The City of Austin Public Safety Wellness Center (APSWC) supports Austin Police (APD), Fire (AFD), and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) personnel with wellness assistance to ensure lifelong good health. The Wellness team consists of members of all three public safety agencies.

Scroll down to learn more about the behavioral, fitness, medical, and peer support services available for sworn members of these agencies. 

Austin Public Safety Wellness Team

Behavioral Health

The Behavioral Health section of the Austin Public Safety Wellness Center is focused on promoting and preserving the mental and emotional well-being of employees within Austin's first responder communities such as the Austin Fire Department, Austin Police Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS. Free and confidential behavioral health resources are available to these employees and their dependent family members.

The Wellness Center also created this guide for supervisors navigating an employee mental health crisis (PDF). 

Behavioral Health Resources

AFD & ATCEMS Staff Psychologists

Marc Kruse, Ph.D.: marc.kruse@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-0225

Celesta Taylor, Ph.D.: celesta.harris@austintexas.gov Phone: (512) 974-5482

Location: 517 S. Pleasant Valley, Austin, Texas 78741

APD Staff Psychologists

David Duran, Ph.D.: david.duran@austintexas.gov Phone: 512-974-5421

Peer Support Team

Peer Support Team members are employees within their respective agency who have received specialized training to aid their fellow first responders in dealing with significant life issues and/or potentially traumatic events. PST members are available to be a listening ear and/or to facilitate to connection to local, regional, state and national behavioral health resources.

Austin Fire Department Peer Support: Please dial 1-888-423-3435 (1-888-4-AFD-HELP) and they will return your call.

Austin-Travis County EMS Peer Support: 855-321-3332

Austin Police Department Peer Support: 512-974-8283

Chaplaincy

Chaplains serve the spiritual and emotional needs of others through the work of pastoral care. They perform wedding or funeral ceremonies, administer communion, deliver spiritual messages, offer prayer at public meetings, and provide regular counseling. Chaplains also meet the needs of the moment, usually through listening and prayer.

In the event of tragedy, personal crisis, or a season of change, chaplains provide the pastoral care needed to help and support individuals. Consequently, chaplains work in a number of environments where pastoral care is needed.

AFD Chaplain hotline: Please dial 1-888-367-1119 and a Chaplain will return your call.

APD Chaplain support: 512-974-8283

CoA Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

ComPsych provides short-term confidential counseling to help you and members of your household deal with life's stresses. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost to you. For assistance call 866-586-1456 or visit guidanceresources.com Web ID: austintexas.gov

Related Links
How to choose a therapist and other questions about therapyFirst responder mental health resourcesHarvard Medical School sleep education and resource gatewayResponder Strong provides responder-informed crisis and clinical services as well as educational content and tools for responders11 Ways to Cultivate Resilience
Behavioral Health FAQS

Will my supervisor know that I visited with a staff psychologist, peer support team member or chaplain?

No. We do not disclose any information about your appointments or sessions with your chain of command or anyone else, unless we have your consent to do so. Under certain circumstances, there are limits to when we might ethically and legally have to report information reported in session, i.e. if you report that you are a danger to yourself or others, if a child (under 18), dependent adult (18-64 who has mental or physical limitations that restrict his/her ability to carry out normal activities), or the elderly (over age 65) is being physically abused, sexually abused, neglected and/or exploited, if you are in need of emergency medical/psychiatric services, and if your medical records, including mental health records, are subject to subpoena by a court of law for either criminal or civil proceedings.

Might I be pulled from duty if I come to see you?

No, not necessarily. Our mission is to help you do your job as best as you can. We are not looking to pull you from your job just because you have some emotional or mental health issues you are working through. Overall, we want Austin's first responders to be healthy and safe, and we want the public being served to be safe as well. So, should an issue arise that might compromise either of those we will discuss it with you and collaborate on the best course of action.

Can my partner / spouse / family member(s) come see you?

Yes. As a City of Austin public safety employee, you and your dependent family members (spouses, romantic partners, and children; also covers biological, adopted, and step-children) are eligible to receive services at no cost. You do not have to be present for your family members to receive services.

I've never participated in therapy before, what can I expect?

