Dear Representatives Tran and Rutherford,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for H.R. 10349, the “Emergency Responders Mental Health Training (EMT) Act.”
Our law enforcement officers selflessly put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities. The mental, physical, and emotional toll of repeated exposure to traumatic and hazardous situations is an often unspoken but widely understood aspect of the job. First responders are subject to significantly above-average rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, stress, burnout, and suicide in comparison to the public. Consequently, this significantly impacts their ability to carry out their duties and, on a wider scale, hinders recruitment and retention rates for the profession.
Your legislation would establish a post-grad fellowship pilot program for behavioral health specialists to properly address first responder mental health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will implement a program to increase the quantity of these specially trained professionals and the quality of care they provide. The Secretary would then report to Congress on its impact and effectiveness. This bill presents viable means to ensure that officer wellbeing is safeguarded so that they in turn can properly protect and serve their communities.
On behalf of the more than 382,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on this issue. If I can be of any help or provide additional information in support of this legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President