College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) researchers launched a new community‑based research initiative titled Answering the Call: Stories of Everyday Heroes, a project designed to explore how civic engagement and volunteerism may improve mental health. Using the fire service as a model of community-based volunteerism, the project utilized firefighter narratives to highlight the benefits of community service and engagement. 

Western Kentucky University (WKU) dual credit students from Bowling Green High School, Emma Macy and Ethan Gallagher, conducted interviews and took photographs of firefighters and first responders across Kentucky. The students explored firefighters’ and first responders’ motivations for service, the personal benefits of volunteering, and what they believe the community should understand about their role.

Photographs and excerpts from the interviews were displayed in a gallery at the annual Bryant Stiles Officers School in Owensboro, KY. Conference attendees were surveyed after viewing the gallery and  asked if they currently volunteered, if they felt volunteering improved their overall health, if they were aware of the connection between volunteerism and mental health, and if they intended to volunteer in the future. Additionally, they were asked about the impact the event had on them personally.

The exhibit increased awareness of the relationship between volunteerism and mental health and helped attendees better understand the lived experiences and resilience of those serving in the fire service.

Teresa Roberts with the Green River Fire Association expressed her feelings regarding the research by saying, "The Everyday Heroes project has well exceeded my expectations.  It has been such a joy to have had this project as discussion starters to hear first responder stories.  There seems to be a sense of humility and healing with each story I have read and heard.  I cannot thank you enough and highly anticipate future collaborations.” 

Macy and Gallagher, along with their faculty mentors, Dr. Ritchie Taylor and Dr. Kim Link, presented their research at Posters-at-the-Capitol on March 5^th.