Whitfield County Fire personnel pictured, from left: Lt. Charles Heard, Engineer Blake Hefner, Lt. Jamie Franks, Lt. Justin Hutcherson, Lt. David Freiberg, Engineer Kevin Brown, Lt. Ronnie Sewell, Engineer Brady Walters and Fire Chief Paul Patterson.
During the first week of June, nine firefighters from the Whitfield County Fire Department completed a specialized training course focused on peer mental health support for public safety personnel. The class, hosted by the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Office of Public Safety Support, was held at the Northwest Georgia College and Career Academy.
The OPSS provides confidential, non-clinical mental health support to public safety professionals across Georgia. Its mission is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and lower job-related stress, helping first responders stay healthy both mentally and physically and avoid burnout.
Whitfield County is now designated as a host agency for OPSS, allowing the county to serve as a training site for peer support programs.
One of OPSS’s civilian peers, Lisa Montcalm, led the week-long course, preparing firefighters and other safety personnel to serve as trained peer supporters within their departments and surrounding communities.
As a result, WCFD now has a designated peer support team that can be activated within Whitfield County, throughout neighboring counties and across the state of Georgia.
“For too long in my career, I’ve seen too many of us suffer in silence,” said WCFD Chief Paul Patterson. “That silence often shows up as substance abuse, divorce or just shutting down, because many struggle with how to express what they’re going through. There’s a longstanding stigma in the fire service and among first responders that seeking help makes you weak. We have to stop that mindset. It’s our goal to break that stigma within our department and give our people the support they deserve.”
Peer supporters offer a confidential and trusted outlet for those who may not feel comfortable seeking help through traditional channels. They can listen without judgment and connect fellow officers to mental health resources when needed.
“We respond to tragedy in our own neighborhoods,” added Assistant Chief of Training Sam Hammontree. “That intersection; that house fire. We drive by them every day. Sometimes, you just need someone who understands to talk to.”
Officials said, "Accessing OPSS support is simple. Public safety personnel can visit the OPSS website to find their regional peer coordinator and schedule a one-on-one, confidential conversation either in person or virtually. Evening support is also available through the OPSS after-hours contact number."