DENISON, Texas (KTEN) — Texoma's first responders are learning how to save their own and their colleagues' lives.

This year is the third annual Texoma Peer Support Training for all types of first responders — employees and family members of Denison Fire Rescue, the Denison Police Department, Sherman Fire-Rescue, the Sherman Police Department, the Van Alstyne Fire Department, the Whitesboro Fire Department, Air Evac, Texoma Medical Center, and Cooke County EMS are included in the policy manual.

Assistant Denison Fire Chief Mark Escamilla said he saw a growing need for mental health outlets to help Grayson County's first responders after a personal loss.

"One of my brothers at the fire department — because we had no resources — we were not able to get him help at the time he needed," Escamilla explained. "So, that’s kind of stuck with me, and been what has led me to stay with this."

The initiative is to help these men and women with the necessary tools to offer psychological support for themselves and their co-workers.

The program features classes about stress, trauma, and breaking the emotional stigma of the job.

“This was my first day, and it’s a lot of stuff to unpack," said Denison police Officer Jorge Molina. "You really have to look to really see what kind of issues you have dealt with. I’ve noticed that I really don’t have this as unpacked as I thought I did."

The organizers of the seminar have had the chance to see its impact grow, with more first responders attending each year.

“When you get to see the outcome – you get to see someone who was in a bad place and come to a better place; or you get to hear from families that say that this really helped my spouse, parent, or whatever it was – that makes it all worthwhile," said Sherman Fire-Rescue Capt. Colby Rich, the team lead for the Sherman Peer Support Team.