All Peer Support Team Leaders and Members have been through The ICISF Basic CISM course (Critical Incident Stress Management), a Pro-React Peer Support training, and attend monthly meetings/training sessions to stay current. This group is covered under ORS181A.835 to maintain confidentiality.
ODF Peer Support Team Leaders
Don Everingham
503-707-4240
Hello, My name is Don Everingham, and I am the Northwest Oregon Area Director. I am a native Oregonian, born in Klamath Falls and have worked for ODF for 22 years. I have two teenage daughters and a younger son. I have been an IMT member for 14 years now and am humbled by our employees commitment to the fire program. I also understand the strain and sacrifice it takes on employees and their families. I am committed to supporting ODF employees as a way to give back to such a great group of people. Topics of knowledge: Stress management, coping mechanisms, 2020 labor day fires, alcoholism.
Teresa Williams
541-219-9144
Team Coordinator
Hello! My name is Teresa Williams, and I currently work as the District Forester for the Klamath-Lake District. I was born and raised in Lakeview, Oregon. I am married to an amazing man, and together we have 6 amazing children and one spoiled sweet grandson! I started my career with ODF 12 years ago running a type 6 engine and worked my way through dispatch and into Management. I am looking forward to being a part of this group to directly support fellow ODF staff, and to help strengthen the ODF family. I am available in person, via text, email, or phone call so don’t hesitate to reach out! Being able to listen and support you all is a very rewarding experience. Topics of knowledge; domestic violence, single parenting, co-parenting, step-parenting, children with disabilities, curbing feelings with negative behaviors, teen eating disorders, and suicide.
Chrissy Hessel
458-218-5370
Hello! My name is Chrissy Hessel and I am the training coordinator for the Eastern Oregon Area. This is my 10th year with the ODF and have spent 20 years working in primary fire suppression on hand crews, engines, and with aviation. Most of my spare time is spent with my husband, our son, and 2 crazy dogs exploring the wilderness and working on our farm and garden. I feel fortunate to be part of our peer support team and look forward to connecting and promoting the self-care and well being among our ODF family that we all deserve. I am available to meet in person, or by phone, text, or email.
541-228-5471
Team Coordinator
Hello, my name is Chet Behling, and I am the Western Lane Assistant District Forester. I grew up around Falls City and Dallas (Oregon, not Texas) and started working for ODF 16 years ago. In my down time I enjoy exploring the PNW with my wife and golden retrievers – often with a camper in tow and paddle boards or mountain bikes attached. We may find ourselves being
pushed physically, mentally, and/or emotionally on the job - or perhaps we have experienced an event that left quite an impact on us. Life has thrown a few curve balls my way, and I would look forward to listening what you may be going through and helping support you through the process. I have specific experience or knowledge (either experienced personally, or by someone close to me) in the areas of anxiety,
panic attacks, stress management/feeling overwhelmed,
assisting EMS with life-threatening injuries and fatalities, loss of parent, and loss of sibling. Don’t hesitate to reach out even if your going through something I didn’t list!
ODF Peer Support Team Members
503-910-8099
Hello, my name is Sabrina Perez, and I’ve been working at ODF since 2004 serving in administrative, policy, and management roles while actively supporting our incident management teams. During these same years, I attended and graduated from college, faced layoff and program cuts, married and then divorced sixteen years later, survived executive stress and burnout, bought and am still remodeling a century-old home, and I’ve raised two young men, one serving in the military and the other headed to OSU this fall. These beautiful and challenging life-changing chapters were written alongside supportive colleagues, friends, and mentors at ODF that made it possible for me to keep showing up. Serving on the Peer Support Team allows me to do the same for you. This is a judgment-free zone. You are more than what happened to you, and you are not your mistakes. Knowledgeable in trauma-informed healing, overcoming adversity, navigating change, empowering growth, and authentic self-discovery.
503-877-3557
Hello! My name is Taylor Johnson and I’m currently the SFO Forester in the Forest Grove District. I was born and raised in the Willamette Valley with a lot of deep roots tied to Eastern Oregon. I spent 6 years as a seasonal firefighter before transitioning to Forest Resources and still spend my summers waiting for the fire bell to ring! Personally, I have experienced the ebbs and flows of life and personal growth. I’ve learned there are incredible benefits to having a support system and my goal as a peer support member is to help build that with you. I place a huge emphasis on self-care and make sure it carries its fair weight in my priorities. Some self-care activities I enjoy include: snowboarding, fly-fishing, acupuncture, managing the woods behind my home, exploring with my wife, and playing fetch or walking my sweet husky to her favorite spots. If you’re interested in peer support, I’m available in person or by call/text. Topics of experience: family members with alcoholism, anxiety/panic, coping mechanisms, self-discovery, and personal growth.
