Why Firefighter Mental Health Requires More Than an EAP with Memories Mannix

CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE!Who takes care of the people who take care of everyone else?In this episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Memories Mannix, an HR professional with Renton Regional Fire Authority, to talk about first responder mental health, peer support, suicide prevention, workplace culture, and what it looks like to support firefighters from the HR side.Memories began her career at T-Mobile, working her way from call center roles into HR. That experience taught her how to navigate frustrated callers, assume positive intent, understand the impact behind someone’s anger, and practice self-care in a high-stress environment. Eventually, a mix of organizational change, opportunity, and a desire for mission-driven work led her into the fire service.Now, at Renton Regional Fire Authority, Memories helps support roughly 200 members, including around 160 uniformed personnel. In this conversation, she shares how the department supports firefighters through physical injuries, administrative burdens, peer support, specialized therapists, and ongoing mental health resources.In this episode, Jessi and Memories discuss:What call center work taught Memories about empathy, impact, and difficult conversationsWhy she transitioned from T-Mobile into HR in the fire serviceHow Renton Regional Fire Authority supports firefighters and staffWhy first responder trauma can feel like a slow drip over timeHow HR can reduce administrative burden when firefighters are injured or strugglingWhy culturally competent therapists matter for first respondersHow Renton’s 24-member peer support team creates multiple points of accessWhy peer support should include members across ranks and rolesHow collaboration between fire agencies can improve mental health supportWhat Memories would say to leaders who do not believe workplace suicide prevention mattersThis episode is for HR professionals, fire service leaders, first responders, peer support teams, union leaders, public safety agencies, and anyone who wants to better support the people doing high-stress, high-impact work.Because gratitude is not enough.First responders need systems that take care of them too.CONNECT WITH MEMORIES:[email protected] Regional Fire Authority