When the call ends, the impact doesn’t. First responders and veterans carry experiences that most people will never see — and too often, they carry them in silence. Shields Under Fire Emergency Services exists to change that. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in LaGrange County, Indiana, we provide specialized support for first responders, veterans, and their families as they navigate the emotional and spiritual weight of their service. In a profession where strength is expected and vulnerability is rarely acknowledged, we offer a safe, confidential place to be heard, understood, and supported. If you or someone on your team needs a place to talk or a steady presence to walk with you, we are here to help — confidentially, respectfully, and without judgment.
Our organization is built on professionalism, discretion, and a deep respect for those who serve. We provide peer support groups, one‑on‑one sessions, referrals for both conventional and emergency mental health services, on‑scene deployment of Emergency Chaplain Response Teams, and education focused on resilience, awareness, and prevention. Every service we offer is designed to meet the unique needs of those who run toward danger when others run away.
Our Chaplains respond with the highest level of care and competence. Each member of our team has served — or continues to serve — as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, EMS professional, 911 dispatcher, clergy, or military personnel. We understand the culture, the expectations, and the unspoken pressures because we’ve lived them ourselves. That firsthand experience allows us to step into difficult moments with clarity, compassion, and credibility.
Our Chaplains hold certifications in one or more of the following areas: Emergency Chaplaincy, Licensed Pastor, Board Certified Christian Counselor (BCCC), Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Mental Health Resilience Officer (MHRO), QPR Gatekeeper Instructor, LivingWorks suicide‑prevention training, Christian Life Coaching, Firefighter I/II, EMT‑Basic, EMR, and Fire Instructor I, II/III. This diverse training equips our team to provide informed support, spiritual care, and guidance during challenging moments.
While our Chaplains are highly trained in peer support, crisis response, and resilience‑building, we are not mental health clinicians and do not diagnose or provide medical or psychological treatment. When a situation requires professional clinical care, we connect individuals with qualified mental health providers through trusted referral pathways.
