Date

8-26-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Human Services: Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health

Department

Human Services

Abstract

First responders are regularly exposed to trauma, crisis, death, injury, and human suffering, which may contribute to compassion fatigue. This capstone examined compassion fatigue among law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, firefighters, and other emergency-service professionals. The paper reviewed peer-reviewed research on symptomatology, occupational risk factors, protective factors, compassion satisfaction, emotional labor, stigma, help-seeking barriers, and organizational influences. Attention was given to the overlap between compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma, as inconsistent definitions may make the issue harder to identify, measure, and address. The research also explored how repeated trauma exposure, confidentiality concerns, workplace culture, leadership, peer support, and agency responsibility affect whether first responders recognize symptoms and seek support. Profession-specific analysis showed that compassion fatigue may appear differently across law enforcement, EMS, and firefighting, while still reflecting shared exposure to crisis and emotional strain. Protective factors such as resilience, self-compassion, professional meaning, compassion satisfaction, and team connection were also discussed. This capstone argued that compassion fatigue should be treated as a broader occupational and organizational concern. The goal was to increase understanding of compassion fatigue and support evidence-informed approaches that promote first-responder wellness, professional functioning, retention, and community safety.

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