Raising the Standard

The National Center for Disaster Responder Wellness (NCDRW) is dedicated to protecting the health, readiness, and long-term well-being of disaster responders.

Created in response to findings from FEMA-funded research, NCDRW addresses a critical gap in disaster response by helping build stronger systems of support for the people who respond when communities are impacted by disaster. Through training, guidance, collaboration, and evidence-informed best practices, we work to integrate wellness into disaster response systems and strengthen responder resilience nationwide.

Built on the operational expertise of our leadership team and the Science Alliance, NCDRW is helping create a more coordinated, sustainable approach to caring for the disaster response workforce.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves:

Communities have faced back-to-back disasters - earthquakes, floods, fires, violence, and health crises - stretching response systems and staff to the limit.

In this landscape, peer support isn’t optional - it’s essential.

Connection and shared experience are lifelines for those who run toward crisis every day.

Historic Weather Extremes

Our Goals...

  • Create a scalable and coordinated system that connects state and regional mental health resources to support public safety responders after disasters.

  • This includes prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies working together.

Rescue workers and a rescue boat in a flooded urban street with submerged cars and trees.
Rescue workers in yellow uniforms and helmets searching through collapsed debris of a building at night, with a large pile of rubble and wreckage in the scene.
Three wildland firefighters in yellow protective gear and helmets stand in front of a large wildfire with flames and smoke rising into the sky during sunset or dusk.