Groundbreaking program helps first responders address moral injury

Groundbreaking program helps first responders address moral injury

Published on March 30, 2024

Mayor Mattie Parker, along with Police Chief Neil Noakes, Fire Chief Jim Davis and the American Warrior Association (AWA), announced the launch of R3 - Respond, Restore, Resolve - at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex on Wednesday. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in wellness support for first responders. It establishes a comprehensive approach to addressing moral injury through a pioneering public-private partnership. All programs associated with R3 are privately funded.

Why it matters: Moral injury is the damage done to one's conscience or moral compass when a person perpetrates, witnesses or fails to prevent acts that transgress one's own moral beliefs, values or ethical codes of conduct.

R3 focuses on a holistic approach to wellness by integrating mental, emotional, physical and spiritual support to address moral injury. It offers training, access to nonclinical preventative care resources, and culturally competent counseling, all with a goal to eliminate potential stigma and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental support.

What they're saying: We have worked closely with all levels within our fire and police departments to ensure R3's impactful deployment," Parker said. "It's time to change the stigma around mental health and start encouraging proactive mental health conversations to address the pain and anguish our first responders experience every day. This program can be one of the most monumental public-private partnerships of our time."

"Even before the formalization of this program, we have had officers attend this groundbreaking training with significant positive outcomes," Noakes said. "This training program can be life-changing and enables our folks to ultimately be better equipped to manage morally injurious events and provide our officers with expanded skills for managing public interactions."

"The health and wellness of our members is our top priority. We are excited to partner with the AWA to provide additional opportunities for building a more resilient workforce," Davis said. "We appreciate their dedication to the men and women of the Fort Worth Fire Department."

The big picture: R3 offers benefits that extend across all fronts.

• First responders gain access to crucial tools and resources enabling them to address moral injury, fostering resilience and well-being.

• For departments and agencies, the program promotes a healthier workforce, leading to reduced absenteeism and improved overall performance and morale.

• Together, these efforts will directly benefit the community by enhancing officers' mental strength to de-escalate situations; strengthening relationships between first responders and the communities they serve.

  The AWA's dedication to supporting military members, veterans and first responders is the foundation of R3.

• By providing a spectrum of support programs, the AWA champions the well-being of the nation's heroes, aligning with R3's mission to offer comprehensive, holistic support.

• Additional partner organizations and programs will be reviewed and approved through the R3 Partner Vetting Committee within the Police and Fire Department Wellness Unit, which houses the R3 Program.

Rooted in Fort Worth, R3 is designed for scalability with the AWA at the helm to guide its expansion across the nation. The first of its kind, this program serves as a model for addressing first responder wellness, ensuring communities everywhere can benefit from its innovative approach.

The AWA has also curated and underwritten a Culturally Competent Counseling program for both the fire and police departments. The program is run through the AWA and its network of counselors to assure the confidentiality of employees seeking counseling.

Go deeper: The American Warrior Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring military, veterans, first responders and their families in mind, body and soul.

The Fort Worth Police Department has an authorized strength of 1,882 sworn peace officers dedicated to dutifully serving more than 956,000 people. The Police Department's motto is "Service with Respect, Dedicated to Protect."

The Fort Worth Fire Department, comprised of 45 stations and 1,049 uniformed firefighters, protects one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country covering 345 square miles, serving more than 995,000 residents. Its mission is "To serve and protect our community through education, prevention, preparedness and response."

Photo:Mayor Mattie Parker introduces the R3 initiative, which takes a comprehensive approach to addressing first responders' moral injury through a pioneering public-private partnership.

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• Community Safety