Committee backs study panel for firefighter suicide prevention and peer support

The Senate Committee on Local Government heard testimony on House Bill 1593, which would direct the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to convene an advisory committee to study suicide prevention and peer-support programs for fire departments.

Senator Cook (presenting for the sponsor) said the committee would include representatives appointed by major firefighter associations, the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, licensed mental-health professionals and a representative from the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; the group would study needs across departments and submit a report to the governor and legislature by Sept. 1, 2026.

Trevor Stokes of the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters testified in support, telling the committee that since 2011, firefighter suicide has been the leading cause of duty deaths and that departments currently rely on a patchwork of services. "All we're asking is for an advisory committee so that we can study," Stokes said, arguing a statewide study could gather data, medical expertise and best practices to help departments identify needs and resources.

Committee members expressed support for the measure and emphasized the need both to study and to destigmatize mental-health treatment in first-responder cultures. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending.