New wellness app launched to help first responders in Blair County

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A first responder’s day-to-day work can be stressful and in many cases dangerous. Both of which can take a toll on them and their family’s wellness.

In an effort to better support them and their families, a new wellness app was launched in Blair County on Tuesday. The idea came from the Blair Emergency Services Chaplain Platoon (B.E.S.C.P).

“It may be a simple article that they need to see to make things clearer or to deal with. Or why an I dealing with, and how do I deal with, and then we made that available as well to the families,” Mike Blackie, Chief Chaplain of the BESCP said.

The project was funded by a donation from Reliance Bank and the purpose of the app boils down to one thing – wellness.

It can be downloaded on the responders cell phone or other electronic device. The app is available for 911 dispatchers, police, fire, EMS, corrections, parole, probation, and district attorney staff.

Anyone who wants to use the app needs to be verified first. The Chaplain Platoon will use the list of personnel that work within the emergency service fields to ensure that their identity matches.

However, what people will use the app for is confidential.

“Once you’ve lost trust with someone, it’s gone,” Blackie said.

The app provides resources for mental health, suicide prevention, and prayer requests. There are also resources for work-life balance and stress management.

The families of first responders can also be connected to resources, because they are often left out of the loop.

The app can help them with funeral services and death notifications, should it ever come to that.

“We try to check up on our personnel, and make sure they’re doing okay. Sometimes guys don’t want to open up about the issues or problems that they’re having. This app will have the resources for them to do it on their own if they’re not comfortable coming to us and talking about an issue that they may have,” Adam Free, Fire Chief for the Altoona Fire Department said.

PS Solutions, a software development fire in Altoona, created the app under the direction of the Chaplain Platoon.

The goal is to expand the app to children and young adults in the future.

First responders can sign up for the app by visiting the BESCP website.