First Responder Wellness: The NEED to KNOW

Описание: This conversation features a wellness panel with industry leaders discussing the importance of peer support, mental health, and resilience in first responders. The panelists share their experiences and insights on how to effectively provide support during and after critical incidents, emphasizing the need for psychological safety, mindfulness, and community connection. They explore the role of animals in crisis response, the nuances of peer support, and the legal considerations involved.

Kristin L. Cox, MA is the Behavioral Health Coordinator for Seattle Fire Department,
providing oversight to the Peer Support team and developing programs to help leaders and firefighters be resilient in the face of stress, mental health and crisis situations.

Kristin joined SFD after 30 years with the U.S. Coast Guard as Work-Life Supervisor/EAP Coordinator. Her focus is coaching individuals, teams and leaders in high-reliability organizations to boost resilience and thrive in crises such as Hurricane Katrina, the Alaska Airline Flight 261 crash, line-of-duty-deaths, the Oso Landslide and Okanagan Complex Fires.

Raquel Lackey is a seasoned CPA who now dedicates a significant portion of her time to community service and volunteer leadership. For over a decade, Raquel has been active in the field of animal-assisted crisis response, serving locally, regionally and nationally.

She is a long-standing member of HOPE Animal‑Assisted Crisis Response, an international nonprofit that provides comfort and emotional support through trained canine teams during disasters and traumatic events. Her passion led her to join Seattle Mountain Rescue, where she contributes her expertise and compassion to the team’s resilience.

Andy McCurdy has been working in law enforcement since 1991 and is currently the Deputy Chief of Sumner PD. Andy also has an extensive coaching background, leading the Police Activities League of Sumner, Badges and Barbells, and Camp Possible.

Andy advocates for first responder mental health on the Board of Directors of Code 4 Northwest, is the Law Enforcement Coordinator for the Pierce County Peer Support Team, Team Leader of the WASPC Executive Peer Support Team, and teaches on trauma informed practices for leaders, peer supporters, and violent crimes investigators.