If you spend any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with Curt Isakson.

He has a massive presence on Facebook and about 6,000 followers.

Chief Ike, as he’s also known, has had a 30-plus-year career in the fire service.

He's also been an advocate for treatment of firefighters who sufFer from PTSD.

So it was not a big surprise when Curt decided to enroll in the IAFF’s Center of

Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery.

It’s an in-patient treatment program held at a facility in Maryland. The program is

designed for firefighters and treats a variety of emotional problems. While

about a third of the participants suffer from PTSD, there are also victims of

substance abuse and other issues, like depression.

In Curt’s case, he decided to check himself in to be treated for PTSD.

As his social media followers know, his request for time off to be treated was

denied by his employer, Escambia, County, Florida, Fire-Rescue.

Curt decided to go anyway.

When he returned, he was forced into retirement.

But Curt is not sorry he went, even though he lost his job.