Crisis Lifeline

Need Immediate Help?

IF YOU ARE HAVING A CRISIS AND IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE.

CALL OR TEXT TO 988

AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK.

PEER SUPPORT SERVICES

INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTERS

These peer supporters are available to assist Ohio firefighters looking for individual and confidential help.

REQUEST A PEER TEAM RESPONSE

If your department has experienced a tragedy, or critical incident and would like to request a peer support team response please contact one of the following district coordinators.

  If you would like one of our Peer team members to educate your members about behavioral health best practices and accessing our services please reach out to your district coordinator here.

WHY PEER SUPPORT

“PEER SUPPORT HELPS US FEEL SAFE, LIKE WE CAN TRUST SOMONE FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND WITH OUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES”

A firefighter
FIREFIGHTERS HELPING FIREFIGHTERS

OAPFF PEEER Support members are First Responders too. This allows them to help others deal with the issues that we see and deal with on a daily basis.

All interactions with an OAPFF PEER Support member are 100% confidential. We will never give out private information to other entities or members without your expressed permission.

Many First Responders deal with the same issues that you are going through right now. We are here to help, It’s okay to ask for help, It’s what we are here for.

PEER SUPPORTERS READY TO HELP

The OAPFF Peer Support Team will guide members who are struggling to resources which may be helpful in the path toward gaining assistance. Peer Support Team members have been trained in therapeutic communication, crisis intervention, and community resource networking.

They can provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who are experiencing behavioral health and/or addiction issues. Peer Support Team Members act as a bridge to outside definitive behavioral health/addiction treatment.

Research shows that fire personnel who balance physical, behavioral, and emotional fitness have the best outcomes, whether one is looking at adjustment to becoming a firefighter, ratings of career satisfaction, family well-being, or adjustment to retirement.

Click on your District number on the map to see a list of peer supporters in your area.

District 5 District - 1 District - 2 District - 3 District - 4

District 5

wright bio picture

Barry Wright started his fire department career

brian-palmer

Brian currently serves as a Lieutenant for the

heath good

Heith Good is a Lieutenant with the Norwich

mike-reiterman

Mike Reiterman currently serves as a professional

morgan-wellman

Morgan currently serves as a firefighter/paramedic

Richard Trask bio picture

Rick “Tiny” Trask is a paramedic with Athens

Stauffer bio picture

Shawn Stauffer is a Firefighter/Paramedic/Rescue

District - 1

Ben Jarrett

My name is Ben Jarrett, and I have twenty-two

Isaiah Miller Bio picture

My name is Isaiah Miller and I have been in the

Meredith Hill

Meredith has been a firefighter/paramedic for the

Rayn-Patton bio image

My name is Ryan Patton and I’ve been in the fire

District - 2

Adam Reichman io picture

Hello, My name is Adam Reichman. I’m 48 years old

Jamie Starcher

I’m Jamie Starcher and have been in the Fire

Kevin kelley

My name is Kevin Kelley and I have been a

Matt Akea Bio Picture

I am a Captain for the Akron Fire Department and

Matt Crockett Bio Picture

My name is Matt Crockett. I am a member of L93

Matt Schenek

I have been a career firefighter/paramedic for 23

Steve Nash Bio Picture

Steve Nash has lived in the Willoughby, Ohio area

District - 3

chad-zambori

Chad is Belmont County CARES Coordinator

Gary Harrison bio picture

Hello. My name is Gary Harrison. I have been

Mike Smith

Mike has been a Pastor for 30 years.  Mike began

Ryan Sullivan bio picture

Ryan Sullivan is a dedicated public servant

Scott Elliot Bio Picture

Scott began his career with Cambridge in 2000, and

tracey-wright

Tracey began a career in EMS in 1989, became a

District - 4

Brad Wargo bio picture

Brad is currently a Firefighter/EMT for the City

Jim Burneka bio picture

I’m a recently retired Dayton FF/PM. I was the

Joseph Elliott bio picture

Joseph Elliott has been working as a career

Kevin Sanders

Kevin joined the Springfield Fire Rescue Division

Scott Holland bio picture

Scott Holland is a Lieutenant with the Sharonville

COMMON PROBLEMS

Insomnia

Sleep problems are a common symptom for people who are recovering from traumatic events. Learn More...

Problematic Drinking

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized. If left untreated, use and abuse can develop into drug dependence or alcoholism.
Learn More...

Depression

Most of us feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. It's a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or injured self-esteem.
Learn More...

Drug Abuse

When it comes to alcohol consumption, how much is too much? And, do firefighters drink too much?
Learn More...

PTSD

It is normal to have stress reactions after a traumatic event. Your emotions and behavior can change in ways that are upsetting to you.
Learn More...

Anxiety

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations.
Learn More...

THE STATS

We are here to help, don't become a statistic.
132
First Responder Suicides in 2016, almost twice the line of duty deaths
390000
Career and volunteer firefighters suffer from PTSD Nationwide
26
OAPFF PEER Supporters Ready To Help

LEARN MORE ABOUT SELF CARE

Self-Care Techniques

As a first responder, you dedicate your life to your community. You enter headlong into situations where accidents and catastrophic events cause injuries and casualties.

 

Suicide Sucks

You think it’s embarrassing to have PTSD, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts? In your line of work, it’s far more common than you think. View the story of a SLC Fire Captain’s journey to the end of the road, and how he made it back. Suicide Sucks as your solution. This is one video you don’t want to miss.

Reactions to Trauma

Your reactions to critical events are normal; the situations you have witnessed are what’s unusual. You are human and have been immersed in catastrophic and risky experiences that could affect anyone. Even with training, crisis events can cause trauma.

Staying Well

Staying Well – A message to First Responders in the Opioid Crisis. Great video on the effects the Opioid Crisis has on First Responders.

Firefighter Cancer Support Network

Resources and information from Cancer Treatment Centers of America regarding COVID-19 for cancer patients.