The Firefighter Deconstructed

Ret. Paramedic Cheri Garcia sits down with the Firefighter Deconstructed after a short winder break. Cheri talks about realizing she couldn't do the job anymore without it further ruining her life and who she was. She had to reinvent herself and who she is - and she did with with grace and perserverence. Giving back and helping to save us is what she aims to do.

Michael Loew was a Firefighter and Paramedic for almost 30 years. He cruised along pretty well until he was caught in the middle of the Carr Fire. The Carr fire, burned 229,651 acres of the Shasta and Trinity counties, burned down over a thousand homes and killed 3 firefighters and 5 civilians. Michael talks about his experience at the fire and the effects the danger and devastation caused for him. This will be the last episode until January of 2023. Christy is taking some time off to regroup and get the show running on full instead of near empty. I hope you will be back for next season and thank you for your time!

Don PembertonDon sits down with Christy and talks about coaching first responders to create and maintain healthy lives and actions that can help PREVENT Post Traumatic Stress. He and the organization, 1st Responder Coaching, really have something here that all first responders could use--either as individuals or as whole organizations. I really encourage you to take a listen. This service has the capability to help so many people.website: www.1strespondercoaching.orgUse the promo code: deconstructed to save 10% off your first month of coachingfacbook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1strespondercoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/1st_responder_coaching/Personal Contact:https://www.instagram.com/firstresponderlifecoach/linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-pemberton/

Retired police officer Stephanie Polizziani spent 15 years as a police officer, most of them for the city of Berkeley and then moved on to Benicia. She began to feel her life become dark. She planned on just keeping her head down on and not dealing with it. That is until her husband, also a police officer, told her she needed to get some help. Stephanie has a unique perspective as a police officer and a police officer's wife. She shares how it feels different now to be a police officer's wife as a stay at home mom. Stephanie also incorporates how all the recent anti police rhetoric has affected her during her career. She is very tough and carries a huge heart.

Today's show is awesome and everyone should listen to this. Shauna Doc Springer and I talk about an existing and very accessible total game changer in the treatment of PTSD. It's called the Stellate Ganglion Block. We also talk about first responder suicide and thoughts for friends and loved ones of someone who dies by suicide. Shauna ‘Doc' Springer is a licensed psychologist, best-selling author, frequently requested keynote speaker, award-winning podcast host, and one of the world's leading experts on psychological trauma, military transition, suicide prevention, and close relationships. A Harvard graduate who has become a trusted Doc to our nation's military warfighters and first responders, she navigates diverse cultures with exceptional agility. As Chief Psychologist for STELLA, she advances a new model for treating psychological trauma that combines biological and psychological interventions. Doc Springer is frequently sourced by the media for her uniquely perceptive insights on trauma recovery, post-traumatic growth, psychological health, and interpersonal relationships, developed from two decades of work at the extremes. Her work has been featured in multiple media outlets, including VICE, NPR, NBC, CNN, CBS Radio, Forbes, Business Insider, Military Times, Military.com, Gun Talk Radio, Coffee or Die Magazine, Havok Journal, THRIVE GLOBAL, US News and World Report, NEWSMAX, The Daily News, Police1, Anxiety.org, and Psychology Today. In her recently published book, RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle AgainstFrontline Trauma, along with Sergeant (Ret) Michael Sugrue, she tackles the complexity of trauma with the law enforcement community, uncovers the unspoken barriers, and outlines a path to healing. RELENTLESS COURAGE has been described by Lt. Col. David Grossman, best-selling author of On Killing and On Combat as “one of the most important books of our time” and “the natural successor to On Combat. www.stellacenter.comwww.docshaunaspringer.comRELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline TraumaShauna 'Doc' Springer on the human impact of first responder trauma

