moral beliefs may increase hostility toward outgroups.

  • This study used artificial groups in three experiments to remove the effects of past conflict or polarization.

  • Participants played the Intergroup Parochial and Universal Cooperation (IPUC) game, which allowed them to choose between helping themselves, helping their group, harming another group, or helping both groups.

  • Results showed that morality-based groups displayed less selfish behavior and more cooperation overall.

  • There was some increase in helping the ingroup, mainly because participants expected their own group members to cooperate.

  • The study did not find evidence that morality-based group membership increased harm toward outgroups.

  • The findings suggest that shared moral beliefs alone do not necessarily lead to hostility toward other groups.

Grigoryan, L., Seo, S., Simunovic, D., & Hofmann, W. (2022). Helping the ingroup versus harming the outgroup: Evidence from morality-based groups. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 103, 104436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104436

Technology and Human Influence in Executive Learning and Development

(Illustrative Only)

"Listen whipper snappers"
Chuck starts.....

Chuck is knowledgeable of
businesses and shares the 
fundamentals of business
prior to technology 
and teaches executives 
how to integrate advanced
tech with fundamental 
human elements
that enhance both. 

A few executives are confused
as to how an old bib
wearing shepard
can teach them about 
managing global companies.
They snicker and discount
what he has to say.

Chuck just
engaged in lesson #1 
that not all things are 
as they seem and limitations
in perspective also limit
corporate innovation. 
Open your mind and you
can maximize the value
of technology, the value
of lives, and integrate
the human element.
Some of these
executives may someday
want to lauch tech
start-ups in places
 like Escanaba.

"Talent hits a target no
one else can hit;
Genius hits a target
no one else can see."

Related concepts
Executive development can be approached in multiple ways, including competency models, which I’ve been working on. These models measure learning that prepares executives by aligning key concepts and skills with what’s needed to compete in today’s workplace. Others are exploring the use of technology, including coaching tools, to support executive development. Technology can enhance learning by offering insights and opportunities for reflection, but it cannot replace the active engagement of people. Human participation in the learning process is essential, and technology should always serve as a supplement rather than a substitute.

For example, chatbots—similar to customer service systems—can guide users through sequences of choices and provide feedback. While useful, they can also narrow learning because they follow predefined algorithms. Not everyone learns the same way, and variability in learning styles is a strength; it allows humans to adapt creatively to changing circumstances and solve complex problems. Traditional approaches often focus on memorization or regurgitation of knowledge, which is necessary as a foundation, but innovation often requires doing and learning in new ways—something algorithms may not support.

In short, technology can enhance executive development, but the human-to-human element remains critical. People bring reflection, connection, and motivation that extend beyond what algorithms can provide. The study below illustrates one approach to blending technology with human coaching, and it’s worth a read.

Coaching copilot: Blended form of an LLM-powered chatbot and a human coach to effectively support self-reflection for leadership growth

  • Executive coaching is commonly used for leadership development and focuses on helping leaders reflect on their behaviors, decisions, and professional goals through guided conversations.

  • The study examines how a large language model (LLM) chatbot can support leadership development by encouraging executives to engage in self-reflection between coaching sessions.

  • Researchers developed a “coaching copilot” that combines chatbot interaction with traditional human coaching to provide continuous reflection and goal tracking.

  • Findings indicate that AI tools can support leadership growth by prompting reflection and extending coaching conversations beyond scheduled meetings.

  • The study concludes that AI works best as a supplement to human coaching rather than a replacement, as human coaches provide deeper insight, empathy, and contextual understanding.

Reference

Arakawa, R., & Yakura, H. (2024). Coaching copilot: Blended form of an LLM-powered chatbot and a human coach to effectively support self-reflection for leadership growth. In Proceedings of the 6th ACM Conference on Conversational User Interfaces (CUI ’24). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3640794.3665549

Monday, March 9, 2026

Scapegoating and Togetherness for Societal Problems-A philosophical perspective

(Illustrative Only)

Billy the Goat is 
trying to help people
escape from the cave
before the darkness
consumes them.
Time answers 
all questions...


Enlightenment and
Allegory of the Cave
Scapegoating has appeared throughout history, often linked to economic or social problems. It usually involves blaming someone or a minority group, making them the “fall guys.” This can happen on a small scale, like in workplaces, families, or daily interactions, and on a larger scale, affecting entire societies. The consequences can be significant, as seen in Germany, where historical scapegoating left long-lasting scars. Enlightened leaders entrusted with preserving core values and societal contracts learn from history. They take the lessons to heart.