McKenna Armentrout
541-357-6731
Hello! My name is McKenna Armantrout and I currently work as a Community Wildfire Forester out of the Western Lane ODF office in Veneta. Before that, I worked as a seasonal wildland firefighter in Klamath Falls where I grew up and attended college. In my free time, I enjoy slow-pitch softball, line dancing, playing with my golden retriever, and spending time with my family and friends.
While in college, I experienced life as a college athlete while also navigating loss of a family member and my parents getting a divorce. I have also actively worked on fires since joining Western Lane and know the stress that can come with long, busy fire seasons. During all these experiences, I have struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, and feeling overwhelmed to the point that is starts to affect all aspects of my life. I have also learned the importance of having a support group and asking for help when life becomes too overwhelming. I joined the Peer Support Group because I want to give the same support to those who are experiencing a difficult time or just need someone to listen to them. I have experience with anxiety, depression, loss of family, divorce, and anxiety-induced medical issues. I am available by phone call, text, email or can meet in person.
503-985-9322
Hello, my name is Zach Lee and I serve as the Recreation Program Coordinator for the NWOA out of the Tillamook District Office. I moved from North Carolina to Oregon in 2018 and currently live on the coast where I spend time crabbing, clamming, surfing, and exploring the unique landscape that ranges from “trees to sea.” My biggest takeaway from working in the field of Recreation is observing how important outdoor experiences are to promoting physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. I firmly believe that the outdoors plays an essential role in boosting feelings of happiness and have personally relied on ecotherapy to manage personal crises that have occurred in my life. I welcome the opportunity to connect and encourage you to reach out if you would like to have a conversation.
503-580-2318
Hello, my name is Bob Arnsmeier, I am the Training Coordinator for the Southern Oregon Area. This is my 13th year working at ODF. I started working in the Salem Coordination Center then moved to the Protection Contract Services Unit in Salem prior to my current position, which I started in 2022. I served in the Army as a young adult, prior to transitioning to a career in County and State Government. A good portion of my County service was in Public Safety. I have two grown adult daughters and one precious grandson that I hold near and dear to my heart. Supporting our peers is an important element of life and I have been a beneficiary of some critical support in the past and want to continue those good deeds for our agency and the Wildland Fire/Forestry community. I am available to listen and chat with those who choose to.
541-233-1403
Hi, my name is Kimberly Johnson, and I am the Permanent Forest Officer working out of the Sisters office. 2025 will be my ninth year with ODF, having previously worked for the North Cascade and Forest Grove Districts in Protection and State Forests roles. My background is in human behavior and education, and I love to meet people, go new places, and eat great food. Please reach out to me if you want to chat about anything, but I’m especially good at listening to you in the realm of: 2020 Labor Day fires, family stress, grief, life-work balance, or whatever you’ve got on your plate right now. Call or email or message me and let’s work together to be well.
971-361-8236
Hello! My name is Eric Metzger and I am the Community Wildfire Forester in the Sisters office. I grew up here in Central Oregon and have worked in forestry and fire since 1996, at ODF since 2013. I live with my wife and three teenagers in Bend. Responder Life and informal peer support helped me through some tough times and I am humbled to have the opportunity to provide support for others now. I have personal experience with completed and attempted suicide in my personal life among family and friends, as well as among my own employees in a private sector business I owned for many years. I've also been part of a fire crew that experienced a motor vehicle accident fatality, worked as a first responder in medical and search and rescue traumatic and near miss events, and experienced several near misses myself in both fire and recreational activities. I have direct personal experience with divorce, parenting, co-parenting, and step-parenting, end of life care and family support for cancer, and with alcoholism and getting sober. Please feel free to reach out any time you need someone to talk to about anything at all.
541-419-2064
Hi, my name is Tracy Wrolson and I have been with ODF since 2008 now serving as your Protection Finance Unit Manager. I was born in Wisconsin and moved to the wonderful state of Oregon in 2006. I enjoy traveling the world, learning about different cultures, and experiencing the philosophies that make each person who they are. One of my most rewarding experiences was becoming a Peace Corps volunteer, stationed in Ukraine, where I lived a life of simplicity without clutter and distractions. I am a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and I enjoy watching my children continue to shape a world without boundaries or conceptions of race, color, gender or religion. Basically, I am an open book and I have a very open mind that I bring to ODF’s peer support group. I believe in respect for each person no matter their past or present successes or failures. I am here for everyone who needs to chat about life inside and outside of our work environment. “There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you’re meant to be.” – John Lennon
Nancy Hirsch
503-881-5255
Hello. My name is Nancy Hirsch, and I currently serve part-time as the Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) Administrator. I retired in 2018 after serving 30 years with ODF. In my first position I served as a Forest Inmate Crew Coordinator at South Fork Camp. My last position was deputy state forester. I started as a seasonal firefighter in 1984 for the Washington Department of Natural Resources in northeast Washington where I grew up. My partner and I, along with our dog, spend significant time outdoors. Some of ODF’s training courses were extremely helpful to me in managing a work|life balance. However, I also learned at times that I needed to seek external and sometimes professional assistance to cope with stress or certain life challenges. I am proud of ODF’ s commitment to peer support and honored to be a part of the peer support group. While working at ODF I maintained an open-door policy and with my new peer support role my door and lines are open to support you in maintaining positive well-being (mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually).