Generally, the initial session for therapy consists of you providing an overview of what brings you in for the appointment. The therapist is likely to ask some questions to get an overall understanding of your history, background, presenting problem, and other factors that might be impacting you. You and the therapist will then discuss potential treatment options moving forward, which could include evidence-based therapeutic interventions and/or treatment options. In-person and virtual therapy options are available. 

Do I have to pay?

No. As a City of Austin public safety employee, you and your family (not limited to spouses, romantic partners, and children – biological, adopted, and step-children) are eligible to receive services at no-cost.

Is my therapy session going to be like my pre-hire psychological interviews?

No. Therapy sessions and pre-hire psychological interviews are completely different processes and serve different purposes. The pre-hire psychological interviews are a part of the hiring process and are designed to assess the fit of the applicant with the job. Therapy sessions are to help individuals who have been hired (and are already in their positions) be as successful as they can while doing their job. Therapy can be an ongoing process, whereas pre-hire psychological interviews are a one-time step in the hiring process.

Do I have to see you or can I see my own provider?

It is not a requirement that you see anyone at the Wellness Center. You are free to choose your own provider in the community if that works for you. You are welcome to contact a staff psychologist for community referral options, or you can contact your insurance provider to get a listing of providers in your area. 

If I want to change providers, can I?

Therapy is completely voluntary. If at any time you feel that therapy is not working for you or that you are not getting what you need from a particular individual, you are completely free to choose to work with someone else either within Wellness or the community. 

How many sessions can I have with you?

There is no general session limit. The number of sessions you attend will be based on the goals that you will be working on together with your therapist.

Fitness

APSWC provides a variety of free fitness programs and services to sworn AFD, APD and ATCEMS employees:

Fitness Consultation

Any sworn employee from one of our public safety agencies, can request a 1:1 consultation with one of our Fitness Specialists to discuss:

  • Exercise Technique and Form

  • Injury Mitigation

  • Exercise Program Development

  • Improving Healthy Exercise Habits

  • Workout Regime to Improve Results on the Fitness Assessment

Book an appointment at https://bit.ly/Austinpswc or email pswc@austintexas.gov to setup a time.

Fitness Assessment

At APSWC we provide a fitness assessment comprising the following components:

  • Body Composition

  • Aerobic Capacity

  • Power

  • Muscular Strength and Endurance

  • Mobility and Flexibility

Proper Exercise Technique Videos

Following safe practices in exercising and moving on the job, leads to fewer injuries and longevity. Here are the exercises most prone to injury, and ways to perform these common exercises to minimize injuries:

Workout Library

Strength-based workouts that are safe to perform while on shift:

Mobility exercises to offer variety from strength-based workouts:

Fitness Education

We have a team of Fitness Specialists that are credentialed fitness experts to provide on-going fitness education to our first responders.

Best Practices for working out on shift

First Responders have unique physical demands placed on them due to the nature of their work. Therefore, maintaining fitness while on shift is crucial for ensuring they are “fit for duty” and can respond effectively when needed. Here are some guidelines based on effective practices observed in the field:

1. Prioritize Safety and Readiness

  • First Responders should ensure that their workout does not compromise their ability to respond to emergencies. This means avoiding workouts that lead to excessive fatigue or injury.

2. Choose Appropriate Workouts

  • Interval training has been found to be highly effective as it mimics the high-intensity bursts of activity first responders may experience during a call.
  • Incorporate functional movements that relate directly to job tasks, such as lifting, carrying, dragging, and crawling. This helps improve performance during actual operations.

3. Structure Your Workout

  • A suggested structure includes a dynamic warm-up followed by circuit training. For example:
  • Active Warm-Up: Perform 2 circuits of dynamic movements (e.g., foam rolling for 3-5 minutes).
  • Interval Circuit: Set an interval timer (e.g., 35 seconds of work followed by 25 seconds of rest) and perform exercises such as:
  • Aerodyne or rowing machine
  • Jumping jacks or weighted jump rope
  • Stair crawling
  • Medicine ball slams
  • Core exercises like planks or bird-dogs
  • Mountain climbers or burpees

4. Monitor Intensity and Duration

  • The total workout time should ideally be around 30-45 minutes, excluding warm-up and cool-down periods.
  • Adjust the intensity based on individual fitness levels; beginners may need longer rest periods.

