1st Watch Wellness

04/22/2026

As part of their in-service training, the Grant County Sheriff's Office - WA welcomed 1st Watch Wellness clinician Keshya Wysocki for a session focused on stress awareness and coping strategies. Thank you to the department for the opportunity to connect with your team!

04/17/2026

Behind every call is a voice guiding the moment.

As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week wraps up, we’re recognizing the dispatchers who carry the weight of every call, often without eve

You are the first point of contact, the steady presence, and a critical part of every response.

Your work matters. Every single day.

04/16/2026

In this line of work, stress is expected. Trauma shouldn’t be ignored.

Knowing the difference matters—because not all stress responses fade with time. Some experiences stay with us and require a different kind of support.

This April, we’re focusing on stress awareness and the importance of recognizing when it may be something more. You don’t have to carry it alone.

04/14/2026

Grateful to spend time in Rapid City, SD supporting those who show up for others every day.

Matt Quackenbush, Director of Education & Training at 1st Watch Wellness, led resiliency and advanced peer support training focused on building practical skills that make a difference when it matters most.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, engaged, and continues to prioritize wellness within your departments.

04/07/2026

You train to take care of others.

But your health isn’t just physical.

It’s the stress you carry after the call, the things you don’t say out loud, and the weight that builds over time.

This World Health Day, take a moment to check in with yourself, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. You don’t have to carry it alone.

04/06/2026

Jordan and Troy loved connecting with friends at the International Association of Fire Fighters Strive Conference and being part of a space where firefighter wellness is front and center.

Grateful for the good conversation and memories and even more grateful for the work this group continues to do.

04/01/2026

Since 1992, April has been recognized as Stress Awareness Month—but the need for awareness has never been greater.

Stress continues to rise, and in this line of work, it can build quietly over time.

This month is about recognizing the signs early, reducing stigma, and taking small steps to manage stress before it becomes something more.

You don’t have to handle it alone.

03/30/2026

03/25/2026

Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a critical part of performance, resilience, and overall wellness.

For first responders, quality sleep can be especially difficult to come by. Shift work, long hours, and repeated exposure to stress and trauma all take a toll. But improving sleep isn’t out of reach.

This month, we’re focusing on practical ways to optimize rest—because better sleep means better recovery, sharper focus, and stronger mental health.
Here are 8 expert-recommended tips to help improve sleep quality, even with a demanding schedule.

03/23/2026

⛳ Save the Date! Our Annual Help 4 Heroes Golf Tournament is coming up on August 13, 2026! Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of fun and giving back. More details coming soon!

03/23/2026

Thank you, Lieutenant Menge, for recognizing 1st Watch Wellness as an industry leader in Peer Support Training! Today, our Peer Support program is a cornerstone of the 1st Watch Wellness approach, equipping first responders to support one another every day.



Kitsap County Sheriff's Office
Matt Quackenbush

03/19/2026

Another opportunity to connect and build stronger peer support—this time in Moses Lake, WA with the team at Grant County Sheriff's Office - WA and surrounding agencies.

We're honored to work alongside individuals like Jessica Olsen, whose commitment to first responder wellness is making an impact far beyond her own department.



Matt Quackenbush