Responder Resilience, April 17, 2024
Mental Health Lifeline for Clay County’s Bravest with Guests, Chief David Motes and Marie Gumá, Acting Fire Chief and Founder, Command Counseling
Headlined Show, Responder Resilience April 17, 2024
In this enlightening episode of the Responder Resilience, we dive deep into the heart of mental health within the fire service, featuring a captivating dialogue with Acting Fire Chief David Motes of Clay County Fire Rescue (CCFR), Florida, and Marie Guma, the visionary founder of Command Counseling Center. Together, they shed light on the critical need and their collaborative efforts in establishing a groundbreaking mental health program specifically tailored for fire departments. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of emergency services and mental health support.
Our guests start by sharing the compelling observations in the fire service that ignited the initiative for a mental health program. They delve into the intricacies of how the CCFR/Command Counseling mental health services program operates, including how members can access these vital services and the mechanism for clinician notification and activation in the event of a critical incident, ensuring 24/7 coverage. The conversation provides a transparent look at the structure and execution of a program designed to be as accessible as it is effective.
Further enriching the discussion, Chief Motes and Ms. Guma address the feedback received from the department members, highlighting the importance of buy-in for the program's success. They also explore the diversity and cultural competence of the participating therapists, the various therapeutic approaches offered, and the logistics of in-station versus one-on-one sessions. Additionally, the episode covers the critical aspects of compliance, billing, insurance, and service tracking, concluding with an insightful analysis of how such a mental health initiative positively impacts recruitment and retention within the fire service. This episode celebrates the strides made towards prioritizing mental health in one of the most demanding professions.
Guest, Chief David Motes and Marie Gumá
Acting Fire Chief David Motes has served over 33 years with Clay County, Florida, starting his career as a paramedic and Volunteer Firefighter, and later rising through the career ranks in Clay County Fire Rescue. Chief Motes has served as the Acting Fire Chief / Director of Public Safety since December 2018 when Fire Chief Lorin Mock was called to County Administration. Public Safety is an all-hazards agency and includes 300 sworn personnel spread across the 640 miles of Clay County in 12 Stations.
Marie G. Guma holds a master’s in clinical psychology. With an avid interest in addressing the psychological needs of first responders, Marie attended and later contributed to the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative's Clinician Training and Management between 2017 and 2020. Her dedication was underscored by her role in the Clinician Response Team for Coral Springs Parkland Fire Rescue during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy.
In October 2019, the untimely passing of Alvis Fernandez, a revered firefighter from Boynton Beach, sent shockwaves through all who had the privilege to know him. During a series of station visits spearheaded by an IAFF peer support team from Orlando Fire, Scott Weeks, the Fire Union President of Boynton Beach, recognized the need for dedicated mental health services. He turned to Marie and said, "We need you here." This call to action prompted Marie to introduce the Command Counseling Center (CCC) to Boynton Beach, a venture she was inspired to create after observing the third-party counseling collaborations at the Orange County Fire Authority in California and understanding exactly what these industries needed to move from a reactive culture to a preventative one.
By 2021, CCC witnessed unprecedented growth, securing contracts with departments spanning from Miami Dade to Jacksonville, FL.
An accomplished educator and speaker on mental health, Marie has presented nationwide. She has co-authored a chapter on the subject and is presently pursuing a doctoral degree in Higher Education and Leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University, anticipating graduation in March 2025.
Responder Resilience
