On this episode of The Safe and Sound Podcast, we are joined by two incredible guests: Jeff Alexander from Chewjitsu Open and Kristen Slaper, Director of Public Safety Initiatives at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, to discuss the upcoming Battle of Boots and Badges.

The Battle of Boots and Badges is a Jiu-Jitsu tournament designed to promote wellness, build resilience, and strengthen the connection between the law enforcement and veteran communities. This event, which features competitors of all skill levels, highlights the critical need for law enforcement and first responders to prioritize physical, mental, and emotional wellness.

This year’s date is August 8th, 2026

Registration for the event is open at: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/who-we-are/public-safety-initiatives/battle-of-boots-and-badges/battle-of-boots-and-badges

This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Office of Veteran Services, and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, with support from The Ohio State University, Chewjitsu Open, and Rocky Boots.

In this episode, DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with Haley Melcher, the Director of Development for Special Olympics Ohio and Manager of Partnerships & Events for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Brandon Long, a Detective with the Hilliard Division of Police and State Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and Sandy Fent from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of First Responder Wellness about the importance of supporting the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Polar Plunge, a fundraising effort for Special Olympics Ohio that YOU can take part in VERY SOON!

https://sooh.org/law-enforcement-torch-run/

https://sooh.org/polar-plunge/

Haley Melcher: [email protected]

Brandon Long: [email protected]

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Social Media

In this episode DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with Emily Torok, the Executive Director of the Ohio School Safety Center and Burke Engelhardt, a Mobile Training Officer for the Ohio School Safety Center who was the first person to arrive and preformed life-saving measures on a student after a shooting.

Ohio School Safety Center Website

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠⁠⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠⁠⁠.

Social Media

In this episode DPS Director, Andy Wilson speaks with Rob Wagner, Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Dr. Justin Benoit, MD, an Emergency Medicine doctor from Cincinnati, Ohio about the importance of stepping up and saving a life when someone is having a medical emergency.

American Heart Association - Learn CPR

OhioCARES - Ohio Cardiac Arrest Registry

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠⁠.

Social Media

DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with Chief Jay McDonald and Major B.J. Gruber of the Marion, Ohio Police Department and Steve Click, Director of First Responder Wellness for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, about the challenges and the unique ways that first responders are putting wellness first both on and off the clock.

For information on the Marion, Ohio Police Department visit: https://marionohiopolice.com/

Contact Steve Click - [email protected]

Ohio Department of Public Safety Social Media

DPS Director Andy Wilson speaks with the first responders who saved the life of a young man and other bystanders who were caught in the midst of a dangerous swarm of bees. The emergency situation not only brought to light the unique challenges that EMS can face, but also led to a career in EMS for one of the victims.

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠.

ODPS Social Media

https://ems.ohio.gov/

In this episode DPS Director, Andy Wilson speaks with Kimberly Schwind, Assistant Director of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, and Leah Fullenkamp, who lost her husband to a distracted driver. 

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠.

Ohio Traffic Safety Office

Social Media

In the Blink of a Fly

https://intheblinkofafly.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/intheblinkofafly/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intheblinkofafly/

In this episode, we talk to Beth Fulton, a mother who lost her son to a motorcycle crash, about the importance of receiving proper training before riding a motorcycle. We also talk to Michelle Piko, Program Coordinator of Motorcycle Ohio, about what the Department of Public Safety and Motorcycle Ohio offer to keep motorcyclists, and Ohioans, Safe and Sound.

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit ⁠publicsafety.ohio.gov⁠.

Motorcycle Ohio

Social Media

In this episode, we talk to Gary Allen, retired Major from the Ohio State Highway Patrol who survived the Xenia Tornado in 1974 as a young boy. We also talk to Sima Merick, Executive Director of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) about what the Department of Public Safety does before, during, and after an event to keep Ohioans Safe and Sound.

For more information on the Ohio Department of Public Safety, visit publicsafety.ohio.gov.

https://ema.ohio.gov/prepare-respond/be-prepared/severe-weather/severe-weather

Social Media

Episode #1 - What does the number 9 and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have in common? The answer might surprise you!

Learn about this and much more on this inaugural episode of the Safe & Sound Podcast by the Ohio Department of Public Safety.