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This book is a must read for anyone working in the front line and dealing with repeated traumatic incidents. It highlights the long term effects that exposure to repeated trauma has on people. It also shows the amount of people who are suffering from the same thing alone and that we still have long way to go to highlight these issues within the emergency services.

As an emergency service worker, albeit a volunteer, of nearly 25 years I can relate completely with the accounts in Donna's book. It's a compelling read and an accurate reflection of the trauma we not only see, and deal with, but also the trauma this type of work creates for us and our families. It may seem we have it together when we're at an incident but the compounding trauma has life changing consequences you can't always predict. Thank you Donna for writing a raw account of life in NZ emergency services and to those who also shared their stories. This should be compulsory reading for all new emergency service recruits - across all services/agencies.

As an ex-emergency worker myself and a wife to a serving Police Officer, this book addresses many of the topics I wish I knew before joining a professional that would cost me my health. Some statistics relating to the police blew my mind. So much of Donna's story and others will resonate with so many people. Not just those in the profession but to their families and friends who know them. A fantastic read:)

Compelling stories which highlight a failure on the part of many, or even most, organisations to take the health and wellbeing of their staff seriously. We constantly turn a blind eye to the stresses that frontline staff face, especially in the emergency services, because it's either too hard, or too expensive to put systems in place to proactively support those who represent and protect from the harsh realities of life. Well done to Donna for speaking out and talking candidly about her experiences and those of some of her colleagues in law enforcement and health services.
Well worth the read!

(p/s - and I'm happy for you to remove this next part if you use any part of the review as it doesn't really relate to the book and its contents - but the proofreading is appalling and impacts negatively on the enjoyment of the book - mind you, I say that from a former proofreader's point of view, so I don't know if you have had similar comments from other readers - other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book :-))

"Stop leaving parts of yourself everywhere you go, every altercation, experience, good, bad or between."  - Donna Davis, Not Fine, The hidden cost of caring.
I am drawn to autobiographies/biographies, so am somewhat familiar with being rocked and thrown about in a storm of words. However, this book had an added element, as I knew some of the context.  While not surprised by the stories shared, I was still amazed at the level of ongoing and heightened trauma experienced and expected in front line roles. There is ample reflection and light to know these individuals are ok, if not the NZ public sector. Humans are strangely adaptable and I know with the right preventative measures and support, we will be able to properly care for those who care for our most vulnerable. Thank you for sharing these stories Donna.