First responders talk about the often-hidden pain and trauma of working in a pandemic

The work is twofold: caring for others and making sure they care for themselves.

For Neda LaFuente, everyday moments with her family are not only precious, but they also play a vital role in her job. “They say, as paramedics, your most important time is your downtime … because that keeps us healthy,” she told “Nightline.” “If we have a healthy life outside of work then we can maintain a healthy life at work.” The 42-year-old has been working as an EMT for almost 20 years. She’s a field commander in the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Unit and her team is on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis in their corner of Texas. When she’s not responding to calls, LaFuente volunteers as a team leader in the department’s peer support group. For medics like her, the group is a critical way to process the traumatic situations they often encounter on the job. The group’s goal is to destigmatize the mental health crises they often face, and not just in the field.