To reach a suicide prevention hotline, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
A Bangor firefighter died by suicide Wednesday night, prompting the Fire Department to acknowledge that the industry is “just beginning to understand” mental health and publicize available resources for firefighters.
Lt. William “Billy” VanPeursem died unexpectedly, Bangor Fire Chief Geoffrey Low said in a statement. VanPeursem joined the department in 1989 and was the “Senior Man.”
“If you knew Billy, you knew he was rough around the edges,” Low said. “What Billy lacked in finesse, he more then made up for in his commitment to the fire service and the love of the job.”
VanPeursem is the second Bangor firefighter to die by suicide in the last two years. Jacob Madden, 31, died by suicide April 22, 2023.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and EMS providers are 1.4 times more likely to die by suicide than the general public.
Bangor fire has resources for people who need to talk and shame shouldn’t stop people from getting help, Low said. The Wellness Center of Maine is an external resource for firefighters as well.
“Mental health is an incredibly complex subject that we, as an industry, are just beginning to understand,” Low said. “Please don’t let shame, embarrassment, or other emotions prevent you from getting support or help you might need.”
The department is working with VanPeursem’s life partner to make final arrangements. No details are available at this time.
