Chaplin JD Hebert

H.O.P.E Beyond The Badge

Chaplin JD Hebert provides spiritual guidance and support to first responders. He is a Chaplin with the Western Ma CISM Team, the State Police, and other departments. Chaplin JD has been a first responder himself since 1987 & currently works as a firefighter / EMT. This is Chaplin JD's second appearance on the podcast - he talks about the recent death by suicide of a first responder. He shares with us how losing this first responder to suicide affected the departments involved, the community, and those who were on the scene. He talks about his own experience as a Chaplin visiting with the affected department members & providing support through this complex grieving process. He also discusses peer support, family support, and the importance of having these difficult conversations when we notice a first responder is struggling, the importance of having conversations about trauma, about suicide, and about the help that is available.