My name is Isaiah Miller and I have been in the fire service for seven years. Before joining the fire service, I was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps for four years, where I did two deployments in the infantry. I have been married for almost seven years and have two daughters. In my free time I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with my family and three dogs.

I was driven to become part of the peer support due to my experiences with friends and former service members struggling with PTSD and depression and acclimating back to everyday life. I want to be able to offer those who are struggling support and the knowledge that there is always someone for them to lean on when they feel they need it most.

My name is Ryan Patton and I’ve been in the fire service for over 25 years, between the military and Bowling Green Fire Division. I have 4 children and am recently divorced. I enjoy outside activities and volunteering.

My interest in becoming a PEER supporter started out of necessity when one of our members committed suicide in 2017. It wasn’t until then that I realized how the stigma of asking for help could impact a person, family, department and community. I understand reaching out for help can be difficult as I hid my struggles with anxiety, depression, panic attacks and bad calls, for close to 10 years. I felt it was a sign of weakness and embarrassment. IT’S NOT!! Since I started to talking with peers and clinicians, I have a much better understanding on how to deal with issues, struggles and challenges. What I have learned the most, is that I am not alone in dealing with these issues. We all have something we’re going through and or dealing with. For me, getting things off my chest was a massive first step on my way to a better life, both at home and work.

Ryan Patton is a Lieutenant with the Bowling Green Fire Department and has over 30 years of experience in the fire service starting his career in 1990 as an active duty firefighter in the Air Force. In 2000, he accepted a position with Bowling Green Fire. Throughout his career, he expanded his knowledge base as an inspector, fire instructor and fire investigator. In 2019, he received training by the IAFF as a PEER Supporter. Ryan was instrumental in developing a PEER/CISM Program at Bowling Green Fire and the Wood County Peer Support Team.
Ryan has a passion for promoting mental wellness, education and offering support for his brothers and sisters in the fire service. Ryan has fielded calls for peer support in his district, throughout the state and outside the state of Ohio. Ryan believes “there shouldn't be any barriers in access to mental wellness and support”. We're all in this together.
Ryan has four adult children and four grandchildren. He enjoys spending time in nature and taking care of his overall wellness by kayaking, biking and meditation.

My name is Ben Jarrett, and I have twenty-two years of experience in the fire service. I have been working as a Firefighter with the Bowling Green Fire Division for the past fifteen years, and two years ago, I was promoted to lieutenant. I have been happily married to my wonderful wife for the past twenty years, and we have four children aged nine to nineteen years old. I have had personal experiences that have motivated me to become a part of peer support. Some of those include the loss of loved ones at a young age, as well as witnessing substance abuse among family, friends, and some of my coworkers in the fire service. The final push for me was in two thousand seventeen when I lost a beloved fellow firefighter to suicide. I was left feeling like I could have helped had I known my brother was suffering. This is why I became a part of the OAPFF peer support team, in hopes of helping others get through difficult times.

Meredith has been a firefighter/paramedic for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department since 2002. She is divorced and is a proud mother to Garrett, and Marcie. Meredith has always lived her life focusing on helping others, on and off the job. Meredith is also active on Local 92’s Executive Board and chairs the Safety Committee as well as the Health and Wellness Committee. Meredith was diagnosed with clinical depression 20 years ago and PTSD in 2014 after the Toledo double Line of Duty Deaths. Meredith was on duty that day and was one of the paramedics that worked on one of her (our) Brothers. Meredith has a passion for the mental health of firefighters and first responders. She has first-hand knowledge of how to deal with these issues. Meredith is living proof that early diagnosis and treatment works.