The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water without getting wet.--Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.What do we know about the first response community? The literature suggests that comparative measures such as the standardized mortality rate, accident injuries, and early retirement based on medical issues are higher than for the general population.1, 2, 3 Prolonged work rel...