Mentors
Someone To Talk To
Being a first responder mentor means walking alongside those who serve on the front lines, offering guidance, understanding, and encouragement from someone who truly “gets it.” It’s about being a steady presence for those navigating the weight of trauma, high-pressure decisions, and the sacrifices that come with the job. A mentor provides a safe space to share experiences, normalize struggles, and model resilience while reminding first responders that they are not alone in their journey. It is sitting with someone who has gone through their own journey and is willing to give back from what they learned from along the way. A little wiser and healthier, with a heart that is willing to make a difference for fellow first responder.
The following mentors have been personally reviewed and selected by Nicole Nestor-Gray for their unique passions to help other first responders and military personnel.
Law Enforcement
Former Army, Former Patrol Deputy Kootenai County
Contact: (208) 449-3518 (text)
Austin Norris
My name is Austin Norris, and I am 37 years old. First and foremost, I am a believer in Jesus Christ, a devoted husband, and the proud father of four in a blended family. My journey has been one of service, resilience, and transformation. From 2008 to 2014, I had the honor of serving in the United States Army. The following year, in July of 2015, I was hired as a patrol deputy with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, where I faithfully served the citizens of Kootenai County, Idaho for nine and a half years.
In 2022, I experienced two critical incidents in the line of duty that profoundly impacted my life. Recognizing the toll they had taken, I made the difficult but necessary decision to seek help. In May of that year, I attended treatment at the First Responder Wellness Center in Newport Beach, California. It was there that I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ and discovered a renewed sense of purpose.
Since then, I have been on a mission to help fellow first responders break free from the grip of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). Currently, I am pursuing a degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in trauma recovery at Grand Canyon University. My goal is to use both my personal experiences and professional training to support first responders who are struggling with the aftermath of PTSI, equipping them with hope, healing, and the tools to move forward after faithfully serving others.
Lieutenant, Rathdrum Police Department
Contact: (208) 512-4110 (text)
Brandon Friis
With over 23 years in law enforcement, I’ve witnessed firsthand the heavy toll this profession can take on the mental, emotional, and relational health of first responders. I’ve watched friends, coworkers, and colleagues as they battled addiction, divorce, mental health crises, and tragically, even suicide.
For much of my career, the message was clear: "Suck it up." But that mindset is not only outdated—it’s dangerous. It wasn’t until recent years that I truly realized the importance of mental health support within our field. We must break the stigma and normalize seeking help.
My mission now is to walk alongside fellow first responders—especially those nearing retirement or already retired—as a mentor and peer supporter. You shouldn’t have to face your battles alone. I believe in the power of shared experience, open conversations, and having a “battle buddy” who understands the unique challenges of this job.
Retirement should be a time of peace, not pain. Through honest dialogue and a commitment to mental wellness, I aim to help others find hope, healing, and strength on the other side.
Law Enforcement
Contact: Shepjw@gmail.com
Jeremy Shepherd
My name is Jeremy and I have been in law enforcement for the past 12 years. I began my career in a major city in Texas working as a Police Officer and then transferred into an investigative role. I am from the western United States and call this region home. I have worked cases involving homicide, aggravated assault, officer involved shootings, drugs, and property crimes. Several of those cases significantly impacted me and led me down a road to seeking help and a better quality of life.
I enjoy hunting, fishing, sports, and spending time with my family. My goal is to help others find that same sense of recovery.
Recruitment Training Officer
Heather Case
Heather has served with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for over 29 years. During this time, she has held the position of Detention Deputy, Patrol Deputy, and Detective. Heather currently is a Recruit Training Officer, instructing and mentoring new law enforcement recruits from multiple law enforcement agencies.
During her career, Heather has experienced firsthand the effects of trauma first responders encounter in their daily lives, and how response to these events has changed over the years.
As Heather began approaching retirement, she overheard a retiring coworker mention they thought it was ironic there was a requirement to be mentally fit to get into law enforcement, but not out of it. At this time, she decided it was time to unpack almost 3 decades of “business” so she could retire mentally healthy and happy. Through this process, Heather discovered a desire to give back to others who may be experiencing their own difficulties, so they may do the same.
When not working, you may find Heather in the gym, playing with her dogs, or with her family in the mountains, camping and fly fishing.
Fire
Former Firefighter / Paramedic
Contact: (303) 378-6339 (text)
Darren Richardson
Darren Richardson is a Mindset and Mental Performance Coach whose journey from former firefighter/ paramedic to trauma survivor and amputee uniquely positions him as a mentor for first responders struggling with mental health challenges.
Having faced the devastating impacts of PTSD, depression, and loss of identity himself, Darren channels his lived experience and professional background to guide fellow first responders through trauma, recovery, and renewal. His mentoring process blends practical mindset tools, peer support, and deep understanding, empowering others to overcome hardship, rebuild their sense of self, and realize their potential under the mentorship of someone who has walked the same path and emerged stronger.
Firefighter
Contact: (208) 818-0369 (text)
Nate Hyder
My name is Nate, I’ve been a first responder in North Idaho for over 25 years. I have seen a lot of tragedy in our community and have learned to heal from it so I can remain healthy to continue to serve others. My career has taught me that looking out for each other is a priority.I’ve been blessed with some amazing mentors who have guided me through the ups and downs of life that come with the job and I’m happy to pay that forward. When I’m not working you can find me mountain biking, exploring in the mountains and spending time with my family. Nate is an Idaho Medal of Honor Recipient.
