Stories From the Road

“. . .but it was the moment that I recognized I am not taking care of myself. I'm not taking care of my daughter. [...] I'm serving the population I wanna serve, but I'm doing it in a way that's hurting me and hurting my relationships.” — Cop Shrink DeanaFor 12 years, Deana the “Cop Shrink” has answered the calls of over 100 federal, state, and local agencies in need of therapy for their first responders. These men and women have experienced everything from infant deaths to line of duty deaths and natural disasters to mass shootings – critical incidents Deana has experienced, too, as she helps others cope with subsequent depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout. But when the cumulative, traumatic effects of grueling 12-hour days, cross-country flights, cold meals, and missed time with her daughter leave her feeling overwhelmed and helpless, Deana recognizes changes must be made to beat her own burnout. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with the “Cop Shrink.” In addition to providing therapy and responding to critical incidents, Deana also teaches basic and advanced officer training at the academy level. She shares her journey to becoming a first responder therapist, which began with her childhood admiration of her grandfather, a police chief. It was when she saw the police psychologist in Lethal Weapon, however, that she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She discusses the many lessons she has learned since that day about setting boundaries, learning to say no, and understanding you can't pour from an empty cup.  Welcome back to the sixth season of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. If you're interested in being a guest on an upcoming episode, visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more. Support the show

“They hit him with that Narcan, Mr. Blount jumped up like, it was like a Halloween thing.  The guy jumped up on the %*^# gurney and is throwing — he's in withdraw — and he's throwing up against the side of the wall like a fire hose.  And I'll never forgot, the nurse goes, ‘Would you do that in your house?'” – Detective VicYou'd be hard-pressed to make up a story involving a cast of characters known as Portuguese Elvis, Whiplash Willie, and Hansel and Gretel, but for Detective Vic, they were a very real part of his 20-year career in the New York City Police Department. From summer days spent sitting on DOAs in sweltering city apartments to fellow department members who couldn't pull their own weight – literally – and navigating the subterranean lairs of apartment buildings only to discover NYC's largest cockfighting ring, Vic takes listeners on a whirlwind ride that could only happen on the streets of New York City. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein for the final episode of season five as he shares the mic with returning guest Detective Vic, who acquired more than a few stories from his work in everything from auto crimes to narcotics. Now retired and an author, Vic entertains his readers with humorous and improbable insights of events from his personal life as well as his professional life inside the nation's largest police department.  Can't get enough of the chaos? Click here to learn more about Vic or to purchase his books.  Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed season five. If you'd like to be a guest on an upcoming season, visit our website, www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more! We'll see you soon for season six!Support the show

"Like with first responders: 'Oh, what was the craziest call you've been on?' Like we don't wanna talk about that. We want to tell the fun stories. We want to tell, ‘Oh, this one day this happened, and it was funny!' Where I think a lot of people in our profession, they always forget to tell those fun stories to the regular civilian, and I think it's pretty important." – Officer JayA claymore mine, a herd of goats, and a fire: what could go wrong? It was June 2006, and Jay was on his third deployment in Afghanistan. As part of a patrol providing overwatch for a mission, Jay and his fellow unit members had received intelligence alerting them to expect combat and, in anticipation of activity, he set up a trip flare and a claymore mine – a conglomeration of explosives and 700 ball bearings sandwiched inside a curved, rectangular plastic case. But after the trip flare had been triggered and the mine subsequently detonated, the patrol members quickly realized that no amount of intel could have predicted the sure-footed enemy who had really been behind the looming ambush. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with returning guest Officer Jay who, prior to retiring after his 12-year career in law enforcement, served for four years in the Marine Corps. Jay discusses how civilian curiosity often involves hearing the worst, when many first responders and military members often have entertaining, even hilarious stories like this one that are just as important to share. Don't forget, you can check out Officer Jay's previous story from the road, Healing, in season four. Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Join us next week for the final episode of season five. Support the show

“This is all right at the beginning of fire season, and my symptoms really escalated from that point on. I started being paranoid, a startle response, it was crazy.  I thought I was going crazy.”  - Chief LindaThe mid-September Saturday in 2015 seemed harmless enough. It was forecasted to be cloudy with low winds and high humidity – a reprieve from a hectic, relentless fire season. Linda had been the duty chief for most of the major fires that had occurred, and she was looking forward to a few days off. But what came to be known as the Valley Fire – then the third-worst wildfire in California state history – had other plans. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Linda, a retired chief and 32-year veteran of the fire service. Linda vividly recalls rushing to the fire and learning that the helitack crew – a group she knew well – was in the midst of a mayday situation after being cut off from their escape route. Left in command of the fire while the crew was being rescued, Linda was simultaneously forced to deal with the knowledge that her colleagues were in danger and the realization that the fire was quickly outgrowing the resources initially ordered to combat it. Linda shares how witnessing the crew's severe burns and injuries profoundly impacted her mental health and led to her diagnosis of PTSD. Now an author and performance coach, she strives to help others accept their PTSD diagnoses and work actively to recover. Chief Linda's book, Solving the Post Traumatic Stress Brain Injury Puzzle: A First Responder's GPS, can be purchased here. Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give Stories from the Road a five-star review on Apple podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don't forget to visit us on Patreon to learn more about how you can support the podcast.Support the show

“Seconds later, a male subject partially came out at the top of the stairwell. He was sweating profusely; his eyes were wide open with this glazed look literally staring straight through us.  And at this point we're yelling, ‘Show us your hands! Show us your hands!' and he had no visible reaction. I mean no facial expressions, I don't remember his eyes blinking, no body movement.  I mean, literally, just staring straight through us.”  - Ret. Sgt. Michael Screams pierced the early hours of that December morning, drawing an invisible line between what had been an uneventful shift for Michael and all that would come next. He and his partner had arrived at the high-rise complex within minutes of each other and took off running in pursuit of the chilling cries. Michael knew that in one of the condos a couple was barricaded behind a bedroom door, hiding from a man wielding a knife. What he didn't know was that he'd soon be forced to make a split-second decision that would change his life forever. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Ret. Sgt. Michael, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, whose career began with the United States Air Force in 1998 in security forces. When Michael honorably separated from the Air Force in 2004 as a captain, he joined a California police department where he served in a variety of roles before retiring in 2018. It's an extensive resume and despite his impressive work domestically, internationally, and on the streets of California, Michael still asserts the bravest thing he's done is ask for help. He shares how the end of the call at the high-rise was the beginning of a years-long journey through investigations and a federal trial – events that forced him to relive that morning over and over, nearly driving him to take his own life before a friend's actions pulled him back from the brink and set him on the path to healing. To check out Michael's book, Relentless Courage, click here. To visit Michael's LinkedIn, click here.Thank you for listening! If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Support the show

“For a while there, that was my crutch. I just, I kept going back to the bar and I was reliving that call — at night, during the day – just trying to figure out what happened. What could I have done? What should we have done? Could we have done anything better for the people that were there when we were triaging them? When we were treating them? If other units had gotten there quicker? If we had gotten there quicker?" – Paramedic KevinIt was Christmastime 2001 in Manhattan, which only added to the chaos of the scene. When Kevin and his partner arrived in Herald Square, people and bodies were everywhere. It was hard to tell where the back of city bus ended and the front of the white van began, the vehicles seemingly conjoined after the accident that took the lives of six and injured countless more. Kevin grabbed triage tags to make sense of the scene, assigning colors to victims based on the severity of their injury, attempting to do the most he could for the most amount of people while waiting for other units to arrive.  Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Kevin who has worked as an EMT, paramedic, deputy volunteer chief, and instructor during his 30 years in EMS. With 9/11 having happened just a few months prior, Kevin recounts how the guilt of taking that day off, coupled with the horrifying accident in Herald Square, led him to relive the scene over and over and question whether he could've done anything differently that day. It was this sea of questions that led him to drown his anxiety at the bottom of a bottle in search of answers – a habit that nearly ruined his relationships with friends and family and his career. We're looking for guests for our upcoming seasons, and we want to hear from you! To learn more about how you can share your own story from the road, click here. Thank you for listening. Support the show

