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Franklin County approves Compass Center contract to provide mental-health services for firefighters
Summary
The Fiscal Court approved an agreement with the Compass Center to offer annual mental-health checkups, trainings and on-call debriefings for Franklin County firefighters; staff said the provider has worked with the sheriff's office and the program is budgeted for the current year.
Franklin County's Fiscal Court on Nov. 6 approved an agreement with the Compass Center to provide mental-health and well-being services for the county fire department, including annual checkups, quarterly training and on-site debriefings after critical incidents.
Chief Brewer told the court the service will allow firefighters to access a trauma-informed clinician and said "most of them are very excited about it." He said the provider will come on-site for counseling sessions and train personnel; magistrates and the judge praised the measure and urged leadership to encourage use of the service so it does not go underused.
Magistrates noted the county already contracts similar services for the sheriff's office, and staff said the Compass Center clinician specializes in first-responder trauma. The court confirmed the contract fits within the department's budget and approved the agreement.
Next steps: the fire chief will coordinate onboarding with Compass Center and schedule the first round of trainings and checkups.
