Doug Monda, Raul Rivas and Chris Fields are co-hosts of the 'Trauma Behind the Badge Podcast' and part of the 'Survive First' Family. We discuss the crushing impact of organizational betrayal on first responder mental health, the national recruitment crisis, courageous leadership and much more.

Doug Monda

Doug is a retired narcotics agent, is a leader in the field of mental health advocacy for first responders and their families. After his own personal struggles with depression and a failed suicide attempt in 2013, Monda has dedicated his life to helping first responders acknowledge and address career related mental health issues afflicting the responder community. As the founder of Survive First, Doug’s visionary leadership has paved the way for greater access to crucial mental health resources, ensuring the well-being of those who serve our communities. A respected national speaker, Doug passionately addresses the importance of mental health and resiliency among first responders. His powerful insights and commitment to the cause have inspired change and fostered stronger support networks within the first responder community. In addition to his role at Survive First, Doug is the co-founder of Trauma Behind the Badge and serves as a trustee of the Florida Police Chiefs Association’s Education and Research Foundation. His dedication to bettering the lives of first responders also extends to academia, where he contributes as an Advisory member on Lynn University’s Crisis Resiliency and First Responder Trauma Training Council. Doug Monda’s tireless advocacy and leadership have left a mark on the mental health landscape for first responders, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.

Raul Rivas

The recipient of numerous awards and accolades to include the Award of Valor, Field Training Officer of the Year, SWAT Operator of the Year, and Florida Governor’s Award, Raul Rivas currently sits on the SWAT Roundup International committee. With a career spanning more than 18 years with the Orlando Police Department, Rivas has served across a multitude of departments, including SWAT as an assistant Team Leader.This extensive field experience drove his quick-thinking actions as a member of the SWAT team who responded to the Pulse night club shooting, earning the Award of Valor for his actions.

Chris Fields

A former member of the OK City Fire Department, Chris Fields served Oklahoma City for 31 years, retiring as a Major in 2017. Captured in a photo that would become an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing, Fields is committed to helping the first responder community through his own brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours.With firsthand knowledge, Fields recounts how 31 years of public service, coupled with the events of that day, combined to take a toll on his life and his family. Now he shares his journey out of the suffering in hopes of helping others avoid the failure and pitfalls, and encourages them to reach out.

https://survivefirst.us/

https://www.traumabehindthebadge.us/