When Jason Corthell, Harris County ESD 13, Division Chief of Training and Founder of Ironclad Wellness, took the stage at the 2025 CleanPSB Symposium, he didn’t deliver a typical training session. Instead, the Division Chief of Training for Harris County ESD 13 and founder of Ironclad Wellness opened with honesty; sharing personal stories, hard-won lessons, and a deeply human perspective on mental health in public safety.
Corthell’s roots in firefighting run deep. A fourth-generation fireman, he reflected on family history and a legacy shaped by service. But behind the uniform was a more complex journey; one marked by trauma, addiction, and resilience. He spoke candidly about his wife’s battle with cancer, the lingering effects of a career-altering injury, and the mental toll of carrying unresolved pain.
At the heart of his message was a call for culture change. Corthell emphasized the need to proactively address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among First Responder experiences that often go unspoken but silently shape how individuals respond to trauma over time.
“At least 80% of us have at least one adverse childhood experience that we hold on to as First Responders. What do you think we do with that? Why did we become First Responders, to fix it? But are we showing up in enough time to fix it? The majority of the time the damage has already been done. So, you’re re-exposing yourself to this trauma over and over again for 25 to 30 years, but you’re not given the tools to deal with it,” he said.
With this in mind, he highlighted the risk of isolation, particularly in fire station designs that reward seniority with solitary spaces and urged leaders to prioritize communal environments that foster connection.
Chief Corthell introduced attendees to concepts like attachment theory, the interpersonal theory of suicide, and post-traumatic growth. He explained how relationships, belonging, and brain science all play critical roles in a First Responder’s well-being. He illustrated how neurogenesis and neuroplasticity can support healing and growth through small habits such as cold showers, routine changes, and learning new skills.
Corthell also provided clear, actionable strategies. He advocated for wellness programs anchored by at least three pillars: access to clinicians, chaplaincy, and peer support. These services, he stressed, must be confidential, culturally competent, and independent from reactive systems like a standard Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
“Resilience is good,” he said, “but growth is better.” He expanded upon this thought in saying, “Resilience is getting back to where you were, which is good. Post Traumatic Growth is going beyond that. It is when you can say that I am better now than I was before the trauma happened.”
As the session closed, attendees walked away not just with clinical insights, but with a challenge to lead differently—to design not just buildings and budgets, but cultures that protect the mental health of those who serve.
“There are so many more First Responders coming on board to get their clinician licenses today, because they know the value of it. We need more of us. If your organization doesn’t have a wellness program it should go without saying that you are way behind the curve, especially if you don’t have a peer support or chaplaincy program, because those are extremely cost-effective solutions.”