Today's show is all about the brain and what happens to it when it's exposed to trauma repeatedly. Dr. Nan Herron, a real medical doctor, and I sit down and talk about why people want to drop the D in PTSD and replace it with an I - because it's not a disorder, it's an injury. Like a real, physical injury to your brain. Remember we had on Paula Siddens, the CHP officer who had a serious head injury from crashing her bike, and how almost all of her symptoms were the same as PTS? Dr. Herron spells it out in language that even us firefighters can understand. In her private practice she specializes in working with first responders. She has lectured and taught workshops throughout the USA and in Haiti, Fiji and Kenya. She is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Santa Rosa Hospital, California.https://www.fireengineering.com/health-safety/reducing-the-stigma-of-psychiatric-medications/#gref

San Francisco Fire Paramedic Danny McAtee makes his second appearance on the show. We sit down and discuss part of our first responder community that carries an extra weight daily and especially when they struggle with mental health and PTS. The LBGTQ+ community has been invisible for so long in first responder world that we need to make a change so EVERYONE knows they are not alone.

Chris Warren is a retired San Jose Police Officer who was the negotiator on a barricaded subject with a tragic ending. When the tragedy happened, no one talked about it or really even talked to him at all. This critical incident on top of years of being a cop sent him into an rages he didn't know he was capable of. Dealing with his PTS he also learned the other aspects of his life that were eating at him. He has built a new career for himself helping first responders find new careers after retirement.email: chris@justadegree.com Phone: 408-230-2622

Show Notes: Kick-ass retired Sheriff Deputy Sally Lobb sits down with The Firefighter Deconstructed and shares her story of becoming and being a woman cop, peer support and her own story of getting PTSI. I personally know Sally and know she is quick witted, smart and tough as nails. When bad shit is going sideways I guarantee you want Sally there. So if Sally can get PTSI, then anyone can get it.

This week I sit down with Captain Paramedic Chris Moore of the Chesapeake Fire Department in the state of Virginia. Chris started and spent about 10 years as a volunteer and then moved over to working as a firefighter full time. Chris and I talk about the specific challenges that Volunteer firefighters face when it comes to mental health. Chris shares his story of falling into that dark hole and climbing his way out of it. He is so very authentic, brave and genuine. Chris is still working and travels all over to speak and share his PTS story. Chris Moore Cell Phone: 757-536-3373Chris Moore email: Blue_Dog_Man_99@yahoo.com

The most interesting man in the world, Danny McAtee and I had a great conversation about the job's challenges, how we don't ask for help and put everyone else first, even at serious cost to ourselves. Danny is a retired San Francisco paramedic with the SF Fire Department. He continued to get hit (literally) to the point he couldn't take it any more. Out in the distance he saw a couple of lights that pointed him in the right direction. He could have ignored them but he decided to listen and do the work to get better. Danny is the man.

Cassie Sexton works for First Responder WellnessCassie has extensive Law Enforcement experience in dispatch, jail, and traffic divisions. Early in her career she became eager to learn new specialties, showing natural leadership, and a passion for teaching and presenting. With her diverse background, this opened an opportunity at the local college the last few years allowing her to be a speaker for Dispatch courses, most recently, specializing in wellness and PTS.Cassie is passionate about helping first responders due to her own healing journey of dealing with PTS through wellness, meditation, and recovery. Cassie helps facilitate and lead peer-run Fellowship Support Groups for first responders twice a week. The support groups allow and provide a safe space for first responders to gather, share, and heal from the unique traumas we all face on the job.Cassie enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Colt and Ruger. She enjoys traveling the world and loves to learn about other cultures and beliefswww.firstresponder-wellness.com

The Firefighter Deconstructed has the honor of having Jeff Smith on the show. Jeff spent 20 years as a paramedic in Vancouver, BC and launched a not-for-profit organization called The Detachment Technique, aimed at providing first responders resources and tools to understand and work through their trauma. He struggled with PTSD and almost lost his life to suicide. We get to hear from someone who was inches away from taking his own life when a police officer interrupted his attempt - so we can hear what was going through someone's mind just before they tried to kill themselves. This is a powerful episode. https://www.detachmenttechnique.com/jeff@detachmenttechnique.com