“While I'm sitting in this Dodge Caravan, a four-seven precinct van drives by and they give me – we call it the hairy eyebrow – like they give you a dirty look and I'm like %@#*!  If they run the plate on this car and it comes back stolen, they're going to circle around. I'm not gonna be able to open the door cause there's no panels. I'm not gonna be able to identify myself. It's pitch black in here.  They're going to pull me out of this car by my head.” – Detective VicIf you've ever wondered what WD-40, a horse and carriage, and four kilos of coke have in common, look no further than Detective Vic's career. When he wasn't spending his childhood in the Bronx watching the comings and goings of the 45th precinct's officers, 10-year-old Vic could be found pocketing FBI Most Wanted posters from the local post office in hot pursuit of the nation's most contemptible criminals. From the age of five, Vic knew he wanted to work for the NYPD and, when the time came, he sidestepped his parents' wishes that he attend college and realized his dream of joining law enforcement. What ensued was a wide-ranging career that included stints in an anti-crime unit, narcotics, and eventually work in an auto crimes division. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Vic, an author and 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, who experienced more than his fair share of the entertaining, the enthralling, and even the embarrassing. From dealing with the infamous detective, El Diablo, to getting caught with his pants down – literally – in a fight for his gun belt, Vic paints a vivid picture of some of the more unbelievable and unforgettable aspects of working in law enforcement in NYC.To learn more about Detective Vic, or to purchase his books, click here.  Thank you for listening to Stories From the Road. Did you know we're halfway through season five? Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Thank you for your support!Support the show

“I look at the EMT, and I'm trying to stay as calm as possible, because panic is probably the most contagious thing out there – I will argue that panic is the most contagious thing out there [...]. And I just look at him and say, ‘Hey, as soon as my partner walks over here, don't jump out, don't do anything, just open the door […] – he'll see what's going on.'  And he did, and I said, ‘Well Bill, this is where we are now.'” - Flight Nurse KatieSometimes amidst the chaos, life sends us a sign that we're exactly where we're supposed to be. For Katie, that epiphany came during her first semester of nursing school, when she was given the opportunity to shadow a flight nurse. She was enthralled by the experience, from the sights and sounds to the unmistakable command the flight nurses had over each situation, and she knew she was hooked. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Flight Nurse Katie who, seven months into her role, has only seen her hunch – that she belonged in a helicopter helping others – confirmed again and again. In this episode, Katie recalls the snowy-day scene of a motorcycle accident involving a helmetless rider. She shares the moments of self-doubt she experienced over the tumultuous four-hour call, the motorcyclist's miraculous recovery, and a trauma surgeon's words that reminded her she was well on her way to achieving the autonomy she'd once admired in the crew on her initial flight. Thank you for listening! We appreciate your support. Please take a moment to give Stories from the Road a five-star review on Apple podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don't forget to visit us on Patreon to learn more about how you can support the podcast. Support the show

“I remember shutting my locker door and then my intuition, my gut instinct, was that was the last time I was going to shut my locker, and I had this like really uneasy feeling of, ‘Ooh, that was really weird. Why did I think that?' Because that's not normally a thought that would come to my mind.” – Paramedic NickYou signed up for this. It's a phrase that seems to be pervasive among fire departments and police stations across the country – a mantra uttered to justify witnessing the incomprehensible and being asked to fix things that sometimes just can't be fixed. For Nick, it also served as a message that complemented lessons from his childhood and convinced him to repress the complex emotions he was experiencing as a first responder. This, along with the loss of friends to line-of-duty deaths and suicides and the overwhelming weight of the daily decisions he had to make, led to anger, outbursts, insomnia, nightmares, and the eventual realization that he could take his desire to help others in a much different direction. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Nick, a former paramedic/firefighter turned best-selling author, podcast host, and founder of the brand Building Grit. Nick has made it his mission to use the insight he gained from his 18-year career and his journey fighting PTSD to help other first responders with their mental health battles. By sharing his experiences, Nick hopes to empower others to tell their own stories and contribute to a greater dialogue around the importance of mental health. Click here to learn more about Nick's work and to purchase his book, Building Grit: How to fight the fires of PTSD and come out stronger on the other side. Thank you for listening to this episode of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to check out other content and episodes. Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“We meet so many people in a single shift and, after a while, it does accumulate, but we may be the only first responders someone sees, let alone the last person they see or the last voice they hear on this earth.” - Paramedic Alexis Flower petals and stems lay strewn about the seats of the car Alexis was photographing – along with brain matter and blood. Her eyes scanned the car's mangled interior, and she wondered how the call, dispatched as a low-level trauma, could've ended up being this: a man fighting for his life, his car wrapped inextricably around a light pole after being clipped and spun by another driver who fled the scene. Upon learning the flight team would be unable to fly because of weather, Alexis headed to help her team transport the man to the hospital – but not before noticing a small card that had been dislodged from the bouquet and plucking it from the wreckage. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he welcomes returning guest Paramedic Alexis. She recalls the rainy day in rural Louisiana nearly a year ago, when she and her partner were blindsided by the severity of an accident that they initially believed could be no more than a fender bender. She shares the heartbreaking note scrawled on the bouquet's card, her endeavor to find and share the message with its intended recipient, and how its sentiments prompted Alexis to share a very important message of her own with her husband. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this story from Alexis, be sure to listen to her other episode, “Two Floors Up” from season four! Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for more content. Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“It was a really unique situation because this girl was actually carrying – as a surrogate – the baby for her sister who couldn't have children, so this was like a super important pregnancy. It had to succeed.” - Chief ScottTwenty-five years. Fifty deliveries. Three weeks. Three new babies.Many first responders find that obstetric emergencies are more often studied in the classroom than experienced on the job and, when they do occur, they're usually few and far between. For Scott, however, a three-week period of his career involved the birth of not one, or two, but three babies. Precise timing was imperative for the calls, which ranged from a pregnant woman in cardiac arrest, to a woman experiencing an uncommon pregnancy complication, to a woman giving birth within just two minutes of Scott's arrival. Fortunately, all delivered a happy ending to three very grateful families.Welcome back to season five of Stories From the Road. We're glad you're here! Join host and former paramedic/firefighter Phil Klein as he kicks off the season with returning guest Chief Scott, who has been involved in the delivery of 50 babies – the only statistic he has tracked during his two-and-a-half-decade career. He shares how he's been privileged to keep in touch with the families and the children he helped during those weeks, and he describes the collective joy among first responders who get to share in being a part of life's miracles. For Scott, these are the calls that help him persevere through difficult situations and remind him that what he and his fellow first responders do truly matters. Our seasons are only as good as your stories! Click here to learn more about how your story from the road could be featured in an upcoming episode. If you enjoyed listening to this episode with Chief Scott, be sure to check out his other episodes including "Mentor" from season three and "The Iron Worker" from season four. Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“You're supposed to be the person that shows up and makes things better, and it's pretty hard to make things better if you're struggling yourself.” – Chief DavidFirst responders' coping mechanisms are often instituted over years of service, with each call serving as another brick in the wall they build to divide the life-changing trauma they've witnessed from their ability to work their next shift and operate in the normalcy of life outside the station walls. When there is a culture that prevents open discussions around the job they do and the impact it has, first responders can become further entrenched in behaviors that attempt to deny or conceal mental health issues like PTSD.  Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein for the final episode of season four with David, a Navy veteran and retired battalion chief who spent 23 years in the fire service. David shares how following in his father's footsteps led him down his chosen career path, how losing his younger brother called him to serve with greater empathy and understanding, and the work it took to come to terms with his PTSD and seek the help he needed. A best-selling author and professional speaker, he works as a coach and mentor to help others see how their failures can serve as an opportunity to “refine instead of define” them.  To learn more about David's work, purchase his book, Fireproof: Your Grand Strategy for Transforming Failure into Fuel for Your Future, or listen to his podcast, From Embers to Excellence, click here. Thank you for your support of season four! From the guests who courageously share their stories, to the listeners who tune in every week, and the sponsors who see and support the value of transparent dialogue surrounding first responders' experiences and mental health, you are all important members of the Stories From the Road community, and we can't wait to have you join us for season five in 2023!Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“It was a couple years at this point, where it's really affecting me. I was in denial about PTSD, and I was like oh well, I was a marine, I was in combat in Afghanistan. Alright, this is basically, you know, combat in New Jersey.” – Officer JayOfficer Jay had been on countless 911 calls, but something about this one felt different. Perhaps it was the lack of information available from dispatch or the call's nondescript branding as a “disturbance,” but whatever it was, the uneasy feeling followed him as he and his partner drove to the address in question. When the door was answered by a man with a gun, Jay knew there wasn't much time to take cover, but he didn't know how the incident would ultimately change his life. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Jay, a retired police officer who served in law enforcement for 12 years. Jay recalls the moment a 911 call turned deadly as a man pulled a gun on his partner, and he was forced to make a life-altering decision. He describes the weight of his actions on his mental health, his department's lack of support and resources, and his eventual choice to push his thoughts aside, mask his feelings with alcohol, and become idle and unmotivated – all telltale signs of PTSD. Now, Jay works with first responders and veterans in the hope that his story will inspire others to break the stigma and seek help. He also encourages first responders to take time for themselves and to make their mental health and their families a priority.Did you know that next week is the final episode in season four of Stories From the Road? But don't worry – season five is already in the works for 2023! In the meantime, check out all the great episodes available on www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com or whichever platform you use to listen. If you'd like to be a guest on the upcoming season, click here to learn more. Thank you for your support!Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“We had to climb over – there was all kinds of debris – we had to climb over what I thought was a desk, and then we came across that, it may have been a pallet full of building materials somewhere along the lines, and when a Coke machine went floating by, I knew it was kind of getting pretty serious.” – Firefighter PaulThere are numerous places a firefighter might expect to use water rescue training but, for Paul, the basement of a hospital wasn't one of them. Yet, when five inches of rain fell swiftly on his community in 2020, Paul and his team found themselves wading through chest-high water in a hospital cafeteria to search for three people who were reportedly trapped. As the mission evolved, first responders realized flooding at the building's lowest point wasn't the only threat, and water damage on all three floors, coupled with the loss of electricity, necessitated a more complex response. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Paul, who has been a firefighter/EMT for 19 of his 27 years in public service. When a 100-year flood caused major damage to an area hospital, Paul found himself relying on lessons from a multitude of trainings to navigate a scene for which there is no specific preparation. He encourages other first responders to take advantage of any training available to them in order to give themselves the best chance at succeeding in an unforeseeable situation. Thank you for your continued support of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. If you'd like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more.  Stories From the Road is proud to be sponsored by First Responder Coaching. Please take a minute and visit their site to see how they can support you.Support the show

