By Nikki Holm, Gwen Powell and Russell Myers
Serving as chaplains in support of first responders is emotionally, mentally and spiritually challenging. We are fortunate to be part of an EMS organization that recognizes the value of this work and which, since 2007, has employed clinically trained, professional chaplains.
| MORE: A proactive model of chaplaincy. Get to know your resources before you need them
At the same time, we’re well aware that many of our chaplain peers serve as volunteers. Kudos to those who give of their time and energy in support of the paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers in their communities.
Continuing education is essential in any field, and hard to come by when resources are limited. For us, being in a paid position gives us the time and opportunity to dig deeper into research, connect with colleagues, and create the mission statements and procedures that guide our work. We have been encouraged to develop and deliver education and resources in support of frontline EMS personnel and leaders. And, along the way, we have contributed to the education of our chaplain peers. For all of that, we are truly grateful.
One of the external resources we recommend is the First Responder Chaplain Division of the Spiritual Care Association (SCA). From its earliest days, the SCA has been at the forefront of providing quality chaplaincy education. For public safety chaplains and leaders new to the field or looking for a solid baseline education, the online First Responder chaplain training course is a good place to start, or to fill in the gaps in your knowledge.
In November 2025, at the invitation of the SCA, we presented a webinar on first responder chaplaincy. The 1-hour presentation was offered at no cost to participants. It was an honor to collaborate with the Spiritual Care Association and to share some of what we have learned. The webinar was recorded, and now is available to anyone, for free. Helping the Helpers: Advancing the Practice of First Responder Chaplaincy is accessible along with the slides and a list of additional resources (passcode: c0$?hvdS).
We welcome your feedback and questions as we do this work together. If you have training programs or learning modules to share, we all have much to learn from each other. Please also reach out to Lily Godsoe (lgodsoe@spiritualcareassociation.org) head of the First Responder division of the Spiritual Care Association with your ideas, comments and thanks for the SCA’s support of first responder chaplaincy.
Additional resources:
- Helping the Helpers: Advancing the Practice of First Responder Chaplaincy (passcode: c0$?hvdS)
- First Responder Chaplain Division of the Spiritual Care Association (SCA)
- On-demand webinar: How to create a mental health-friendly environment at your service. Learn how mental health support programs can alleviate stress in the workplace
- Quick take: How to foster a mentally healthy environment. Learn how peer support programs, EAPs and chaplaincy can help your providers weather emotional storms and mental health crises
- Operationalizing public safety chaplaincy. 5 practical ways to align chaplaincy with organizational culture and expectations — and why it matters
- Helping providers be seen, heard and cared for. The role of the chaplaincy in emergency services
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gwen Powell is an ordained episcopal priest and board-certified professional chaplain who has been working with Allina EMS since 2020. Prior to working for Allina, she provided spiritual care to patients and staff on the adolescent behavioral health units at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. Gwen graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in psychology in 2008 and earned her Master of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University in 2010. She earned her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 2014 and has been passionate about mental health chaplaincy since beginning her ministry work in 2015. In her free time, she likes to beat her husband and kids at Mario Kart, exercise, walk/hike with her family, watch baseball, and sing with the Northern Lights Chorale.
