Abbott invites Hawaiian first responders to take advantage of free peer counseling services

Gov. Greg Abbott announced in an Aug. 31 press release that the state is offering free peer counseling services to first responders and members of law enforcement who were impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires that ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui. The press release said services are available through the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network (TLEPN).

“Texas stands with law enforcement and firefighters bravely and selflessly responding to the tragedy on Maui and the communities devastated by the wildfires,” Abbott, a Republican, said in the release. “Thank you to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and the Caruth Police Institute at the University of North Texas-Dallas for providing support to first responders managing the day-to-day stress and trauma of serving their communities and protecting their fellow Americans.”

Abbott said in the release that first responders in the country’s 50th state are welcome to contact the TLEPN and speak with a fellow first responder at no cost. “In Texas, we honor our heroic first responders, and [First Lady] Cecilia [Abbott] and I continue to pray for all those in Hawaii affected by the tragic wildfires,” he said.

Reuters reports the Maui wildfires broke out on Aug. 8, killing at least 100 people and decimating the picturesque seaside town of Lahaina. The disaster is the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years, Reuters said. With much of the population of 13,000 rendered homeless and many businesses reduced to ash, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects that the cost to rebuild the former Hawaiian capital will be nearly $6 billion.

Abbott's office said that Hawaiian first responders can get in touch with a trained peer any time of the day or night. Having commenced services last year, TLEPN features more than 740 Texas law enforcement officers to serve as peers, the release said.