“And it feels good because when I left the job, I really kinda lost my identity for a while, and I felt like I wasn't able to help people.  And lately, especially, I've sort of gotten some of that back, where I'm giving back to the community I love so much.  I know these men and women who, you know, selflessly go out every day and sacrifice so much.” – Ret. Firefighter/EMT Keith First responders often excel at compartmentalizing the difficult aspects of their job. This may serve as an effective temporary coping mechanism, but the mounting pressure of complex, unprocessed trauma can lead to a deluge of feelings and thoughts that seem insurmountable. While that tipping point varies for everyone, for Keith, it took 17 years and a reunion with one of his colleagues to truly realize the power that one of the worst calls of his career had held over him for all those years. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with retired firefighter and EMT, Keith. Just 18 years old when he joined the fire department, Keith recalls being prepared to see difficult situations but unprepared to deal with the individual and cumulative impact those events would have on his mental health and his life. Now, Keith helps those who are new to or are considering a career as a first responder understand how to break the stigma around asking for help and better prepare for the mental and emotional tolls of public service.Thank you for listening to Stories From the Road! To learn more about the advocacy work Keith is doing for first responders affected by PTSD, please take a moment to check out these links:·        The Sunday Group·        First Responder Coaching·        Keith's YouTube ChannelSupport the show

“I told her it wasn't me, you know, it was me with a team, and that's what always happens. And I think people need to realize that it's not always about the guy or the girl [...] who may be at the head performing the intubation, or giving the medication, or the first person who shocked him. It's the whole chain of what goes on from stem to stern, and when that all falls into place, man, you can do some great work.” – Chief ScottWhen Scott and his team are dispatched to an electrocution at a railroad expansion project, they arrive to find a group of iron workers encircling one of their own. A second-generation iron worker, the 28-year-old woman had been working three stories up on the project's pedestrian bridge when steel struck a high-voltage power line and left her in cardiac arrest 35 feet in the air. Her mentor's quick thinking got her to the ground in less than two minutes, and paramedics worked diligently to get her pulse and blood pressure back as they transported her to a nearby hospital. Scott believed she stood a chance of surviving, but he wasn't sure he'd ever know the outcome – until his phone rang a few days later. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with returning guest Chief Scott. In a world that tends to dwell on the negative and disseminate it via social media, Scott works to ensure his team has every opportunity to see their work makes a difference. He discusses the phone call he received from the young woman's mother following the incident and the importance of celebrating the positive and recognizing that every call is a team effort. If you enjoyed this story from the road with Chief Scott, you can check out his first appearance on the show in his episode "Mentor" from season three! Please visit us on Patreon to learn more about how you can support the podcast. As always, thank you for listening! Support the show

“The most rewarding thing I found was, basically, it was always — it was just the little jobs.  It was the little old lady who was broken down in a car who was absolutely terrified.” - Sgt. HarryWhile policies, organizational structures, and acronyms may differ from country to country, first responders around the world share many similarities, often united by their desire to help others, serve their community, cope with the untold effects that witnessing trauma can have on their mental health and, of course, to share stories. For Harry, these stories run the gamut of emotions from the humorous to the horrendous, and they serve as a vital reminder that all first responders are celebrating victories and managing losses – regardless of their location. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with best-selling author and first international guest, Sgt. Harry, a 30-year veteran of the police force in the United Kingdom. Harry recalls his first attempt to join the force at age 10, and his subsequent roles ranging from special constable to VIP protection officer for members of the royal family and government officials. He spent time as an operational firearms commander, pursuit tactics advisor, and a firearms tactics advisor, along with working on an armed response unit and investigating fatal collisions. He discusses how the stigma around seeking help has largely improved in the UK, which has led first responders to feel more comfortable vocalizing their needs. Click here to purchase Sgt. Harry's book, Firearms and Fatals: An Autobiography of 30 Years Front Line Policing Exposed.Thank you for listening! If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. To learn more about the podcast, visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. Support the show

