Guest host Amanda Ellis talks with three other fire spouses, Stephanie Kay, Maggie Hernandez, and Anna Young, about the Ventura Fire Foundation's newest initiative, the Fire Family Collective. To be launched in January 2025, the Fire Family Collective is a supportive digital community for USA fire families offering resources, education, and connection. The Collective will  empower fire families to overcome adversity, strengthen their relationships, and foster a sense of belonging within the fire service community. The discussion on this show taps into many topics the Collective will focus on, including parenting, relationships, and mental health.

Host: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) of Ventura Fire Foundation Inc.

Guest Host: Amanda Ellis
Guest: Stephanie Kay
Guest: Maggie Hernandez
Guest: Anna Young
Link: Request Access to the Fire Family Collective  

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

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A deep conversation with Chief David Rhodes, a 38-year veteran of the fire service and editor-in-chief of Fire Engineering magazine. They explore the differences between the public and private sectors, the challenges of bureaucracy and generational differences within the fire service. Chief Rhodes shares insights on the importance of training, the cultural shifts in the fire service, and the significance of outside involvement in professional development. The discussion also touches on the Georgia Smoke Diver Program, risk management, and the need for adaptability in firefighting tactics. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of relationships and collaboration in driving change within fire departments. With guest co-host Derrick Bean.

Host: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) of Ventura Fire Foundation Inc.

Guest Host: Engineer Derrick Bean of Ventura City Fire
Guest: Chief David Rhodes of Fire Engineering Magazine
Link: Georgia Smoke Diver
Link: Register for Webinar  

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

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Derrick Bean, a Fire Engineer, Girl Dad, and new member of the Foundation's Board celebrates the show's 50th epsiode with guest host Joe Booth. Derrick shares his unique journey to becoming a firefighter, including his multicultural background and experiences in various fire departments. The conversation delves into the importance of diversity in the fire service, the role of fire cause investigation, and the challenges of balancing family life as a firefighter. Derrick also discusses his recovery from a significant injury and the support he received from his community. The episode concludes with insights on encouraging future generations to consider firefighting as a career and the current challenges in recruitment within the field.

Host: Joe Booth, Executive Director of Ventura Fire Foundation Inc.

Guest: Engineer Derrick Bean of Ventura City Fire
Link: Register for Webinar  

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In this conversation, guest hosts Amanda Ellis and Stephanie Kay talk with marriage and family therapist (and fire wife) Tiffany Atalla about parenting as a firefighter family and navigating the challenges that come with it. The discussion includes fostering understanding and connection with children, empowering kids to be independent and resilient, and maintaining a united front as parents. Overall, the conversation provides practical tips and insights for effective parenting in the firefighter family. They also touch on the concept of the 'family canoe' and the different roles and dynamics that come into play when a first responder returns home. The conversation highlights the value of affirming and supporting each other as partners and parents, and the importance of seeking help and building a support network. They also discuss the challenges of navigating relationships with non-first responder parent friends and offer insights on finding balance and empathy in those relationships.

Guest Host: Amanda Ellis
Guest Host: Stephanie Kay

Guest: Tiffany Atalla, LMFT of Best Solutions Therapy
Link: Register for Webinar  

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Brian Waters, LA County Fire Department captain and owner of Code 3 Invest, talks with Peter about his journey in real estate investing. They discuss the importance of diversifying income sources, the risks of relying solely on a firefighter's salary, and the benefits of investing in real estate. Brian shares his personal experience with investing in rental properties and explains why he believes it is a more secure and profitable investment strategy. They also touch on the topic of 457 retirement plans and the potential drawbacks of heavily investing in them. Brian discusses the correlation between the fire service and the business world, emphasizing the importance of investing in real estate and starting a business. He explains his current business, which focuses on coaching and mentoring first responders on how to buy rental properties out of state and set up tax structures to save money. Waters and Peter also discuss strategies for reducing W-2 income taxes and the benefits of real estate investing.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.)  
Guest: Captain Brian Waters, Los Angeles County Fire Department / Code 3 Invest
Link: Donate a Vehicle
Link: Register for Webinar  

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In this conversation, Destiny Morris, LMFT, discusses the importance of reconnecting and reintegrating into the family after firefighters come home from work. The main themes discussed include hypervigilance, checking in with oneself and one's partner, closing the stress cycle, managing expectations, and healthy ways to greet each other. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, compromise, and compassion in maintaining a healthy relationship. Destiny also introduces her online course, Thriving Through Fire, which provides support and guidance for the partners of firefighters. Also included in this episode is a short conversation with SoCal Edison, presenting sponsor of the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Hosts: Battalion Chief Jason Kay and Stephanie Kay

Guest: Destiny Morris, LMFT of Destiny Morris Therapy
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
Link: Thriving Through Fire
Link: Edison International
Link: Ventura Foundation Webinar Series Registration

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Driver Engineer Jason Patton talks about his journey from mechanic to firefighter to creator of Fire Department Chronicles to Vice President of Fire Department Coffee. They discuss Firefighter Fenton as well as the importance of firefighters having a plan B and not relying on the "firefighter nonsense" they tell you at the academy. Jason also discusses the mental health movement within the fire service. The conversation explores the connection between mental health and masculinity, emphasizing the importance of men being able to talk about their feelings.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay
Guest: Driver Engineer Jason Patton of Fire Department Coffee
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
Link: Ventura Foundation Webinar Series

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Brian Russo, a battalion chief for FDNY, shares his experience of 9/11 and the aftermath. He discusses the chaos and devastation of that day, the loss of colleagues and friends, and the survivor's guilt he experienced. Russo highlights the importance of mental health support for first responders and the stigma associated with seeking help. He also emphasizes the changes and improvements in command and control, communication, and training that have been implemented since 9/11. Russo's story serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of the tragedy and the need for continued support and awareness.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Joe Booth from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Battalion Chief Brian Russo of FDNY

Link: Brian Russo's NYT Oral History
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
Link: Ventura Foundation Webinar Series

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

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In this conversation, Maggie Hernandez, associate marriage and family therapist and firefighter spouse, discusses the importance of recognizing personal responsibility in relationships and the need for couples to understand their own roles and boundaries. She emphasizes that marriage requires commitment and attention, comparing it to a job that deserves the same level of dedication as a career. The conversation also touches on the challenges of codependency and the importance of creating a supportive community for firefighters and their partners. Maggie highlights the significance of values in relationships and suggests that couples establish a mission statement to guide their actions and decisions. Plus, emotional support chickens!

Hosts: Battalion Chief Jason Kay and Stephanie Kay

Guest: Maggie Hernandez, AMFT

Link: Mind Matters with Maggie
Link: Ventura Foundation Webinar Series Registration
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb

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In this episode, Oxnard Fire Chief Alex Hamilton and FDNY Lieutenant/Deputy Director, Counseling Service Unit Drew Kane discuss Transcendental Meditation (TM) and its benefits for firefighters. Drew shares his experience with TM and how it has helped him and other firefighters. Alex emphasizes the importance of taking care of mental health and encourages firefighters to have an open mind about different tools and practices. They address skepticism and highlight the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of TM. The conversation explores the implementation of TM in the fire service and its potential benefits for firefighters' mental health. They also touch on the availability of TM training through The David Lynch Foundation.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Battalion Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Chief Alex Hamilton from the Oxnard Fire Department

Guest:  Lieutenant / Deputy Director Counseling Service Unit Drew Kane from the Fire Department of New York City

Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb
Link: Ventura Foundation Webinar Series
Link: Resilient Responders
Email: [email protected]

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.