Cy-Fair Fire Department Expands Mental Health Support as Harris County ESD 9 Approves Additional Free Counseling Sessions
For the men and women who respond to emergencies across Cy-Fair and Northwest Houston, the emotional weight of the job does not always end when the call is over. On Dec. 18, the Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 Board of Commissioners took a meaningful step to acknowledge that reality, unanimously approving additional free counseling sessions for Cy-Fair Fire Department personnel and their families.
The vote expands the department’s THRIVE program, a wellness initiative focused on making mental health care accessible, timely, and stigma-free. With the expansion, firefighters and EMS personnel who need support beyond the initial counseling sessions can now receive additional care when it is clinically appropriate — ensuring that asking for help never comes with a closed door.
A Firefighter’s Story Brings the Need Into Focus
The importance of that access was made clear during public comment, when Cy-Fair firefighter James Firchau shared his personal experience with the board. His words offered a reminder that behind every uniform is a person navigating stress, trauma, and recovery.
“I didn’t know how to deal with the pain,” Firchau said. “Today, I’m a lot stronger because of THRIVE and the counseling I received. I feel like I’m in a safer place in my life.”
Board members referenced testimony like Firchau’s as they discussed the expansion, noting that programs like THRIVE are not just benefits, but safeguards — helping first responders stay healthy, present, and supported both on and off duty.
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The Mental Health Toll of Firefighting Is a National Conversation
Across the United States, firefighter mental health has become an increasingly urgent topic. Organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have documented higher rates of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders among firefighters compared to the general population. Repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, long shifts, and cumulative stress can take a lasting toll if left unaddressed.
Public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have identified emergency responders as a workforce at elevated risk for stress-related health challenges. Experts consistently point to early intervention and easy access to care as key factors in reducing long-term impacts, improving retention, and supporting overall firefighter safety — the same principles guiding the THRIVE program’s expansion in Cy-Fair.
Community Partners and Commissioners Emphasize Care Beyond the Call
Following the board’s decision, Cy-Hope Counseling, one of the providers selected to offer services through the expanded program, shared its appreciation for the district’s leadership.
“We are honored to share a meaningful milestone in expanding mental health support for our first responders,” Cy-Hope stated. “On December 18, the Harris County ESD 9 Board unanimously approved additional free counseling sessions, strengthening access to critical mental health care for those who serve our community every day. Cy-Hope Counseling is deeply grateful to be one of the counseling centers selected to provide these services.”
Commissioner Cameron Dickey also spoke in support of the expansion, reflecting on the responsibility communities have to care for those who routinely step into crisis on their behalf.
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“And so I think it's part of having a community that has these heroes that come in and help us in those moments is make sure we take care of them for the things that they see and they experience in the process of that,” Dickey said.
The motion passed unanimously without opposition, with immediate support from Commissioner Bevin Gordon.
MacKinnon, a Houston native and former volunteer firefighter, has been a strong advocate for the THRIVE program, drawing on her background in healthcare operations and firsthand experience with emergency response. Her focus on firefighter wellness, accountability, and trust-building has shaped the program’s growth as it continues to serve responders and their families throughout the district.
As Cy-Fair Fire Department leaders and board members see it, the expanded counseling sessions send a clear message: mental health is part of readiness, and no firefighter should feel alone when they need help.
Stay tuned with My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Cy-Fair Fire Department initiatives, Harris County ESD 9 updates, and other community news affecting Cy-Fair, Northwest Houston, and surrounding areas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
