Saving The Brave
This isn't a film about the problem.
It's a film about the way out.
Saving the Brave follows the mental health crisis inside America's fire service, and the people turning it around.
After the Surfside condo collapse, Marie Gumá saw firsthand what the job leaves behind long after the rescue ends. That experience planted the seeds for Command Counseling, a behavioral health program built to support first responders when they need it most.
This isn't the story you've heard before, the one where the job just wears people down until there's nothing left. Saving the Brave follows Command Counseling to Clay County Fire Rescue, going inside the program itself, and shows what happens when a department gets it right: careers saved, firefighters still standing, a culture that changed because someone asked the right question at the right time.
This film is made by former first responders. Director Jason Harney (Retired LVMPD Police Sergeant, Gulf War Veteran) and Executive Producer David Dachinger (Retired Fire Lieutenant) have walked in the shoes of the people on screen. They're telling this story from the inside because they lived it too.
Through unprecedented access, including ride-alongs, sit-down interviews, and raw unscripted moments, the film pulls back the curtain on the tools and resources that actually work.
Directed by Jason Harney. | Executive Producer: David Dachinger.
A production of Lightning Digital Entertainment. | Presented by Responder Resilience. Coming Q1 2027.
Saving the Brave is in production now. Connect with us and follow along as the story moves from pitch to premiere, and reach out if you're a department, sponsor, or press.
Saving the Brave is proud to recognize Magnolia Meadows at Waverly as our Diamond Sponsor. Their support reflects a shared belief that first responders deserve more than gratitude. They deserve real tools, real care, and a real way back when the job takes more than it gives.
In association with Mind Health Media.
Bios
Director and Producer, Jason Harney: Lightning Digital Entertainment is a Winter Garden, Florida-based production company behind seven feature documentaries, including Vinnie-isms: The Story of the Cop Comedian (2025), Wrist Lock: The Martial Arts' Influence on Police Use of Force (2022), and The Wounded Blue (2019), plus the six-part docuseries Voices of the Blue (2020).
Subject Matter Expert, Marie Gumá is the founder of Command Counseling Center and an award-winning speaker and educator. A former Clinical Response Team member at Coral Springs Parkland Fire Rescue, she provided direct post-crisis support following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and served on the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative's Clinical Management Team.
Executive Producer, David Dachinger is a retired fire lieutenant/EMT with over 21 years leading emergency services, including roles as Shift and Incident Commander. He now hosts Responder Resilience podcast, engaging experts on first responder post-traumatic growth, wellness, and leadership. David has also created music for CBS Sports including the Masters, NFL and Superbowl.
Behind The Scenes
