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Flathead ministry helps provide support for first responders, those coping with loss

Posted at 5:12 PM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-08 19:12:12-05
Photo courtesy braveheartministry.com

KALISPELL – A Flathead chaplain is using his skills to help better the lives of first responders and those who have lost loved ones.

For the past 20 years Drew Bruckner has been a pastor, and loved working with his congregations. However, after helping first responders, Bruckner tells MTN he loved it so much he switched to be full time at the Kalispell fire and police departments.

That’s how the nonprofit Braveheart Chaplain Ministries started. Braveheart ministries, was founded nine years ago to give first responders support to cope with traumatic events and for families of those following an emergency.

Bruckner tells MTN, he’s there for emotional support and never uses faith if folks don’t ask for it. He tells MTN how important his job is for first responders and their families through traumatic events.

“So, I want to be there to help them process things. A lot of that is just through informally talking to them. Some of it is formal debriefing, but it just helps them get that out. Therefore, they go home a healthier person, therefore they have healthier home lives, healthier marriages, relationships and not letting it implode. You know you do this 20 years and you’re going to see and hear a lot,” Bruckner says.

For more information or how to contact Drew Bruckner please visit their websiteor Facebookpage