About Us
Where it All Began
Project 86, like any other organization, started as an idea...
Our President and Founder, Tyler Burns, worked in various roles within public safety for 10 years before finally stepping away due to Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). After leaving in 2022, Tyler still had the urge to do more. He understood that returning to the field wasn't the best idea for himself or his family, so he decided to give back.
The number "86" came from two firefighters who died, one of which was in the line of duty, the other was by suicide. Both firefighters had unit numbers with "86" in them. This was a sign that Tyler was on the right track.
As time went on, Tyler spoke with his wife Beth about the idea. If it wasn't for her support, none of this would have happened. With Beth by his side, and the assistance of his board members, Project 86 started to gain traction.
Project 86 speaks to different groups within public safety and healthcare. These include academies, educational facilities, and agencies/departments. We feel it's important to have the tough conversation with new and current members of the field about what it is that they struggle with, or what they may see in the field that could cause issues later. We give helpful examples of how you can help yourself and others, while also letting you know, it's ok to not be ok.
Project 86 also provides a list of trusted professionals whom you can seek help from. These professionals have history helping others that walk the same path as you. They understand what you're going through, because they have had these discussions before.
We also believe that these professionals should have access to seeking help from a professional, even if insurance won't help. Seeking addiction counseling can be expensive, that's why we provide scholarship opportunities to help offset some of the cost.
Finally, we believe that mental fitness and physical fitness go hand in hand. Soon, Project 86 will open our first gym in Fort Wayne, IN. We believe this is one of the best ways to help overcome the many hurdles faced in the field. More information on that in the very near future!