Firefighter Kingdom

Cpt. Adam VanGerpen is a Fire Captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and also currently 2nd Vice President with United Firefighters of Los Angeles (UFLAC), Local 112. 

Adam has been a firefighter with LAFD for 20 years and has served many roles both with fire service and  with the UFLAC, and was even a firefighter in the Marine Corp.

This podcast interview was a great insight into what has been going on in with the LA Fire Service during these unprecedented times where they are responding to calls during COVID-19, large fires that burned several firefighters, and having riots going on all at the same time. 

You can learn more about the UFLCAC Fire Foundation here: https://www.uflac.org/charitable

Cpt. VanGerpen give us his extensive background and goes into what its like to serve during the last several months and all the different ways that the LAFD responds, serves, and helps keep Los Angeles safer.

Stay tuned! You don't want to miss the great interview with an awesome guest!  

Topics Covered:

• Cpt. VanGerpen background and history
• From Marines to Burbank Airport to LAFD
• Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
• LA Fire resources and covering 500 square miles
• Emergency Management Department
• COVID testing and EMS
• Firefighter infections from COVID and LA rates rising
• Fire Station 9 and Fire Explosion Injuries
• Investigation into the explosion and butane honey oil
• UFLAC Fire Foundation and Burn Fund
• https://www.uflac.org/charitable
• Update on burned firefighters
• Community interaction with riots and calls
• Frankie Lima makes cameo appearance
• Interesting rescue operations and some fun notes

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Cpt. Ramon Martinez is a veteran fire arson investigator with  the Fire Investigations Division (FID). And is a 17 year veteran in fire service. Martinez' career started as a firefighter from the Albuquerque Fire Department (AFD). We go over his background and how he got started as a fire investigator and transitioning from firefighter.  Also, we discuss the basics of fire investigation, what to look for, how it works, and the law enforcement aspect. 

Captain Martinez had to go through both Firefighter Academy (AFD Academy) and Police Academy (APD Academy) to become a member of the Fire Investigations Division. 

This is a great interview with lots of interesting information on a department that the public doesn't get to hear about from the inside. Stay tuned!  

Topics Covered:

• Cpt. Martinez background and history
• From newbie to driver to interest in fire investigation
• Difference between Fire Academy and Police Academy
• Why you can have both certifications in NM
• Use of dogs in fire investigation
• Process of fire investigation
• Public can help stop fires safely
• Boundaries for fire investigation & prosecution (Bosque)
• Legislation to change zoning for Bosque fire investigation
• Public questions from Vince Trujillo
• How to determine if a crime was committed or malicious 
• Beginning to end description of a fire call to investigation to criminal arrest
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Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below. 

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Episode Notes

Welcome to Episode 7 of FireFighter Kingdom

Our Guest:

Lt. David Lujan of the Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue. David is going on 14 years in the fire service and is also a Public Information Office for the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD). 

Topics Covered:

• What situations need rescue when outdoors
• When to use an SOS beacon
• Assess your help or need situation quickly  
• Be prepared for your hike or outdoors trip 
• Do you have to pay for a helicopter rescue 
• Private vs public medical response
• 70 year old viral rescue video from news
• Air Zermatt and Netflix video "The Horn" 
• Thank you to: Sheriff Manuel Gonzales, Undersheriff Larry Koren, Fire Chief Greg Perez, Depty. Chief of Operations Larry Rose, Dpty. Chief of Administration Zach Lardy
• Alpine Helicopter EMS

Please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you heard this.

Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below. 

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Welcome to Episode 6 of FireFighter Kingdom

Our Guest:

Lt. David Lujan of the Bernalillo County Helicopter Rescue. David is going on 14 years in the fire service and is also a Public Information Office for the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD). 

