Chris Macklin has been an emergency responder since 1991 when he became an EMT. He gained employment at REED Ambulance in Denver Colorado, a traditional “mom and pop” private ambulance company. In 1992 he graduated from St. Anthony’s Hospital Paramedic Program. Chris was employed as a Denver Health Paramedic for 10 years and was promoted to Field Instructor and Senior Paramedic in 1998. He also held positions as a Bike Medic, Denver International Airport Medic and worked occasionally in the dispatch center while employed there.

In 2002 Chris joined South Metro Fire Rescue as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He was promoted to Engineer in 2010, became the Training Engineer in 2016, accepted a role in Wellness in the Fall of 2017 as the Wellness Manager and in 2021 was promoted to the role of Executive Officer of Employee Services.

In 2012 as an Executive of IAFF Local 2164, Macklin participated in labor conversations with management to institute a Wellness Program in light of catastrophic events that occurred during our Incumbent Physical Ability Test. In the Fall of 2013, he was placed in an administrative assignment to hire our first Wellness employee and create the foundation for our medical, physical and behavioral health programs. What began as a one employee shop in 2013 is now a staff of 12 taking care of 750 SMFR employees. Chris’ core value in his work in Wellness is the tenant, everything we do is for the greater good.

In 2012 Macklin joined and became the coordinator of our Peer Support Team. He had struggled with his recovery from responding to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999 as a Denver Paramedic. This experience with the lack of organizational sponsored Peer Support Teams, lack of culturally competent and trauma trained clinicians, and lack of alternatives to talk therapy have guided him in this work.

Chris has obtained a greater understanding of stress injuries and seeks opportunities to care for the men and women that respond to emergencies on a daily basis. He believes organizations have a responsibility to provide a safe and supportive workplace where members are free to express and normalize their reactions and experiences so they may seek help without fear.

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Interview Transcript: Click Here