On this week’s episode, we have Celeste Flynn and Sara Laird, part of the team behind the non-profit, the Phoenix Advocates. They have a truly powerful message that they deliver in a raw and meaningful way. We discuss the mission of their group, and how it stemmed from losing their husbands in fires from 2018 and 2021. We lean in on a lot of hard topics, and we are able to learn from them as they unpack their lived experiences in a graceful way. Though, this is not one that you want to miss, we will be experiencing life lessons through their lens, please be mindful and prepared for the hard topics to come. If you would like to get some more background on the 2018 fire that claimed the life of Lt. Nathan Flynn, I would encourage you to first listen to episode 15 and 02. I have attached links so you can see and support their mission. Give them a follow and please consider supporting them and their upcoming events.

https://www.phoenixadvocates.org/

Report a CSST fire here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceJrDr43oBRCmXaBdpMk9VmPahm5P0mCoUEhIxYmZKXG3SyQ/viewform

Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/people/Phoenix-Advocates/61553898742832/

On todays’ episode, we start the building process of what it takes to be In-Extremis Ready, starting with the 5 Attributes of the Holistically Functioning Firefighter. We’re kicking off with Strategic Knowledge. We need to know what the expectations are, how units are going to function, and what things units are responsible for. Also, you have to know the rules to break them, to know when to deviate is paramount, and to deviate does not mean to be deviant.

This week, I had the privilege to sit down with John Graham of Berkley County, West Virginia. We discuss the unique challenges of small professional departments, a LODD and its effects on personnel, the struggles and purpose of the Union, how one department may differ in size from a big city - but the degree to which we all need to operate remains the same, and so much more!

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Hello everyone,

There is an incredible physical, mental, and emotional toll that the fire service is placed under while we are responding to emergency incidents - simply put - human performance. It takes a massive amount of preparedness to ensure we are capable and ready to respond to these incidents. However, we can do everything right on this job, and things can still go bad - the fireground is indifferent to our capabilities. So, I’m excited to announce another arm of Forged and Unbroken Fire, In-Extremis Readiness. In-extremis translates to “ in an extremely difficult situation; at the point of death.” It’s at this point where all of our training, fitness, mental preparation, and experience will culminate and validate what we have done to prepare, or leave us wondering “what if.”

This project will be a wide paint-brush stroke. In bite-sized chunks, we’ll explore the physiological stressors that our minds and bodies are going through, what is required of the fire service profession to overcome these situations, training, tactics, and so much more.

If you would like early access to this content, you can find the link on instagram or search Forged & Unbroken Fire under the Patreon platform. There, you’ll have access to daily workouts, a weekly growth mindset podcast, weekly mobility videos for injury prevention or rehabilitation, the F&U Podcast, the In-Extremis Readiness Podcast, and more. Membership is $6 per month, and at the end of each quarter ⅓ of all profits are donated to a public safety charity or cause and there is a random drawing for a giveback to an F&U member.

Special thanks to the F&U community. Through your support, we have given well over $1,000 to charities, non-profits, causes, and giveback to members. BOLO for the end of June for the next donation - and one lucky F&U member will be getting some personal rescue equipment. Look forward to it, and thank you for joining me on this journey.

@in_extremis_readiness on IG

@forged_and_unbroken_fire on IG

Chris Tobin of @legacyfirefighting and Jeff Weffelmeyer of @enginehousetraining serve in the second oldest career fire service in the United States, the City of St Louis. In Part 1, Chris and Jeff discuss the cultural firefighting differences in St. Louis, and Chris unpacks a fire he was involved in that showcases the mental stress that firefighters face.

In Part 2, Jeff is kind enough to share his operational experience of the January 2022 Line of Duty Death of FF Benjamin Polson. In the same shift, less than 12 hours apart and in similar conditions, he also explains having to shift mindsets from a LODD to crews pulling multiple people out of a burning home.

I'm honored that these two gents shared some of their experiences with F&U. You'll walk away from these episodes with a greater awareness of the physical and mental struggle we face on the fireground, and a greater passion to work hard and do the right damn thing.

Chris Tobin of @legacyfirefighting and Jeff Weffelmeyer of @enginehousetraining serve in the second oldest career fire service in the United States, the City of St Louis. In Part 1, Chris and Jeff discuss the cultural firefighting differences in St. Louis, and Chris unpacks a fire he was involved in that showcases the mental stress that firefighters face.

In Part 2, Jeff is kind enough to share his operational experience of the January 2022 Line of Duty Death of FF Benjamin Polson. In the same shift, less than 12 hours apart and in similar conditions, he also explains having to shift mindsets from a LODD to crews pulling multiple people out of a burning home.

I'm honored that these two gents shared some of their experiences with F&U. You'll walk away from these episodes with a greater awareness of the physical and mental struggle we face on the fireground, and a greater passion to work hard and do the right damn thing.

This week, we have Jess Letoureanu, LCPC, discussing a variety of topics regarding her work with public safety providers. We discuss physical health supporting mental health, red flags, breath work, the physiology behind anxiety and panic, and so much more. Letourneau is a wealth of knowledge, a straight shooter, and pulls no punches.

More of Jessica's work explaining the Polyvagal Theory:

Exploring the Polyvagal Theory in the Fire Service - Demio

Jessica's Bio:

Jessica LeTourneau, LCPC has been working in the mental health field for over 20 years. She has been established in private practice since 2013 and is the CEO of New Perspectives. Prior to private practice, Jessica worked with children, adolescents, and adults in various settings such as inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment, Veterans Affairs intensive outpatient programs, in-home behavioral intervention, and outpatient clinics. She is most passionate about treating military veterans, law enforcement, and first responders.

In addition to her tenure in the mental health field, Jessica has an extensive background in health and fitness. She worked as a CrossFit Coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor for 15 years. It is her belief that mental and physical health go “hand and hand.” When the mind is healthy, the body follows suit.

Jessica utilizes a direct, strength-based approach when educating clients about trauma, attachment responses, creative coping strategies, and the autonomic nervous system. Her approach incorporates research from attachment theory, neuroscience, internal family systems model, somatic resourcing, Brainspotting, and EMDR therapy.

Fire Chief Dave LeBlanc, of Harwich, Massachusetts, is a man I've looked up to for over a decade. His writings have steered and mentored the fire service and have stood the test of time. I consider myself so fortunate to be able to reach out to him and pick his brain. Listen in as we discuss cultural differences in New England, leadership principles, performance on the fireground, and the bias to act for the community we serve.

This week we have Capt. Ronnie Lagana. Capt. Lagana spent over 30 years in the fire service, first as a volunteer in one of the Nation's busiest Department's, and then as a paramedic and officer throughout his time in service. He discusses the fire service in the 1980's, command and leadership, as well as his role as a Safety Officer managing a Mayday and Line of Duty Death in 2018.

In 1982, Bob Wiseman had 4 years of volunteer firefighting experience, but had only been out in the field for 3 weeks after graduating the academy.  He recounts the story of his and his partner's Mayday on the second floor of a townhouse, before we even called it "Mayday."  Communications, operations, mindset of go/no-go situations, technology, the burn unit, healing, lessons learned and so much more as we unravel the story that he continues to share to make others better prepared.