Assuming Command with Bob Horton

Thanks for tuning in to episode 4 of Assuming Command, the second in our three-part series on mental wellness. We did have some audio issues during recording, forgive us for the static and enjoy the episode. Our guest this month is Elissa Denton with Centerpoint Leadership. Elissa is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which she describes during the second half of the show, and works with first response agencies in southern Oregon as a counselor and coach.

Elissa shared some great advice on managing expectations for maintenance counseling sessions, dealing with traumatic events, and building resilience. She has a couple of metaphors which really make sense for managing your mental wellness, including a butterfly analogy and a dental hygiene analogy. Maintenance is a theme throughout this episode. Mental wellness and resilience aren’t something that a person does or does not have. Both need to be fostered and given attention throughout your life and career. We hope after listening to this episode, you have some ideas on how to give yourself and your agency the space and time to keep mental wellness a priority.

· https://www.centerpointonline.com/

· https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

Thank you for listening and let us know what you thought of this episode or what you'd like to hear in the future at [email protected]. 

Welcome to Episode 3 of Assuming Command. This episode is modified from a Peer Support class Bob gave with Jeff Buchanan from Las Vegas Fire and Rescue for the International Associations of Fire Chiefs Conference. In this episode, Bob and Jeff discuss peer support programs and the importance of mental health in the fire service. The class and the importance of the topic inspired Bob to do a series on mental health and wellness, so this episode will be part of a three-part series on the topic.

During the class, a game board for developing a peer support program is used as a reference point; that “game board” is available at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S3VvIeKlu0LAUw1iRA_EW7CYGOiklPV5/view?usp=sharing.  The path to building a program starts at denial; moves to recognizing the problem of life imitating art, especially in the case of larger scale events; requires the labor and management buy-in; should be built into the organizations mission, vision, and values; needs initial and ongoing training of team, supervisors, and staff; an SOP for deployment and utilization of the team should be developed; “messengers” should be identified, that is, who within the organization can serve as respected and trusted advocates; different technologies for connection between the peer support team and staff should be considered; recruits and staff should have access to regular meetings and communication with the peer support team; training on and knowledge of the SOPs should be built into the promotional process; the path does not end with development of the team and plan; and program success requires maintaining a performance and growth mindset.

Bob and Jeff also discussed the importance of understanding everyone will react to situations differently. Some people will come out of a larger critical event OK, but be impacted by a smaller event, and vice versa. It is important to have peer support available to the organization anytime they may be feeling stress or need someone to speak with. Peer support needs to be integrated into the culture of the organization from recruitment through retirement and beyond. Jeff spoke about using retirees as part of the peer support team to allow them to keep engaged with the organization and to take advantage of their wealth of experience. When building the team, management needs to consider the needs of the organization and how to tailor the model and branding to their team. It is vital to the success of the program that the people who will be utilizing it feel comfortable reaching out to the peer support team.

One popular model for developing and program is the Jeffrey Mitchell model. Jeffrey Mitchell Ph.D. co-founded the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. to provide leadership, education, training, consultation, and support services for first responders or others affected by critical incidents. More about the Foundation and the resources and training they provide can be found at https://icisf.org/about-us/. A primer on Critical Incident Stress Management can also be viewed at https://icisf.org/a-primer-on-critical-incident-stress-management-cism/.

The draft Peer Support Program SOP mentioned can be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JQzAOEVmwZL_YC00KnmfgeyveFMsyhvx/view?usp=sharing.

Thank you for joining us and stay tuned for the next two episodes in the mental health and wellness series. Let us know what you think of the podcast by emailing us at [email protected].

Thanks for listening to Season 1 Episode 2 of Assuming Command. In this episode, Bob sat down with Kendall Warnock, a Division Chief for Lincoln Fire and Rescue in Lincoln, Nebraska approaching his 10-year anniversary with the agency. Kendall’s department has 16 stations and 300 staff on the line.

Kendall shared his unique entrance into the fire service, but what we missed during the conversation was how he connected with Chief Niles for recruitment to his current position. Kendall knew the son of retired Chief Merwick from college. Chief Merwick introduced him to Chief Ford. Through conversations with both men, it became apparent he had something to offer the fire service. Chief Ford recruited him, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Some key lessons from the conversation with Kendall were the importance of earning the trust of your staff, always working to better yourself, and the importance of mental health. Kendall and Bob both acknowledged that mental health and PTSD diagnosis and support in the fire service has come a long way, but there is still the room for improvement. The need for continued evolution of the fire service and improved response models was also a prominent topic.

Kendall is motivated through the work ethic he learned from his mother and honoring his father, who passed away in 2009. He spoke about the importance of giving back to others and being there to spend time with his children and wife on a regular basis.

If you would like more information on programs and books Kendall discussed, you can find them below.

· Restore @ the University of Central Florida: https://www.ucfrestores.com/

· 75 Hard: https://andyfrisella.com/products/75-hard-a-tactical-guide-to-winning-the-war-with-yourself

· 75 Hard Tactical Guide: https://andyfrisella.com/products/75-hard-a-tactical-guide-to-winning-the-war-with-yourself

· How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&hvadid=78271613970961&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=how+to+win+friends+and+influence+people%E2%80%9D&qid=1601772282&sr=8-3&tag=mh0b-20

· If Aristotle Ran GM: https://www.amazon.com/If-Aristotle-Ran-General-Motors/dp/0805052534

This group came together at the National Fire Academy three years ago and have stayed connected ever since.  Tune in to hear the different experiences of three Fire Chiefs from different areas of the country managing different sized organizations.  Spoiler alert, many of the challenges are the same.  In this episode, we talk about COVID-19 response, adapting the organization, staying balanced as a chief executive and we have fun along the way.  Be sure to subscribe to Assuming Command and do not miss an episode!