New Chaplain Support Program for Yuma Fire & Police Departments
Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – We depend on them to keep us safe but sometimes they need help too.
This is why a new Chaplain Support Program is coming to our area to help our local law enforcement and first responders.
The new service will provide emotional and spiritual support to the Yuma Police Department and the Yuma Fire Department (YFD), their families, and members of the public during times of crisis.
David Padilla, the Public Information Officer for YFD says, “It’s no secret that our firefighters and our law enforcement officers encounter traumatic events.”
Research shows that anxiety and depression among first responders is significantly higher than that of the general population.
That’s why YFD Fire Chief Dustin Fields developed this new service in order to assist these professionals who deal with these issues.
“We need more support and firefighters and police officers are under a lot of stress and having that chaplain to come by and talk to them or give them places or avenues to get some help, it’s going to be very helpful,” Fields shared.
The team will be made up of volunteer chaplains who’ve received specialized training to address the unique challenges and characteristics of first responder issues.
Additionally, they’ll be accessible to the community for help during their trying times.
“They probably will respond to emergencies like big fires or big incidences and be there in a support role, whether that’s helping with water or helping the families get resources,” Padilla explains.
Fields adds, “It’s a win-win. It’ll help the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the community because it will add more capacity to help the community.”
YFD says the service will start rolling out within the next few weeks.