Clinton Fire Rescue mourns unexpected loss of firefighter-EMT

CLINTON, Maine (WABI) - Clinton Fire Rescue and the Clinton Professional Firefighters Association are dealing with a devastating and unexpected loss Wednesday. Clinton Fire Rescue announced the death of one of its members Tuesday night. On Wednesday afternoon, they identified the firefighter-EMT as Becky Stuart.

Fire Chief Rick Barton asked the community to keep Stuart’s family, friends and fellow firefighters in their thoughts.

West Forks Volunteer Fire and Rescue confirmed on Facebook that Stuart was also a member of its department.

Barton’s statement included contact information for crisis support. It did not specify a cause of death.

Jason Mills, co-owner of Resilient Responder Wellness Center, works with first responders across Maine. He said caring for their mental health is an important part of the job.

“We try to normalize that mental health, it’s part of occupational readiness,” Mills said. “Like you would do training to stay proficient in your skills in EMS, or like you would train to stay physically fit, taking care of ourselves mentally is an occupational requirement.”

“We’re trying to really drive home that point of you’re one of the people that are worth taking care of, and you’re one of the people that people want to help,” he said.

Wally Fraser, co-founder of the Toned Out Project, said support is available for first responders, including options out of state.

“There are lots of treatment programs throughout the country that are designed specifically for first responders. And when you go to treatment, you are there with first responders, you’re not there with people that you just transported to the hospital or were working with in some capacity,” Fraser said.

Procession planned

Clinton Fire Rescue is organizing a procession Thursday from Veilleux Funeral Home in Waterville to the medical examiner’s office in Augusta.

The department said interested friends, family members, and fire and rescue units can line Route 201 between Winslow and Augusta to pay their respects. The procession begins at 9:45 a.m.

If you or a loved one needs support, call or text 988 to reach the Maine Crisis Line 24/7.