OAPFF PEER Supporters

  • The OAPFF Peer Support Team consists of approximately 30 firefighters from all 5 Ohio districts who have been trained in providing emotional and mental health support to our union brother and sister firefighters in the state of Ohio.  OAPFF Peer Supporters have all received the IAFF Peer Support Training.

  • The OAPFF Peer Support Team may provide assistance to both active and retired firefighters who may be experiencing behavioral health and/or addiction issues.

  • The Peer Support Team may also assist Locals after a potentially traumatic event.

  • Peer Support Team Members act as a bridge to outside definitive behavioral health and/or addiction treatment.  Peer Support Members are knowledgeable in local, regional, and state mental health resources.

  • Research shows that firefighters are more likely to accept treatment recommendations and assistance from peers.

Scroll this page to find a Peer Supporter in your area. Feel free to reach out and contact one if you need assistance.  They are there to help.

Need Immediate Help?

If you are having a crisis and in need of immediate assistance, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

District-1

Ben Jarrett, Bowling Green Fire Division, Local 2379

Phone: 1-419-541-1767
Ben Jarrett

Ben has seventeen years of experience in the fire service. He's been a Firefighter/AEMT/Instructor with the Bowling Green Fire Division for the past 11 years. Ben has been married to his wonderful wife for the past 16 years.

Ryan Patton, Bowling Green Fire Division, Local 2379

Phone: 419-277-1900
Ryan Patton

My name is Ryan Patton and I’ve been in the fire service for over 25 years, between the military and Bowling Green Fire Division. I have 4 children and am recently divorced. I enjoy outside activities and volunteering.

Link Briggs Sr., Mansfield Fire Department, Local 266

Phone: 419-610-9712
Link Briggs Sr.
Link Briggs Sr. served with Mansfield Fire Department, Local 266; he is now retired after serving for 26 years. He is also a Fire Chaplain and the Assistant Pastor at the First Baptist Family Center.

District-2

Jamie Starcher, Norwalk Fire Department, Local 1199

Phone: 419-681-1241
Alt

I’m Jamie Starcher and have been in the Fire Service for over 28 years. I served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm prior to my Fire Service career.

Adam Reichman, Euclid Fire Department, Local 337

Phone: 216-577-6959
Adam Reichmann

Hello, My name is Adam Reichman. I’m 44 years old and have 20 years with the City of Euclid Fire Department. I’m married and have two grown children who no longer live with my wife and I. I currently live on the east side of Cleveland.

Don Fobean, Barberton Fire Department, Local 329

Phone: 330-352-7412
Don Fobean

Don Fobean retired as a Captain /Paramedic from the Barberton Fire Department in 2018 following 31 years of dedicated and decorated service. Don also worked on the Summit County Special Operations Team.

Steve Nash, Solon Fire/Rescue, Local 2079

Phone: 440-479-7307
Steve Nash

Steve Nash has lived in the Willoughby, Ohio area all of his life. Fortunate to know that the Fire / EMS field was his chosen career path, he started in the service at 16 years old in 1981.

Kevin Kelley, Cleveland Fire Department, Local 93

Phone: 216-701-5568
Kevin Kelley

Kevin Kelley joined the Cleveland Fire Department in 1997. He is currently the EAP representative/liason for Local 93. He lives with his wife and two sons in Bay Village.

216.701.5568.

Matt Askea, Akron Fire Department, Local 330

Phone: 330-612-6101
Matt Askea

2nd District Coordinator and Team Clinical Coordinator

District-3

MIke Smith, Austintown Fire Department, Local 3356

Phone: 330-402-1931
Alt

Mike has served as a pastor since 1993 in Kentucky and Ohio.  Currently, Mike is the Senior Pastor at Four Mile Run Christian Church. Mike began serving as a Chaplain with the Austintown Fire Department in 2015 and the Austintown Police

Chad Zambori, Cumberland Trail Fire District, Local 3667

Phone: 740-296-0031
Chad Zambori

Chad is a Captain at Cumberland Trail Fire District #4 in St. Clairsville. He was hired full-time in October of 1998 and obtained his medic in September of 2002.

Scott Elliott, Cambridge Fire Department, Local 910

Phone: 740-680-6237
Scott Elliott

Scott Elliott is a Captain with the Cambridge Fire Department, on the job for seventeen years. He also currently serves as the V.P. for the Cambridge Firefighters Local 910.

District-4

Carmen Kuehn, West Chester Township Fire Department, Local 3518

Phone: (513) 633-3359
Carmen Kuehn

Carmen started in the fire service in 1988 as volunteer firefighter. She worked her way up to a part-time position in 1993 and then became a career member of the West Chester Township Fire Department, Local 3518 in 2000.

Miles Cook, Hamilton Fire Department, Local 20

Phone: 513-477-1597
Alt

Professional Fire Fighter/EMT 19 years with the City of Hamilton.

Nick Overman, Dayton Fire Department, Local 136

Phone: 937-602-2512
Alt

Nick Overman is the Safety Captain for the Dayton Fire Department. Nick began his career in the fire service in 2000, joining the Dayton Fire Department a year later in 2001.

Rich Goforth, Springfield Fire Rescue, Local 333

Phone: 937-631-3789
Rich Goforth

Rich Goforth is a member of the Springfield Professional Firefighters, local 333. He has been on the job since 2008, is currently serving as the Secretary for Local 333, and is the co-chair of the OAPFF 4th district peer support team.

Jason Callihan, Hamilton Fire Department, Local 20

Phone: 513-309-0832
Jason Calihan

Jason has been with the Hamilton Fire Department for 12 years. He has been an ordained minister for 5 years. The idea of having a peer group within the OAPFF and our Local really struck a cord with him.

District-5

Mike Reiterman, Norwich Twp. Fire Local 1723

Phone: 614-406-9082
Alt

Mike Reiterman currently serves as a professional Firefighter/Paramedic with the Norwich Township Fire Department, IAFF Local 1723, in Hilliard, Ohio; he has been with the department for the past 23 years.

Shawn Stauffer, City of Whitehall Division of Fire, Local 1729

Phone: 614-778-3842
Alt

Shawn Stauffer is a Firefighter/Paramedic/Rescue Technician with the City of Whitehall Division of Fire. He has 22 years of experience in the Fire Service working at various suburban departments around Columbus, Ohio.

Brian Palmer, West Licking Local 3025

Phone: 740-404-0730
Alt

Brian currently serves as a Lieutenant for the West Licking Joint Fire District Local 3025 where he has been a firefighter/paramedic since 2001 and is also vice president for that Local.

Steve Carna , Columbus Firefighters, Local 67

Phone: 740-601-0181
Steve Carna

Steve is a Firefighter and Paramedic and has worked for the Columbus Fire Department since 2000.  Steve has been through a divorce, bankruptcy, and child custody issues with his 3 children. In 2019, Steve became a licensed Chaplain.

Heith Good, Norwich Twp Fire Local 1723

Phone: 740-207-0819
Alt
Heith Good is a Lieutenant with the Norwich Township Fire Department in Hilliard, Ohio, and has 24 years of experience in the fire service beginning in his hometown of Ashville, Ohio with the Harrison Township Fire Department.

Brett Bowen, Violet Twp Fire Local 3558

Phone: 614-402-8215
Brett Bowen

Brett is a Lieutenant with the Violet Township Fire Department in Pickerington, Ohio. Brett has been the president of IAFF L3558 for the past 7 years.