A wellness center offering physical and mental health resources for Laredo firefighters opened Friday, Nov. 6, next to the main fire station on Del Mar Boulevard, according to KGNS.
The center includes a gym and access to a psychologist for firefighters who often respond to traumatic scenes. It also has a dedicated room for peer support meetings and a telehealth area.
"We have a telehealth area so the firefighters can have clinical services via telehealth," said Dr. Gina Dunckel, a psychologist with the Laredo Fire Department. Firefighters also have access to a 24-hour support system staffed by fellow firefighters trained to understand the job's challenges. The project follows a 2024 proposal to create a wellness facility for local first responders.