26 - I didn't want to be a "Banquet Chaplain" with Jeffery Gallagher

First Responder Wellness Podcast

26 - I didn't want to be a "Banquet Chaplain" with Jeffery Gallagher

Rev. Jeffery Gallagher is a Chaplain for the Tolland Fire Department in Connecticut and he is the Lead Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police. When he was first considering becoming a chaplain, he told the fire chief that he wanted to be more than just the "banquet chaplain" who prays over the Christmas banquet. With no prior experience working with first responders he knew he needed some training and was able to take classes in CISM, Mental Health First Aid, QPR (as a trainer), IAFF Peer Support, IAFF Behavioral Health Awareness, Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, he took the Federation of Fire Chaplains Essentials course as well as the National Fallen Firefighters Line of Duty Death course.

Today on the podcast we talk about his work as a Chaplain and how it has impacted him and those he works with.

ABOUT REV. JEFFERY GALLAGHER

I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and have served churches in Maine and Connecticut for over 20 years. I am currently the Senior Pastor of the United Congregational Church of Tolland, Connecticut. As part of my work beyond the church, I serve as the Chaplain of the Tolland Fire Department and the Lead Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police. I have been in both of these Chaplaincy roles for about 7 years.

In addition to my work as a Pastor and Chaplain, I am the Director of the Tolland TOPSoccer program (for children with special needs), a runner, and I have hiked 41 of the 48 mountains in New Hampshire's White Mountains that are over 4,000' tall (hoping to finish next year!). I am the author of the book "Wilderness Blessings: How Down Syndrome Reconstructed My Life and Faith" (2010). I have been married to my wife Kristen for almost 22 years and we have two children: Noah (18) and Jacob (15).

Listen to the previous episode: What is Law Enforcement Chaplaincy?

https://firstresponderfriday.podbean.com/e/24-what-is-law-enforcement-chaplaincy/

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