Beyond the 1st Response

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Sgt. Dwayne English of Joliet Police Department IL, about how being a cop has made him a better counselor.

Dream Cop

Since the age of six, Dwayne had wanted to become a cop. Living his dream, he saw the stress of being a first responder both in the community and at home. Achieving a bachelors in psychology, he has worked hard to bring mental wellness into the department on all levels. 

Blue H.E.L.P.

Discovering the social media presence of Blue H.E.L.P. and the conversations they were starting online. Dwayne reached out and asked how he can help. Dwayne and his son Cole, for years helped put together the honor boxes for the police departments that lost an officer to suicide. Reaching out a liaison to the departments to let them know, they are not alone. 

Masters Degree

Retirement is not something that is easy on the mind, especially when you have gifts and lessons, that you can share and help others. Dwayne has spent the last three years in school, while still working on the job, to become a licensed counselor. Now, nearing the end, of school, he doing his internship and seeing patients at Aspyre Wellness. 

Plan for Retirement

Dreaming of doing nothing but fishing, biking, or just sitting on your couch doing nothing, sounds amazing. In reality, you spend 25 plus years on the job constantly caring for your communities, your families, etc. But you have to have a plan. Dwayne, is planning to conitune to help others, with the gift of Therapy. What is your plan? 

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Joliet Police Department

Asypre Wellness

First H.EL.P.

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Chris about starting 4th Shift Fitness in 2017 with the goal of bringing these lessons directly to the front lines.  Go to 4thShiftFitness.com to see how to get in touch and set up a seminar, training session, or digital personal training.

Tailboard Talks Podcast

Chris started his podcast Tailboard Talks Podcast, after recording videos on YouTube talking about mental health, fitness, and firefighting. Bringing tools for balancing them all in a healthy way.

1st Responders Conferences 

On May 15-16th 1st Responder Conferences, Chris will be speaking on his 4th Shift Fitness coaching. Spouses and Partners are welcome to attend the two-day conference mental wellness conference for first responders and families. 

4th Shift Fitness

Understanding that every firehouse, police department, and civilian world, is affected by making time for health and fitness. Chris realizes they can bring it to you where ever you are. 4th Shift Fitness, offers ways to achieve the goal that you are looking for. They are also willing to come to your department, home, gym, and provide the coaching that we all can use.

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Tailboard Talks Podcast

4th Shift Fitness

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4th shift fitness https://www.instagram.com/4thshiftfitness/

https://www.instagram.com/spring4change/

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First H.E.L.P.

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Steve talk with Valerie Groth, Director of Partnerships at Stella Center. Part 2 of the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)

SGB- What is different now

Christy decided to have the SGB after struggling with PTSD for over 30 years. The results have been amazing. After the first episode on the SGB, and researching it, she was ready to take the leap.

Therapy

Continuing the regimen of Talk Therapy, or counseling of your choice, is important. The SGB is not a miracle fix. It is, however, an important tool, to help move you past the traumatic events that you have been through. People that do couple therapy and the SGB are more likely, to not have to have a follow-up treatment. 

Stella Center

At Stella Center, Dr. Lipov has discovered the use of anesthesia to help reset your fight or flight response. Effectively providing relief almost immediately. Valerie is working on partnering with not only VA hospitals but also with First Responders and their families. Currently, insurance doe not cover the treatment, but some partnerships that Stella Center has can assist. 

Advocating for Stellate Ganglion

Chicago Police department is recognizing the need for mental health needs in the department. A City Council committee has been formed to review how SGB can be accepted and covered for the police force, their family, and all city workers. You find the speaking engagement on the resource tab of Stella Center’s website.

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Resource Center

Stella Center

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Valerie Groth

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 First H.E.L.P.

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Wendy Hummel Podcast Host of  Guns and Yoga. Wendy, a wellness coordinator for Sedwick County Sheriff Department in Kansas, brings her first responder yoga to the wellness program she has built. Grab your tool bag, we are handing you some new tools for living a resilient life. 

Yoga 

Wendy has been doing yoga for 15 years. After realizing the benefits it has had on her, during the stress of their job and personal life, she became a certified trainer with Yoga for First Responders. 

We are not a Super Hero

Tools during yoga can help you normalize, and prepare for the stress of life.  You don’t have to be good at integrating work-life balance.  Doing yoga helps to build your resilience. It helps build your physical stress, your body moves as if you are wringing out the stress out while being mindful. 