“So, we're doing this debrief, and they're like, ‘You know, no one wants to talk. Everyone either wants to go catch the bastard, or they're still in shock.'  So, like alright, if no one wants to talk, you guys can go 10-8. I have no reason to keep you here.” – Officer CharlesIt's stressful to contend with the public's emergencies day in and day out, especially in a culture that can be less than supportive of first responders' work. But when the trauma they experience is personal, the compounded crises at home and at work can force them to examine how they handle pressure and even to question whether to continue their career. For Charles, it was the losses of his sister, a friend and colleague shot in the line of duty, a field training officer who got COVID, and a friend and colleague who died from a self-inflicted injury that led him to redirect his path and his approach to serving others. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Officer Charles, a former law enforcement officer and current dispatcher and podcaster. Charles details how he discovered his true passion – helping the people who help others – and how it inspired him to provide peer support through a crisis intervention team and to go back to school to study psychology. Click here to listen to “Ten Eight Podcast” and to learn more about Charles's efforts to openly discuss mental health and burnout among first responders and to illuminate the work they do.  Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for exclusive content and merchandise.Support the show

“One of the things I've learned about PTSD, frankly I was angry at myself that I didn't – that I didn't recognize signs earlier.  But the only thing I knew about PTSD is that the military, first responders had it and I didn't know what it looked like. ” – KaylaIt's one of the first things those who were in New York City always seem to remember about the morning of September 11, 2001: its magnificent, crystal blue sky. Perhaps because it's difficult to fathom, even in retrospect, that such tranquility would serve as a backdrop to the chaos that unfolded, or because the plumes of thick, dark smoke snuffed out the sun from view but not from memory. Regardless the reason, the “breathtaking view” is what Kayla recalls admiring as she stepped off the train and made her way to her corner office on the 68th floor of the World Trade Center's North Tower, unaware her life was about to be changed forever. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Kayla who was working as the director of public affairs for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during 9/11. Kayla vividly recalls the dizzying descent from her office to the street below with the assistance of first responders, many of whom were rushing in as others rushed out. She describes the desperate attempt to account for her Port Authority co-workers and leadership in the aftermath and the unexpected long-term effects on her mental health. Kayla urges everyone, whether a first responder or civilian, to recognize the signs of PTSD and to not be ashamed of standing up for yourself and asking for help. Thank you for listening to Stories From the Road. If you're a first responder with a story you'd like to share, please visit the ‘Be A Guest' section of the Stories From the Road website to learn more about the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming episode.  Support the show

“What is it that makes a warrior a warrior? […] The warriors were different, and you don't have to be a marine or a firefighter to be a warrior. You can be a single mom working two jobs just to help your kids. But it's this concept of ‘adversity helps you grow.' Iron sharpens iron.” – Lieutenant ZacharyFirst responders are inherent problem solvers, and it's a skill Zachary has implemented in every facet of his life as a former marine, firefighter, lieutenant, serial entrepreneur, author, and keynote speaker. He knew he wanted to be a firefighter from the first time he saw a shiny, red 1960s fire engine in his neighborhood as a kid, but it wasn't until after 9/11 that he found himself in a position to pursue that childhood dream. Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Lieutenant Zachary, who shares his story of tenacity and innovation. Zachary discusses how his complete disorientation and lack of accountability during a mutual aid fire put his problem-solving skills in overdrive and prompted him to develop a nonelectric light source that could be combined with firefighting equipment, accessories, and safety signage. What began as sales from the trunk of his car evolved into a multi-million-dollar company, but his focus has never wavered from enhancing safety and helping his fellow firefighters. To learn more about Zachary's company, MN8 Foxfire, and their photoluminescent safety products, visit www.mn8foxfire.com. As always, thank you for listening! If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a minute to support the podcast on Patreon and share it with a friend!Support the show

“It draws you in. There's no other way to explain it – if you're not an EMS or a first responder, fire, police whatever – it all just draws you in.” – Paramedic Alexis What if you didn't choose your job? What if it chose you? Alexis wasn't privy to a lot about what her father dealt with during his 26-year career as a police officer, and what she did know only solidified her belief: she did not want to be a first responder. She was well aware of the job's inherent dangers and the mental and emotional toll it could take, and she opted to fulfill her desire to help others by becoming a teacher. But when she realized she needed a career change, she found herself – and her purpose – in an EMT class, and after her first shift in an ambulance the rest, she says, is history. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Paramedic Alexis who discusses how calls affect first responders – but not in the necessarily in the ways they might expect. After being called to the scene of what is initially reported as an infant drowning, Alexis braces for what she assumes will be a swift and difficult emotional response. Instead, she finds the call's impact to be latent and unpredictable, and she's left to grapple with some extremely tough lessons very early in her career.Thank you for joining us for this first episode of season four of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give the podcast a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for exclusive content, merchandise, and to learn more about being a guest on the show. Support the show

“I can remember when he said, ‘Turn the machine off,' things got really bad for me about that time, because I've always had a fantastic relationship with our fire department. In fact, I would say they're the best in the nation. I wouldn't want anybody else touching me except for them. But when that decision was made, I was not good with that decision.  I said, ‘You're not turning it off, you're gonna leave it on until we can get her, you know, until we can get her back. I'm not leaving her.'” – Officer ErnieIt looked like a yard sale of car parts when Officer Ernie arrived, as mangled pieces of metal and plastic lay strewn about the Texas highway. The smells of radiator fluid and hot engine steam hung in the air, and Ernie's attention went from the dazed young man pacing the scene to the young woman lying motionless on the ground and gasping for air. It was Father's Day and, despite first responders' best efforts, Ernie knew the woman's father would be receiving a knock on his door that would mar the holiday forever. In the final episode of season three, join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with author and mental health advocate Officer Ernie. In this seldom-shared story, Ernie reveals the call that impacted him unlike any other during his 28-year career and, although it's been more than six years since he was the first to reach the scene of that devastating rollover accident, he remembers every detail as if it were yesterday. He discusses how retirement allowed him to process thoughts and feelings he had carried on the job and realize just how heavy the weight of that emotional burden was. To learn more about Ernie's work and his best-selling book, Mental Health & De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals, visit his website, erneststevens.com or buy now: Mental health & De-escalation: A guide for law enforcement professionals. Thank you for listening to season three! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. We look forward to sharing more of your Stories From the Road in season four. Check out all available episodes on www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. Support the show

“That's kind of a surreal thing to go through this huge, traumatic event, and then you have to go back to work and write stop sign tickets or something.” – Officer NateAs a newer police officer working day shift in an understaffed Northern Virginia department, Nate quickly became accustomed to the countless routine calls involving car break-ins, thefts, and welfare checks. That changed suddenly one January day, when he was called to perform a welfare check on a possible suicide attempt, and he and his fellow officers discovered a young woman bleeding to death on her bathroom floor. Without fire and EMS already on scene, officers had to think quickly and improvise to keep the woman alive until medics arrived. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Officer Nate who joined law enforcement after serving in the Marine Corps. Nate recalls the woman's rollercoaster recovery that he chalks up to being a miracle, the bizarre reality of experiencing such a traumatic event and then having to finish his shift as though nothing had happened, and the unique opportunity he had to meet the woman and her family a couple months later. Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for more exclusive content!Support the show

