A quiet room in Ray County is offering first responders something they often do not have — a place to pause. The space, known as a refuge room, was established through a partnership between the Ray County Sheriff’s Office and Vibbard Christian Union (VCU) Church. Led by Lt. Col. Tom Noon, the initiative is designed to give first responders a place to step away from the demands of the job and take a moment to reset, whether physically, mentally or spiritually. Noon explained the idea for the refuge room came from both personal experience in law enforcement and a deeper understanding of the lasting impact emergency calls can have on those who respond. “This initiative was born out of both experience and faith,” said Noon. “In this profession, we carry a lot that people never see. Over time, I came to realize while we are trained to respond to crises, we are not always equipped to process what those moments do to us internally.” The concept was inspired in part by efforts in Boston,…