Skip is a retired FF, recovering addict and now is the president of World Wide Support. Paul flew from England to get some of that Wold Wide Support. These guys talk about asking for help and their recovery, which Paul is right in the middle of. Both guests lay it all out and share their difficulties and triumphs. We also talk about the Pete Lewin's New Foundlands emotional support programs. https://www.worldwidepeersupport.org/(SKIP) Martin Ross Ockomonskipo@worlwidepeersupport.org (765)425-1936http://petelewinnewfoundlands.co.uk/24/7 Peer Support
844-844-2584National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-8255

This week's guest is retired Kern County Fire Captain, Derek Robinson. Derek tells his story of how he reached out for help and continued to not get it, which so many of have had to deal with. He kept going forward and asking for help until he found it. Derek talks about the healing power of journaling and how it turned into a book.Book: continue: Surviving the darkness, choosing to live

Retired Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Fausette tells his story of a critical incident that led to a PTS diagnosis. He struggled and struggled and ended up having to medically retire "early" due to his Post Traumatic Stress Injury. Tyler is incredibly articulate in telling his story and shares insight that we all can learn from. This is an incredible story to listen to. I highly recommend listening to it twice.https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPFFA/https://local.iaff.org/a26

Douglas R. Brown runs into burning buildings for a living. After a horrible all he began showing the signs of PTS. His friends and family could tell something was wrong, but Doug was the last to figure it out. He finally asked for help when his marriage was about to dissolve. He began writing as a cathartic way of dealing with the day-to-day stresses of life as a firefighter/paramedic in Columbus, Ohio. Now he focuses his writing on fantasy and horror where he can draw from his lifelong love of the genres. He has been married since 1996 and has a son and a few dogs. He has had four books published to date. Douglas has since given his work a new home under his own imprint of Epertase Publishing where you can find his latest collection of supernatural suspense stories titled A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories.Website- A Firefighter Christmas Carol | Epertase (epertasepublishing.com)Amazon link- A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories: Brown, Douglas R, Brown, Rebecca, Murphy, Steve: 9781736882030: Amazon.com: BooksBarnes and Noble - A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Douglas R Brown, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)Audible- A Firefighter Christmas Carol by Douglas R. Brown | Audiobook | Audible.comhttps://bookshop.org/ Fire Escape Cabin: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/375957?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=2bef18ca-a718-4158-b4a8-5a438f873f17

Lt Rob Hiller, of the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, shares his personal story of a cardiac medical condition, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress - each one almost costing him the job he loves so much. Lt. Hiller continues to walk forward as he continues to get knocked down by his body and his department. He is still working today. Fortunately, his department has accepted mental health awareness as a vital part of keeping their department running and healthy. His story, just like so many, is inspiring in that he's never given up.

Today retired firefighter Joe Bartholomew shares his story of getting trapped in a basement fire and coming as close to dying as you can get. He talks about how this fire and his 33 years in the fire service left him with PTS. He dealt with department betrayal and a cold shoulder from some of his so called brothers and sisters in the department. Joe tells us how he healed and wants everyone else suffering to know they are not alone.

Finally! A new episode! I talk with Dave Robertson. He is the owner of FireEDGE - Fire Service Training + Career Coaching/Training Officer. He is a Fire Chief (ret) from the Napa Valley, CA. Dave and I discuss the havoc that PTS brings to a first responder and their family. Dave shares his story of finally coming to the realization that he needed help and the real reason he participated in Napa Lunches.

Quentin Waynick started in the first responder muck when he was 15. He did everything from firefighting to dispatching to being a paramedic. He lived on top of the world....until he got angry, really angry. In fact he was fired from his job due to his anger. He lived like this not having any idea what was wrong with him - that is until her heard this podcast and realized he has PTSD and he is not alone.

