The First Responders Foundation is honored to be inducting Justin Cooley into the Ancient Order of the National Society of St. Florian and St. Michael at the 7th Annual 9/11 Luncheon of Honor on September 11, 2023. Justin was the keynote speaker for the 6th Annual 9/11 Luncheon of Honor in 2022.

Justin Cooley Sees A Problem And Makes A Difference

Captain Cooley is a captain with the Omaha Fire Department and the father of three teenagers. He was born and raised in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area.  While growing up, his family experienced two house fires within one year of each other. That is where his desire to become a first responder began. The second fire was the result of a lightning strike. Although he wasn’t there at the time, the fire started in his bedroom. He had just left that morning, and upon returning home, he recalled the kindness of the firefighters. The firefighters explained his family was unable to enter their house, but asked if there was anything important they could try and get for him. That kindness is something he has tried to emulate throughout his life. 

Career

Captain Cooley’s career in the fire and EMS service began at the age of 18. He was a volunteer firefighter while attending school at Creighton University and Iowa Western Community College. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Services and two Associate of Science degrees in Fire Protection Technology and Business Management. Justin worked at two local hospitals in their emergency departments, as well as an EMS transport company while pursuing his goal of becoming a career firefighter.

Justin was hired by the Omaha Fire Department in February of 2007. He has served the majority of his career at Station 1 downtown, and Station 21 in northeast Omaha. In February 2020, Justin was promoted to Captain and was assigned to Station 42, near 102nd & Maple. Beyond serving the citizens of Omaha as a firefighter, he also holds certifications as a Paramedic and a Special Operations Technician.

As a member of OFD, Captain Cooley has served for over 10 years on the EMS Committee, and the last two years on the Peer Support Committee.  He also serves as a Peer Support Member for OFD and the First Responders Support Team (FRST). 

Making a Difference

Caring for others has always been important to Justin. Naturally, this is a lot of what led him to a career in the fire service. In June of 2019, he lost one of his best friends and fellow firefighters to suicide. At the time, this was the second completed suicide by a member of the Omaha Fire Department in less than 5 years. That experience refocused his attention. Justin shared, “As first responders, our job is to help, but within that, we are often too busy and forget to look at our own needs too.

His Mission

It became my mission to not only help others but to remind those who are serving our community in this capacity, to pay attention and take care of themselves as well. Admittedly, until the death of one of my closest friends, I didn’t realize how prevalent mental health struggles are, especially among first responders. While it makes sense, given what we’re consistently exposed to, like many others, I didn’t experience those kinds of struggles myself.

I didn’t understand how much it was affecting so many of my peers. The stigma to internalize so much of what we see, and to normalize things that could never be considered normal, is paralyzing at times. The truth is, while many first responders manage their mental health in positive ways, just as many others unknowingly struggle with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance use. For those of us who do recognize our own internal struggles, it’s difficult for us to reach out for help. We are so used to being on the giving side of that spectrum, not the receiving end. We fail to realize we also need support and that sometimes, it’s okay to not be okay.” 

After the passing of his friend, our Behavioral Health Program’s FRST Team (First Responders Support Team ) approached Captain Cooley asking him to collaborate on a presentation to OFD – all 3 shifts at the 26 stations of the Omaha Fire Department. 

Goal

The goal was to address the stigma of mental health, especially among first responders. Justin’s part was to talk about how, even though it was one of his closest friends, he had no idea how much he was struggling. Captain Cooley’s hope was that by being vulnerable enough to share and become emotional in front of his peers, the story might help bring light to the mental health needs of first responders and help reduce the stigma of getting help. Since being involved in that presentation, Justin has been presented with several opportunities to speak on mental health to other departments and various conferences, both locally and around the country.

Throughout the last several years, Captain Cooley has seen the value of having easily accessible, culturally competent therapists, who have been specifically trained to work with first responders and are available as in-network options with their healthcare plan.  When first responders are struggling and finally reach out it is typically much later than the average person. 

At that point, getting them in touch with the right clinician the first time is crucial. In the summer of 2020, there were zero who matched that criteria. He approached the OFD union and was granted permission to pursue a conversation with the administrator of their health insurance network. The goal was to create a network of therapists who were vetted, and culturally competent, and seeing them would not result in additional stress financially. 

Over the next year and a half

Captain Cooley worked closely with the OFD healthcare administrator, Jason Workman, our First Responders Foundation Director of Behavioral Health, and other members of the FRST Team, to establish billing codes, rates, etc., and to create a group of clinicians who were culturally competent and would hopefully become in-network providers. In January of 2022, Captain Cooley was beyond proud to see a new network added to their healthcare system called, “We Care,” a healthcare group created specifically of culturally competent therapists for first responders and their families. It provides in-network rates and their first visit is covered at no cost.

Justin added, “For those of you who don’t know me, it would be hard for you to understand how humbling this recognition is for me. I am beyond thankful for the appreciation and truly honored to be a member of this group. The First Responders Foundation does so much to support local first responders. I would like to specifically acknowledge and thank Jason Workman, Mindy Hinton, and Leah O’Brien who are three therapists on the FRST team. The friendships gained as well as the help and guidance they have provided me throughout the past few years have been immeasurable. What they mean to us at OFD, is similar to what we mean to the communities we serve. You may not know our faces, the time and dedication we’ve put into our jobs, or the hard work we’ve had to do to get to this place. But, when you are a citizen, and faced with a life-altering event, you want the best by your side. You feel a huge sense of relief when you know you have that kind of support and help on your toughest day. I’m beyond thankful for the First Responders Foundation, and for all who’ve made donations in the past, and in the future to support this cause.  I’ve seen firsthand the difference this Foundation has made and continues to do.” 

The First Responders Foundation sincerely thanks Justin for all he has done to make a difference for first responders and their families and for the assistance he continually gives to the Foundation. 

For more information or to set up an appointment with someone from the Behavioral Health Team click here.

For more information and tickets to the 7th Annual 9/11 Luncheon of Honor click here.