OUR PEER SUPPORT TEAM.
Our Peer Support Team is made up of all volunteers. Each member is an alumni of our Five Day Program and continues to be actively involved in supportive roles as part of our growing alumni community. Peer support is a critical element of the work that we do at FLF both in and outside of our Five-Day Program. Sharing our stories of trauma and triumph with people who have walked similar paths can often lead to a deeper understanding of own our journeys, while allowing others to open up about theirs.
ALEX RICHARDSON
PEER SUPPORT TEAM COORDINATOR - FIRE SERVICE
Alex is the Peer Support Team Coordinator at Front Line Foundations. He leads our team of Peer Support Associates and provides support to those attending our Five Day Program as part of the shared lodging experience. In high school, Alex began a 10 year career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter. He went on to attend Lakes Region Community College and received an Associates Degree in Fire Science as a live-in student at Meredith Fire Department in Meredith, New Hampshire. Alex then went on to work full time as a Firefighter/EMT for Brattleboro Fire Department. Alex sought treatment for his own Post-traumatic Stress through Front Line Foundations and although he made the difficult decision to change careers he continues to support peers as they navigate their own journey through the program. Alex has strong family and community values, has a passion for serving, and is dedicated to helping his peers reach their full potential.
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATES
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GARY COBB
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - FIRE SERVICE & MILITARY
Gary is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. At the age of 18 Gary enlisted in the Armed Forces. He spent 8 years in Naval Aviation serving our Country. He attained the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer and traveled to several countries while serving.
After returning home, he made a career in Construction as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He recently retired from the industry and is now enjoying more time in the outdoors. He devotes much of his time as a Deputy Fire Chief of the Westminster, Vermont Fire & Rescue Department. He has been a member of fire fighting for almost 40 years.
Gary first attended the Five Day Program at FLF in January 2025, seeking alternative ways of dealing with Post Traumatic Stress. He soon became a part of this supportive community. Gary looks forward to continuing on his journey as well as supporting others in their healing process. -
BRIAN COYLE
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - MILITARY
Brian is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. After growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Brian enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and spent four years in the infantry as a mortarman. While on active duty, he deployed to the Middle East and to Okinawa, Japan. After struggling with the transition back to civilian life Brian attended FLF's five day resiliency skills program in June of 2024. He believes service is the best way to continue his own journey of recovery. Brian is ecstatic for the opportunity to pass on what he’s learned and continue to grow alongside veterans and first responders.
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SARA DALTON
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Sara is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. She grew up in South Burlington, Vermont and continues to live in the state with her fiancée (another alum of our Five Day Program) and their two dogs. Her career path brought her to the Department for Children and Families (DCF) - Family Services Division in 2010 where she worked until 2024. While at DCF, Sara spent 12 years conducting Child Safety Interventions in the Burlington District Office and 2 years in the Centralized Intake and Emergency Services Program. In 2021, Sara started navigating her own journey with post-traumatic stress and began to recognize the importance of accepting the impact that this difficult work has on us as human beings. She found it vital to acknowledge that post-traumatic injuries do not indicate weakness or a lack of ability to do the work. Instead, these experiences can bring into focus our ability to feel compassion and empathy for others. In June 2024, Sara was connected with FLF, attended the Five Day Program and became a part of this incredible community. She is looking forward to continuing her own wellness journey while supporting others with theirs.
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LEAH DOOLITTLE
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Leah is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. She grew up in eastern Massachusetts and had a yoga and mindfulness practice as a child that she was grateful to return to after attending the FLF cohort in March 2024. Leah got her EMT certification in 2016 and worked full time on the ambulance in western Massachusetts, where she resides, from 2016-2024. She enrolled in paramedic school, but after struggling with post traumatic stress and moral injury, left full time EMS and paramedic school. FLF recontextualized her understanding of her previous mindfulness practice and supported her as she transitioned to working in an inpatient psychiatric unit. She still works per diem on the ambulance. Leah believes that the stresses and moral injuries that come from working in emergency services are not insurmountable, and is a staunch advocate for care that is culturally competent and led by those from the emergency services community. Her philosophy is to meet people where they're at, and to walk alongside those suffering from post traumatic injury and moral injury as a companion. She is excited to be supporting those reaching out for help, wherever they are in their journey.
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ERIN GORMAN
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Erin is part of our Peer Support Team at FLF and gives support to people attending our Five-Day Program. Born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Erin has dedicated her career to supporting others. She holds a BS in Speech Language Pathology from St. John’s University and an MS in the same field from Kean University. After 35 years in an educational setting, Erin recently retired, reflecting on a fulfilling career dedicated to helping students overcome communication challenges. With a deep sense of service ingrained in her, Erin is now honored to take on a supportive role for the spouses and families of first responders. She comes from a family with a long history of service in FDNY, NYPD, and the military, which has shaped her passion for giving back to those who serve their communities.
Erin is excited to contribute to the well-being of the families who play an essential role in the lives of first responders, offering guidance and understanding drawn from her personal experiences.
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EMILY LEINOFF
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Emily is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. She is a dispatcher in northern Vermont and began her dispatching career in Hartford, Vermont in 2007, while still in high school. She attended Castleton State College and obtained a BA in Criminal Justice. Following college she worked at the Vermont Police Academy, where she fostered her love of teaching. She left the Academy in 2014 to work full time as A Dispatcher for Rutland City Police for 9 years. During this time she was able to work with other dispatchers to start offering statewide dispatch trainings for the first time in nearly a decade. Emily is also a volunteer with the Vermont Police Canine Association, where she works to raise money to support our police canine programs. Emily began her wellness path in 2019 after a critical incident at work and has been advocating for wellness for first responders since.
After hearing about many of her first responder friends struggling with the career, or falling ill as soon as they retire, she teamed up with Castleton University, to host an annual first responders wellness conference that focuses on teaching new skills to responders in all facets of wellness.
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MARIA MIRANDA
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Maria is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. Growing up in Queens, NY, Maria was raised in a service-oriented family with siblings in the military as well as emergency medical services. She has always felt a strong desire to help others. Beginning with a career in teaching, she eventually moved onto EMS where she worked as an EMT then upgraded to her current role of Paramedic with the FDNY. Maria first attended FLF in 2022 when she was struggling with personal as well as work-related traumas. She has since attended additional FLF cohorts, retreats and weekly virtual alumni meetings. Maria looks forward to using her past experiences and profound sense of empathy to build long lasting relationships with fellow first responders at FLF.
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JASON WETHERBY
PEER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - LAW ENFORCEMENT
Jason is a Peer Support Associate with Front Line Foundations. Jason started his life in public safety in high school as a volunteer firefighter. He went on to attend Castelton State College earning a degree in Criminal Justice and also continued volunteering on the Castleton Fire Department. After Graduating from college Jason started his career in law enforcement with the St. Albans Police Department where he still works today. Jason has worked in various specialties throughout his career to include, school resource officer, canine handler, patrol and special response team member. Jason is currently one of the Patrol Commanders in St. Albans, the Special Response Team Commander and a Training Assistant at the Vermont Police Academy. Jason first attended Front Line Foundations in 2023 seeking alternative ways to deal with the stress and traumas of his then 22 years in the public safety field. Jason is committed to his family, is dedicated to serving his community and is devoted to helping fellow first responders sharpen their resiliency skills.