Retired police officer Ray Fernandez has 30 years on the job. Like so many of us first responders, once a tough guy, he drank with the boys after work and especially after a bad call. He also had a “shit-show” of a childhood. He had PTSD for years and didn't know it. It cost him his marriage and almost cost him his life. He spent 30 years as a kick ass cop and after doing the work and coming out the other side, he is a kick ass person and loves life.

Olivia Johnson, once a paramedic and now an emergency nurse, married a firefighter name Josh Johnson. Josh Johnson got PTSD and subsequently went through hell. Well guess what, so did his wife Olivia. Olivia is one of the most powerful and raw guests I have on the show. Josh and Olivia's story is nothing short of incredible. Here was a guy begging for help and he got shit on, sorry I don't know how else to say it, but he kept getting back up and moving forward. And Olivia stuck around! So today we get to hear Olivia's story of being married to a first responder. Josh was on this show June 17, and I recommend that you listen to his interview also.www.3forthelove.comTo contact Olivia: oliviajohnson2980@gmail.comTo contact Josh: joshrjohnson81@yahoo.com

This week we sit down with Neal Oilar. He is a medically retired deputy sheriff-coroner (Del Norte County, CA. 2014-2020). He had several CI's, two shootings, and ultimately he was stabbed which led to my retirement. He was diagnosed with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. His department left him out to dry. This is the first part of his story.

Albert Veldstra, who has 30 years as a police officer in Stanislas County in the California central valley, sits down with the FF deconstructed and tells his story of how 30 years on the job and an officer involved shooting affected him and his family. He talks about how he recovered and now helps struggling first responders heal and find hope. You are going to love this guy.

Founder of the #Iam911 movement, former 911 dispatcher Ricardo Martinez sits down and shares his story on this episode. Ricardo is the host of the Within the Trenches podcast and is about to release episode 400. He is doing amazing work for dispatchers throughout the country. His passion is sharing the stories of dispatchers and helping them process the trauma they experience on the job. He has started his own media company, hosts and participates in conferences, all dedicated to dispatchers. I really can't say enough about this guy. You just gotta listen.https://www.withinthetrenches.net/bizcard

Ellen Kirschman, known as the Cop Doc, is a clinical psychologist that specializes in treating first responders and has been for doing for years and years and years. She is the author of “I Love a Cop” and the recently released second edition of “I Love a Firefighter”. Ellen talks about the specific mental health issues that Wildland firefighters and their families face. We also talk about the importance of seeing a culturally competent therapist and the reasons why. Ellen is a invaluable resource of knowledge and experience in taking care of first responders and our mental health. She is no nonsense and says, “The stigma is stupid!” Ellen also writes fiction and is a clinician at WCPR.

The amazing Josh Johnson, former firefighter, shares his story of getting PTSD and the agony of not knowing where to turn to for help. The point came where Josh's only answer he could find was almost killing himself with alcohol. He went to work to ask for help and ended up getting fired. Josh truly is an inspiration as he went from trying to kill himself to the incredible attitude and viewpoint that he has now. His focus now is passing this message on to others so they don't end up suffering a lone as he did for so long. Josh articulates his story very well. I have a good feeling we will hear from him again on this show.www.3forthelove.comjoshrjohnson81@yahoo.com

Tessa Dunn is on the show! Tessa is the wife of Tom Dunn, who was on the show a few months ago. She stood by Tom's side as he worked as a Alaska State Trooper. She raised a couple of kids and took care of the family out in the middle of nowhere. When Tom became a State Trooper little did they know That Tessa would became part of the job and experience her own trauma plus helping Tom deal with his trauma. Her and Tom have started Reset Training and Consulting where they help first responders with stress on the job through training in Resiliency, Engaging and Empowering Communities, Soul Care, Employee Retention and Training. Tess is a positive force to be reckoned with! You can't help but feel good after listening to Tess talk and share her story.www.resettrainingandconsulting.com

