Firefighter Ministries, Inc. is a social/human service organization.  What exactly does that mean?  Our organization has been designed to meet the human needs and the special needs of emergency service workers.  Emergency workers come to us for advice and help when they find it hard to cope with the special issues that affect their lives.  This may be at a time of crisis; in response to an injury, illness or a death; or in dealing with a mental health or spiritual issue. 

Some of the issues that we address are: mental health care; physical health care; services and assistance for the injured and dealing with after-injury disabilities; services and assistance for those who have experienced a death; social issues such as alcohol and other substance abuse, domestic violence, divorce, etc; spiritual care. 

In summary, Firefighter Ministries helps emergency service workers meet the challenges of living and working as a public servant.  Since 1998, we have been providing these services.

Firefighter Ministries provides three separate websites to offer easy access to information on each of the programs as well as being a separate resource unto themselves. The first of these three websites is www.firefighterministries.org, which acts as the organization's official website while also housing the Phoenix Project, the Health and Fitness Project, and the Chaplains Corner. The second of these websites is www.fallenfirefighter.com, housing the Line of Duty Death Assistance Project and its related resources.

 The physical needs of emergency workers, and their families, are met through the Phoenix Project, the Health and Fitness Project, and the Line of Duty Death Assistance Project. The Phoenix Project acts as an information clearinghouse, with extensive resources on specific injuries, available and applicable benefits, and much more. Traditionally the leading cause of death in the fire service is cardiac or health-related, with this in mind, the Health and Fitness Project provides guidelines for proper nutrition and basic exercises, as well as promoting a generally healthy lifestyle. The Line of Duty Death (LODD) Assistance Project seeks to provide assistance to emergency service departments in Texas throughout all phases of a LODD from preplanning and protocol writing to assisting at the time of a death, and even to follow-up care and assistance. This program provides advisement and information for not only the emergency workers as individuals (as well as their families), but also the emergency service departments as a whole.

The mental needs of emergency workers, and their families, are primarily met through the chaplains, peer counselor, and Master’s & PhD certified counselors on the staff, with referrals to qualified mental health professionals in their area. Additionally, articles, educational materials, resources, and links relating to specific emotional issues are offered. By offering assistance at the point of need, as well as helping to set up perpetual care, emergency workers themselves are more likely to spot the signs and symptoms of potential problems that could affect their lives in both the short and long term, as well as providing a higher likelihood of a positive resolution to the situation.

The spiritual needs of emergency workers, and their families, are met through the Corps of Chaplains. The Corps of Chaplains are a dedicated group of emergency service chaplains of various denominations who have volunteered their time to advise and assist in whatever capacity needed. They are all trained and experienced in critical incident debriefing and trauma issues, and provide assistance in any capacity needed. Chaplains work within their communities or state organizations, as well as provide services to those individuals who do not have Chaplaincy services within their department. Additionally, the Corps of Chaplains will provide non-denominational devotionals and articles for the website and the email newsletter. The Corps of Chaplains will also provide free, confidential advisement, prayer, and assistance for those who seek their services. (Email us for more details)  For those individuals who are seeking training and certification as a Fire Chaplain, we refer to the Federation of Fire Chaplains.

In addition to the above programs, Firefighter Ministries staff has worked as instructors, counselors and chaplains at burn camps, disaster sites, training classes, and conventions across the country.

Firefighter Ministries Helps Emergency Workers Through:

Corps of Chaplains/Peer Counselors
Information & referrals for support services
Participation at Emergency Services Events
Crisis Intervention & Short Term Advisement


Classes & Networking
Classes in the subjects of LODD & Injury, Notification, & Emergency Services mental health needs
Resources Online
Newsletters
 

Partnerships & Working With:
Fire & EMS Service Groups
Burn Foundations & Orgs.
Fire Service Organizations
With Insurance Companies
With Physicians, Counselors, Chaplains, & Attorneys

Advocacy
Media Advocacy
Prevention & Preparation Assistance
Public Policy Advocacy

Downloads & Brochures

Firefighter Ministries Public Relations Book

Serve a Public Servant Flyer

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