Upper Darby Fire Department

Mike Yaeger retired several years ago as a Battalion Chief with the Philadelphia Fire Dept. (41 years). He spent most of his time as a firefighter in north Philly. After getting promoted to Lieutenant in 1989 Mike was sent to west Philly where he spent the next few years. Promoted to Captain in 1994 and spent the next 15 years in the rank. During that time Mike had the honor of being Captain at Rescue 1, which he found to be a truly humbling experience. Mike was promoted to BC in Aug of 2008. After recognizing the increasing amount of suicides in the fire service he got involved with developing and delivering a suicide prevention initiative in the PFD. Mike began working with Local 22’s health and wellness program and assisted in developing a peer support program. He started working with first responders at the Livengrin Foundation’s FRAT program (drug and alcohol rehab). They developed a drug and alcohol prevention program and delivered that program to over 20,000 first responders. From the peer program they have visited all station in the PFD to discuss trauma, PTSD and other related issues with first responders. They are also involved with presenting the peer program to all cadets in the PFD.