Michael Torres is a 27-year veteran of the fire service. Mike is currently a FF/PM at Central Campbell FD in KY also served as the Training Captain at Black Forest Fire Rescue and assumes Battalion Chief responsibilities as well. Mike was a firefighter paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department for 18 years being assigned to Engines, Tower Ladders, and Aerials (Truck 20 last assigned spot). He also served as a candidate instructor at Chicago’s Fire Academy. Mikes career did not just start in Chicago, he was also a COT and training officer for the Hometown, Illinois Fire Protection District so he understands the both large and small organization operational differences.

Mike’s fire career is dedicated to the traditions and continued growth of the fire service. He served as an instructor throughout Illinois at various community colleges. Mike also works for the Kentucky State Fire commission as a state instructor, as well as a rescue specialist for Hurst in Paratec. He also is affiliated with FDIC Hot Instructor, Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), Prairie State College fire science program, Task Force 1, and many conferences/ F.O.O.L.S events nationwide.

Mike was a member of Illinois Task Force 1, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, also CPSE Accredited fire officer and chief training officer. Lastly, Mike volunteers for local charities and donates instruction time with the South Side F.O.O.L.S and now 719 F.O.O.L.S.

Most importantly Mike prides himself being a father and a family man with his wife and three children.

Mindfulness, Self Talk, & Visualization

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

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Chris Dreisbach, PhD, was one of my professors at Johns Hopkins University, often creating conversation around difficult topics, having us think deeply, and making it approachable. He is one who leaves lasting impressions and leaves your cup full with wonder and awe of his depth in conversation.

We discuss leadership in public safety, moral decision-making, service, purpose and meaning, mortality, humility, ego, and so much more. It is done through the lens of philosophy, theology, and his many years in education. This is not one to be missed!

From Johns Hopkins University:

At Johns Hopkins, Chris Dreisbach is the Associate Director and a senior lecturer for the MS in Organizational Leadership program. He is also a senior lecturer for the MS in Biotechnology, MA in Communication, and Master of Liberal Arts programs and has a joint courtesy appointment with JHU’s Carey Business School.

Dreisbach is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and has taught in higher education since 1980. In addition to his work at Johns Hopkins, he is a part-time professor of moral and systematic theology at St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute. He is a frequent lecturer on leadership ethics for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and on moral and systematic theology for religious organizations.

With a research focus on public philosophy and applied ethics, Dreisbach has authored or co-authored books, articles, and software in criminal justice, the U.S. Constitution, logic, education, ethics, intelligence analysis, the philosophy of dreams, the philosophy of Collingwood, and theology. His most recent books include Your God is Too Somber; Constitutional Literacy: A 21st Century Imperative; and Social and Criminal Justice in Moral Perspective.

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

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⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

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Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

• Daily Workouts
• Weekly Growth Mindset Podcast, only on F&U
• Early Access to F&U Podcast
• Early Access to In-Extremis Readiness Podcast
• Weekly Mobility Videos for Injury Prevention and Rehab
• Misc Research, Reading, and Listening.

⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

Quarterly giveback to an F&U member.

Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

Brandon Cory is an 11-year veteran of the fire service working in EMS for the past 10 years. He currently serves with the City of Marquette Fire Department in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as a full-time firefighter/paramedic. In March of 2020, Brandon was involved in a mayday situation as a RIC team member that ended up being an LODD. The LODD was that of Banjamen "Ben" Lauren. Listen in as Brandon discusses the fire and the operation from the eyes of the RIC and paramedic that claimed the life of his friend, Ben Lauren.

Brandon is part of Build Your Culture, Great Lakes HOT, and is the MI state lead for the NFFF. He has a fantastic article on the lasting effects of a LODD via Firefighter Nation.

https://buildyourculture.org/

https://www.firefighternation.com/health-wellness/firefighter-mental-health/the-invisible-scar-the-lasting-effects-of-a-firefighter-lodd/

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

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⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

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Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

Lack of Situational Awareness, Lack of Physical Fitness/Wellness, and Human Error.

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• Early Access to F&U Podcast
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⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

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Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

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Ron Burgess Jr hails from Connecticut and is the name behind RIT OPS on IG, The RIT Nerds Podcast, and has his finger prints all over the fire service. In today's episode, we discuss two Maydays he has been on, tactics for mayday preparedness and survival, and more.

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⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

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Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

patreon.com/user?u=89578184

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

• Daily Workouts
• Weekly Growth Mindset Podcast, only on F&U
• Early Access to F&U Podcast
• Early Access to In-Extremis Readiness Podcast
• Weekly Mobility Videos for Injury Prevention and Rehab
• Misc Research, Reading, and Listening.

⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

Quarterly giveback to an F&U member.

Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

I'm incredibly honored as I got to sit with Battalion Chief Dena Ali, author of "Hope Out of Darkness." We dove into some of the researched and nuanced details surrounding mental health, leadership, the self, and gratitude for the fire service. A lot was covered in a short amount of time.

From Fire Engineering: Dena Ali is a Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department, where she has worked her way up the ranks. She also serves as the program manager of Behavioral Health for the First Responder Center for Excellence. Ali holds a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. She is an Executive Fire Officer Program graduate through the National Fire Academy. Throughout her career, she has received several awards, with one of the most notable being the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor Award. She earned this award for her steadfast efforts to bring awareness to firefighter mental health through her vulnerability.

Amazon link for her book: https://a.co/d/7PIEDPd

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

• Daily Workouts
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• Early Access to F&U Podcast
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• Misc Research, Reading, and Listening.

⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

Quarterly giveback to an F&U member.

Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

patreon.com/user?u=89578184

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA

Forged & Unbroken Fire | Physical and mental wellness, charity, and support for FFs. | Patreon

• Daily Workouts
• Weekly Growth Mindset Podcast, only on F&U
• Early Access to F&U Podcast
• Early Access to In-Extremis Readiness Podcast
• Weekly Mobility Videos for Injury Prevention and Rehab
• Misc Research, Reading, and Listening.

⅓ of Profits go back to public safety charities and causes every quarter

Quarterly giveback to an F&U member.

Join Today!

Please like, share, subscribe to this podcast. Check the Patreon link to become a member of the F&U Community. Daily workouts, weekly growth mindset episodes (only on Patreon), early access to the Forged Podcast and In-Extremis Readiness podcast, mobility videos, suggested reading list, and more! ⅓ of your membership goes to charity and there’s a quarterly giveback to members. All new members get a free sticker pack when they join. Join today!

patreon.com/user?u=89578184

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkceHEiAIjA