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Walker volunteer chaplains describe 24/7 support for police and fire
Summary
On the City of Walker podcast, volunteer chaplains described on-call support, crisis training and how they assist first responders and community members after traumatic incidents.
Nicole DeDonato, host of the City of Walker’s Maiden Walker podcast, introduced retired pastor Tom Bradley and pastors James Stuhr and Jim Richter and said the episode would go “behind the badge of both police and fire.”
The city’s volunteer chaplains told the podcast they provide around-the-clock, nonconfrontational support to first responders and community members after traumatic incidents, drawing on training in critical incident stress management and chaplaincy certification.
Chaplains said their work is largely listening and providing practical and spiritual assistance when requested. "Often, just listen," a chaplain on the podcast said, describing the immediate support chaplains offer to officers and civilians on scene. The volunteers said they may also pray when invited, help contact family members or a person’s faith community, and provide a ministering presence such as offering bottled water or a calm presence.
The chaplains said they are trained through programs including critical incident stress management (CISM) and hold certifications from the International Conference of Police Chaplains; they also described having received higher-level training delivered by a Chaplain of Homeland Security. The volunteers said the city has supported that training.
Speakers emphasized chaplains are volunteers and not there to proselytize. "We're not walking into a scene trying to preach at people," one chaplain said; rather, they aim to "bring comfort" and help connect people with their own support networks.
On practical community support, the chaplains suggested residents show appreciation for first responders with simple gestures. They also encouraged faith leaders and community members who want to help to contact local officials — saying, for example, that people could reach out to the mayor or the police chief to ask how to assist or volunteer. The chaplains noted self-care practices they use, such as prayer, hobbies and peer support with other chaplains, after difficult calls.
The podcast episode closed with an invitation from DeDonato to send feedback or suggestions to the city’s podcast email, podcast@walker.city; Maiden Walker is identified on the episode as the official podcast of the City of Walker, Michigan.