541-860-8016
Howdy! my name is Nick Haile. I'm the Forest Resources Manager for Southern Oregon Area. I've been with ODF for over 11 years in a variety of positions and districts. I was born and raised in Oregon and lived all over the PNW. I spent many years of my career in Medford and gained a lot of valuable fire experience, actively working during some of the busiest fire seasons in recent years. I've certainly felt the overwhelming stress and anxiety from long assignments with long hours. Unfortunately, I've been on fires with fatalities and arm's length from several traumatic events. It's taken a lot of work to crawl out of some dark places with much support from my friends and family.
I have a wonderful partner named Sarah and two Boxer dogs, Birdie & Casper, in Eugene. I love to spend time camping, playing softball, walking the dogs, reading, hanging out with friends, snowshoeing, and going to live music. Occasionally, I attempt an amateur woodworking project.
I have experience with stress from work and personal life, anxiety, depression, close calls on the fire line and life-threatening situations, loss of loved ones, and attempted suicide of friends. I joined the Peer Support Network because I want to be available to help support my friends and coworkers the same way I have been supported by those close to me when I needed it.
Molly Johnson
541-786-8860
Hello! My name is Molly Johnson, and I serve as the Administrative Specialist 2 and Public Information Officer at the Northeast Oregon District office in La Grande. I have been with ODF for five years and have a strong connection to Union County, where I grew up on a ranch. We raised our children on our family farms. My blended family consists of four daughters, two sons-in-law, a son, and a beautiful granddaughter, who are my most significant accomplishments. I also have the joy of being married to my best friend.
Outside of work, I am passionate about the outdoors. I enjoy hiking, camping, and fishing. I also love to travel and spend quality time with my family and friends.
I joined the Peer Support Network to support my friends, co-workers, and anyone in need. I am available for in-person assistance via text, email, or phone. My areas of experience include supporting family members dealing with alcoholism, domestic violence, divorce, single parenting, co-parenting, loss of family, and depression.
Our ODF Certified Peer Support Team Directors and Well Being Specialists
Includes phone numbers for Peer Support Team Leaders and Responder life contact information
Click Here --> Internal Resources ODF
Includes contact information for your EAP and the Mental Health Provider lines for insurance policies offered through ODF Insurance
Click here --> External Resources ODF
These resources are available to all, free, and confidential
National Suicide and Crisis Help Resources:
Suicide Prevention Phone Apps:
tHERE IS hOPE
bETTER sTOP sUICIDE
sUICIDE sAFETY pLAN
yOUPER oNLINE tHERAPy
Wildland Fire Foundations and Information
Books:
The Body Keeps Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk
The upside of Stress - Kelly McGonigal
The Brains way of healing - Normal Doidge M.D.
Fostering Human Resilience - George S Everly, Jr., PH.D.,ABPP
The Wim Hof Method - Wim Hof
Tools
The Stress Continuum was first created for use by the US Marine Corps for use in combat settings. Often used as a snapshot at how soldiers were managing stress in combat operations, it has now been applied to a variety of settings, including firefighters (Stress First Aid) and Law Enforcement and more recently has been adapted by Laura McGladrey for use by outdoor organizations such as NOLS and Outward Bound and the National Park Service.
The continuum can be used as a self-assessment tool, in order to provide those affected by single incident, or cumulative stress, to detect early and late changing reactions caused by overwhelming stress. It also serves as a communication tool, expanding on the universal “I’m fine,” to more precise expression of stress impact.
Finally, the stress continuum names the dynamic nature of occupational stress. It is common and predictable to move toward the red in times of unrelenting pressure, task saturation, acute traumatic stress exposure and exhaustion. It allows rescuers to name that experience. Although we will still serve every day if we’re in the orange or red, we do it at great cost to ourselves and our families, and we need tools and support to return to a more resourced place.
Breathing Techniques and Exercises:
Breathing Techniquies for Stress Relief and More
Stress First AId Overview- Using the Stress Continuum
Grief Articles