105 - You Can't Delegate Wellness - Chief Maggie DeBoard (Ret.)
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, host Conrad Weaver welcomes retired Chief Maggie (of a local law enforcement agency in Virginia) who spent 38 years in the field—26 in a large agency and 13 leading a mid‑sized one. Now in retirement she heads the Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency, focusing on ensuring first responders have the resources they need.
The conversation explores how wellness in the first responder world has evolved—and how much further it still needs to go. Maggie outlines three kinds of leadership responses to wellness: those who ignore it, those who implement programs “just to check a box,” and those who lead by example, participate, and change culture. She explains that culture and leadership matter more than any flashy program or funding line.
Maggie recounts implementing a wellness program in her agency that included annual wellness checks, peer support, nap/sleep rooms, and tracking outcomes like peer‑contacts and sick leave. In that agency sick leave dropped 16 % the first year, and peer contacts doubled—signs of trust and early success in changing culture.
She emphasizes that wellness isn’t a “bright spotlight” issue—it’s private, personal, often invisible—and yet leadership must own it, not delegate it. She also highlights the risk of invisible injuries (trauma, brain injury, PTSD) and the need for structural support (legislation, workers’ comp, clinician access), especially for dispatch/telecommunicators and retirees who often get overlooked.
Maggie closes with a powerful reminder: “Strong people break too.” She stresses the ongoing work of change, the need for honest culture, and the fact that wellness must be woven into every aspect of agency life—not just a program but a mindset.
Leadership sets the tone: you can’t outsource the priority of wellness.
Culture change takes time (3‑5 years) and it starts with how people treat each other internally.
Wellness programs must include peer support + clinical care + accessible processes—not just apps or check‑the‑box solutions.
Invisible injuries matter and carry high liability if ignored.
Data and measurement matter: outcomes like sick leave, peer contacts, trust indicators signal change.
Retirees, dispatchers, telecommunicators often fall through the cracks.
Even when systems change, strong leadership keeps them alive beyond one leader’s term.
📝 Show Notes
Episode Title: “When Wellness Isn’t a Bright Light: Leadership, Culture & First Responder Care with Retired Chief Maggie”
Guest: Retired Chief Maggie – 38 years in law enforcement, past President of Virginia Chiefs of Police, founder of Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency
In this episode we cover:
Maggie’s background: 26 years in a large agency, 13 years leading a midsize agency + statewide leadership.
How conversations around first responder wellness have evolved and the three leadership types she sees.
Concrete wellness initiatives: annual wellness checks, peer support team, sleep‑room for night shift, culture contract, tracking metrics.
Culture vs. program: why wellness must be embedded in how you treat people, not just what you roll out.
Invisible injuries: brain trauma, PTSD, dispatch/telecommunicator stresses, retirees.
Data, outcomes, and how to make the case for budget/support: survey results, sick leave drop, peer contacts rise.
Advice for leaders: you cannot delegate the ownership of wellness; incremental change is still progress.
Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency – their work, survey efforts, intended support for retirees and dispatchers.
Final reminder: “Strong people break too.”
“Wellness is not a bright light issue.”
“You can’t delegate a priority on wellness — you have to take the lead.”
“When your troops don’t trust your leadership, no program will fix that.”
“Strong people break too.”
“There is no one solution to wellness.”
Leaders in law enforcement, fire, EMS – anyone responsible for first responder wellness. Also first responders themselves, peer‑support coordinators, HR/agency wellness staff, and retiree support networks.
Resources / Links Mentioned:
Foundation for First Responder Wellness & Resiliency – survey & education links
https://www.foundationfrwr.org/
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