Unlikely Collaborators Awards Grant to The Quell Foundation to Launch First Responder Resilience Training Program at Los Angeles Fire Department
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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12, 2025 ~ Los Angeles, CA- Unlikely Collaborators, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering transformative storytelling and resolving internal conflict, announced today that it has awarded a grant to The Quell Foundation. The grant will support the expansion of The Quell Foundation's First Responder Resilience Project, which includes a groundbreaking mental wellness training program tailored specifically for first responders.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will be the first organization to implement this program department-wide as part of its mandatory annual training. This initiative will support all 3,800 of its sworn fire and dispatch personnel.

The First Responder Resilience Project aims to create a new culture for mental wellness among first responders by building resilient mindsets at work, at home, and into retirement. The program consists of a series of modules that address the unique psychological challenges faced by law enforcement, fire, dispatch, corrections, and emergency medical service professionals. These modules were developed by individuals from the first responder community in order to create space for honest dialogue and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

This collaboration between Unlikely Collaborators and The Quell Foundation comes at a critical time for the LAFD Foundation, the official nonprofit arm of the LAFD. With members facing unprecedented challenges in their line of work, this partnership demonstrates an increased commitment to prioritizing firefighter mental health and long-term resilience.

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Krystal Madrid, Psy.D Fire Psychologist at LAFD's Behavioral Health Program expressed her pride in launching these mental health training modules. She stated that these tools will give LAFD firefighters real-life skills they can use anytime to protect their well-being. Madrid also emphasized how important it is for firefighters to take care of their mental health so they can continue to serve the people of Los Angeles and be fully present for their loved ones at home.

Amber Chembars Meyerl, President of The Quell Foundation also expressed her gratitude for being able to strengthen their support for the LAFD and provide this vital resource to each department member. She credited the generosity of Unlikely Collaborators for making this possible and stated that it marks a powerful step forward in caring for those who dedicate their lives to keeping communities safe.

Elizabeth R. Koch, Founder and Chair of Unlikely Collaborators, highlighted the significance of this program for first responders who face high levels of resilience in their work. She stated that it offers a vital opportunity for them to reframe and reflect on the beliefs that shape their responses to stress, trauma, and the communities they serve.

By aligning around a shared commitment to mental wellness, Unlikely Collaborators and The Quell Foundation aim to spark a culture shift in first responder communities. Together, they are creating environments where conversations about mental health are encouraged, stigma is dismantled, and support is readily available. This partnership with the LAFD stands as a powerful example of how organizations can unite to meet the evolving needs of those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

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Unlikely Collaborators was founded by Elizabeth R. Koch with a mission to foster transformative storytelling, develop human connection, and resolve internal conflict. Their perspective is that external conflict is often a result of unconscious internal conflict within individuals. They support projects that challenge assumptions, spark meaningful dialogue, and invite individuals into deeper self-awareness within their community.

Central to their mission is the groundbreaking Perception Box™ framework developed by Koch. This framework illustrates how each person's unique mental model shapes their understanding of the world and can limit their ability to connect with new perspectives and ideas. By investigating and untangling these beliefs, individuals can unlock compassion, creativity, and new ways of thinking.

For more information about The Quell Foundation or Unlikely Collaborators, visit www.thequellfoundation.org or www.unlikelycollaborators.com respectively.
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