LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) held a press conference in Las Vegas to highlight nearly $1 million in federal funding they secured to provide mental health training and support to thousands of firefighters, law enforcement officers, and first responders. The senators announced this funding earlier this year as part of the Community Project Funding they secured in the FY24 bipartisan government funding package.
“Nevada’s law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders do critical work to protect our communities, which often takes a toll on their physical and mental health. That’s why we must do everything we can to ensure they have the support they need,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have helped secure this funding to ensure Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officers and Clark County Fire Department firefighters get the mental health training and resources to keep doing their jobs safely and effectively. I’ll continue working in a bipartisan way to support our first responders.”
“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and it has always been a priority of mine to make sure our police officers and firefighters have the mental health support they need,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to have worked with Senator Rosen and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department to secure $934,000 to dedicate specifically to mental health training for over 6,700 Metro and Clark County law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders. Our first responders deal with highly traumatic situations daily – and it is our duty to make sure their mental health is taken as seriously as their physical health.”
“I believe if we take care of our first responders better than we ever have, they will in turn take care of our community better than they ever have,” said Sheriff Kevin McMahill. “The money that Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief Glassford, Senator Cortez Masto, and Senator Rosen secured, will help fund programs that will make this a reality.”
“Clark County’s Fire Department initiated this grant in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to strengthen the resiliency of our first responders,” said Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck. “First responders are exposed to many incidents that take an emotional toll on them, and we want to thank our federal partners for helping us secure this grant funding to enhance the existing wellness programs within our ranks to ensure the health and safety of those who serve our community during times of tragedy.”
Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto have fought to support Nevada’s law enforcement community and first responders. Earlier this month, they announced that more than $6 million in funding they secured for Nevada law enforcement, criminal justice, and public safety projects is being delivered. Last year, Senator Rosen introduced bipartisan legislation to improve federal mental health support programs for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency response personnel. Senator Cortez Masto’s bipartisan bills to combat the crisis of law enforcement suicide and provide mental health resources to police officers have been signed into law by presidents of both parties.
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