Battalion Chief Jason Arnold Works To Improve Mental Health Support

McKENZIE — Battalion Chief Jason Arnold has joined Tennessee’s statewide crisis response strike team, a unit formed under the Tennessee Fire Chaplains Association and the Department of Health. The team provides mental health and crisis support to first responders and the public during natural disasters and emergencies.

Arnold, a lifelong McKenzie resident, recently completed training for the team and says it gave him valuable insight. “I gained a lot of knowledge about helping first responders cope with difficult calls and crisis situations,” he said. “We’re also trained to assist the public in times of natural disasters, like tornadoes and floods.”

The strike team began forming in 2019, though its operations were impacted by COVID-19. Since then, members have been deployed across Tennessee and beyond, responding to severe flooding, tornadoes, and other large-scale disasters. Arnold is one of only two members in Carroll County, alongside Brandy Baumgartner of the Carroll County Rescue Squad.

One of the biggest challenges Arnold faces in McKenzie is responding to calls involving people he knows personally. “It’s tough when you’ve lived here your whole life,” he said. “Some of the calls hit close to home, and that can be hard on our responders.”

A key part of his role is conducting debriefings for firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders after traumatic calls. “If one of our guys is struggling, I can sit down with them one-on-one or help facilitate a debriefing,” Arnold explained. “We also assist departments across the state.”

Arnold has developed a strong interest in mental health support for emergency personnel. He’s considering pursuing a master’s degree in clinical counseling, focusing on first responder mental health.

“Most of the older guys in it, it’s all ‘suck it up, buttercup, go on with it.’ But, I mean, it’s a problem. You can’t just go on with it. You have to talk to somebody,” Arnold said.

His perspective on mental health shifted after a death in the community. “We had a debriefing after that, and it really opened my eyes to how much this matters,” he said. While he’s interested in possibly opening a counseling service for first responders in the future, he clarified that this is a long-term goal, not an active project at this time.

Looking ahead, Arnold hopes to increase resources for first responders in Carroll County. One idea being discussed is a responder support trailer that would provide essential rest facilities—including a restroom, hot water, cold water, and a shower—for emergency crews deployed on long disaster response missions.

“We’d keep it stationed here in McKenzie, and if it’s needed anywhere in Tennessee, I could transport it as part of the strike team,” Arnold said. “It could also be used at local festivals and community events.” He emphasized that this idea is still in early discussions, but they are exploring funding options.

McKenzie and Carroll County are fortunate to have Arnold in this critical role, providing essential support to first responders and the community. His work in mental health advocacy, disaster response, and first responder care is already making an impact locally and across the state.

For those interested in learning more about the strike team’s work, Arnold recommends visiting the Tennessee Fire Chaplains Association’s website at www.tffc.org. The site provides details on training, deployment efforts, and mental health resources for emergency responders.