David Holmstock

To Whom it may concern. As the Deputy Chief for the Durham, NH Police Department, I support HB 586-FN as a first step in ensuring that all first responders in the State of New Hampshire are provided the opportunity to participate in an employee assistance program (EAP). Admittedly I am not educated on how the funding for such programs work, and I am fortunate to work in a community where the funding has not been an impediment to our officers getting the help they need, Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case across the board and that is unfathomable in this day and age. Over my 36 years of service, I have witnessed and heard the stories of first responders that did not receive the help they so desperately needed, and I would argue that cost should not be a barrier. I would go even further and argue that it should be mandated that all first responders not only should be provided a fully funded opportunity to seek EAP services, but those services should also remain anonymous in every case and the providing community should only be aware that the employee participated. Thank you for efforts and taking the time to consider the adoption of this bill.