December 22, 2025

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As Arkansans gather for holiday celebrations, the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding the public that first responders across the state continue to face heightened levels of stress, burnout, and emotional strain during this time of year. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and correctional personnel work around the clock through the holidays, often missing family traditions to ensure the safety of their communities.

“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
Research consistently shows that first responders experience higher levels of occupational stress and burnout than the general population, and these pressures often increase during the holiday season. Call volumes rise, travel-related incidents spike, weather emergencies become more frequent, and emotionally charged situations are more common, all while responders may be carrying unresolved trauma from difficult calls throughout the year.

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a chronic condition resulting from prolonged workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment. For first responders, burnout often develops gradually, with early warning signs such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, emotional withdrawal, loss of interest in normal activities, increased reliance on alcohol or other unhealthy coping mechanisms, trouble concentrating, and physical symptoms like headaches or elevated blood pressure.

Supporting Wellness and Resilience
Dr. Clem emphasized that preventing burnout requires a shared effort from agencies, families, and the broader community. Organizational strategies such as peer support programs, chaplaincy services, mental health resources, and improved staffing models are critical components of DPS and Arkansas State Police wellness efforts.

At the individual level, first responders are encouraged to:

• Prioritize rest and recovery, even in short periods, to help the body and mind reset between shifts.
• Stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers to avoid isolation, particularly during the holidays.
• Use available resources, including counseling, peer support, and wellness programs, as tools for strength rather than viewing them as signs of weakness.
• Set boundaries when possible by protecting personal time and communicating needs clearly.
• Practice healthy coping strategies such as exercise, prayer, mindfulness, and hobbies that provide meaning outside of work.

“Our first responders are human,” Dr. Clem said. “They carry the weight of other people’s worst days, often quietly and without recognition. Investing in their wellness is not optional—it is essential to public safety.”

How Arkansans Can Help
DPS is also calling on Arkansans to play an active role in supporting first responders this holiday season. Simple gestures — expressing gratitude, offering patience at crash scenes or during emergency responses, or acknowledging the sacrifices made by responders and their families — can have a meaningful impact on morale.

Community organizations, churches, and civic groups are encouraged to partner with local agencies to provide 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,” Dr. 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.”