Remember that you are not alone. Call or text (855) JFD-PEER
"Firefighters helping firefighters and their families"
Support: CALL/TEXT (855) JFD-PEER
Crisis: Upper Room Crisis Line CALL/TEXT (888) 808-8497
Clinicians: CALL/TEXT (815) 353-3122
JFPSG Mission and Vision Statements
JFPSG Mission Statement
The Joliet Firefighters Peer Support believes that the path to Joliet Firefighter mental and emotional health begins with firefighters, clinicians, clergy, and public officials working together to provide support, education, and connection to resources to our firefighters and their families. The public can depend on firefighters. Firefighters can depend on their peer support network.
JFPSG Vision Statement
A Fire Department where all Joliet Firefighters and their families are holistically cared for by their peer network regarding all forms of mental and emotional health.
People Who Care
We are a volunteer organization that has the best interest of firefighters in mind. Our firefighters have been trained to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Peer Support standards and are prepared to provide quality peer support.
Common Challenges for First Responders
Suicide
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Suicide in the fire service has reached alarming proportions, surpassing line of duty deaths (LODD) in firefighters. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 48 firefighter LODD in 2019. Compare this to 119 firefighter suicides.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
SUD is a common issue within the first responder community. Current research suggests that those in fire service engage in binge drinking at almost double the rate of the general public. Other issues include improper use of depressants and stimulants.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD has reached epidemic proportions in the fire service. Symptoms include intrusion, avoidance, negative cognition and mood, and alteration in arousal response. There are effective treatments for this disorder.
Depression
Sleep Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Firefighters experience depressive disorders at more that twice the rate of the general public (17% vs 7%). Depression is highly treatable. There are resources available to help.
Family Issues
Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders
The firefighter is not the only one affected by this career choice. Spouses, partners, significant others, children and even parents can all face challenges.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Ask mental health professionals and they will tell you that everything is related to sleep. Many mental health (and physical) issues can be negatively affected by poor sleep.
Divorce
Prevention
Wellness
Divorce can be a very stressful event in a firefighter's life. The Joliet Firefighters Peer Support Group has clinicians who specialize in pre-divorce couples and family counseling as well as post-divorce support.
Wellness
Prevention
Wellness
Wellness is a critical element in the resiliency process. There are many dimensions to wellness including physical, spiritual, emotional, and social.
Prevention
Prevention
Prevention
The JFPSG has adapted the FEMA Emergency Management MOdel to that of wellness. Elements include prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Our Peer Supporters
Ed Arambasich eja1951@gmail.com 815-409-8705
Chris Bay u4ruko@gmail.com 815-216-1740
James Boyd boyd1114@yahoo.com 815-671-0630
Matt Christensen firemac127@sbcglobal.net 779-875-5146
Tom Douglas thomas-douglas@sbcglobal.net 815-342-4574
Justin Farrar justkfar@sbcglobal.net 815-730-0850
Chris Groh 815-739-3448
Jeremy Hoffman puphoffman@sbcglobal.net 815-353-6956
Aaron Kozlowski akozlowski44@yahoo.com 815-922-5348
Nate Kren nate.kren@gmail.com 815-210-2933
Jim Larson larsmedic7@comcast.net 815-955-7041
John Lukancic johnlukancic@msn.com 815-530-2196
John Miller john.l.miller@aol.com 815-955-6094
Nancy Nelson nnelson.aspire@gmail.com 815-353-3339
Stan Nowicki 815-954-1365
Mike Nurczyk mnurzjfd@comcast.net 815-529-0193
Courtney O'Brien cobrien.aspire@gmail.com 815-353-3122
Chris O'Hara christopherohara54@gmail.com 815-791-3063
Matt Pasteris matt_pasteris@yahoo.com 815-671-6390
Dominick Perona dominickperona@gmail.com 815-909-4384
Jan Quillman janquillman@att.net 815-726-7071
Burke Schuster burkeschuster@gmail.com 815-409-2188
Mary Frances Seeley hotlineconsultant50@gmail.com 815-341-9124
Terry Smith catholichotline@gmail.com 630-988-7395
Mike Stapp mks2457@yahoo.com 815-690-6507
Mike Stromberg iamberg4@yahoo.com 815-258-6880
Pat Wojewoda patrickwojewoda@sbcglobal.net 815-258-4725
Floyd Woods blotus9@gmail.com 815-409-1877
FAQs
Q: Are you sure this is confidential?
A: Yes. We have already spoken to and rendered aid to many firefighters and have maintained strict confidentiality. Confidentiality is one of our core values. From our founding in 2019 until this posting in 2021, we have helped over 50 people and have not received a single complaint of a confidentiality breach.
Q: Is there a law that governs peer support in Illinois?
A: Yes. 5 ILCS 840/1, the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act establishes rules for peer support teams across the state. The JFPSG adheres to this law.
Q: What is your purpose?
A: Our purpose is to care for the mental health of Joliet Firefighters and their Families. In addition, we will not turn other responsers or their families if they are in need.
Q: Is it true that annually there are more firefighter suicides than line of duty deaths (LODD)?
A: Unfortunately yes, many more. The firefighter suicide total is far higher than the firefighter LODD total from all causes. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2015-2019, there were 794 firefighter deaths recorded. Of these, 485 (61.1%) were suicides and 309 (38.9%) were LODD. Mental health care and identification of illness in the fire service must improve. Peer Support is a good start.
Q: Does anyone use this service?
A: Since our founding, we have helped over 50 firefighters and family members during challenging times. We thank you for your trust.