Fayette County EMS leads the charge on trauma-informed care

Fayette County EMS is at the forefront of redefining how first responders implement trauma-informed care for their personnel in Fayette County.

Considering the Red Door Fund for Mental Health’s February Campaign to spread mental health awareness in our rural region, Fayette Community Foundation engaged in a conversation with Josh Vandever, Chief of Fayette County EMS, to gain insights into the impact of trauma-informed care on how the local EMS station manages job-related trauma. Acknowledging the pervasive effects of trauma on first responders, Fayette County EMS has joined forces with Tonya Glenn and Associates, a counseling firm specializing in military and first responders. Their approach to trauma-informed care involves extensive peer support classes, branded as Resilience Training, covering topics such as the brain’s responses to trauma, healthy coping mechanisms, and effective communication methods.

Chief Vandever has made significant advancements in implementing trauma-informed care within the Fayette County EMS station, ranging from initial training to providing ongoing support after distressing events. The EMS team consistently checks in, ensuring that everyone feels supported and can process any traumatic events they may have encountered.