South Carolina Responder Support Initiative
The South Carolina Responder Support Initiative is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting first responders, disaster personnel, and their families. Our mission is not only to help responders heal from the emotional and psychological challenges of their work, but also to proactively strengthen their resilience before crises occur. Through peer support, chaplaincy, therapy K9s, critical incident care, and a range of integrated wellness services, we equip responders to withstand the demands of their profession and recover with strength and connection.
info@sc-rsi.org
(803) 587-0455
1601 Assembly St # 802
Columbia, SC 29202
Our Story
The South Carolina Responder Support Initiative (SC-RSI) was officially incorporated in June 2024 with a founding board of eight responders and veteran responders—each bringing years of lived experience in public safety, emergency management, and disaster response.
From day one, our mission was clear: to serve three primary audiences—
- Active responders,
- Veteran responders (our preferred term over “former responders”), and
- Family members of responders.
We are built upon three priorities of effort—Wellness, Fraternity, and Respect—each representing a pillar of long-term cultural health within the public safety and emergency response community.
Becoming a Peer Support Organization
Although SC-RSI did not originally set out to become a peer support organization, the need was undeniable. Responders across the state expressed a strong desire for culturally competent, credible, and relational support.
In response to that demand, we launched our Peer Support Program in Fall 2024—but we chose to build something different. Our goal was not to duplicate what others were already providing, but to fill the gaps that remained.
What Makes SC-RSI’s Peer Support Programs Different?
1. A Holistic Approach to Wellness and Peer Support
Our programs are intentionally whole-person and whole-system focused. We build our model around the four legs of the wellness table, giving equal emphasis to:
- Highly trained peer supporters (with both initial and ongoing training requirements),
- Public safety chaplains trained specifically in responder culture,
- Therapy K9 teams who are certified and culturally competent, and
- Trusted clinical partners who understand responder life.
Together, these elements create a comprehensive, integrated system of care that goes far beyond “peers helping peers.”
2. Proactive Support—Not Just Reactive
Most peer teams respond after a crisis. While we do that, we also aim to be there before one ever happens.
Our proactive model focuses on building long-term relationships with departments and individuals through:
- Regular SHIELD Peer Support meetings (a responder-specific recovery and reflection group),
- Routine station visits with our chaplains or K9 teams,
- Ride-alongs and scene support by trained chaplains, and
- Developing new initiatives like REBOOT Responder and formal MOAs/MOUs with agencies to serve as supplemental peer teams.
Because our teams are holistic in nature, we also support memorials, funerals, and ceremonial events—often both publicly and behind the scenes—bringing presence and stability when it’s needed most.
3. A Relational, Scalable Model for Critical Incident Response
When called to respond after a critical incident—large or small—our approach remains both structured and deeply relational.
We use an Incident Command System (ICS)-based model, allowing us to scale as needed and integrate seamlessly with other agencies and peer support teams.
This model also enables us to:
- Provide targeted support to both command and field personnel,
- Ensure appropriate respite and recovery spaces to promote processing and healing, and
- Coordinate logistical support such as meals, rest areas, and connections to vetted mental health providers.
Our goal in every deployment is to bring steadiness, compassion, and competence to those who serve.
Focused Services
We have the ability and knowledge to provide many services to emergency and disaster responders and their families, including customized peer and family support training. In addition to traditional peer-to-peer support, our other areas of emphasis are outlined below.
K9 Therapy Teams
Comfort. Connection. Care.
Why K9 Therapy for First Responders?
“Therapy dogs reduce cortisol levels and help regulate heart rate and blood pressure during high-stress events.” — National Institutes of Health
“Just 10 minutes with a trained therapy dog can significantly lower anxiety in first responders after trauma.” — Journal of Emergency Medical Services
What Sets SC-RSI Apart?
Mission-Aligned Teams – Our K9 Therapy Teams are part of a larger responder wellness network under the South Carolina Responder Support Initiative (SC-RSI). We don’t just show up—we are trained, connected, and purpose-built for supporting emergency and disaster responders.
Handler Qualifications Matter – Every handler on our team is a trained peer supporter, completing:
- 16 hours of peer support training
- 8 hours of Mental Health First Aid
- 3 hours of suicide awareness training
- Ongoing 8 hours of continuing education annually
Team-Based Model – Our K9 teams train and meet regularly, providing mutual support and quality assurance—because excellence in care starts with excellence in preparation.
How Our K9 Teams Serve
- Routine Station or Field Visits
- Special Agency or Community Events
- Critical Incident Debriefs (Even if we’re not facilitating the debrief itself—our dogs help create the space for healing.)
Let Us Connect Your Team
info@sc-rsi.org | www.sc-rsi.org
(803) 587-0455
Public Safety Chaplains
Steady Presence. Spiritual Care. Trusted Support.
Why Does Public Safety Chaplaincy Matter?
“In high-stress careers like public safety, chaplains provide essential emotional and spiritual support that contributes to overall resilience and well-being.” — International Conference of Police Chaplains
“First responders are more likely to open up to someone they trust—chaplains often become that trusted presence, especially after traumatic events.” — National Volunteer Fire Council
What Sets SC-RSI Apart?
Purpose-Built Support – Our chaplains are part of the South Carolina Responder Support Initiative (SC-RSI), a statewide wellness network built specifically for emergency and disaster responders.
Spiritually Grounded, Respectfully Offered – Each of our chaplains is trained to offer care that is compassionate, trauma-informed, and never pushy. We bring spiritual presence without pressure.
Training That Matters – Every chaplain on our team has completed specialty training in public safety chaplaincy and meets the same peer support standards as our wellness team, including:
- 16 hours of peer support training
- 8 hours of Mental Health First Aid
- 3 hours of suicide awareness training
- Ongoing 8 hours of continuing education annually
How Our Chaplains Serve
- Station or Agency Visits
- Critical Incident Support
- Spiritual Presence at Special Events (invocations, benedictions, speaking engagements)
- One-on-One Support for Responders
Let Us Steady Your Team
info@sc-rsi.org | www.sc-rsi.org
(803) 587-0455
Peer Support – Reenvisioned
Empowerment. Connection. Preparation.
Why Take a Fresh Look at Peer Support?
“Social support from peers is consistently associated with lower burnout, reduced distress, and higher resilience among emergency personnel.”
— Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, Vol. 25(1), 2020
“Peer support is one of the most effective early interventions for mitigating the impact of stress in emergency responders.”
— International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), “Foundations of Peer Support,” 2019
What Sets Our Peer Support Team Apart
- Every peer supporter completes 16-20 hours of initial training, plus additional training in suicide awareness/intervention, connecting to resources, and Mental Health First Aid.
- Team members commit to 8 hours of continuing education annually, ensuring their skills remain sharp, relevant and responsive.
- We meet regularly — because building resilience among our own means creating a support culture that prevents burnout, strengthens skills and fosters mutual care.
- Starting in 2026, we’ll offer both in-person and virtual peer-support options—so no matter where you are, you’re connected and supported.
- We also provide proactive peer support through station visits alongside our K9 Therapy Teams and Chaplains—bringing support upstream, before a crisis strikes.
- Our peers are trained to recognize when to hand off to culturally competent clinicians through the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SC DMH). This completes all four legs of our peer-support stool: peer, chaplain, clinician and K9 Therapy.
How We Serve
- Peer station visits and wellness check-ins
- Virtual and in-person peer-support gatherings
- Resilience-focused training and continuing education for team members
- Seamless coordination with our K9 Therapy Teams, Chaplains and SC DMH clinicians
Let us Strengthen Your Team.
info@sc-rsi.org | www.sc-rsi.org
(803) 587-0455
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