The Importance of Mental Health for First Responders: And How One805 Is Coming to the Rescue

“911. What is your emergency?” The phrase we so commonly hear in TV shows and movies and yet hope to never hear ourselves. 

Until we make the call. Until we need the reassurance of the voice on the other end telling us that help is on the way. 

With the recent fires down in Los Angeles, the emergency services have once again been in the spotlight. Over 23,000 acres burned in the Palisades fire alone and our local Santa Barbara Fire Department deployed multiple engines, battalion chiefs and a full task force to help. They battled flames in 60 mph winds. The firefighters faced the chaos and stress of saving lives, thousands of structures, and the ultimate goal of containment. Most of us will never know the toll that level of stress can take on the human mind, body, and soul – and yet these heroic men and women face it daily. While not every day presents with a significant fire event, each day can bring challenges of its own.

I met with Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Hartwig, “Mark,” he clarified as he reached his hand out and welcomed me into his office. “It’s less formal than the conference room.” Also joining us were Scott Safechuck, Fire Captain and Public Information Officer, and Kirsten Cavendish Weston-Smith, Chairman/CEO and Co-Founder of One805. One805 is the local nonprofit that was established after the 2018 debris flow that claimed the lives of 23 of our residents and destroyed hundreds of homes. It was a way to say thank you to the first responders and to initially provide or replace much needed equipment such as an ATV to reach injured hikers. But Chief Hartwig took the meaning of “support” even further and asked for additional financial resources so they can offer additional mental health services to firefighters and their families. 

Hartwig is something of a pioneer in this increasingly discernible First Responder space. When he started his career in Fontana, over 30 years ago, “Suck it up,” was the most common attitude toward a firefighter who was struggling with the emotional stressors of the job. Most of Hartwig’s peers and mentors turned to drinking as their own first line of defense. “You lived life really hard. The shift you were just exposed to – you drink it away.” For Hartwig, he was fortunate or wise enough to have found a much healthier coping strategy. Sleep. “If I could disconnect from reality for even four or five hours, I was separating myself before I had to go do it again.” And while sleep is one of the more sustainable tools, it still took its toll on his family. “It was my wife and children who suffered the consequences. They wanted to talk about their day or have me go to a school event, and I just needed to sleep.” 

Recognizing the importance of this type of support for his team, he implemented a mental health program for Santa Barbara County Fire which initially started with Peer-to-Peer counseling, a far cry from the bumper sticker platitudes of his early career, such as, “It’s ok to not be ok.” 

These counselors are nominated by their peers and undergo specialized training to be able to offer this relatable level of support to their fellow firefighters. And while this program still exists today, with 25 in the department, thanks to the funding from One805, the support offered has expanded to include Culturally Competent Clinicians, professionals who can meet one-on-one with those in need.

Having a third party handle the mental health needs for his team addresses the reluctance many in this field have to seek support. They are often concerned about it becoming a part of their record, or affecting their ability to stay “on the engine” or receive a promotion. These highly trained clinicians are also often spouses of police officers or firefighters, so they can relate on many levels. 

According to the Heal the Hero Foundation (a nonprofit developed to improve the lives of first responders), up to 30% of first responders develop mental health issues. As many of these statistics rely on self-reporting, the number is presumed to be much higher. Mental health issues in this field can include PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders, among others. 

Chief Hartwig shared that the most common attributes that draw people into this field – empathy and heart – are the very things that can be their undoing. This is another reason why having a support system in place is so critical. And mental health support isn’t just reactive for his team. Hartwig has recently launched a program that trains his team on how to not only engage surrounding family members during life support efforts, but in ultimately breaking the news they all dread – the loss of life. This not only benefits the recipients of the news, but the firefighters themselves.

Cavendish Smith-Weston shared that One805 is “currently supporting 750 firefighters and their families. We have also started to include Sheriff and Police as they have begun to request smaller grants of us. Our goal is to supply all the First Responders of the county with the same services.” The organization currently provides $150,000/year in funding to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department for mental health support alone. Their goal is to create a $10 million endowment so future chiefs won’t have to worry about where this vital funding will be coming from. 

As the new academy class file into family day, Chief Hartwig, with his naturally warm demeanor, offers an unexpected welcome speech to the shining faces and their families before him, “You aren’t ready for what you will see. And families, your recruit will not be ok. I can tell you from personal experience that you will deal with things you don’t have the tools to deal with. Period. I don’t care how strong you are, I am telling you right now you don’t know what you are getting yourself into.” Talk about a mic drop. But he wants them to know. And he wants them to be ready … to not be ready.

If you would like to help support our first responders, One805 is hosting a stellar evening at The Granada on March 8, where Hootie and the Blowfish, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Alan Parsons, and Toad the Wet Sprocket will be performing. Cavendish Weston-Smith is clearly very passionate about the work they do and shared with me that the event at the Granada is not only supporting first responders here in Santa Barbara, but also those from the Palisades fire. They also have made a lovely addition to their list of beneficiaries. As many musicians lost their homes (their guitars, their drums, everything) and their livelihoods in the Alta Dena Fire, One805 wants to give back to this community of artists who are often the first to offer their own support during times of need.

More details and tickets are available at https://one805.org/events