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EPISODE 107

Director Andy Wilson, Ohio’s Director of Public Safety, joins Conrad Weaver to talk frankly about the human cost of public safety work and what leaders must do to protect the people who protect us. Andy explains how chronic and acute stress shorten careers and lives, why proactive — not just reactive — wellness matters, and how simple, practical programs (fitness, nutrition, hands-on skills, mindset, and relationships) reduce sick time, complaints, and burnout. He also shares concrete training ideas, how to build cultural buy-in from the top and the shift level, and what leaders can do today to start changing their agencies.

Episode: First Responder Wellness Podcast — Director Andy Wilson on proactive wellness, training, and leadership

Top takeaways

Wellness is life-preserving — physical fitness can literally save lives on duty and post-career health.

Trauma is layered: critical incidents, day-to-day exposure, and vicarious trauma all accumulate.

Proactive wellness (not just reactive counseling after critical incidents) reduces downstream problems.

Training must be regular and accessible — skills are perishable. Start small and scale people in.

Leaders lead by example — visible participation wins culture change.

First step: listen to your people, identify champions, build a modest, measurable pilot, and communicate outcomes to stakeholders.

Resources mentioned

Ohio Department of Public Safety (contact via communications office) — Andy invites other leaders to connect.

Independence Police Department wellness model (food prep, on-shift time for fitness)

How to share feedback

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FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST

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