"You really have to get in with a patient because the biggest thing about EMS is: when you take somebody to the hospital, you're on their ground.  It's a white wall, white coats, they have control — EMS, I come into your home, you're in control." - Paramedic Lieutenant AnthonySometimes, a few words are all it takes to change someone's life.  Whether it's speaking to a couple of seasoned EMTs every morning while you cook their breakfast or taking a hand in the back of an ambulance and keeping a promise later.  Paramedic Lieutenant Anthony understands, better than most, what words can do.  The early conversation about being an EMT changed his life and led him to that moment in the back of an ambulance.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Paramedic Lieutenant and Author Anthony Almojera.  Anthony discusses how he was drawn to EMS, his advancement through the ranks, his steadfast advocacy for EMS, and his book: Riding the Lightning, A Year in the Life of a New York City Paramedic (click the link to purchase).  At the end of the episode, he shares two stories.  The first is uniquely "New York City," and the second will leave you unsettled.Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for more exclusive content!Support the show

“Until you step into a fire engine, until you step into a police cruiser, until you step onto an ambulance, it's really, really, hard to truly understand what it is that we experience on a relatively regular basis.” – Firefighter DonOn Memorial Day 2011, a mother frantically called 911 to report that her son was attempting to commit suicide. In his early 50s and unable to swim, he was wandering farther and farther into the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay, and Firefighter Don and his crew, along with other teams of first responders, were dispatched to the scene. They arrived quickly but found themselves unable to adequately respond, as budget cuts had eliminated water rescue training and forced the department to cut back on the resources and gear needed to safely attempt a rescue. Instead, they were left to watch helplessly from shore and wait for a Coast Guard response that came too late.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Don, a paramedic and fourth-generation firefighter who knew from an early age that his life's path was one of public service. He discusses how the hotly contested incident strained the relationship between the community and first responders and caused the pendulum of public opinion to swing from viewing them as public servants to public enemies. He also shares the profound impact it had on his life, as it became the tipping point for his decision to change departments. Now a certified first responder life coach, Don works to help first responders address a variety of life issues ranging from weight management and maintaining a work/life balance to alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and mental health. You can learn more about Don's work by visiting firstresponderlifecoach.net.Don't forget to follow Stories From the Road on Twitter and Instagram for more exclusive content!BetterHelp This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelpSupport the show

“This one, everybody was gripped, everybody was listening, nobody really knew what to do, who to call, what to say.  I mean, you don't train for that because you don't know that's gonna happen — like you don't prepare for stuff like that.” – Lieutenant Drew“It was a room full of zombies.” When a happy-go-lucky, well-liked sheriff's deputy announced across a main radio channel at a 911 communications center that he had taken the lives of his family and planned to take his own, his fellow first responders were shell-shocked. In the aftermath, many were left to wonder how someone who seemed so outwardly positive was inwardly dealing with demons they knew nothing about.Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he welcomes Lieutenant Drew back to the podcast to discuss a traumatic triple murder-suicide and the profound effect it had on those who were involved – at all levels. From the dispatchers and deputies who responded audially and visually to the HR professional who blamed herself for her part in hiring the deputy, Drew discusses the importance of recognizing everyone's role in a critical incident and comprehensively addressing the impact it can have on the mental health of first responders and civilians alike.Listen to Lieutenant Drew's first story from the road in season one, and check out other captivating episodes at www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. You can learn more about Lieutenant Drew and his work by visiting https://linktr.ee/DrewBreasy.Support the show

“You know, most firefighters will tell you they love their job, or they have the job of their dreams — you hear stuff like that a lot. It's still a job that can jump out of its box pretty quick and harm you.” - Chief MattFirst responders don't always know what will make them relive a particular call. It might be driving down a certain road, the smell of burnt rubber and overheated brakes as the car in front of them screeches to a halt, or even something as simple as the way the sun is shining on a fall day that can spark memories from a specific incident. For Chief Matt, that trigger is an address.  Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with returning guest Matt, whose 30-year career began as a volunteer firefighter. Now a district chief, Matt recalls covering for a manager in the dispatch center the night a call came in for a fire at Kings Towers Apartments and receiving the crew's subsequent mayday call after a firefighter fell and was trapped in the apartment building's elevator shaft. Nearly eight years later, when he's awakened in the firehouse by tones and an address – the address for Kings Towers – he can't help but remember that first tragic evening and wonder what the same building in the apartment complex has in store for him and his team.Check out Chief Matt's first appearance on Stories From the Road here! You'll also find other great episodes and bonus content at www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. Don't forget to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Support the show

“Intense, insane, nonjudgmental love is really – it wasn't the seven dollars – it was the love. And that's what's gonna heal the planet. It's what's gonna heal all of us from the inside out is deeply, madly loving each other, and this story is a perfect example of why that's the best medicine of all time.” – Paramedic Crew Chief Jeanah“Do you remember me?” Jeanah was standing outside one of her normal posts at a Chevron, when she heard noises coming from the dumpster nearby. With the area's dense transient population, she was concerned but unsurprised when she discovered a man, Will, rummaging through the garbage for recyclables. What she didn't anticipate was what else she found – a pair of striking blue eyes radiating kindness, insight into life on the streets, and a steadfast bond. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Jeanah, a Paramedic Crew Chief who hails from California's Central Valley and has spent 21 years working in EMS. Jeanah recounts how her friendship with Will steered them both through some difficult times, what she feared when Will seemingly vanished, and how a gift of seven dollars yielded a return bigger than she could've ever imagined.  Enjoying Stories From the Road? Please take a moment to support it on Patreon, and give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroad.comfor more information on how you could be featured in an upcoming episode!Thriving Thru MenopauseGive yourself the ability to thrive in menopause. Tune in for advice to help you do that.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

“I don't care if it rains, I don't care if it's hot, I don't care if it's cold. It does not matter. I will push myself for that because I guarantee any person – 9/11 till today – who lost their life in the line of duty will give an hour, a minute, a second, to be on that ride.” – Lieutenant TomFour days. 280 miles. Commitment. Compassion. Endurance. When the towers fell in 2001, NYPD Detective Robert De Paolis was compelled to do something to honor the lost – a feeling all too familiar to those who stood helpless that day. In 2002, Detective De Paolis, seven members of the NYPD, and a friend in the district attorney's office cycled from the Pentagon in Arlington, VA to Ground Zero in New York City, and the Tour de Force was born. Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein whose guests, Lieutenant Josh and Lieutenant Tom, share both emotional and entertaining experiences from the Tour. This self-proclaimed “traveling circus” lives up to its name, as the two recount some of their funnier moments with 300 other riders – mostly first responders. While they don't take themselves too seriously, every cyclist knows the gravity of the reason why they ride.Please join us in donating to Lieutenant Tom and Lieutenant Josh as they once again saddle up for 280 miles of open road in the Tour de Force to support families who have lost an officer in the line of duty.Thriving Thru MenopauseGive yourself the ability to thrive in menopause. Tune in for advice to help you do that.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

“Everyone was working together at this point to free my cousin. You see a lot of animosity in some local volunteer fire departments – you know, some small-town issues and things like that. But at this moment, everyone was working for one common cause. I like to say it wasn't even a vehicle extrication at this point, it was a disentanglement.” – Chief Watson“Could it be someone I know?” Responding to an emergency is never easy, but when Watson and a crew are called to the scene of a motor vehicle accident in the vicinity where his family lives, Watson can't help but wonder if he's responding to an incident involving a relative. When first responders work where they live or once lived, calls from that area carry a different kind of weight.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein whose guest, Chief Watson, recounts responding to the scene of a harrowing accident and the painful moment that he realized the life he was working to save was his cousin's. With a rural location, limited equipment, dwindling time, gathering crowds, intrusive reporters, and escalating emotions all working against him, Watson shares how he regained focus and fought with the crew to free his cousin and get him on a life flight. He discusses how the call left him doubting his role as a first responder, his quest to better himself and his department by continuing to train and learn, and his ultimate decision to persevere and be the person he'd want showing up when he needed help.We're looking for guests for Season 4! Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you'd like to share? Visit the ‘Be A Guest' section of the Stories From the Road website to learn more about the opportunity to be featured on an upcoming episode!  Try BetterHelp today and receive 10% off your first month!Support the show

