The Family Assistance Center at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center has been officially designated as a certified “safe place,” according to an announcement made on August 26, 2025. This new status is intended to expand suicide prevention resources available to service members and veterans.
The certification brings the center into a broader network of locations that offer support and guidance for individuals experiencing thoughts of self-harm. Officials from the Florida National Guard highlighted the significance of staff training in achieving this milestone, ensuring that service members have access to assistance when needed.
“Today we partnered with Firewatch, a nonprofit dedicated to veteran suicide prevention, to certify the Family Assistance Center as a Safe Place,” said Brian Stewart, Soldier, and Family Readiness Specialist for the Florida National Guard. “With more than half of our staff trained in watch-stander suicide prevention, service members and veterans can come here knowing they will be safe, supported and connected to resources.”
Stewart noted that this is the first time such a certification has been awarded at Camp Blanding. “This effort shows our dedication to prioritizing dialogue, education and support for the unique challenges our service members face,” Stewart said.
The center will now function as a resource hub for veterans in crisis by providing information about prevention programs and access to professional counseling services.
“Having a safe place to work through challenging moments is so important for veterans,” said Army Col. Valerie Petrosky, director of Joint Resilience for the Florida National Guard. “The more people we train to provide that support, the stronger our community becomes.”
Firewatch’s mission involves creating networks comprised of community members and organizations who are trained to recognize warning signs among veterans in crisis and connect them with appropriate help.
