Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Marion County First Responders Champion Answering the Call Act

June 16, 2026 Press Release Press conference at Ocala fire station spotlights legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders OCALA, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined area fire and law enforcement leaders at Marion County Fire Rescue Station 28 today to champion the Answering the Call Act of 2026 (H.R. 8637), her legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “First responders see the worst of the worst, day in and day out, and it takes a toll. This bill creates a resource dedicated solely to them, with counselors trained to understand exactly what they are going through,” said Rep. Cammack . “They answer the call every single time, and it is high time we answer the call in return.” The Answering the Call Act directs dedicated outreach and support to first responders through the 988 Lifeline. It funds specialized training for the counselors who answer those calls so they understand what first responders face, provides grants for states and departments to raise awareness of the resource, and keeps access completely anonymous so no one fears retaliation or judgment for reaching out. The bill covers firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel. Research has found that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and the crisis has hit Marion County directly. The choice of Station 28 was deliberate. It was the home station of firefighter and paramedic Allen Singleton, a six-year veteran and member of the Marion County Fire Rescue and Sheriff's Office SWAT Medic team, who died by suicide in January 2023. Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said the department has lost four firefighters to suicide, a toll that underscores the urgency of the legislation. “First responders answer the call every day. We respond to tragedy, trauma, and human suffering, often carrying the weight of those experiences long after the incident is over,” said Marion Chief James Banta . “Yet for far too long, seeking help has carried a stigma in our profession. If even one first responder reaches out before a crisis becomes a tragedy, it will have made a difference.” Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken echoed the need for greater awareness of and access to mental health resources for first responders: “This legislation sends a clear message: seeking help is a sign of strength. At the end of the day, this is about taking care of the men and women who take care of our communities.” Rep. Cammack, whose husband Matt is a 19-year veteran of Gainesville Fire Rescue, said the measure of success is simple. “Success would be if one life was saved,” she said. “That, to me, is the measure of success.” The Answering the Call Act has earned support from the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the National Police Association. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by call or text. ### Congresswoman Kat Cammack represents Florida’s Third Congressional District in North Central Florida. She serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where she sits on the Subcommittees on Communications and Technology, Health, and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and is the only Floridian on the House Committee on Agriculture.