Des Moines Police Sergeant Shares Peer Support Program With Metro Colleagues

DES MOINES, IA — Ongoing job development for police, firefighters and emergency personnel extends beyond tactical and physical training. An important component of the occupation is knowing how to handle stress in a crisis situation — and getting support if it is needed.

The Johnston Police Department this week is hosting two training courses to help the law enforcement teams, firefighters and EMS personnel who serve across Iowa. The program — Peer Support Foundation — was founded by Des Moines Police Sgt. Jeremy Sprague, who went through a crisis situation of his own when he was involved in an on-duty shooting 13 years ago. Through his experience he learned about the psychosocial impacts on himself, family and co-workers. He said in a news release that his personal experience also allowed him to recognize other emergency service personnel that were suffering from post-traumatic stress following critical incidents.

“There is no doubt that first responders deal with unique stressors in their work life that affects them both personally and professionally,” said Sprague, the executive director of the foundation. “These everyday stressors have a significant impact on the first responders, their families, friends and the agencies they work for. We are lucky in Des Moines to have a peer support team, but every first responder in the state of Iowa needs to have access to peer support."

At Johnston's training session, members of other area departments are learning this week how to recognize the signs of crisis and stress on those who put their lives first to ensure the safety of others. The nonprofit Peer Support Foundation was established earlier this year and Sprague said in a news release that program leaders "look forward to helping those who protect our communities every day."

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Training courses for public safety responders is one of the services the foundation provides. It also offers individual and family support, pre-incident training, and agency consultation. The foundation consists of five board members working in law enforcement. In addition to Sprague, they are clinical psychologist Paul Ascheman, assistant director; Johnston Sgt. Jessica Jensen, treasurer; Des Moines Police Det. Rich Dejoode; and Story County Sheriff's Office Lt. Leanna Ellis.

“Being able to provide peer support to members that may be suffering from stress either on the job or in everyday life is important to this foundation and the team I lead at the Johnston Police Department,” said Jensen, who has served in law enforcement for 10 years and fire and EMS seven years prior. “The peer support teams provide a confidential, safe and supportive environment for first responders and their families. The incidents we see and deal with day after day begin to weigh heavily on first responders, if they are not properly dealt with.

Jensen said she has seen the mental and emotional toll it can take on officers. "But as professionals we need to take care of ourselves just like we take care of everyone else within our communities," she said.

Implementing peer support teams across Iowa is a top initiative for the foundation. The risks associated with being in the public safety industry have changed over the past decade, and the goal is to help personnel enjoy a long and healthy career. Sprague additionally has three personal goals for the foundation: to prevent first responder suicides, prevent family discord, and help first responders thrive in retirement.

“What we don’t want is a crisis experienced at work to create a crisis at home," he said. "Enough first responders are killed in the line of duty, so why add to that number because of suicide? No children of first responders should grow up without a mother or father. All first responders should have the support to not only survive to retirement, but to thrive once they get there. We want first responders to know there is help for those who are suffering in silence.”

Photo by Alicia Zinn via Pixabay