Self Management

Breathwork is the direct line to your access to your nervous system. When you inhale your active sympathetic response; when you exhale your parasymapthic branch. Hummell states this has been the most beneficial teaching for first responders. Your body doesn’t recognize an actual threat or perceived threat.

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Guns and Yoga Podcast

Radical Resilience Program

Yoga for First Responders

Follow Our Guest:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4slYZAdpQOxrbbew6WwzLA

https://www.facebook.com/people/Guns-and-Yoga/100064269423315/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-hummell-b48653186/

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First H.E.L.P.

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy talks with Jillian Bass, a radio host for Star 96.7 Fm. Jillian experienced an event that opened her up to understand that mental wellness is a top priority and has created a platform on her midday show for all her listeners.

Porta Potty

After a night baseball game at the local community park, life changed instantly. “Hide behind the porta potty, get down, get down!” Bass remembers screaming.  Plainfield, Illinois the typical American suburban community, it happened. Leaving the fields after the game, they stepped foot on the parking lot where shots rang out. At first, not realizing what was happening, they realized, there was a gunfight in the parking full of children and families. Once in the car, they realized that a male victim lay deceased next to his car. 

PTSD and Therapy

Silently suffering for months, Jillian realized it needed to change. It wasn’t normal to isolate herself anymore. Months after, she began to go to therapy. Processing not only what she experienced but was provided tools, to help her when the triggers come around. Resiliency can happen every day. 

Mental Wellness 

Imagine, listening to something positive every day! The importance of making the conversation normal and finding a positive even through a negative event is life-changing. Hitting the airways with Mind health Mondays and a feel-good story every day is helping someone, somewhere, each day. 

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Star 96.7 FM

96.7 Book Club

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Jillian Bass

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First H.E.L.P. 

EP 35: Becca Willey- While you are away..

In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy talks with Becca Willey, an army wife, mother of three, business owner, and board member of Naperville Salute, and organizations, that celebrate Veterans and First Responses raising money to give back to the veterans in the Chicagoland area.

18 Month Countdown 

Becca has been through this drill before, deployment, time apart, and back together. This time, deployment comes, 18 months long, and now three kids are at home. Just when you think you are ready, it hits, she was not as mentally prepared as she thought. Navigating new waters, with three other bodies, but she is not alone. 

Buddy Check

Buddy Check, how are you? “ Drowning but ok!” I pick up the phone and call, “ it’s not ok to be drowning.” We proceed to talk openly, this wouldn’t happen if buddy checks weren’t in place.

Grieving the loss of who he was 

When a first responder leaves for a shift, whether it be 12 hours, 48 hours, or 18 months, they come home a different person. Life circumstance changes every time you walk back into your front door and when you leave. There is a feeling that seems impossible to describe because you haven’t lost someone, they are coming home, however, it feels isolating. It’s called grief, you are grieving the person you knew, who you love, and who you will miss. Grieving, yes, because they are changing while they are gone. They don’t know what call, event, or discussion they have to make will change them, or even if they will realize it has changed them. You are grieving the loss of who you were as well. Don’t forget that, family is your biggest support system, and they are serving next to you from the home front.

When is the right time?

There is no right answer to knowing when the right time to tell family you are leaving. Or even if they would understand the length of time. Finding that tool earlier can help you and your family. Let the kids talk openly, and let them see your emotions. They will know it’s ok to let the tears fall, it’s ok to be angry at that moment. Because that is Processing in a healthy way. Sometimes, that is all you need is someone to sit with no judgment.

No Judgement

Give yourself grace, don’t judge yourself for feeling overwhelmed, confused, or angry. Forgive yourself, it’s ok to sit here taking in the new normal, the unknown, that is processing. Remember not to stay there, find yourself, You Be You, so that you can be there for yourself. 

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Naperville Salute

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https://www.instagram.com/mamawilley/

https://www.instagram.com/uh60rotorhead/

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In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy talks with Jennifer Anderson of First Responder Coaching candidly about her WHY in understanding the need for coaching as an option for preparing for what the job does to you and your family.

How We Met

Jennifer and Kevin met in college, she was attending for an education degree. He was going for his criminal justice degree, they fell in love, got married, and life began. The local police department hired Kevin, and one of the first things the Chief did was call and interview Jennifer. The Chief wanted to make sure she understood the toll of the job. Fast forward 10 years, two children, and many days on the job later. Kevin started changing.