The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with Conrad Weaver, an award winning filmmaker, producer and president of Conjo studios. Conrad is making a documentary film about us, about what first responders go through on the job and the price we pay for doing what we do. The film i scalled 911PTSD. He is traveling all over the united states recording our stories. His goal of the film is to create awareness and help smash the stigma around mental health for first responders. Near the end of the podcast Conrad and I talk about how he had to change careers and find a new purpose. He talks about how he did this and keeps his eyes on his purpose every day. I found it very inspiring. Where to find Conrad and film info: https://conjostudios.com/linktr.ee/ptsd911moviehttps://ptsd911movie.com/To Donate to the film: https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/projects/ptsd911https://conjostudios.com/https://twitter.com/PTSD911Moviehttps://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie

Paula Siddens is a retired Sergeant with the California Highway Patrol with 30 years of service. Paula sustained a serious Traumatic Brain Injury while riding her bike down Mt. Diablo. She was lucky to even survive the accident. Paula and I have also been friends for quite some time but it's been a long time since we have seen each other.. We recently met up at a training session for the support dog training program, First Response K9. We started talking about my PTSD and her Traumatic Brain Injury. We found that so many of our symptoms were the same. Similar family issues and collateral damage also came up. On this episode we talk about Paula's accident and the similarities of our journeys. This episode helps to demonstrate how PTSD/PTSI is a true physiological brain injury, not just some emotional problem.

The amazing Steve Serbic from the Undercover Mental Health Podcast sit down with me and tells us his story. Steve is a assistant fire chief, key note speaker, Tedx presenter, author and mental health advocate. Steve rose up through the fire service, and is currently working as an Assistant Chief of operations at Surrey Fire Service, Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area in Canada. He prides himself on being a devoted husband and father of two amazing kids. He survived his battle with depression thanks to the support of his family and friends. That support allowed him to rebuild his life and now he helps others who have decided to fight their anxiety, depression and mental illness. Steve is very open and raw about his own battles with mental illness and travels across North America sharing his story.You can find Steve at:steveserbic.comYouTubeTed Talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVBiGeA2lx4www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZVsSEWRBnQUndercover Mental Health Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/undercover-mental-health/id1490639378

Tim Grutzius is a 25+ year fire service veteran and a team member of the Illinois Firefighter Peer Support . He understands the detrimental effect stress can have on the overall wellbeing of our mind, body, and spirit. He is also a Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach, he has a diploma in Holistic Health Practice, a certificate in Wellness Consulting and is a certified Usui Reiki Master Practitioner. Tim was diagnosed with PTSD and had a tough struggle out of it, but he is out of it. Now he works to help all those first responders who are struggling.Twitter: @holisticff @centannilifeIllinois Firefighter Peer Support https://www.ilffps.org/https://centannilife.com/what-is-reiki/https://centannilife.com/chakras-spinning-centers-that-express-our-vital-life-energy/timgrutzius@gmail.comhttps://youtu.be/E97l4Cjarpgwww.centannilife.comtimothygrutzius@centannilife.com

Tom and Tessa Dunn sit down with the firefighter deconstructed and talk about what it's like to work as a resident police officer in the middle of nowhere in Alaska. Tom Dunn is the founder of RESET Training and Consulting. He is a recently retired Lieutenant for the Alaska State Troopers (May 2020) who served the citizens of Alaska for over 25 years and is an FBI National Academy graduate of session 253. During his career, he worked in many communities with rural and urban community diversity. He is a certified instructor in several law enforcement disciplines and is a current Mental Health First Aid instructor who has provided instruction at the Alaska State Trooper Training Academy and all over the State of Alaska. Tessa Dunn is the co-founder of RESET Training and Consulting. The mission is to teach first responders and their families, new ways to cope with trauma and exhaustion in the workplace. RESET also partners with staff and families of special needs children. Tessa's role in RESET will be co-teaching the workshops for spouses of first responders and educators. She is the event organizer and the biggest smile in the room.RESET Training and Consulting offers training in Resiliency, Engaging and Empowering Communities, Soul Care, Employee Retention and mental health Training. www.resettrainingandconsulting.comTom & Tessa Dunn907-299-6054907-315-4077resettrainandconsult@gmail.com

