About
2nd Alarm to Second Wind is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to mental health care for first responders, military members and veterans, and their spouses or significant others.
Firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and dispatchers routinely face critical incidents, repeated trauma exposure, and the cumulative stress of serving on the front lines of their communities. While awareness of responder mental health has grown, many still encounter significant barriers to care—whether it’s difficulty finding culturally informed therapists or the cost of accessing specialized treatment tailored to the realities of the profession.
2nd Alarm to Second Wind exists to change that.
Through our programs, we expand access to counseling services through structured programs, trauma-informed treatment support, and responder-focused retreats—connecting individuals and families with care that understands the job and the impact it carries.
At the same time, we invest in the development of responder-informed clinicians through targeted training and professional development. This ensures that the care available is not only accessible, but grounded in a real understanding of responder culture, operational stress, and cumulative trauma.
By strengthening both access and quality of care, we are working to close the gap between those who need support and access to qualified providers equipped to serve them—supporting long-term wellness, resilience, and recovery for those who spend their careers answering the call.
Meet The Founder
Kristina Cook, LPCC
Executive Director and Chair
Proud Fire Wife | Outdoor Adventurer | Equestrian
An Emergency Responder & Public Safety Certified Clinician
Kristina has dedicated much of her professional work to supporting first responders, military members, veterans, and their families. Through years of working alongside responders, she has seen the profound impact that repeated exposure to trauma, critical incidents, and cumulative stress can have—not only on those who serve, but also on the families who stand beside them.
2nd Alarm to Second Wind was founded on the belief that: the people who spend their careers responding to others in crisis deserve meaningful access to support when the weight of the job begins to take its toll. The organization provides programs that expand access to culturally competent therapy, trauma-informed treatment retreats, and specialized care designed for the realities of the responder profession.
Kristina’s commitment to this mission is deeply personal. Having seen firsthand the toll this work can take on responder families, she and her own family have experienced seasons marked by the weight of PTSD and the complex realities that can come with a life of service. Those experiences shaped her unwavering belief that help and support should never be out of reach for those who serve.
Through 2nd Alarm to Second Wind, Kristina is working to ensure responders and their families can access the care they need—so they can regain their footing, strengthen resilience, and find their second wind beyond the call.
Support makes the Difference between struggling in Silence and getting the care they Deserve.
Board of Directors
Chair: Kristina Cook, LPCC
Vice Chair and Director of Development: Erika Etling
Secretary: Brittnee Berry, LMFT
Committee Chair: Meghan Woods, LMFT
Treasurer: Jennifer Brazell