Mental Break

Anderson saw things changing, but couldn’t understand what it was. Kevin became distant, separating himself emotionally, except for being a father. Finally, it happened, Kevin needed help. After 15 years as a police officer, countless overtime, traumatic calls, and no support from the department, he could no longer stay on duty and retired out medically. 

First Responder Coaching

A traumatic life-changing event turned passion and understanding. An eagerness to coach first responders and their families, to help prepare for what life as a first responder can throw at you. FRC savings marriage's lives and provides support and tools to balance lifes ups and downs.

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

First Responder Coaching

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Linkdin
Instragram


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In this episode of Beyond the First Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Firefighter Jason Patton of Fire Department Chronicles and Fire Department Coffee.

Jason

17 year veteran FF Jason Patton uses his personal struggles with mental health as motivation for his often ‘art imitating life’ take on firefighting in the wildly popular “Fire Department Chronicles” videos. Whether you are a first responder or a civilian surfing You Tube, you will no doubt find yourself smiling and laughing. 

Seriously, Who Does This?

Sometimes during a call, you look at the situation and think seriously, who does this? For many first responders this happens all the time and Jason has found the best way to not let this view of humanity get to him is just to laugh. As many firefighters have free time on their hands during their off days, Jason and friends have also embarked on a successful venture as coffeemakers and distributers. Fire Department Coffee can now be found in big box supermarkets such as Albertsons and Safeway. This stuff isn’t for the faint of heart though! This is the caffeine dosage of someone who needs to stay awake for 48 hours!!!

First H.E.L.P.
Fire Department Chronicles

In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk with Molly Jones; Clinical Educations Coordinator, and Hannah Elmore, MSW of Advanced Recovery Systems (ASR) on the recovery programs for first responders.

IAFF Center of Excellence

ASR, in partnership with IAFF, opened the IAFF Center of Excellence facilities for active and retired firefighters struggling with mental health. While the facilities specialize in PTSD for professional fire service members who struggle with trauma, substance use, addiction and other related behavioral health challenges, treatment will vary depending on the severity of the symptoms that the first responder is presenting.  

First Responder Fortitude Program

The Fortitude program is ASR's newest program that allows first responders, regardless of the uniform they put on, to seek help along with other first responders. This also includes non-union/volunteer firefighters.

Welcome Home

Transitioning after discharge for treatment is as important as the treatment itself. Family outreach assures that they are prepared when the first responder comes home. The department plays a huge role in the success of a firefighters return to work. One of the most valuable ways they can help make this more comfortable for the entire crew is to set up a peer support point person. Having those buddy checks will foster continued healing in the real-world. Once we understand we are not alone, we start to see that we have support. Providing the tools for the family on both sides of the job will help to normalize mental wellness.

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

IAFF Center for Exellence

First Responder Fortitude Program

Advanced Recovery Systems

Follow Our Guests:

Molly Jones, Clinical Education Coordinator at Advanced Recovery Specialist LLC

Hannah Elmore, Outreach Coordinator at IAFF Center of Excellence

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First H.E.L.P.

In this episode of Beyond the 1st Response, Christy and Robyn talk to Valerie Groth, MSW, MA Director of Partnerships at Stella Center and Alameda County Fire Department Captain Jess Anderson about Stellate Ganglion Block injections.

SGB

SGB is an injection of local anesthetic into the stellate ganglion, a nerve bundle in the neck connected to the fight or flight response system, to help people feel calm again in their bodies. Stella’s definition 

What is Has Done for Me

After years of working with a therapist to overcome PTSD, Jess learned about the SGB injection. He speaks candidly about the significate difference in how his body and mind react to every day stimuli. Before the injections, he was always in hypervigilance mode, where even the time off of work had the enjoyment sucked out of him. After the injection, he instantly felt a difference. Jess continues to take steps to live a healthy life with peer support, counseling and exercising. SGB has an 83% one-treatment rate, with only 10% returning for a second treatment, but it should be considered to assist the healing process for trauma.  

Treatment

SGB, has been around for a long time in the pain management world. Epidurals are an example of their use. Although FDA-approved in the pain management world, it has yet to be FDA-approved for helping reset your stellate ganglion nerve bundle. Advances have been made with veterans and the use of this treatment so Val is hopeful that though currently, medical insurance does not cover treatment for first responders and their families, that may change in the near future.  For information on the first responder program, contact Valerie directly at [email protected]

Beyond the 1st Response Show Links:

Stella Center

Stella definition of SGB

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Beyond the 1st Response