The Heart Behind Our FLY Program
FLY: Freedom Lies in You.
FLY was created in memory of Matt McKenzie's father, Johnny McKenzie Jr., who was a United States Marine Corps veteran and Hoover Firefighter.
The Freedom Lies in You (FLY) program provides peer-led support groups, psychoeducation, and individual counseling to veterans, police officers, and firefighters.
of veterans deal with trauma and do not seek support.
of fire and EMT professionals have thought about taking their life.
of fire and EMT professionals experience battles with substance abuse.
The first responder typically does not discuss these issues with anyone. The FLY program is geared towards creating a safe space where first responders come first.
Let our team give back
Serving you through FLY.
Freedom lies in each of us. We choose to serve our first responders in ways that honor their individual beliefs and values. We choose to stand up for their freedom and perseverance as they recover from unseen wounds. Our first responder peer supports are here for you.
Explore ResourcesWhy FLY Exists
The people we serve, by the numbers.
Police officers die by suicide at a rate of 18 per 100,000 officers — more than twice the rate among the general population, and higher than the rate of officers killed in the line of duty (11 per 100,000).
According to a 2016 study by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, about 20% of veterans experience mental health issues, including depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
It is estimated that approximately 15–20% of firefighters experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their career.