Queen Anne’s County recently announced the launch of the County-Wide Public Safety Peer Support Team, an initiative designed to strengthen the emotional well-being and resilience of public safety peers across the county.

“As First Responders, we’re trained to step into chaos and bring calm — but no one teaches us what to do with everything we carry afterward. This peer support team is our way of saying that the people behind the uniforms deserve the same care, compassion and support they give to everyone else. We are building something powerful here: a culture where we show up for each other with solidarity, with strength and with heart,” said Kelley Payne, EMS Team Lead

In recent weeks, 24 peer supporters from EMS, law enforcement, dispatch, corrections and volunteer fire services completed specialized training led by Jeff Thompson in collaboration with For All Seasons. The peer supporters were trained to provide support to colleagues facing stress, trauma and other challenges resulting from public safety work.

Queen Anne’s County is also proudly partnering with For All Seasons as its third-party mental health support provider. The partnership ensures responders have access to confidential, professional mental health services to complement the peer-to-peer support network.

The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners support this initiative, recognizing the importance of expanding access to mental health and wellness resources for first responders. Ensuring the well-being of those who serve the community remains a top priority for the County.

The Peer Support Team will provide confidential support, critical incident response, wellness outreach and resource coordination. The team’s mission is to support the people who protect the community, both in crisis and in everyday service.