In August 1997, a truss roof collapsed on Wendy Norris, causing a severe head injury and respiratory
and facial burns when a falling beam knocked off her facemask. 


Her experiences from this injury gave her the idea of creating an organization that would assist other injured emergency workers and give them the support that they needed to get past the injury and get on with life. Since the inception of Firefighter Ministries in 1999, the programs have increased to include all emergency workers who need assistance in their emotional, spiritual, and physical lives.

She is a certified Master Chaplain and has worked within the fire chaplaincy since 1998.  She currently serves as a chaplain and first responder for the Forest Bend Vol. Fire Department and has also worked on response teams for local, state, and national disasters. She received her training as a Chaplain through the Community of Hope which is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Houston, Texas- UTMB & St. Luke’s Hospital, the Federation of Fire Chaplains, the American Association of Christian Counselors , the Counselor Training Institute, and the ICISF.  She specializes in PTSD and LODD preparation and aftercare.

She serves as the Presiding Officer on the Governor’s Advisory Panel for the Star of Texas Awards.  Wendy is also the Director for the Texas LODD Task Force/LAST Team, an instructor for the Courage to Be Safe program, an administrator and instructor for the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and a peer advisor for the SOAR program at Shriner's Hospital in Galveston. 

Previously, Wendy worked as an industrial firefighter in Antioch, California and in Houston, Texas until she was injured in a structure fire in 1997.  She also served as a volunteer firefighter. Wendy received her fire, rescue, EMS, and instructor training at Solano College in Fairfield, California, and Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. 

Wendy has spoken at numerous events, churches, and conventions regarding her story as well as
on emotional and spiritual topics that affect emergency workers.  She also teaches classes on
preparing for line of duty deaths and injuries, notifications, firefighter safety and LODD prevention and beyond CISD.

Wendy and her husband John are currently in the process of adopting a daughter from China.  If you would like to read about their journey, visit their blog.

If you would like more information about speaking engagements or classes, please contact Wendy directly at wendy@firefighterministries.org or by calling 281-996-8149.

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