Matt Ballard

I’m a career firefighter/Paramedic of 22 years for the City of Balch Springs Texas. Born and Raised in Waxahachie Texas. Married 28 years with 3 girls. I’m our departments peer support team lead. I started Free Burn in January of this year. Originally it started with me going to any department, academy, or anybody that would let me in to do an mental and behavioral health awareness presentation and talk about my personal journey with mental illness. That quickly turned in to the Free Burn 2023 Podcast. All this was spurred on because of myself not having available resources through my department when I was having issues! I was off 3 months in 2016, 2017 and then again in 2021, 2022. When I came back the second time, I knew something had to be done! I took every possible training available dealing with mental and behavioral health for first responders. Starting with training through the IAFF then webinars through the IAFF COE, ICISF CISM, organizational Resiliancy specialist, ASIST suicide intervention. We now have a growing peer team with great resources! Our oversight and in house training is through Readiness group. The Lord set me on a path and doors continue to open! I’m working towards obtaining non profit status to hopefully help other first responders with limited to no resources and counseling cost. The Lord my family, a great trauma counselor ( EMDR CBHT) vetted clinicians literally saved my life! I won’t and can’t be silent anymore! Brothers and sisters need to know it’s ok to not be ok….we just can’t stay in the not ok!!