“I try to get a little more feedback – especially for the younger folk – to show them that what they do is worth it. ‘Cause a lot of times we show up and you're just like, 'I don't even know if I made a difference – does this matter?' And a lot of times, it matters a lot.” – Chief Scott“Does this matter?” First responders don't always have the opportunity to know how their work affects those they serve, and with limited feedback, it can be challenging for them to remember the profound impact they can have on others' lives. For Chief Scott, that inspirational reminder comes when he and his team respond to the scene of a two-year-old little girl drowning – and are then able to welcome her home from the hospital 50 days later with her family.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Scott, whose interest in EMS was sparked by his mother's job as a nurse and solidified during his volunteer work in an ER. Now, 25 years into his career as a first responder, Chief Scott reflects on how calls involving children changed for him when he became a father, the importance of peer support, and how this story from the road encourages him to “keep grinding” and do the best he can each day. Did you know Stories From the Road has more than 5,500 downloads? Please take a moment to give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visitwww.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for exclusive content and merchandise.Support the show

“I got cleaned up, and I'm like I still have a job to do. And that's the crazy thing about EMS, is the next patient that you get doesn't care what you just did.  They don't understand what you just did, they don't understand that you're upset, and they don't understand that you are trying to process what you've just gone through.  All they know is they called you for help, and they want you to be on your game.” – PMDC Supervisor Laney“Why do I keep doing this to myself?” It's a question all first responders might ask themselves and, while sliding down a trauma center wall and covered in blood, Laney finds herself wondering the same thing. After she and her partner respond to an incident involving a teenage boy with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Laney has little time to process the incident before she must respond to the next call…and the next. Later that day, when she hears tires screeching in her direction at one of the hospital's ambulance bays, she fears the worst – until she finds herself covered in blood for a very different reason.  Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with his first guest of Season 3, Supervisor Laney. After achieving a high score on the public safety portion of an aptitude test in high school and participating in subsequent exploratory programs, Laney unquestionably knew she wanted to work in EMS. She discusses the difficulty in forging ahead amidst the compounding effects of responding to trauma after trauma and the incident that gave her the very important answer to exactly why she keeps doing “this” 12 years into her career.Excited about Season 3 of Stories From the Road? So are we! We can't wait to share with you 10 new first responder stories, and we appreciate your support. Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen.Support the show

“Coming together to fight this whole, like, “we eat our young” concept, and […] to support trainees that are coming in – even though they are a lot different than the folks who have been doing it for 20 years – you know instead of trying to beat them down. All of these things are small but are gonna have huge results if we keep going with it.” -Sara WestonIt was the desire to make a difference, the unwavering belief of a friend, and a leap of faith that led Sara Weston to create a Facebook group for women in the 911 community. She hoped it would be a place for them to find what she discovered to be lacking during her college and initial professional experiences: mentorship, support, “camaraderie and confidence.” As one of just seven females in her college's IT program, Sara quickly realized her journey would be anything but typical. That realization deepened when she began her career in a firm where young professionals – especially young women – were few and far between. Consulting on 911 technology embedded her in the public service community's important work, and she recognized the opportunity to embolden and empower other women in 911.Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he turns the mic over to Sara, 911der Women's founder and executive director. Through workshops, mentorships, scholarships, and even yoga, the nonprofit's programming aims to strengthen connections and offer tools and resources to help the women of the 911 community be successful. To learn more this about this inspiring work, visit 911derwomen.com.If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a minute to give us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for more bonus content and to stay up to date on the upcoming release of Season 3!Film The World PodcastWelcome, we review 1 book a week & focus on Gaming/Movies/Music/Pop-Culture & UAPListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify The 90-10 RuleHe said, SHE said. Relationship talk show from the experts--REAL MEN & WOMEN.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

“Years later, the fellow I was telling you about that I actually knew personally reached out to me, because he had gotten word that I had responded in and helped out at the scene. To be fair, I helped extricate, I took some vital signs – you know this was a giant team effort.” – Advanced EMT SeanIt's important for first responders to have an outlet outside of their job that allows them to decompress and take care of their physical and mental well-being. For Advanced EMT Sean, that outlet is music, and his love of it predates his 10-year career as a first responder. Separate, but important parts of his life, his music and EMT careers unexpectedly collide when he arrives on the scene of a mass casualty incident involving a van wreck with 11 potential patients – a few of whom he's surprised to find he recognizes.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down in studio with Sean, who also serves as the lead singer and lead guitarist for the Georgia-native band Soniq Armada. Sean shares how he got his start as a first responder and identifies the parallels he finds between his work in music and as an Advanced EMT. Self-described as mixing “the brutal elements of death and black metal with industrial synth and atmosphere,” you can learn more about Sean's band, Soniq Armada, by visiting their Facebook, Soniq Armada | Facebook, or catching them live at their next performance on July 15, 2022 at Reno's Chop Shop in Dallas, TX!Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Consider supporting Stories From the Road on Patreon as we prepare for Season 3!FedBiz'5 is Your Definitive Resource to Accelerating Government SalesSeries of 5-minute podcasts designed to help federal contractors find and win businessListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show

“It was fortunate for both of us – as a department and for me personally – because if I would've pulled up with just 500 gallons of water and a 500-gallon pump, and one single 2½” supply line on the only hydrant that was available, we probably would've burned that building down.” – Chief BobIn the heat of the moment, it's critical that those in the fire service make sound, strategic decisions and then execute them flawlessly. Yet sometimes, it's the choices made well before a call is received that can truly make all the difference. With three of his township's four stations participating in a demonstration for the insurance service office (ISO) rating, Bob is left with the oldest engine in the area to run all fire and EMS calls. His request for an additional engine from a neighboring town is reluctantly granted by his chief, but neither of them has any idea how Bob's foresight will impact his crew's ability to save an old three-story balloon frame tavern from complete destruction.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Chief Bob who shares a story out of his collection from a 40-year career in the fire service. Bob vividly details his familial ties to the fire service, the parade ride in a 1918 Ahrens-Fox fire engine that cemented his career aspirations at the age of six, and the unforeseen complications that accompanied the burning of Bevis Tavern.  Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you'd like to share? Email storiesfromtheroadpodcast@gmail.com, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.  Support the show

“We gather, we tell stories, we seek advice. We do everything that we can think of like we would as a family because we think of ourselves that way — as a family. And that firehouse kitchen table is very important: it signifies the culture of the fire service.” – Chief MattA kitchen table in a fire station is more than a place to eat or to rest a cup of coffee. While it may not be the scene of the action, it's a place where the day's events can be reflected upon, where coworkers become friends who become family, where jokes are told, and support is sought. In some cases, the table can even be a bridge, connecting firefighters whose situations vary greatly but who are bonded by an inextinguishable desire to serve their community. Whether that kitchen table is in a fire station in midwestern Ohio or Nairobi, Kenya, its importance is never lost on those who are fortunate enough to be gathered around it.Join host and former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein whose guest, Chief Matt, brings an international story from the road through his work with the nonprofit organization Africa Fire Mission. Founded in 2012, its members are “committed to increasing the sustainable capacity of fire departments in developing communities” through “training, empowerment, support, and encouragement.”  Although firefighters in these communities lack resources, funding, equipment, and even public support, they are dedicated to obtaining the knowledge they need to advance their mission to help others.Your support is appreciated! Please take a moment to share Stories From the Road with a friend, and don't forget to give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen.Africa Fire Mission WebsiteFacebook PageSupport the show