Eric Weaver is a retired sergeant with the Rochester, NY Police Dept., where he served for twenty years from 1985-2005. He was a police sergeant for the RPD for the last 13 years of his highly decorated career. Prior to his employment with the RPD, he served as a Corrections Officer from 1983-1985 with the Ontario County, NY Sheriff's Department. While with the RPD, he served in numerous positions within the Department, including numerous patrol assignments, the Tactical Unit, the SWAT team, and Internal Affairs. Eric's last assignment for the Rochester Police Department was as Mental Health Coordinator, and was the creator, developer, and Commanding Officer of the first Crisis Intervention Team in NYS. The CIT is a specialized unit within the RPD that responds to calls within the Rochester community for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. He continues to serve as a consultant with numerous police departments and their respective communities in NYS in the creation, development, training, and implementation of similar Crisis Intervention Teams, and has served as a leading consultant for the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and NYS Office of Mental Health in developing CIT training throughout New York State. Eric is a consultant with the National Council for Behavioral Health, and serves as a National Trainer for the internationally recognized Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid programs. Eric served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer Consortium of New York, was a Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance's (DBSA) group facilitator and a member of the DBSA National Speaker's Bureau, and is currently a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)-NYS Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves as a Peer Review consultant for SpecPro Management Services, LLC regarding police mental health training on a state and federal level. Eric is also former pastor and served for several years as the Executive and Counseling Pastor of Crosswinds Wesleyan Church in Canandaigua, NY. Eric holds a certificate in Biblical Counseling from the American Association of Christian Counselors. Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/eric-weaver-overcomingthedarknessWebsite: www.overcomingthedarkness.com Email: eric@overcomingthedarkness.com

Kristi Tausinga sits down with the firefighter deconstructed and talks about being a female cop, getting addicted and then unaddicted to painkillers. This woman is one strong lady! She was diagnosed with PTSD and survived a suicide attempt. And on top of all that, she was totally abandoned by her administration. She was sexually assaulted at work by a supervisor and then was written up for engaging in sexual activities while at work. Her passion now is to reach out to those who are suffering and to spread the word that there is help and to smash the stigma - it's actually courageous to ask for help!! Instagram: mile_marker_28Cell phone: 928.587.8375Safecall: www.safecallnowusa.org

THE Tom Satterly and his wife Jen sit down with the Firefighter Deconstructed. Who are these people? Well Tom spent 20 years in Delta Force, the most elite special forces unit there is. Tom is a legend even among other Tier One special operators. He was in the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down) and the capturing of Saddam Hussein. He survived incredible feats of war but he almost didn't survive PTS. Who is Jen? The woman who stood by Tom and went through tough times helping Tom get to the other side. Now they both work non stop to help their brothers and sisters in the military and first responders who have PTS. Jen Satterly spent three years as Director of Film and Photography with an elite military company and was fully embedded in Special Operation training missions. She is the Co-Founder and Chief of Programs of their nonprofit, All Secure Foundation, and speaking alongside Tom about the challenges that spouses and families deal with both during deployment and coming home.Books: All Secure by Tom SatterlyArsenal of Hope: Tactics for Taking on PTSD, Together by Jen Satterlyhttps://allsecurefoundation.org/www.tomsatterly.com

Super kind and fun Scott Medlin sits down with The Firefighter Deconstructed and talks about the toll the job takes and strategies to get and be healthy. Scott has 17 years of experience in the military and law enforcement. Scott shares his own struggles with mental health and addiction from trauma experienced while in combat in Iraq and on the job as a police officer. He has authored two books about health in law enforcement. He has a passion to help others and help stop the stigma and stop first responder suicides. https://leomotivation.com/https://www.amazon.com/Scott-Medlin/e/B087QVZ26R?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000 Books: MENTAL HEALTH FIGHT OF THE HEROES IN BLUE and 101 HEALTH TIPS FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

