By Senior Captain Vidal Molina and Leonard N. Chan
Each of Houston Fire Department’s 93 fire stations has a special magnet on at least one of its refrigerators. This magnet highlights the services offered by its Firefighter Support Network (FSN) and how to access these programs.
Staffed by department personnel, FSN aims to provide comprehensive care for active firefighters, their families, trainees, civilian staff and retirees. This includes addressing emotional, spiritual, physical and mental needs.
Identifying the need
Components of FSN have been long-standing, as the Houston Fire Department recognized that addressing the needs of its members is a prerequisite to serve its community.
The department formed its first critical incident stress management (CISM) team in 1992. Psychology services began in 1995, with Dr. Stephen Pierrel named as the first department psychologist. And the department has had a full-time paid fire chaplain since 1999. Decades later, the department and its members continue to support FSN.
During the department’s strategic planning process in 2024, firefighters emphasized the need to not only be physically healthy but also mentally healthy. One member noted that the “psychology staff is doing a good job” but “more support mental health” is needed. This perspective was not unique, as another member stated that “CISM is currently good” while calling for an “aggressive approach” to behavioral health. Other members reiterated the need to increase investment in mental health support. Accreditation-related annual program appraisals echo this sentiment.
Education, programs and services
As of summer 2026, FSN offers the following core services:
- Behavioral Health and CISM: Two full-time licensed psychologists offer free, confidential care to members and their immediate families. Services include counseling related to anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, relationships and more. Composed of members trained in techniques developed by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, the CISM team provides peer-based intervention and stress management education. The CISM team is available 24/7 and can offer one-on-one or group support.
- Chaplaincy Services: The Office of the Chaplain provides faith-based and emotional support during life’s most challenging and joyful moments. Their goal is to connect with, care for and support members and their families. Chaplaincy services are led by a full-time chaplain and assistant chaplain.
- Member Advocacy: The member advocate assists firefighters in navigating general administration needs, including medical leave, workers’ compensation and insurance benefits, as well as providing support in mental health and substance use treatment placement. Services provided also include connecting firefighters to financial support during hospitalizations and prolonged medical rehabilitation.
- Family and Funeral Support: The family assistance coordinator (FAC) provides member and family support in times of death and injuries. The FAC serves as a liaison among the department, families and internal and external agencies.
- Education & Resources: FSN also serves as a repository of external resources for cancer support and counseling.
Information on FSN programs is shared through its public website, department-wide bulletins and the previously mentioned station magnets.
Meaningful assignments
Dedicated staff have helped make FSN a sustainable program and a staple of the Houston Fire Department.
One of this article’s authors, Senior Captain Vidal Molina, has served as the member advocate for FSN since 2021. He took on the role with a desire to support firefighters and their families during some of the most difficult times in their lives:
In this role, Molina works to connect members with the support and resources they need, while carrying forward one of the fire service’s most important traditions: We take care of our own.
Captain Tyler Hicks has served with FSN as the Houston Fire Department chaplain since 2025. Captain Hicks applied for this assignment because of his desire to bring hope, encouragement and meaningful support to Houston firefighters and their families, particularly during times of hardship, loss and uncertainty. His approach to chaplaincy is rooted in a deeply held commitment to serving others with compassion, grace and selflessness, offering a source of hope and light to those he serves.
Hicks has placed an increased emphasis on maintaining a consistent presence at fire stations and building relationships directly with crews, helping ensure that chaplain support is accessible before, during and after times of need. Additionally, Hicks has overseen the addition of a second chaplain for the department.
Captain Heather Arnold has served as FSN’s CISM coordinator since November 2024. Captain Arnold applied for this assignment because she is passionate about supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of firefighters and their families and believes strongly in making sure no member has to face the challenges of this profession alone. After more than three decades of service, she wanted to use her experience, training and personal commitment to help strengthen the department’s culture of peer support, resiliency and wellness. “I’ve seen firsthand what this job can take from people, and I wanted to be part of making sure our members have someone to turn to when they need it most,” she said.
Program impacts
Houston Fire members are regularly using these programs. For example, more than 300 members visited staff psychologists during the previous fiscal year. But the impact of the FSN goes far beyond the numbers. Specifically, Family Assistance Coordinator James Wick shares information regarding hospital visits and funeral services, so members can support each other in times of need. Simply being present has an immeasurable effect on those who are more than just coworkers.
Additionally, FSN’s presence has lowered the stigma associated with mental health in the fire service within the department. During station feedback sessions, an overwhelming majority of members said the department should offer mental health services and that members should use them.
One captain described how FSN supported him: “The FSN has been instrumental in helping me with my mental health. When I reached out, Firefighter Robert Hyatt of the CISM team was at my house in less than 30 minutes to assist. He then contacted Senior Captain Molina of the FSN. Together they helped me get to the IAFF Center of Excellence in less than 24 hours. Captain Arnold of the CISM team has also been great to speak to on multiple occasions to assist me. I would personally like to thank them all for their help.”
Tips for replication
A fire department does not need to be the size of Houston Fire to launch similar services for its members. If your department lacks internal capacity, services can be pooled among partners within the same jurisdiction or with other public safety entities within a region. Success of such a program, regardless of its structure, relies on the following factors:
- Recognize the importance of loved ones: Fellow crewmembers may represent the family in the fire station, but those are not the only relationships a member has. Along with addressing the needs of individual firefighters, a department should also be conscious of the needs of their families.
- Identify willing program leads: A support program for other fellow firefighters cannot be led by members forced into the position. Program leads need to believe in its mission and be willing to do what it takes to accomplish that mission.
- Support training in support services: Not only do program leads need relevant training, but station officers should also be familiar of the services offered. Station officers should be able to direct their crews to the appropriate resources when needed.
- Ensure accessibility of information: Members need to have ready access to contact information when seeking support as crises may not always happen while on duty. This would entail posting information on a department’s public website.
- Build trust with members: The credibility of support programs depend on the confidence of members that confidentiality is maintained. Support programs are intended to provide support, not be the source of fire station gossip.Winning the support of the local labor organization significantly helps this effort.
- Cover behavioral health in program appraisals: The health and safety of personnel, including their behavioral health, impact the effectiveness, efficiency and resiliency of a fire department’s various programs. By including this as a part of accreditation-related program appraisal, you can directly address related topics.
Final thoughts
The mantra from Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz to members of the Houston Fire Department since the beginning of his administration is “we got you.” FSN represents a tangible example of this by providing personal support in navigating the trials of the fire service and in life. More than any piece of apparatus or equipment, the department’s members are its most valuable asset.
Learn more about Houston Fire Department’s FSN.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Vidal Molina is a senior captain with over 19 years of service with the Houston Fire Department. He has been serving as the Firefighter Support Network member advocate for four years. He also spent six years at the Val Jahnke Training Facility where he assisted with the professional development of HFD firefighters and helped train cadets entering the department. Molina holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian leadership and biblical studies from the College of Biblical Studies in Houston and a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. His faith and experience in leadership have reinforced his belief in the importance of serving others and supporting firefighters and their families when they need it most.
Leonard N. Chan is the accreditation manager for the Houston Fire Department. He previously served in a similar role with the Cedar Park (Texas) Fire Department. Chan serves as the Texas Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) Consortium chair and has participated in a dozen agency accreditation peer reviews. As an inaugural member of the NFPA 1022: Standard for Fire and Emergency Services Analyst Professional Qualifications technical committee, Chan co-authored the chapter on industry-specific knowledge. Prior to joining the fire service, Chan served as legislative staff for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. He graduated magna cum laude from Rice University, where he studied political science, religious studies and history. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from University of Houston.
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