As the wife of a first responder, I have a front row seat to the unique stresses on first responders and their families. Couple that with my personal faith journey, and the result is a calling for the best “job” I could ever imagine. I’ve battled addiction, depression, anxiety and a myriad of challenges in my faith, all of which have prepared me for such a time as this. I’m honored to serve Aurora first responders as a chaplain and I look forward to partnering with you!
Pam Austin, Chaplain, Aurora 911 Dispatch & Aurora Police Dept.
It’s YOUR turn to be
the HERO!
Please join me in the fight for resiliency and healthy minds, bodies and souls in the Aurora first responder community.
Let’s serve those who serve us!
Quit my job to volunteer?!!!?!? YES!
Call me crazy, but it’s no crazier than what the first responders of Aurora, CO do EVERY SINGLE DAY.
The incredible men and women of the Aurora Colorado 911 Dispatch Center field approximately 500,000 calls per year. The majority of which result in the dispatch of police, fire, rescue, or emergency medical responders (https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/aurora911). As in every city, the 911 dispatch center is the hub of the first responder world, but it is often the most overlooked and under-appreciated group within the first responder community.
As the wife of a first responder, I have a unique perspective on the stresses and challenges that first responders encounter on a DAILY basis, but in November 2022 I came face to face with a whole new dimension of the world as a chaplain for first responders. What began as a light-hearted, part time gig to offer support and encouragement to the men and women of the Aurora 911 Dispatch Center has snowballed into a life-altering, undeniable call to enter the battlefield and SERVE those who serve us.
Like many first responders, the 911 dispatchers encounter the worst day of someone else's life on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. They do it day in and day out for 10-12 hours a day, regardless of the weather, holidays, and even worldwide pandemics. They show up as a lifeline for us when we encounter frightfully hopeless situations. And they do it with grace, confidence and assurance that "help is on the way." All the while they simultaneously manage 4 different computer screens, with multiple maps, various software systems, horrifying sounds, demands, and the expectation to send the right resource to the right place at the right time. Without knowing the outcome of the assistance they have just provided, they hang up only to do it again and again and again. Talk about stress! And now on to home life... You get the idea.
In February of 2023, I had the privilege to join the Aurora Police Dept chaplain team and serve those brave men and women as they put their lives on the line every.single.day. Unfortunately, law enforcement has become one of the most scrutinized, criticized and chastised professions in our country. Sometimes, rightfully so, but often not. Regardless of where one stands when it comes to law enforcement, most people agree that it is a high-pressure, extremely difficult job requiring its personnel to BE AT THEIR VERY BEST every second of every day, on and off the clock. I don't know about you, but my track record is far less than perfect when it comes to being my very best all day, all the time, regardless of what's happening in my life. I believe law enforcement is a noble vocation, deserving of respect and support, as well as the grace to be human. Officers must be brave and bold, but humble and kind. They must be approachable and compassionate, yet authoritative and courageous in the face of such horrors as fatal car accidents and shootings, domestic violence and child abuse. And just like us, they are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends and neighbors. In their pursuit to protect and serve the city of Aurora, I stand firm beside them.
All first responders experience an extraordinary amount of stress and trauma in just a few short years in their profession, much more than the average person encounters in their entire lifetime. That is why, in August of 2023, I chose to answer the call and quit my job to volunteer and fully devote my time to being a a first responder chaplain, and now I need your help!
Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this very important ministry to the first responders of Aurora, CO? More than anything they need prayer- prayer for resilience and quick, but thorough, recovery from critical and traumatic incidents. Prayer for salvation and redemption. Please join my prayer team and consider giving a one-time or monthly financial gift.
Thank you and may God ABUNDANTLY bless you!