AKRON, Ohio — Police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers answer the call when needed, but sometimes, they need help too.
“Officers and firefighters, we’re running to the fire or the shots fired. We don’t ask for help. There is still a stigma attached to that,” said Kris Beitzel, Board President of Safety Forces Support Center.
But she said there shouldn’t be and Safety Forces Support Center is there to help first responders and their families.
The pandemic, an uptick in crime, and negative feelings by some people toward police officers are taking a toll.
“It comes at you from all sides,” said Beitzel who is also an Akron Police Department Captain. “Your worst day is our workday for an entire career, five days a week, 40 hours a week."
Brietzel said not only has there been an uptick in crime, but an uptick in the need for services offered by Safety Forces Support Center. They offer free and confidential counseling and peer to peer services to active and retired first responders and their families. The services are free and confidential.
The organization serves Summit, Stark, Wayne, and Medina counties.
Safety Forces Support Center is a non-profit that runs on donations. If you like more information Safety Forces Support Center
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