“In their family's eyes, and in our eyes, we're kind of a new family. We really are. Not just friends – they include us in all the updates, and all the milestones, and celebrations, and everything. It's pretty cool.” – Police Medic Rob S.                                                                                                                              To first responders, there are numerous elements of a call that make it memorable. For some, it might be who they were with when it came in, the journey to get to a scene, or sights and sounds of what they were met with upon arrival. Others might recollect the grueling work that went into remedying a situation, the satisfaction of success, or the disbelief of defeat. In a busy precinct of residential and commercial areas, multiple parkways, and one of the country's largest shopping malls, calls often stand out for a combination of these reasons, but for Police Medics Rob and Rob, it's what transpired after this particular call that makes it unforgettable.  Join host and former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he turns the mic over to Rob and Rob who, in their 19+ years of working together, have developed a great professional relationship and a good-humored friendship. When they're called to the home of an unresponsive 13-year-old girl, experience tells them they may be dealing with one of a growing number of opioid overdoses. Instead, their lifesaving work leads them to form a lasting bond with the youngest child to ever survive an often-devastating congenital defect. Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you'd like to share? Email storiesfromtheroadpodcast@gmail.com, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.  Support the show

“We take strange calls, we take funny calls, suicidal calls. Hearing gunshots over the phone – that's so frustrating, because like I said, you beg them not to do it, and it doesn't work. They do it anyway. The stress experienced by 911 dispatchers is what develops with listening to someone else's absolute worst day every day. We listen to it every day, because people don't call 911 when they're having a good day.” – Dispatcher JustineBefore anyone can reach the front line, someone must answer a phone line. The “first” first responders, dispatchers serve as audial witnesses who have to listen carefully and question pointedly to ascertain the true status of a scene. Not only is the person on the other end of the phone relying on the dispatcher, but so are the police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who want to respond to a call effectively and safely.Join former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he sits down with Justine who, during her 27-year career in dispatch, heard everything from the humorous to the horrific. The daughter of first responders, Justine grew up more familiar than most with the critical role dispatchers play in assisting callers in an emergency until help arrives. She discusses the impact that hearing a baby's first cry or a mother's last breath has on dispatchers' mental health and the importance of allowing them the time to step back and process what they've heard.Are you a fan of Stories From the Road? Please take a moment to support this podcast on Patreon, and give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or whichever platform you use to listen.Support the show

“But that's the thing about law enforcement. I would tell the people I worked with, especially the young guys, ‘There's nothing that's going to stop me from getting to you if you are in trouble and you need me. My brother, my sister – I'm going to get there.'” - Deputy DarrinThere's a lot to be learned over a 31-year career in law enforcement. For Deputy Darrin, it took just a few months after the end of his training probation for the “scariest time of his career” to teach him a lesson he'd never forget. When Darrin is called to the scene of what's described to him as a large, multi-person fight, he finds himself forced to choose between patiently applying what he learned in the academy or immediately reacting to the volatile situation unfolding in front of him. It was a difficult choice – one that nearly cost him his life.Join former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he talks to Darrin, whose career as a sheriff's deputy included time as a school resource officer and crisis negotiation team member. Darrin reflects on the evolution of technology in law enforcement, the immeasurable value of working as a team, and the image from the incident early in his career that he still sees to this day.Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you'd like to share? Email storiesfromtheroadpodcast@gmail.com, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.  Support the show

“The units get there. They confirm there is a jumper on the top of the tower of the Brooklyn Bridge. My first damn day on the road – I haven't even finished the training yet. This is my luck.” – Detective VincentA picture is worth a thousand words. Or, in Detective Vincent's case, it's worth about 277 feet. Whether it's trench or elevator rescue, heavy weapons instruction, or dignitary protection, the New York City Police Department Emergency Service Unit's training is as extensive as it is exhilarating. For most attendees, though, it is the Brooklyn Bridge climb that serves as the highlight, as is evidenced by numerous pictures on the class bulletin boards that line the hallways of the specialized training school. While he'd stared at the pictures of previous trainees ascending the Brooklyn Bridge countless times, Detective Vincent never dreamed they'd be his sole reference point when he was called to climb the bridge for a jumper –before being trained on it in school.Join former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he sits down with friend and returning guest, Detective Vincent, who revisits his start with the Emergency Service Unit and details how an awkward, chance encounter with the ESU's lieutenant worked in his favor – or so he thought.Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Visit https://linktr.ee/Storiesfromtheroad for more content and merchandise. Support the show

“We're all the same at the end of the day. Like we all have hearts to serve, and we all have the mindset to be the best that we can and to give our best efforts. And we got to be there for each other, because no one else understands these things the way that we understand them.” – Firefighter BlakeWhen he answered the call to join the fire service in 2015, Blake wasn't sure what his journey would look like. The only thing he knew with certainty was that he wanted to impact the people he worked beside and, with a background in theology and psychology, he was poised to do just that. He couldn't have foreseen, however, that his impact would extend well beyond those in his immediate professional circle, and what would start as an apparel company would become Next Rung, a non-profit that has provided peer support and resources for counseling and treatment centers to more than a thousand first responders across the country since 2017.  Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Blake, a firefighter/paramedic and founder of Next Rung, as he discusses his professional transition from minister to firefighter and his goal to make a difference in the lives of first responders. Blake also shares how an initial report of an overturned vehicle with two children trapped underneath became the call that will stick with him forever – but not for the reasons he necessarily anticipated. If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen.Please consider supporting this podcast with a donation of as little as $1.00https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroadFor more information about Next Rung, please visit their website: https://www.nextrung.org/Support the show

“No matter where you are in your career, whether you're at the top of the ladder as a chief or if you're a brand-new rookie coming that day, sooner or later you're going to depend on one another.”When a hiker falls and breaks his leg in the treacherous, 1200-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge, the warm and sunny winter day lends rescuers a sense of reassurance. But as the afternoon heat cedes to the chill of evening, one of the most seasoned rescuers develops hypothermia, and the team quickly realizes it's working on borrowed time.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as his guest, 38-year public service veteran Chief David, recalls this tedious mission in the “Grand Canyon of Georgia” from early in his career. David vividly details how rescuing one person escalated into saving three and how the weather furnished a full-circle finish to the story years later. Interested in sharing your own story from the road? Email storiesfromtheroadpodcast@gmail.com, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.Support the show

"Don't let the job define you – at all.  You have to be the one who defines your role in the job. Yes, I'm a firefighter. I am proud to be a firefighter. I don't even tell people I'm a fire chief — I say I'm a firefighter because I still love those calls, man."For some first responders, the most memorable story doesn't stem from a single call. Instead, that story is collected page by page from the journey itself. It's the journey of introspection and prioritization, of purpose and community – discoveries that aren't always revealed in instant but are unearthed during events experienced and decisions made over a decades-long career in public service.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he interviews friend and former co-worker, Chief Chuck who, just 22 months before retiring from an accomplished career of more than 30 years, was presented with an unexpected yet life-changing opportunity. Chuck reflects on some of the lessons he learned along the way and, most importantly, how his faith and the support of those he worked with and served compelled him to tackle his greatest challenge yet.   Enjoying Stories From the Road? Please take a moment to give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for exclusive content and merchandise.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

