Governor Mike DeWine is unveiling a new statewide agency that will focus on the well-being of Ohio's first responders.
On Monday, November 22nd, DeWine announced the creation of the Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness (OFRW).
DeWine said the new division would encourage self-care and mental wellness for the state's members of law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency medical services, dispatch, corrections, and Ohio-based military.
“First responders are truly public servants who put the well-being of others in front of themselves. Unfortunately, the stress of constantly responding to terrible situations like murder scenes, house fires, and tragic accidents can take a toll on the mental, emotional, and physical health of these heroes,” said DeWine. “By creating this new office within the Ohio Department of Public Safety, we’re creating a centralized resource to help our police and fire departments, EMS units, and other first-responder agencies actively place an ongoing focus on wellness with assistance from those who’ve faced some of the same unique on the job stress.”
The OFRW will coordinate with local and state mental health agencies to offer resources and support and will be run by former State Highway Patrol Administrator Steven M. Click.