In order to be able to take care of others, you must first take care of yourself.  This can be difficult for us as firefighters as it is in our nature to help others in need and oftentimes risk our own well-being for the sake of others.  However, if you’ve ever flown in a plane and listened to the pre-flight safety instructions, you’ll remember that if the cabin pressure drops and the oxygen masks drop down, you are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST.  This is for good reason.  If you are incapacitated, then you become a part of the problem and are of no use to anyone.

In this episode we talk about the importance of taking care of yourself first so that you can take care of those you serve.