Firefighter
Contact: (909) 206-8669 (text)
Ryan Munson
My name is Ryan, I’ve been serving in fire and EMS for the past 20 years. During that time I have utilized peer support and counseling to process a variety of tragedies. From childhood trauma to the loss of family members as well as losing several coworkers and friends along the way. My goal is to use my journey to provide support and show that there is hope on the other side of grief.
I believe that faith is the cornerstone to healing and strive to serve my family, community and first responders using those principals. I have an amazing wife and two boys who love to travel, camp and fish with our golden retriever.
“You can’t go back to the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”
Deputy Fire Chief/Firefighter/AEMT
Contact: (208) 659-7129 (call/text)
Charlotte Pegoraro
In 2011 at the age of 35 I began my second profession in the fire service, starting as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and promoting to a career officer. I’m a Deputy Fire Chief, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic student. I’m a mother of 2 adult children (both in fire/medical) and have been married for 32 years to my high school sweetheart.
After struggling for much of my life with the repercussions of childhood family trauma and ongoing anxiety, depression, and ADHD, I continue a healing journey of counseling, psychiatry, psychology, and most recently EMDR treatment.
As a woman and a chief officer in the fire service, I offer unique perspectives and insights that are often needed but not commonly available for first responders. Serving with an agency that boasts a 30% female responder population, I have had a great deal of experience with the unique problems and challenges of a female firefighter and medical first responder.
I try to serve as a steady source of guidance and leadership within my department, offering both friendship and mentorship to the women that I work alongside. At the same time, I can bring a thoughtful, nurturing perspective that allows me to support and encourage the men in my life and throughout the agency. I seek to create a sense of inclusivity, acceptance, and balance as someone who leads with empathy, listens with intention, and helps others grow with confidence and clarity.
When I’m not at work, at training, or in school, I enjoy indoor tropical plant horticulture and outdoor gardening as well as spending as much time as possible with my family and the occasional Spokane Chiefs hockey game.
Military
Former Sheriff’s Deputy / Former USMC
Matthew Brakeman “Tracer”
Matthew Brakeman (aka Tracer) is a former Sheriff’s Deputy (Patrol and Civil/Support Services) with Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, where he was also an ALERRT instructor and CISM team member. Since 2021 he has served as a Reserve Deputy and CISM certified Chaplain for Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.
Prior to 2015 Matthew’s roles have varied greatly, to include; US Dept of Energy Security Police Officer (I/III), 13 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003-2010 as a Global Response Staff contract officer for the CIA, domestic personal protection for private clients (ongoing since 1999), full-time firearms and tactics instructor in Las Vegas, full-time volunteer with his wife at Free Burma Rangers (3yrs) as head of security in the conflict zones of Eastern Burma, OpFor role-player and pyrotechnic special effects technician for DoD and private missions agencies, SME on surveillance and counter-surveillance operations, advance work in support of high-risk operations, and many other assignments to enhance national and regional security.
Prior to that, from June 1995 to September 1999, he served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Matthew was an infantry rifleman, fire-team leader, then squad leader in 3/5 Sparrowhawk Platoon supporting the 31st MEUSOC on his first deployment to Okinawa, Korea, Russia and Thailand in 1996. In 1997 he volunteered for the selection to 3/5 Surveillance Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon and deployed overseas twice as a scout sniper and sniper section leader. Matthew’s last deployment on active duty took his sniper team to Nairobi in spring and summer of 1999 (Operation Resolute Response) after the Al Qaeda bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Matthew and his family enjoy encouraging and training young people to go help and encourage others in their struggles for human-dignity, especially in Southern Asia.
Holly Collins
Contact: hollymarie6@yahoo.com
I was born in Coeur d’Alene and raised in Post Falls, Idaho. I come from a family that is full of miliary, first responders and health care providers. I guess you can say, it is in my genes. I had always intended to serve, however when I was in high school 9/11 happened and that began my military career as I enlisted shortly after in the U.S Army as a medic. During this time, I truly enjoyed caring for our service members and their families and this is where I realized by future was in health care.
After the army, I earned my nursing degree and furthered my military career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy reserves. During my reserve time I got to continue caring for service members and their families in all sorts of settings. Also, during this time, I graduated from Gonzaga University with my master’s degree in family practice and I now work full time as a nurse practitioner in primary care to provide health care services to the community. My military and civilian background has given me a breadth of experience that has enabled me to provide care in diverse healthcare environments.
Spouse
Casey Richardson
Contact: 303-547-2201 (call/text)
Casey Richardson began her career as an EMT while earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, developing an early interest in the mind–body connection. She later completed a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and has spent the majority of her 20-year nursing career working as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department. Casey is the spouse of a former firefighter/paramedic with PTSD. She is also a board-certified nurse coach and the owner of a holistic wellness coaching practice, with a focus on preventative health and supporting women through personal growth, self-care, mindset, and building resilience.
With both clinical expertise and lived experience as a first responder spouse, Casey provides a compassionate, understanding, and nonjudgmental space for spouses navigating the emotional weight, stress, and mental health challenges that can come with first responder work, including PTSD. She understands the ripple effects this can have on families and how critical support and guidance can be.
Casey’s combination of extensive emergency medicine experience, coaching expertise, and personal insight allows her to connect deeply with those she mentors. She understands the challenges, sacrifices, and rewards of life alongside a first responder, and her goal is to provide guidance, support, and tools that make a meaningful difference in the lives of spouses and their families.
Outside of her professional work, Casey enjoys outdoor summer and winter activities, yoga, sauna therapy, reading, and raising her two daughters alongside her husband.