Kaia Downing is married to Brad Downing, who was on last week. Kaia was a police officer for ten years and is now a parole officer. Kaia shares her story of being married to someone with PTSD. We discuss what it's like raising children when your spouse is angry, irrational, and detached. Kaia has the unique understanding of what it's like to be a police officer and be the spouse of one. This discussion is a very good one and I am sure many many spouses and families out there will relate and find that they are not alone. firefighterdeconstructed.comMovie: The Female Brain

Retired police officer Brad Downing was a long time “stuff it” guy and never talked about his feelings. He suffered in silence because of that stupid stigma that can be attached to someone when they ask for help. Brad talks about how stuffing it affected his job, his family and himself. He now works to smash that stigma and let others know it's ok not to be ok. He has started up a first responder support meeting that provides a safe place for first responders to talk.

Rob Hindley is a Medically retired police officer from the United Kingdom. He went through PTSD twice and speaks to how getting PTSD the second time is even worse than the first time. Rob now works to prevent police suicide and promote police physical and medical wellbeing. He has started peer support groups. We talk about PTSD and the effects it can have on the kids. We also talk about the lack of leadership in this important area and how struggling officers are not being taken care of in all the aspects of a person's life. He is writing a book highlighting the high price that police officers pay when serving the public.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hindley-98796b13b/

Bill Pepitone, City of New York Mayoral Candidate and former New York Police Officer, sits down with The Firefighter Deconstructed and talks about the heavy toll police work takes on officers and their families. He is a big, strong, tough guy born and raised in the Bronx and HE says it's ok to not be ok. He says it's so important to ask for help before you get the point of suicide. If a long time police officer from New York says it's not weak to be affected by the job and ask for help, then you know it's ok to not be ok.https://billpepitonefornycmayor.com/www.facebook.com/Bill-Pepitone-for-NYC-Mayor-110127470736990/https://poppanewyork.org/

Former Dispatcher Ryan Dedmon sits down with the Firefighter Deconstructed and talks about his co-worker's suicide and his own downward spiral. And most importantly, how he climbed back out of it. Ryan is a great speaker and has important information that will help all first responders. He now trains dispatchers and is the Outreach Director for the 9-1-1 Institute, The 9-1-1 institute works to bridge dispatchers with qualified local mental health professionals to be sure they get the help they need. The Institute now includes a team of experts who create uniquely qualified 911 education and consulting services to support the health and performance of our Very First Responders here in North America and abroad.https://www.911training.net/

Sue M, all the way from Ireland. Sue M is an extraordinary person. She served as a paramedic and then a police officer in the United Kingdom for 14 years and experienced PTSD and several personal hardships and now she devotes her life to helping others get help when they are hit with PTSD. She's written a book, started a support network, and answers phone calls all day from first responders and their agencies needing help. It's worth listening to just for the Irish accent. Hear her inspiring story and how she got to where she is now. Overcoming Trauma on the frontlines, by Sue M.Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/47lV68Carlisle Support Network - Email: csnmgtteam@gmail.comCarlisle Support Network Forum:Laptop or PC :https://forums.carlislesupportnetwork.netFor Phone App - search for DiscourseHub then add the following link and if given the option add it as homepage

Retired Police Officer, Christopher Hoyer is a protector, survivor and advocate for mental, physical and emotional wellness. After 20+ years as a street cop, having been faced with the worst horrors imaginable, he has turned his focus to sharing his story with others, helping the law enforcement community prepare for the trauma that comes with the job. He has spoken to thousands, including first responders, mental health professionals and various professional entities, sharing his story in hopes of saving lives. His book, When That Day Comes, was written to honor the memory of all fallen Law Enforcement Officers, one in particular, and to pass on what time on the street taught him about survival ... mental, physical and emotional.www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hoyer-25398192/www.facebook.com/lovenotes68/