Topics Covered:

• Role in recent Valencia county fir
• Metro Air Support Unit (MASU) and role
• Training and selection for Helicopter Rescue
• UNM School of Medicine Reach & Treat Team
• International Diploma in Mountain Medicine
• Jason Williams
• Rescue operations around the state
• Number of helicopter calls 2019 and 2020
• Care package drops vs lifts or rescues 
• Proper preparation for outdoors & wilderness to avoid rescues
• 22 Push Up Challenge - Veteran Suicide Awareness Campaign
• Lora Cunningham PSA Award

Please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you heard this.

Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below. 

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Welcome to Episode 5 of FireFighter Kingdom

Our Guest

Dennis Lawson has served as a professional fire fighter for 33 years. Currently a battalion chief in Central Pierce Fire and Rescue just outside the city of Tacoma. A 2nd generation firefighter, whose dad worked for Tacoma Fire Local 31. And brother is down south in Vancouver, Washington.

Dennis is married with a couple of kids and really enjoys the fire service a great deal. Dennis has spent most of his fire service life as part of the Local 726. And started serving on the executive board right after probation, going on 33 years. Has held many different positions concurrently. State Council president, that represents right around 8,500 firefighters in the state of Washington, 127 locals.

Topics Covered

• COVID-19 in February & March 2020
• First COVID death in nursing home
• Early quarantine and isolation
• Kirkland Washington impact
• Fire fighters testing positive
• State and local agencies communication
• Impact to local taxes & fire departments
• Washington DC interaction and NM & WA state governors
• IFF & State communications
• PPE availability and use
• Call volume for emergencies

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Welcome to FireFighter Kingdom Episode 4!

Our Guest

Bernadette “Bernie” Bruha is a trauma expert who has been providing therapy for law enforcement officers, first responders, and their family members. She has been with
PSPG, Public Safety Psychology Group, since 2005. She is currently the preventative program coordinator and co-clinical coordinator for the PSPG treatment team.

Bernie is a certified prevention specialist and she has an independent license in New Mexico as a licensed professional clinical counselor, LPCC. She is certified as a professional lecturer by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in topics pertaining to mental health, law enforcement, crisis intervention, and trauma.

Topics Covered

• EMDR Therapy
• PTSD and PTSI
• Stigma “Injury” of PTSD
• Symptoms of PTSD
• How To Notice In Family Who Are Fire Fighters
• Common Treatments
• How It Affects Families
• Emotional Currency
• Training & Evaluation
• What Can Families Do
• Mental Care for Family Members

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Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below:

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• YouTube Channel
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Welcome to FireFighter Kingdom Episode 3!

Our Guest

Dr. Troy Rogers is a police and criminal psychologist based in New Mexico. He has a master's degree and a doctorate in clinical forensic psychology from the University of Denver.

Dr. Rogers has been the agency director for Public Safety Psychology Group LLC, PSPG, since 2004 and at the present time he works as a consultant psychologist for over 130 local state and federal law enforcement, fire, and correction agencies

Topics Covered

• Basics of PTSD and Public Safety Personnel
• The “Backpack” of PTSD Events
• How To Identify PTSD
• Treatments of PTSD
• EMDR Therapy
• Alcohol & Drug Issues
• The “unseen” Injury
• Different People Cope Differently
• PTSD Legislation for Fire Fighters in NM
• Prevention & Maintenance

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Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below:

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Thanks and see you soon!

Welcome to FireFighter Kingdom Episode 2!

Our Guest

Dr. Chelsea White is an emergency medicine physician in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He's affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including the University of New Mexico and the UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center. 

Dr. White has received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and has been in practice over the last 10 years.

Topics Covered

• Basics of COVID-19
• EMS and First Responders
• Positive COVID in EMS & Firefighters
• First Responders & COVID-19 protocol
• PPE Gear
• Hospital Protocol for COVID patients
• CDC Guidance
• Blood & testing for disease & viruses
• Success & Failures during early COVID-19

Spread The Word

Please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you heard this. 

Help us grow the Fire Fighter Kingdom Tribe by sharing with others and also visit us on our YouTube channel and other social websites below:

• iTunes Podcast
• FaceBook Page
• YouTube Channel
• Visit FireFighter Kingdom Website

Thanks and see you soon!