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Updated: 10:46 PM CDT Aug 31, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Quanecia Fraser
Anchor/Reporter
Updated: 10:46 PM CDT Aug 31, 2026Editorial Standards ⓘ
Quanecia Fraser
Anchor/Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. —
KETV is a sponsor of Heartland Honors 9/11, a metro-region initiative with partners like the First Responders Foundation
As we get closer to 9/11, it’s hard to ignore the sacrifices our first responders make. While firefighters work hard to serve the community, it can be easy to forget to take care of themselves
It’s no secret that the job of a firefighter takes a lot out of a person
“Physically, it’s tough as you get older, you age. But mentally, it’s really hard as well,” said Omaha fire Capt. Justin Cooley
With 24-hour shifts, they spend many days and nights on the job
“There’s nights where you don’t get any sleep. There’s nights where you’re getting three or four runs after midnight. That really takes a toll on you,” Cooley said
That’s why Cooley said it’s crucial to educate other firefighters about sleep hygiene
“And then we don’t get the quality of sleep. We don’t get through our sleep cycles like we should,” Cooley said
Firefighter Mark Lukowski took a sleep hygiene class led by Cooley just last year
“We learned sleep meditation, which has been great, kind of helps you relax, as you get into bed and shut your mind down for the night and relax your body, relax your muscles, and it helps you fall asleep definitely way faster and it’s been excellent and helping me fall asleep,” Lukowski said
Cooley points out that sleep and mental health often go hand-in-hand
“You don’t realize how it affects your family life, relationship with your spouse, with your children,” he said
Cooley is also on the mental health peer support team with the First Responders Foundation, something he started doing after the issue hit close to home
“Within 10 years just in Omaha alone, we had three firefighters complete suicide. And I think that’s pretty eye-opening. It’s more than anybody that we’ve had die in a fire,” Cooley said
One of those firefighters was Cooley’s friend
“It becomes a lot more real when you see somebody like that, that you don’t think has any problems and then all of a sudden, he’s not here anymore,” Cooley said
Cooley said encouraging his fellow firefighters to be open about their challenges is a critical first step
“I think there’s been a huge culture change on our department in the 20 years that I’ve been here. Mental health was not something you really talked about, and I think we’ve made a lot of really big changes. I think you see a lot more guys being vulnerable,” Cooley said
Those are changes that Cooley said are key in a job where you’re constantly looking out for others
“We don’t always do a good job at taking care of ourselves, so I think the most rewarding thing is being able to be there for guys that don’t take care of themselves and let them know that we’re here to support you,” Cooley said
Omaha mayor, local leaders launch Heartland Honors 9/11 campaign
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