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A Proactive Commitment to First Responder Wellness
At one of the world’s busiest airports, safety isn’t just about securing runways and responding to emergencies—it’s about the well-being of those who serve on the front lines. In a decisive step toward strengthening first responder wellness, DFW Airport’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) has partnered with the R3 Program™ to provide its officers, firefighters, and security personnel with confidential, non-clinical support.
This partnership is about more than addressing immediate mental health concerns; it’s about proactive, ongoing resilience-building for those who keep the airport secure. Leadership at DFW Airport DPS has made it clear: taking care of first responders is a priority.
"By taking care of those that serve, our first responders will have another resource that prioritizes their mental and emotional health," said JT Taylor, Vice President-Director of Public Safety at DFW Airport.
The Need for R3 at DFW Airport DPS
First responders at major international airports operate in a high-stakes environment. DFW Airport DPS personnel respond to aviation emergencies, high-security incidents, and thousands of daily interactions with travelers—some of which are hostile or emotionally charged. The cumulative stress from these interactions, along with the pressures of maintaining a constant state of vigilance, makes mental and emotional fatigue a real concern.
Recent data from R3’s 2024 moral injury surveys of first responders has identified a troubling trend: a significant number of first responders report experiencing a loss of compassion. This is a clear sign of compassion fatigue, a condition where prolonged exposure to stress and trauma leads to emotional exhaustion. For an agency like DFW Airport DPS, addressing this isn’t just about wellness—it’s about maintaining a safe and professional environment for both travelers and personnel.
"Public safety is about more than responding to emergencies—it’s about sustaining the health and well-being of those who serve every day," said JT Taylor. "We are prioritizing giving our first responders access to the resources they need to process stress, strengthen resilience, and continue serving at their best."
A Tailored, High-Impact Approach to Resilience
What makes R3 different is its simplicity and flexibility. The program is designed to meet first responders where they are—whether that means helping them navigate accumulated stress, moral injury, or personal struggles like marriage challenges and work-life balance.
DFW Airport DPS is tracking key wellness metrics as part of this initiative, including:
✔ Negative traveler interactions
✔ Sick days and personal/mental health days taken
✔ Overall engagement with resilience training
Additionally, R3 offers faith-based support options for those who seek it, ensuring first responders have access to a broad range of tools to strengthen their well-being.
The leadership team has embraced this initiative as part of a broader effort to develop a comprehensive, long-term wellness strategy for public safety personnel.
Setting a National Standard for First Responder Wellness
DFW Airport DPS’s decision to implement R3 sends a strong message—not just to its own team but to agencies across the country. This is how you take care of those who serve. The proactive approach they are taking is one that can be adapted to any agency, large or small, to meet the specific needs of their first responders.
From marriage and family challenges to trauma processing and moral injury, R3 provides a customized approach that allows agencies to integrate the resources that best serve their teams. Whether that includes peer-led resilience training, non-clinical wellness support, or faith-based guidance for those who seek it, R3 ensures first responders have access to the tools they need.
By addressing wellness at its core, DFW Airport DPS is ensuring that the professionals protecting millions of travelers each year have the support they need to serve at their best.
Join the Movement for First Responder Wellness
DFW Airport DPS is leading the way, but the mission doesn’t stop here. Every agency, every city, and every first responder deserves access to real, confidential, and effective support.
If your agency is ready to take proactive steps toward resilience and mental wellness, we’re here to help.
