As Arkansans gather for holiday celebrations, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding the public that first responders across the state are facing heightened levels of stress, burnout, and emotional strain. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and correctional staff continue to work around the clock through Christmas, often missing family traditions to keep their communities safe.
“While most families are at home opening gifts or sharing a meal, thousands of Arkansas first responders are on duty, answering calls for help,” said Dr. Chris Clem, Director of Research & Planning and POLAR Team member for DPS and the Arkansas State Police. “Recognizing the realities of stress and burnout — and taking steps to address them — is critical to protecting the men and women who protect all of us.”
Holiday Stress and Burnout on the Rise
Research shows that first responders experience significantly higher levels of occupational stress and burnout than the general population — and the pressures intensify during the holiday season. Call volumes increase, travel-related crashes spike, winter weather emergencies become more frequent, and emotionally difficult calls are more common.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a chronic condition resulting from unmanaged workplace stress, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Early signs for first responders may include trouble sleeping, irritability, emotional withdrawal, loss of interest in normal activities, difficulty concentrating, physical symptoms, or reliance on unhealthy coping habits.
Supporting Wellness and Building Resilience
Dr. Clem emphasized that burnout prevention must be a shared effort among agencies, families, and communities. DPS and Arkansas State Police continue to expand wellness initiatives, including peer support programs, chaplaincy services, mental health resources, and improved staffing strategies.
First responders are encouraged to:
Prioritize rest and recovery between shifts
Stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers
Use counseling, peer support, and wellness resources
Protect personal time when possible
Practice healthy coping strategies such as exercise, prayer, mindfulness, and meaningful hobbies
“Our first responders are human,” Clem said. “They carry the weight of other people’s worst days, often quietly and without recognition. Investing in their wellness is essential to public safety.”
How Arkansans Can Help
DPS is urging Arkansans to support first responders in simple but meaningful ways this holiday season. Expressions of gratitude, patience at crash scenes, and recognition of the sacrifices made by responders and their families can significantly boost morale.
Community organizations, churches, and civic groups are encouraged to partner with local agencies to offer meals, family support, or holiday resources for first responder households.
“When communities wrap around those who serve, it helps sustain them through some of the most demanding periods of the year,” Dr. Clem added.
A Shared Responsibility
“Our first responders carry the weight of our hardest moments so that others can experience safety, stability, and hope,” Clem said. “As we move through the holiday season, remembering the human beings behind the uniform — and working together to support their wellness — strengthens not only our first responders, but the entire fabric of our communities.”
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