Built from Loss
Sustained by Purpose.
Since 2019, Nevada Peer Support Network has grown from a single emergency meeting of 14 people into one of Nevada's most trusted first responder mental health organizations — delivering peer support, crisis response, and community connection at no cost to the agencies and individuals we serve.
OUR STORY
Why NPSN Exists
Nevada Peer Support Network was founded in 2019 in direct response to the suicide of a 32-year-old firefighter paramedic whose death exposed a devastating gap: when tragedy strikes, neither first responders nor their departments know who to call.
"When founder Derek Reid reached out to the community, a meeting of 14 grew to nearly 90 — demonstrating the profound and unmet need."
NPSN was born from that moment — from the collective grief and determination of first responders who refused to let that death be in vain. Five years later, the organization has become one of Nevada's most recognized and trusted first responder mental health organizations, built on community trust, a dedicated volunteer base, and a demonstrated record of impact.
Our mission: eliminate stigma, normalize help-seeking, and ensure those who protect our communities have access to the culturally competent support they deserve.
Seven Years of Growing Impact
2019
Founded after the loss of a 32-year-old firefighter paramedic. A meeting of 14 grew to nearly 90.
2021
Incident Support Team launched, staffed entirely by retired fire and EMS volunteers.
2022
Nevada's first Resiliency Center for first responders established in Reno.
2024
37 incident deployments. 2,410 first responders served in a single year.
2026
Serving 10+ agencies across Northern Nevada, with 18 targeted by year end.
YEAR OVER YEAR
Deployment Growth
Our Incident Support Team has responded to wildfires, structure fires, officer-involved incidents, line-of-duty deaths, and critical incident debriefings across Northern Nevada and neighboring California counties.
| Year | Deployments | Responders Served |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 595 |
| 2024 | 37 | 2,410 |
| 2025 | 40 | 1,650 |
| 2026 YTD | 25 | 798 |
2026 Activity To Date
439
First responders served YTD
16
Fire incidents responded to
7
CISM sessions facilitated
8
Peer support & CISM trainings
The Problem We're Solving
Why Peer Support Matters
First responders operate within a culture that demands emotional armor on the job — armor they often cannot remove at home. The consequences are severe and well-documented.
3 in 1
Develop Behavioral Health Conditions
1 in 3 first responders develop PTSD, depression, or substance abuse disorders — compared to 1 in 5 of the general population. More than 80% experience traumatic events on duty.
SAMHSA, 2018–2025
50%
Suicide Exceeds Line-of-Duty Deaths
Verified suicide deaths among first responders exceed line-of-duty deaths by 50% nationwide — meaning first responders are more dangerous to themselves than their high-risk jobs.
Ruderman White Paper, 2017
<25%
Seek the Help They Need
Fewer than 1 in 4 first responders who need mental health support seek it — due to stigma, fear of career consequences, or distrust of non-specialized providers. Only 2–5% use their agency's EAP program.
FireRescue1 / Lexipol, 2024
40%
Retired Responders at Risk
Approximately 40% of retired first responders experience a mental health symptom or substance abuse problem — driven by loss of identity and cumulative trauma that doesn't stop at retirement.
NIH, 2018
$3B
Annual Cost of Untreated Trauma
Untreated trauma costs agencies over $3 billion annually in turnover, workers' compensation, and lost productivity. Replacing a single police officer costs approximately $189,000.
Industry Research
$0
Cost to Agencies & Individuals
Every NPSN service — peer support, crisis response, CISM debriefings, and Incident Support deployments — is delivered at no cost to the agencies and individuals we serve.
Nevada Peer Support Network
COMMUNITY VALUE
Extraordinary Value.
Extraordinarily Efficient.
NPSN's volunteer-powered model delivers measurable community benefit at a fraction of what comparable staffed programs cost.
$87K
Total 2025 operating expenses — all directed to program delivery
$75–80K
Estimated annual volunteer labor contribution at Nevada's volunteer rate
6–8×
Return on every dollar invested vs. equivalent staffed program costs
An equivalent staffed program would cost $500,000–$750,000 annually. If NPSN prevents just 3–5 medical retirements per year, the community return on investment exceeds $1.5–5 million — because a single prevented medical retirement saves an agency $500,000–$1 million.
FROM THE FIELD
Trust Across Nevada
"
Anyone in the first responder world will benefit from their aid. The resources and clinicians vetted on their site are a constant reference for myself and my department. The feedback from the firefighters has always been positive.
— Bureau of Land Management
"
The NNPSN has made resources so accessible, so well organized and so welcoming that anyone in the first responder world will benefit. Don't hesitate to take them up on their fantastic and meaningful services.
— Reno Police Department
"
Even more than a resource, NNPSN is a symbol of a collaborative effort by numerous local departments willing to address increasing mental health issues affecting first responders.
— Carson City Fire Department
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Agencies That Trust NPSN
These partnerships have developed organically through NPSN's reputation for professionalism, confidentiality, and genuine peer-driven care. No agency pays for NPSN's services — their continued and growing reliance on our team is among the most meaningful endorsements of our model.
Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District
CISM & incident support deployments
Reno Fire Department
Peer support referrals & incident support
Carson City Fire Department
Peer support and CISM services
Sparks Fire Department
Peer support referrals & incident support
REMSA Health
EMS peer support & CISM debriefings
Banner-Churchill EMS
Peer support and CISM services
Reno Police Department
Peer support team partnership
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Peer support team partnership
Great Basin Chaplain Corps
Culturally competent chaplain services
First Responder Coalition
Suicide prevention & peer support coordination
Plumas County Fire Chiefs Assoc.
Consultant relationship
Inter-Hospital Coordinating Council
Healthcare system coordination
GEOGRAPHIC REACH
Serving Nevada Statewide
NPSN has deployed support teams across Northern and Rural Nevada — and into neighboring California counties. No other organization provides this level of rapid, culturally competent peer support to rural Nevada first responders at no cost.
Washoe County
Lyon County
Nye County
Churchill County
Carson City
Douglas County
Humboldt County
Pershing County
Mineral County
Nevada County, CA
Placer County, CA
Support the Work
NPSN's services are delivered at no cost to agencies or individuals — made possible entirely by donors, volunteers, and community partners who believe those who serve deserve support.
Get Involved
Whether you're a retired responder, a community volunteer, or an organization looking to partner — there's a place for you here. It starts with a conversation.
Connecting first responders, veterans, military personnel, healthcare professionals, ski patrol, and their families with peer support and trusted resources across Nevada.
Nevada Peer Support Network
Resiliency Center
6490 S McCarran Blvd, C-24
Reno, NV 89509
Call or Text Us 24/7
(775)464-1797
General Inquiries [email protected]