Our Peer Support Team is a dedicated group of trained volunteers committed to supporting first responders and their families. They facilitate our peer support groups, provide one-on-one meetings, and take calls through our 24/7 support line.
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Our team operates with the highest respect for privacy—anonymity and confidentiality are always maintained. Their goal is simple: to listen, provide guidance, and connect you with resources when needed, creating a safe space to process experiences, manage stress, and foster resilience.
Josh Grandinetti Fire/EMS Liaison
I’m Josh Grandinetti, the founder of Foundation Fortified and a medically retired firefighter. I spent 15 years in the fire service—six of those as a captain—and have held my paramedic license for over 12 years. Today, I continue serving my community as an emergency transport paramedic.
Nearly ten years ago, I turned to meditation as a personal practice. What I quickly realized, though, was how little existed for first responders who live with constant high-stress demands. Few mindfulness leaders understand the pressures of running into a burning building, and few firefighters have the tools—or the time—for meaningful mindfulness. That gap pushed me to create my own approach.
Six years ago, I began building a meditation curriculum tailored specifically to the needs of first responders. After a recent on-duty injury, I finally had the opportunity to bring that vision fully to life.
Through Foundation Fortified, I provide practical tools to strengthen mental resilience and emotional balance—created by a responder, for responders. I also lead in-person mindfulness sessions at Runestone Ranch in Liverpool, California, and share weekly insights every Wednesday at noon on Midweek Mindfulness with The Thin Line Rock Station. Learn more at foundationfortified.org and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Kate Klasen is a veteran first responder and the founder of H.E.L.P. and Bishop’s Mission. With experience as a police officer, EMT, and 9-1-1 dispatcher, she now focuses on trauma peer support and crisis intervention for those who serve.
Certified in CISM, Psychological First Aid, and Peer Support Counseling, Kate also incorporates K9-assisted wellness through Bishop’s Mission, providing first responders with compassionate support during their most challenging moments.
Kate Klasen
Police/Dispatch Liaison
Michelle Moore
Civilian Law Enforcement Liason
Michelle brings over 27 years of experience in law enforcement, including 19 years as a 911 operator and police dispatcher with multiple agencies, and the past 8 years in her current role as a Senior Crime Scene Specialist. Throughout her career, she has balanced the high demands of emergency services with the responsibilities of raising five children - demonstrating resilience, dedication, and compassion both personally and professionally.
Having faced several life-changing and career-defining incidents on the job, Michelle has taken an active role in her mental health journey. With the support of culturally competent and trauma-informed mental health providers, she has navigated the challenges of PTSD and depression, using her experiences as a catalyst for growth and healing. A passionate advocate for mental wellness in law enforcement, Michelle has served on
Peer Support teams since 2003 across multiple agencies. She is committed to de-stigmatizing mental health challenges within public safety, promoting access to care, and creating a culture of support and accountability. Michelle’s mission is to support law enforcement professionals and their families by encouraging resilience, fostering open communication, and embracing innovative, appropriate care. She firmly believes that trauma does not discriminate by title—whether civilian, sworn, command staff, or frontline personnel, we are all impacted. But it is through intentional healing and connection that we become stronger.
Lisa Smiles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting individuals healing from trauma-related challenges, including PTSD, chronic pain and illness, emotional and physical injuries, and the effects of sexual abuse.
Her approach is person-centered, rooted in the belief that every client deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey. Lisa draws from evidence-based practices such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These tools allow her to help clients process trauma, reframe negative beliefs, and reconnect with a sense of safety within themselves.
Known for her authenticity and down-to-earth style, Lisa creates a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, heal deeply, and begin building lives filled with meaning and fulfillment.