Today we have Fire District Chief Jason Corthell. Another amazing guy from Texas. Jason is another guy who feel into that dark hole and found a way out. Then he built an incredible peer support team that he shares all over the country. This guy is a 4th generation firefighter and started his firefighting career as a volunteer with Cypress Creek Fire Department in 2004. Jason served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006-2010. Chief Corthell serves as the wellness/fitness initiative director for his department as well as many works within the department's public relation roles. Jason has a great passion and drive for progressing mental wellness in the fire service through both personal and professional battles and experiences. He has implemented and influenced many others in the pursuit of providing first responders the help that they need. This is a good listen for any department/organization looking to build or improve their peer support team. Chief Corthell also works part-time instructor at Lonestar College Fire Academy. The Corthell Family resides in Hockley, Texas where he is happily married with three children and enjoys woodworking, sports, traveling to breweries, and grilling. email: jason.corthell@hcesd13.org

Josh's 13 year firefighting career was cut short by PTSD and department betrayal. His attitude and resilience is nothing short of inspiring. No matter how tough everything became he just kept putting one foot in front of the other. If you listen to this episode you will find yourself rooting for him. And if you can root for Josh, you should be rooting for yourself! Department leadership can learn from this episode too, because this department blew it. They lost a valuable member and treated a human being like a piece of equipment. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-concepcion-828389144/

I love Texas!! Police Chief Gary R. McHone, from Texas, shares how to truly be strong on both sides of the job, as a subordinate and management. He believes the people are the most important resource of an organization, so it will pay great dividends to take care of them both physically and mentally. He talks about how to truly change the culture of a department so talking and investing in mental health happens on a department wide basis. This guy most definitely walks the walk and talks the talk. Leadership of all departments and organizations take notice, the power of vulnerability is real. http://linkedin.com/in/garymc0919 Facebook.com/gary.mchone.1675

This is an episode of discovery and hope. Dr. Lorie Hood joins The Firefighter Deconstructed and shares her incredible breadth of knowledge of trauma. Dr. Lorie Hood is a leading expert in trauma, PTSD, Neuroscience, and human potential. She has focused her research and clinical work on first responders, victims of mass trauma and high performers. She is the host of the podcast, “The Traumatic States of America” that is incredible. She is board certified in Forensic Traumatology, Domestic Violence, and Emergency Crisis Response (Diplomate Credential). She is trained and well versed in mind body medicine and dance therapy and uses a somatic approach to her work. Lorie has connected her research on intelligence with her research on stress, resilience, trauma and post traumatic growth and has created trainings, programs and curricula that inform human potential and performance on both individual and system levels. Dr. Hood is crazy smart and super caring. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-traumatic-states-of-america/id1508193692www.loriehoodphd.comwww.thehoodgroupllc.comwww.linkedin.com/in/loriehoodphdwww.respondersfirstllc.comhttps://www.facebook.com/LorieHoodPhD

This week Police Chief Daniel Smith shares his story with the firefighter deconstructed. He talks about his childhood and coming to the point in his life that he could go either way, positive or negative. He chose positive and accomplished some amazing things. He also talks about the importance of taking care of yourself on the job and not talking about what bothers you is a road straight to self-destruction. By the way, he is only under thirty but has the wisdom of a 70 year old.https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-smith-4b80217a/danielsmith9980@gmail.com

Battalion Chief Jacob Johnson shows true leadership by talking about the tough stuff, showing vulnerability as a leader. Chief Johnson discusses how important it is for agency leadership to start and continue on the conversation that we are all just human beings, and that vulnerability is the key to true connection and brother/sisterhood. He also talks about building a successful Peer Support Program. Chief Johnson is a Battalion Chief for the Pearland Fire Department in Texas. He has been in the business since he was 15.Pearland Peer Support Captain Robert Kerber (832) 415-7814Pearland Peer Support Firefighter Hotline- (281)997-HOPE (4673)Jacob Johnson- 713-560-3729Twitter- @BCJohnson1012LinkedIn- Jacob Johnsonhttps://www.facebook.com/jacob.johnson.3192https://www.facebook.com/FDtacticstraining/