A new peer-to-peer program is providing St. Lucie fire personnel with much-needed resources during difficult times.
"Firefighters know what other firefighters go through," St. Lucie County Fire District Division Chief Aaron Shaw said. "And if nothing else, it's just a way for us to vent and speak to each other."
This week, Shaw, Lt. Jesse Almand, and firefighter-paramedic Rusty Wiles were recognized for their work with the St. Lucie County Fire District's already existing behavioral health programs.
"I was asked two years ago by the fire chief to take our current programs when it came to behavioral health and improve and expand them," Shaw said.
Now they, along with a select group of firefighters, are taking it a step further with the new peer-to-peer program.
"A lot of people don't want to come forward with it and that's why I'm trying to come forward to show people, you're not weak and it's OK to get help," Wiles said.