COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine Monday announced the creation of a new state office that will focus on the well-being of first responders.
The Office of First Responder Wellness, within the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services, will work to encourage self-care and mental wellness for Ohio’s first responder community, including law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, dispatch, corrections, and Ohio-based military, according to a release from DeWine’s office.
The office will provide specialized support and training to help emergency-response agencies proactively address post-traumatic stress and other traumas caused by factors that are unique to first-responder careers, DeWine said.
DeWine and the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were also planning to announce details Tuesday about the statewide rollout of body-worn cameras to all troopers.