Airdrie Inside

Mo Shaukat: Boots on the Ground


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 "We are training people to survive the job physically, but we aren't training them to survive it mentally." Mo Shaukat has seen the worst of humanity as a hostage negotiator and correctional officer at the Edmonton Institution, a maximum security federal institution. He knows that for first responders, silence isn't strength—it's a death sentence. This is the story of how Mo brought Boots on the Ground to Alberta to ensure that when a hero hits a breaking point, there is a brother or sister on the other end of the line who actually "gets it."

Chapters: 
00:00 - The Weight of the Uniform: Active Military & First Responders 
01:50 - From Pakistan to the "Murder Capital" of Canada 
04:05 - "I’m Just Looking for a Job": The Accidental Firefighter 
06:53 - Life Inside the Max: The Reality of Edmonton Maximum Security 
10:44 - The Toll of the Job: Blood, Gore, and the People the System Breaks 
14:16 - The Art of Crisis Negotiation: Listening to Understand, Not to Respond 
19:53 - Who Rescues the Rescuer? The Birth of Boots on the Ground Alberta 
22:56 - The 2016 Hostage Incident: A Personal Lesson in Peer Support 
28:50 - Why Anonymity is the Key to Unlocking the Door 
31:34 - How to Get Help: 24/7 Anonymous Support for Heroes 
33:05 - The Future: Funding Psychological Visits and Service Dogs

Call to Action: If you are a first responder or military member in need of support, call the 24/7 anonymous helpline: 1-866-724-2684. Support the mission and donate at: https://botgalberta.com/

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Airdrie InsideBy Chris Glass