The role of a first responder is one of great duty and honor as they commit to putting the needs of the community before their own. Due to the repeated exposure to traumatic events, first responders are put at a much higher risk of developing mental health struggles, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

To ensure that personnel recieve the tools they need to maintain a health, well-balanced lifestyle while upholding that committment, the District has development and implemented a robust health and wellness program for all District employees and their families. 

The District has had great success in working with our team on understanding and dealing with the ongoing stresses of the job, and how to prepare mentally for what they will see and have gto accomplish in their roles as first responders. Peer Support Teams at UCFD#1 consist of designated District members nominated by their peers tp orovide support and resources to employees and their significant others. Peer mentors are trained in debriefing traumatic incidents and adhere to a strict confidentially policy. 

The District outsources a wide range of professionals in various fields, including nutrition, financial literacy, mental health, skill-building, crisis debriefs, relationship counseling, emotional resilance, and life mamangement that hold on-site seminars for employees to promote a healthy work-life balance. The District has contractged with Community Counseling Solutions and Eastern Oregon Trauma Center to provide free, one-on-one confidential counseling for all employees and their immediate household. 

Employees are also encouraged to connect with our Chaplaincy program, a confidential resource that provides both spiritual and non-spiritual guidance to employees and their family, during both criris and non-crisis scenerios. Chaplains are trained in defusing critical incident stress, debriefing traumatic events, and offering assistance for families and personnel on-scene. The Chaplaincy Proram is a joint collaboration between UCFD#1 and the Hermiston Police Department and has made a significant difference in the well-being of first responders and members of the community.

UCFD#1 is proud to have been awarded by the Special District's Association of Oregon for having one of Oregon's best Employee Health and Wellness Programs for an organization with more than 25 employees.