Sedgwick County, Wichita Metro Crime Commission to Establish First Responder Health and Wellness Center

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – The Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) has agreed to enter a partnership with the Wichita Metro Crime Commission (WMCC) for the establishment of the First Responder Health and Wellness Facility. The agreement was approved during the BoCC’s regular meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The WMCC has entered into an agreement with First United Methodist Church for a building located at 3rd St. N. and Broadway. The WMCC is expected to complete the purchase in mid-May.

This is a collaborative effort with WMCC, Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita to create a stand-alone center focused on the health and wellness of first responders. The project is privately funded and will convert the former church building into a dedicated facility serving public safety personnel from both the City and County.

Public safety agencies across the country increasingly view employee wellness programs as a core part of modern public safety operations. Locally, the success of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office’s existing health and wellness initiatives established by Sheriff Jeff Easter helped shape the conversations and planning for an expanded approach. As part of the goal to further prioritize mental, physical and emotional health, Easter brought the idea of a facility to the WMCC and County leadership following a visit to Louisville’s first responder health facility a year and a half ago. Those efforts have shown the value of dedicated wellness resources and helped inform the development of this facility.

This center also aligns with a broader shift in reforming the first responder community toward long-term health and wellness, expanding access to care and reducing barriers that keep first responders from using available resources. The goal is to better support those who serve, strengthen readiness and help first responders stay healthy throughout their careers.

First responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency communications workforce, district attorneys, forensic science investigators and community corrections professionals, routinely face high-stress situations and potentially traumatic events. A dedicated, off-site wellness space is intended to improve access to mental and physical health services while increasing participation among public safety employees.

Current projections indicate the center is expected to open in early 2027. When the center opens, planned services include on-site counseling, peer support and fitness resources. The program is expected to grow over time to meet evolving health and wellness needs.

Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita will each pay 50% of operating expenses not to exceed $94,000 per year with additional expenses covered by the WMCC. The County will act as the facility manager.