Mid City Times

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. The initiative aims to support first responders in addressing moral injury through a comprehensive approach.

Parker emphasized the importance of changing the stigma around mental health and encouraging proactive conversations to address the pain and anguish experienced by first responders. She stated, “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.”

Police Chief Neil Noakes highlighted the positive impact of the training program, stating, “Even before the formalization of this program, we have had officers attend this groundbreaking training with significant positive outcomes. 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.”

Fire Chief Jim Davis expressed his excitement about the partnership with the AWA, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the health and wellness of first responders. He stated, “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.”

The R3 program 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 to eliminate potential stigma and enhance departmental support for first responders.

Rooted in Fort Worth, R3 is designed for scalability, with the AWA guiding its expansion across the nation. The program serves as a model for addressing first responder wellness and aims to benefit communities nationwide with its innovative approach.

In addition, the AWA has developed a Culturally Competent Counseling program for both the fire and police departments to provide confidential counseling services for employees seeking support.

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

The Fort Worth Police Department, with 1,882 sworn peace officers, is committed to serving over 956,000 residents with the motto “Service with Respect, Dedicated to Protect.” The Fort Worth Fire Department, comprising 1,049 uniformed firefighters, protects a rapidly growing metropolitan area, serving over 995,000 residents with a mission of “To serve and protect our community through education, prevention, preparedness, and response.”

The R3 initiative marks a significant milestone in providing comprehensive wellness support for first responders and addressing moral injury through a pioneering public-private partnership.