Unlikely Collaborators Awards Grant to The Quell Foundation to Launch First Responder Resilience Training Program at Los Angeles Fire Department

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unlikely Collaborators announced today that it has awarded a grant to The Quell Foundation to support the expansion of its First Responder Resilience Project, including a groundbreaking mental wellness training program tailored to first responders. With this funding, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will become the first organization to implement the program's mental health training program department-wide as part of its mandatory annual training, supporting all 3,800 of its sworn fire and dispatch personnel.

The First Responder Resilience Project aims to normalize a new culture for mental wellness among first responders through building resilient mindsets at work, at home, and into retirement. Through a series of modules, the program addresses the unique psychological challenges faced by law enforcement, fire, dispatch, corrections, and emergency medical service professionals. The lessons first responders receive were developed by, and feature, individuals from the first responder community. By creating space for honest dialogue where first responders see themselves represented, the initiative reduces stigma, encourages early intervention, and helps prevent suicides within this vital workforce.

This collaboration comes at a critical time for the LAFD Foundation, the official nonprofit arm of the LAFD. With the Department's members confronting unprecedented challenges, this partnership demonstrates an increased commitment to prioritizing firefighter mental health and long-term resilience.

"We recognize how relentless and challenging the demands of a career in the fire service are, which is why we're so proud to launch these mental health training modules -- giving our LAFD firefighters real, hands-on tools they can use anytime to protect their well-being," said Krystal Madrid, Psy.D Fire Psychologist at LAFD's Behavioral Health Program. "This critical resource will help ensure that our firefighters can continue to show up strong for the people of Los Angeles and be fully present for the ones they love at home."

"We're honored to strengthen our support of the LAFD and to put this vital resource into the hands of each department member," said Amber Chembars Meyerl, President, The Quell Foundation. "This is possible through the incredible generosity of Unlikely Collaborators and marks a powerful step forward in caring for those who give so much to keep our communities safe."

"For first responders, whose work demands a high level of resilience, this program offers a vital opportunity to reframe and reflect on the beliefs that shape their responses to stress, trauma, and the communities they serve," said Elizabeth R. Koch, Founder and Chair of Unlikely Collaborators. "We're honored to support The Quell Foundation in bringing this life-saving training to the LAFD."

By aligning around a shared commitment to mental wellness, Unlikely Collaborators and The Quell Foundation aim to spark a culture shift in first responder communities. Together, they are creating environments where conversations about mental health are encouraged, stigma is dismantled, and support is readily available. This partnership with the LAFD stands as a powerful example of how organizations can unite to meet the evolving needs of those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

Unlikely Collaborators is a nonprofit organization, founded and chaired by Elizabeth R. Koch, dedicated to fostering transformative storytelling, developing human connection, and resolving internal conflict. UC's perspective is that external conflict is the direct result of unconscious, unresolved internal conflict inside each and every one of us. Founded on the belief that the way we perceive the world is highly subjective, Unlikely Collaborators support projects that challenge assumptions, spark meaningful dialogue, and invite humans into deeper self-awareness – in community.

Central to this mission is the groundbreaking Perception Box^™ framework developed by Koch. More than just a metaphor, it represents the often unseen matrix of biases, beliefs, and personal narratives that influence how we interpret reality. Rooted in cognitive science and psychological research, this framework illustrates how each person's unique mental model shapes their understanding of the world—often limiting their ability to connect with new perspectives and ideas. By investigating and untangling our Perception Box beliefs, individuals and communities can unlock compassion, creativity, and new ways of thinking.

For more information about The Quell Foundation, visit www.thequellfoundation.org. To learn more about Unlikely Collaborators, visit www.unlikelycollaborators.com.

SOURCE Unlikely Collaborators