\u201cNobody needs to fight alone.\u201d These are words to live by, spoken by Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) Battalion Chief, Greg Taylor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taylor has seen everything imaginable during his 31 years of service \u2013 a whole lot of good, but a whole lot of devastation, too. He never let the difficult side of the job deter him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taylor\u2019s father served 27 years on the KCFD. \u201cI spent a lot of time during my childhood at the fire station,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cI liked the environment and wanted to help people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1990, just his second year after graduating from the fire academy, he was involved in his first CPR life-saving situation. That inspiring moment early in his career solidified his commitment to his work, and the next three decades of service alongside his fellow firefighters were full of intense rescue missions. Some successful. Some not, despite giving everything they had to save a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being called into action in response to fires, vehicle accidents and other emergencies, Taylor and his comrades witness deaths and life-changing injuries frequently. He is haunted by \u201cnot being able to get to people in time.\u201d He\u2019s also seen tragedy strike his co-workers in the line of duty. Even suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The heavy burden that comes with consistently seeing physical and mental distress can mount into an impossibly heavy weight. This is true for many in Taylor\u2019s line of work and he searched for way to help his colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had been talking with a mentor about getting some more tools in my toolbox to help with two friends that had been suicidal,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThis person realized my need for help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taylor was so busy working to get help for his colleagues, he hadn\u2019t recognized his own needs. He was introduced to The Battle Within, a Kansas City-based non-profit organization that offers help with the healing process for first responders, military, frontline medical workers and others who spend their lives in service to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThings started to resonate with me quickly. We had been talking about coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety that were commonly used, like alcohol, drugs and even shopping binges. That\u2019s when it all finally clicked with me. I use the invaluable tools that were learned there every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the help he received at The Battle Within, Taylor not only has built a better way to navigate the challenges of his high-performance career, but also is able to be on the look-out for others who need the same help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, Taylor continues to save lives as a volunteer mentor in the The Battle Within system. \u201cIt\u2019s very inspirational to see the change for the better in each person that goes through the program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taylor\u2019s advice is to not hesitate to ask for help. \u201cEven if you\u2019re hard-headed like me,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked what Taylor would say to fellow first responders, \u201cIf you are having some anxiety issues, if you\u2019re having a hard time coping with a situation or event, seek out some help. Nobody needs to fight alone. There are tools and people available to share your burdens and to help you get through whatever it is you are battling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is great insight from a man who knows first-hand about big-time pressure. Because of his long-time service as a Kansas City firefighter and his leadership in mentoring others through their behavioral health journey, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is proud to partner with the Kansas City Royals to honor Greg Taylor as a \u201cBlue KC Hometown Hero\u201d. Greg will be recognized at the Kansas City Royals game on Friday, May 21.<\/p>\n\n\n
Blue KC Hometown Hero Program<\/p> <\/div>\n