“I have no idea how to help. I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do. I just … all that I can do is be there. But in the background, we have two kids screaming. […] It's like I can only be in one place at one time. It's like I'm pulled in two different directions, so not really having the skills or knowledge or anything with how to help him other than to just be there and listen and love him through it.”At the end of a shift, first responders can remove the weight of their gear and uniform but, for many, it's their thoughts – the lingering images and sounds of a call – that are the heaviest part of the job. The impact of an incident isn't reserved to a firehouse or police station, and there are others who indirectly help bear the mental burden at home. While they may have never stepped foot on a scene, fought a fire, or administered first aid, parents, spouses, friends, and family must often help a first responder process their thoughts and feelings, though they may feel unequipped to do so.In this episode, former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein sits down with Jenna, whose late husband Sam served as a first responder for nearly 10 years before taking his life in 2017. Jenna recalls Sam's big heart, unwavering dedication to serving others, love of being in the field, and the mental health struggles that ultimately came with that love, in hope of advancing the conversation regarding first responders' mental health and normalizing that it's ok to ask for help.If you're enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a minute to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for more bonus content and to stay up to date on the release of Season 2!https://linktr.ee/StoriesfromtheroadSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

I'm excited to share that production of season two is well underway. Returning guests include fan favorites like Detective Vinny, who's back to share another adrenaline-pumping story from his time with the NYPD, as well as Police Medic Rob who, along with his partner, the other Police Medic Rob, share the story of how saving a young woman's life was only the starting point of their work together.New guests include Dispatcher Justine, who reveals why she and her fellow dispatchers are the "first" first responders, Chief Chuck, who cast aside retirement plans to answer the call to something greater, and Firefighter Blake, who works tirelessly to support his brothers and sisters through an organization called Next Rung. I'm thrilled to bring you these and other Stories From the Road, so look out for the first episode of season two which will drop on May 3rd. Finally, Stories From the Road merchandise is now available! Check out the logo coffee mug on our Instagram, website, or Facebook. You can also support the show with a monthly donation to our Patreon. All links can be found in the link tree located in the show notes. As always, thanks for listening. I can't wait to bring you more stories from the road beginning May 3rd.Merchandise via Link TreeSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

“This podcast is, I think if it's nothing else, it's a tribute to the people that go out and do an incredibly difficult job and do it well. […] I hope that this brings some semblance of community, and that you realize that, you know, we all have the same scars.”If you put a couple of first responders together in a room, something interesting happens. Before too long, they'll begin sharing stories … From its conception, Stories From the Road was envisioned as a platform for first responders across the country to find common ground among the unbelievable, tragic, uplifting, and life-changing calls that comprise their every day. Yet, as the season unfolded, it became apparent that this common ground would also house the foundation for a vital conversation regarding the recurring role mental health plays in public service.In the final episode of season one, former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein shares his own story from the road – a story that began in his home state of New York when he was just 18. Eleven years later, the morning of September 11, 2001, mockingly found him teaching a class on mass casualties, and that fateful day would be the catalyst for his family's decision to relocate to Georgia. What Klein vividly recalls, however, is the final tour of his career at the Nassau County Police Department before his move – the tour that included what he labels as one of the worst calls of his career.Thank you for listening to the first season of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to visit Patreon and support upcoming seasons of this podcast with a monthly membership.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

"We're the same kind of humans. We're the same people that are out there in the public.  We're no different, we're not built different, we're not wired differently, we're the same people with the same emotions."If it bleeds, it leads. In today's 24-hour news cycle, there's no shortage of hyperbolic headlines detailing massive car pileups, grisly crime scenes, and devastating fires. These are the incidents that are talked about and remembered. But for first responders, it's the broken look on someone's face, the anxious audience of familial bystanders at an emergency, or simply the furniture - or lack thereof - at a scene that stays etched in their minds long after a call has ended. While departments are often well-versed in providing immediate support after a major incident, it can be the years-long cumulation of small, seemingly ordinary details that have the most profound impact on first responders' mental health.On this week's episode of Stories From the Road, former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein speaks with returning guest Captain Matt about two medical incidents that, at the time, seemed like "just another call." Matt reflects on how those calls have stuck with him and have impacted his approach to leadership and addressing mental health in public service.New Patreons, thanks for becoming a Roadie:ChuckSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

"When all of this is going on, you just think, 'Oh my God, this is it. This is the moment where it's not going to be good.'"In a dangerous situation, it isn't uncommon to see your life flash before your eyes. But, what if the life you saw wasn't the one you knew you were meant to live? Vehicle accidents are often life-threatening but not always life-changing. For 47-year public service veteran Christine, an on-duty ambulance wreck turned out to be both.Join host and former firefighter/paramedic  Phil Klein as Christine shares the harrowing details of the deadly crash and the epiphany that led her to the life she knew she always wanted.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

"You have these deputies who are screaming on the radio, ‘Bring more quick clot, bring more quick clot!' So, it dawns on me, as I'm walking up to the house… these are the same deputies that were screaming, ‘Bring more fire extinguishers!' last night."Every first responder has a call that sticks with them long after the final flame is extinguished or the last chest compression is performed. While the circumstances and details vary, every story is an integral piece of the puzzle of what it means to be in public service. Sometimes that picture is happy and sometimes it's heart-wrenching, but each is framed by the foundational role mental health plays in first responders' experiences individually and collectively.  Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Lt. Drew, a nearly 29-year veteran of law enforcement, to discuss the re-emerging topic of mental health. A frequent contributor to law enforcement-related podcasts, Drew shares both personal and professional events that have made him a fierce advocate for ensuring first responders receive the mental and emotional support they need. Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you'd like to share? Email storiesfromtheroadpodcast@gmail.com, and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.  https://linktr.ee/DrewBreasySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

"Soon as my hand went through the window, I felt a leg and I just remember my first thought being, 'Damn, they're in here.'" From navigating the route to a scene to getting on gear and operating equipment, first responders know on each call that an untold number of factors may be working against them. They're programmed, both innately and through extensive training, to improve or fix a complicated situation, and this mentality is undoubtedly what fuels their ability to deal with the difficult day in and day out. But what happens when everything goes exactly to plan – and the outcome still isn't what they wanted?Join former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he talks to Captain Brian, a 19-year veteran of the fire service, to discuss how a call gone right still led to a troubling end when he and his crew were called to a working fire at the home of a family of five. He addresses how disheartening a call like this can be to first responders, the toll it can take on their mental health, and the importance of accepting the mind's “normal reaction to an abnormal situation.”Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts, or whatever platform you use to listen. Join our newsletter at www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com, and be entered to win a pair of Apple iPods! Drawing on April 5, 2022.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)

“And I hear somebody say, ‘ESU is here.' And the firemen make a path. They clear a path. I say, ‘Holy cow, they made a path for us.' And my partner and I walk up, and there's this vehicle that they had just taken the roof off of…there's nothing left of the vehicle.”From scuba diving operations to trench rescues and overturned tankers to suicide calls, the Emergency Service Unit is ready to be “the answer to anything and everything.” During his 20-year career as a public servant with a major metropolitan police department, Retired Detective Vinny saw more than his fair share of the brutal and bizarre. But when he and his partner respond to one of the worst vehicle accidents of his tenure, Vinny has a difficult time determining whether it's the devastating crash, what he's unexpectedly asked to do in its aftermath, or the sometimes-ruthless side of human nature that leaves him the most unsettled.Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with long-time friend, Detective Vinny, to revisit the progression of Vinny's career as a first responder and the incident he describes as the most “interesting and infuriating” call he ever had to deal with. Enjoying Stories From the Road? Please take a minute to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. Visit us online at www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/storiesfromtheroad)