The Communications / Mental Health & Wellness Bureau of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department is headed by Assistant Chief James Russ. He manages both the Communications Division and the Mental Health & Wellness Section within the bureau with the assistance of Deputy Chief Antoine Dooley. The Communications Division is the initiation point for emergency information flow. This is a solid foundation on which the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department strongly depends on a timely and efficient response. This division serves a role in almost all aspects of the department's operations, from dispatching resources to assisting in the mitigation of reported incidents through interagency communication and, finally, to the maintenance of incident records. Fire Dispatch is considered the focal point of the Communications Division, with Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and many technology hardware and software systems relied upon to seamlessly handle and process 911 calls while dispatching emergency fleet units to mitigate hazards. The Communications Division also coordinates with the City of Dallas IT personnel to support the fire department's computer systems, hardware, and software needs.
The Mental Health & Wellness Division provides invaluable programs that help promote the mental and physical health and resilience of our employees who work in high-stress environments. Components of the Mental Health & Wellness program that support these efforts include Chaplain Services, which help our members with hospital visits, funeral arrangements, special ceremonies, community engagement, and other ancillary essential responsibilities. DFR's Peer Support Coordinators include specially trained employees who can mobilize to support members needing assistance with emotional stressors that may have an impact on employee work performance and mental wellness. As it is critical to maintain a physically fit employee workforce, DFR's Wellness program is designed so that members undergo comprehensive medical evaluations, such as cardiac stress testing. This program has proven invaluable as these medical evaluations have detected occult cancer and heart blockages that might otherwise remain undetected. Through treatment and rehabilitation, members' careers and lives have been extended.
