First Responder Wellness Program

About the Program

The Washington State First Responder Wellness Program, established in 2024 through House Bill 2311, addresses wellness, PTSD, and suicide amongst first responders through several different efforts and training programs. In accordance with RCW 5.60.060, “first responders” include law enforcement officers, limited authority law enforcement officers (as defined in RCW 10.93.020), firefighters, emergency services dispatchers and recordkeepers, emergency medical personnel, current or former members of the Washington national guard acting in an emergency response capacity, coroners and medical examiners and their agents/employees, and co-responders (as defined in RCW 71.24.025).

This program includes:

• Four-Year First Responder Wellness Task Force
• Peer Support Training
• Training for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professionals
• Development of a Peer Support Network
  • Program offerings to help peer supporters address the vicarious trauma experienced by serving as a peer supporter.
• Development and Maintenance of a Directory of Culturally Competent Mental Health and Substance use Disorder Professional
  • A directory of mental health and substance use disorder professionals that have received training and/or have been vetted to be identified as culturally competent to assess and treat first responders.

Upcoming Events

First Responder Wellness Summit: Caring for Ourselves during the Overdose Crisis

WSCJTC is co-sponsoring the First Responder Wellness Summit, which will be held September 23, 2026, in Seattle, Washington. Registration closes September 4th.

This one-day summit brings together professionals from law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections, parks, co-response teams, dispatch, medical examiners, and peer support to explore how to strengthen first responder well-being amidst the current drug overdose crisis and in their lives more broadly.

Through a keynote presentation, panels, and interactive discussions, participants will hear from first responders and people in recovery and learn practical tools and strategies that support first responder well-being.

Register Here  Download Flyer 

💙Code 4 Northwest Conference: Strength to Service, Power in Wellness

WSCJTC is partnering with Code 4 Northwest to share a wellness training opportunity for Washington’s first responders.

The Code 4 Northwest Conference will be held Nov. 4-6, 2026, in Everett, Washington. The conference is open to active and retired first responders from across the state.

This event is designed for people who work in high-stress public safety roles and those who have served in those roles. Training will focus on wellness, peer connection, and practical support for first responders, agencies, and families.

No matter your badge, patch, or uniform, your wellness matters.

Register Here  Download Flyer 

First Responder Training Courses Offered

Training is provided, free of charge, to first responders interested in becoming a peer supporter or implementing a peer support program within their agency. The following elements of this program are offered to provide a comprehensive approach to first responder wellness:

Basic Peer Support Training

This course provides attendees with the basic knowledge and skills needed to serve as a peer supporter.

40 hours, offered seven times per year

Advanced Peer Support Training

This course enhances the training received in the basic course and helps peer supporters better understand what they have learned and experienced.

16 hours, offered three times per year

Executive Peer Support Training

This course is intended for leaders of first response agencies (i.e., police chiefs, fire chiefs, sheriffs, executive directors, etc.) to help them understand peer support and the critical role organizational executives play in the success of peer support programs.

16 hours, offered two times per year

Training for Family Members of First Responders

This course helps family members of first responders better understand the experience and personal impacts of first response work, as well as how to recognize when a loved one is suffering from PTSD and what resources are available to assist, when needed.

4 hours, offered two times per year

Training for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professionals

Training is provided, free of charge, to help mental health and substance use disorder professionals better understand the work, impacts of the work, culture, and professional barriers to seeking help that first responders face so they can more effectively assess and treat first responders in need of mental health or substance use disorder services.

8 hours, offered four times per year

Upcoming CJTC Course Registration

Check back periodically for updates.

About the First Responder Wellness Task Force

The First Responder Wellness Task Force is made up of a diverse representation of the first responder community, mental health professionals, and representatives from state and tribal agencies. This four-year Task Force is charged with developing model policies for first responder peer support programs and making recommendations for improving first responder wellness, as well as managing and preventing PTSD and suicide amongst first responders.

Learn More