WHAT WE DO

We know that time and resources are precious, so we are honored that you would spend even the time it takes to read this. We hope that Emergency Ministries will capture your heart as it has ours. The organization is now over 13 years old. Founded in December of 1998, we became incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas in 2000 and received our 501.c.3 non-profit status from the IRS in August of 2000.

Our Mission Statement - “To come alongside first-responders who experience extraordinary human events daily and to offer them emotional and spiritual support services.”

What We Do - provide on-scene (and “behind scene”) Crisis Chaplaincy for emergency workers (first-responders). Our emphasis is on Critical Incident Stress mitigation. Our services are offered without regard to religious affiliation (or lack thereof). We have sat down (sometimes on the scene) with these everyday heroes on issues involving things such as; fatalities involving children, multiple fatality accidents, deaths of co-workers, marital problems, substance abuse issues and the like.

Who We Serve - We have served the firefighters, paramedics and public safety professionals for several agencies all over Southeast Texas, as well as firefighters and paramedics from 43 states and 16 countries (via email/phone) through the years. Our founder also served 5 weeks at “Ground Zero” in New York City after the attacks of 9-11-01 and worked directly with the paramedics and firefighters of the FDNY.

From one of those firefighters upon learning that our founder was going full time as a Chaplain:

Skip… The people that have hired you THINK they know you, your traits and abilities. I know better!!! Your new employer has no idea the asset they have, now that you have joined their ranks... BUT, in the deepest darkest hour...when Nothing makes sense...a familiar hand will be placed on their shoulder...warm eyes will show compassion...and things will begin to get better. I know firsthand the INNATE power you possess. Even when I didn't WANT help...you knew how to deal with me and others like me. You are a contributor to my BLISSFUL life I lead now. I NEVER could have gotten thru without you. You are going to help others the same way, THEY ARE IN GOOD HANDS!!

My Respect & Friendship Always, Chris Mullin – FDNY RESCUE Company 5 - former member Tower Ladder 1 - W.T.C. Responder / Survivor

Some others commented, too…

“There are really no words to help make things better, so you offered your presence. That presence was far more comforting than words could ever be.”

”Skip, just a short note to express the sincere gratitude for your tireless and spirit guided effort during the recent loss of our beloved firefighter son. You have the hardest job imaginable when it comes to these type situations and you handle it with such extreme dignity and with a caring heart. You have provided a certain strength and unity by being strong, even though this is a difficult thing for you, too.”

Our Vision – Though we will never stop serving our fire agencies, we are currently placing more emphasis towards EMS agencies. The reason is that several fire and police agencies now have their own “in-house” Chaplain. With EMS agencies, that is often not the case. From personal and professional experience we know that EMS workers often feel neglected and alienated from their fire and law enforcement counterparts.

Please do us a favor in the coming year; talk to your “inner circle” about what we do and let us know if you would like us to reach out to them.

Chaplain J.C. “Skip” Straus, NREMT-P, BCCC

Founder/CEO/Senior Chaplain

Meet The Board