What often happens is that people shift blame from those truly responsible to an easily targeted group. For example, during an economic crisis, instead of addressing the root causes, some may blame a particular group, reinforcing perceptions of “us versus them” and creating out-groups. Even small acts of scapegoating can spiral into larger, more dangerous patterns if conditions are right.

From a broader perspective, history shows that those who bring people together—through empathy, shared values, and cooperation—tend to have a positive impact on society. In contrast, those who divide or exclude others create harm. Understanding scapegoating helps us reflect on what unites people and what drives them apart, and how togetherness can raise society to higher standards that benefit everyone.

You may be interested in the study below, 

Scapegoating of ethnic minorities: Experimental evidence.
  • The study used a field experiment in Eastern Slovakia to test whether majority-group members punish innocent minority members more than majority members after being frustrated.

  • Participants could impose costly punishment on a third person (the scapegoat) who did not cause the harm, with the scapegoat’s ethnicity randomly varied.

  • Minority scapegoats (Roma) were punished more than twice as harshly as majority scapegoats when harm occurred, showing systematic scapegoating.

  • The effect persisted even after controlling for participants’ characteristics and was not explained by statistical discrimination or responsibility attribution.

  • Results show that frustration or perceived injustice can be channeled into discriminatory punishment of innocent out-group members, contributing to intergroup conflict.

Želinský, T., Roland, G., Cahlíková, J., Chytilová, J., & Bauer, M. (2021, October 1). Scapegoating of ethnic minorities: Experimental evidence. CEPR VoxEU. https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/scapegoating-ethnic-minorities-experimental-evidence?

Firefighting and PTSD Awareness-Organization in Marquette

Recently I was sitting with a friend who works in healthcare having a cool one, and we were talking about PTSD, not only among veterans but also among firefighters. In a strain of kharma, a couple of weeks ago I also attended a presentation about an organization that recently opened in the Upper Peninsula in Marquette, Michigan. The group focuses on supporting first responders and firefighters dealing with PTSD. The organization is called Frontline Strong Together, and they have opened a wellness center in Marquette.

I wanted to share some of that information because it is important to talk and write about these issues. I often write about firefighters, veterans, and related topics, and raising awareness helps people better understand the challenges first responders face. Firefighters and other emergency personnel regularly encounter accidents, trauma, and situations that most people rarely see. Working in these environments day after day can create significant emotional and psychological strain that many outside the profession may not fully understand.

The study included below is interesting because it shows a wide range in PTSD prevalence among firefighters, estimated between about 6.5 percent and 37 percent. One study of 131 firefighters found that about 8 percent showed PTSD symptoms, which is still a meaningful number considering how serious the condition can be.

I encourage you to explore some of the links below to learn more about the risks firefighters face and the prevalence of PTSD in the profession. 

*As a side note, I’m involved in theater and recently attended a directors’ workshop where there may be an opportunity to direct a future community based staged reading or production about firefighters and first responders. It’s still in the early stages of development such as finding a script and possibly submitting it for board approval, but the idea would be to offer an inside look at a firefighting family, address issues like PTSD, raise awareness, and possibly fundraise for a local fire department or related organization while also highlighting opportunities in volunteer firefighting. If the project moves forward there would likely be a small budget involved, so if you have any interest in being a sponsor, advertising, promoting or supporting the effort, feel free to send me a message in the comment box to the right and I can reach out if the idea receives approval and progresses. While it is in early stages of planning knowing it has interest to corporate sponsors and others can help in turning it into a "go". We can talk about it more.

Frontline Strong Together offers free mental health support to first responders

Frontline Strong Together

You may be interested in the study,

Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in firefighters.

  • Firefighters are frequently exposed to traumatic events such as serious injuries, deaths, and disasters, which increases the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  • Research has found that PTSD prevalence among firefighters varies widely across studies, ranging from about 6.5 percent to 37 percent.

  • One study of 131 firefighters using the PTSD Checklist found about 8 percent showed PTSD symptoms based on the screening measure.

  • When additional diagnostic criteria such as fear, helplessness, or functional impairment were considered, the estimated PTSD prevalence dropped to about 5 percent.

  • Factors linked to higher PTSD symptoms included previous psychological treatment, earlier entry into firefighting, and strong emotional reactions during the firefighter’s worst traumatic event.

Del Ben, K. S., Scotti, J. R., Chen, Y., & Fortson, B. L. (2006). Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in firefighters. Journal of Traumatic Stress. https://firstrespondercenter.org/document/prevalence-of-posttraumatic-stress-disorder-symptoms-in-firefighters/