5. Include Recovery Practices

  • Incorporate stretching and foam rolling post-workout to aid recovery and prevent injuries.
  • Hydration is crucial, firefighters should ensure they drink enough water before, during, and after workouts especially during Austin summers.

6. Flexibility in Routine

  • Be prepared to modify workouts based on the day’s activities at the firehouse, soreness/fatigue, or any unexpected calls. If your sleep has been recently compromised be flexible to adjust the intensity of your workout.
APSWC Fitness Team

If you have questions or we can provide support to you in any way, please email pswc@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-0200.

  • Renee Deeter, Program Manager

  • Robyn Paulsen, Fitness Specialist

  • Sebastian Olave, Fitness Specialist

  • Matthew Brocker, Fitness Specialist

  • Rickey Jackson, Fitness Specialist 

Medical

APSWC offers a variety of services available to public safety personnel. We provide the following exams:

  • Annual physicals or Promotional physicals
  • Hearing exams
  • Vaccination
  • Return to Work evaluation
  • Applicant processing (hiring) medical exams

Other services provided by APSWC include, case management, vaccination programs, exposure management, and health interventions.

Case Management

For personnel with certain medical diseases, the case is closely followed by the medical team in order to ensure that the personnel can complete job duties in the field.

EKG/Stress Test

The cardiac stress test or "the submaximal treadmill evaluation" is used to evaluate aerobic capacity. For incumbent firefighters, aerobic capacity is measured annually as part of the annual wellness exam.

The EKG is used as a screening tool for cardiac disease and disorders beginning at 40 years old incumbent firefighters, and is also conducted immediately before all cardiac stress tests. For cadets, the cardiac stress test is used to evaluate aerobic capacity and screen for cardiac disease. To be considered for entrance into the Training Academy, the recommended aerobic capacity is 12 Metabolic Equivalent Tasks (METS).

Hearing Exam

Public safety employees are at risk for occupational hearing loss due to possible long-term exposure to loud noises. Audiometry is a portion of the medical exam conducted during pre-employment exams to establish a baseline for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents as a screening tool to identify hearing loss. In the event a member needs hearing aids, the screening records are utilized for workers' compensation purposes.

Intervention

Resources for first responders looking to improve health and wellness.

Physician Exam

The occupational health physician assesses medical and fitness exam during results blood work, and works with employees to achieve optimal health. Based on this assessment, the physician may refer personnel to needed resources. In the hiring process, the physician evaluates whether the candidate is medically cleared to perform job tasks associated with the specific public safety agency, according to either National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) standards.

Spirometry

Spirometry testing is administered as a portion of the medical exam during pre-employment for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents. Spirometry tests assess specific factors of lung function for occupational safety. They are continued on an annual basis to allow the occupational health physician to screen for lung disease.

Vaccines

All personnel will have their vaccinations updated per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for healthcare providers. This includes Hep A, Hep B, MMR, and TDAP. Each year, flu vaccines will also be provided for personnel.

Vision Exam

Vision screening is administered as a portion of the medical exam, both pre-employment for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents. During the hiring process, they are conducted to screen for specific visual problems which may impact certain duties. These screenings are continued on an annual basis to allow the occupational health physician to identify changes in visual function or ocular health.

Related Links

Sleep Handout

MODS form (Fire)

AFD Maternity & Reproductive Manual 

Wellness Referral Resources

The PSWC follows NFPA and LEO guidelines to ensure a well-rounded program. We ensure our first responders have access to support in these important wellness areas:

 

AFD Peer Support

The AFD Peer Support Team (PST) assists department employees with significant life issues and/or potentially traumatic events. 

AFD Peer Support Team 

AFD Peer Support Team (PST) members are available 24/7/365 at 888-423-3435 to be a listening ear and/or suggest local, regional, state, and national behavioral health resources.

AFD personnel experiencing discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace may report those concerns through the Electronic and Anonymous Reporting System. AFD personnel may also opt to notify the Austin Firefighters Association Local 975, but must include one of the following divisions as part of the submission:

  • Fire Chief
  • Psychologists
  • HR Representative
  • AFD Peer Support
  • AFD Professional Standards Office

Individuals who are not department employees are encouraged to report concerns to the Austin Fire Department Professional Standards Office at 512-974-0130. 

Events

2025 Skin Cancer Screening sign-up