Butte (CA) County Sheriff | Officer Wellness Finalist Submission

Butte (CA) County Sheriff | Officer Wellness Finalist Submission

Butte County (CA) Sheriff’s Office (2024)

State: CA

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The Butte County, CA Sheriff’s Office has faced significant trials due to natural disasters such as the Oroville Spillway Incident in 2017 and the devastating Camp Fire in 2018. These events have deeply impacted the community and the first responders serving in the area. As a response to the ongoing mental and emotional toll on the staff, volunteers, and families of local first responder agencies, the Butte Strong First Responder Wellness Unit was formed in November 2021. Under the leadership of Sheriff Kory Honea, the Wellness Unit has been established to address the overall wellness of the first responders. This multi-agency unit, based in the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, focuses on three primary areas of wellness: Physical Fitness, Mental/Emotional Wellness, and Family Support and Outreach. The Physical Fitness aspect of the program entails comprehensive support. The weekly functional fitness programming is provided by a contracted Physical Therapist, offering tailored fitness activities that can be easily integrated into the responders’ routines. Staff and volunteers can also schedule onsite appointments with the physical therapist, leading to a decrease in work-related absences due to injury. Moreover, the program includes fitness and nutrition education to empower the first responders with essential knowledge for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In terms of Mental/Emotional Wellness, the unit aims to provide an empathetic and comprehensive approach. This includes access to mental health services, counseling, and resilience training. The hiring of a dedicated Wellness Unit Program Manager has played a crucial role in overseeing these programs and services, highlighting the commitment to prioritizing the mental and emotional health of the first responders. Family Support and Outreach is another vital component of the Wellness Unit. The program recognizes the strain that first responder duties can place on families and aims to provide the necessary support systems. This includes family counseling, support groups, and outreach initiatives to ensure that the families of first responders receive the care they need. The establishment of the Butte Strong First Responder Wellness Unit is a significant step towards recognizing and addressing the mental and emotional well-being of those who serve the community in challenging circumstances. Through its comprehensive approach to wellness, the unit is dedicated to supporting the first responders and their families, acknowledging the importance of their physical, mental, and emotional health in sustaining their vital roles in the community.