The C.A.N. Report

In this Episode , I have a chance to sit down with Jennifer Weaver to discuss the critical importance of mental health awareness, particularly for first responders. We explore the unique challenges faced by firefighters, including the impact of trauma, the role of humor in coping, and the significance of communication in relationships. Jennifer shares insights from her experiences working with first responders and emphasizes the need for specialized mental health support. We also touch on the complexities surrounding suicide in the first responder community, the importance of rest and recovery, and the potential benefits of EMDR therapy. We highlight the need for open dialogue about mental health and the importance of seeking help.

Jennifer Weaver is a licensed psychotherapist and graduate professor based out of Rhode Island.  With more than 20 years in the behavioral health field with a concentration in forensics and trauma, Jenn specializes in the mental wellness of first responders. When not seeing individual patients, Jenn is training or speaking with first responders both state and nationwide. Jenn is the owner of Polaris Counseling & Consulting, LLC.

https://firstrespondercenter.org/

https://www.nextrung.org/

In this Episode I sit down with The Man, The Myth, The Legend...Mr. Shane Bentley.

Shane is as humble as they come. He doesn't boast or brag, he lets his work speak for himself. Shane is a man of Faith, Family and Friends. He knows what it means to hit bottom and to be lifted back up by God. Shane speakes openly about his past and how God directed him towards the righteous path.

Shane has spent over 20 years in the fire service, he has been a huge inspiration for many..including me.

Not only is Shane the Creator and Founder of Bearers of the Oath, He is the Sales Director for FCL-X...which has a new product to help battle the ever changing and difficult world of EV fires.

Shane and I talk about Life, Family, Faith, the Fire Service, Training and new technology to help make our jobs easier and safer.

I want to thank Shane for all that he does...his constant positive motivation and his friendship. I'm truly a better person for having you in my life. I hope you all get some valuable knowledge from this episode.

If you would like to know more about FCL-X and what they can do for you, please visit their website or social media pages-https://fullcirclelithium.com/

If you are curious about what exactly Bearers of the Oath is, when the next Conference will be or interested in purchasing some swag you can visit their social media pages or website-https://www.bearersoftheoath.org/

And please...make sure to visit https://www.nextrung.org/ if you ever need someone to talk to or need help finding resources for your mental health.

Be safe...Nozzle Tov!

In this episode I sit down with Mike Matros of RedLine Fire Gear Cleaning and get to know more about the man behind the scenes of this new age gear cleaning services.

Michael Matros - a 22-year career firefighter paramedic in Sudbury Mass. Also, president and Founder of Redline gear cleaning. Despite his learning disabilities Mike holds 5 degrees and 3 different patents.  Previously Mike ran a non-profit the Heroes Cup Foundation. This was a massive hockey tournament designed to help first responders with their various needs. It was there he learned the need for clean gear and the cancer problem the fire service is facing. When his own chief told him his gear needed to be professionally cleaned and would be gone for a few weeks. Mike learned this is unacceptable and was determined to do better. Redline was founded in 2019 based on a need to make gear cleaning an easy process.  Protype truck was built in 2020. In 2023 we launched the franchise program. Today Redline now has 14 locations throughout the country.  Today Redline is the fastest growing business in the fire service. Redline is founded by firefighters with the goal of increasing health and safety through clean and safe PPE. 

https://redlinegearcleaning.com

https://youtu.be/BQatxkV3ehE?si=A_oplFC8qlTe41GD

https://www.nextrung.org/

In this episode I sit down with one of my good friends...Robert Ramierz. Rob and I talk about training, The Book of Search, how to treat people right and the benefits of doing your research..Data driven knowledge over feelings.

Rob is the very proud father of two amazing boys and is currently the Division Chief of Training, Safety & Wellness for the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department.

Rob is extremely passionate about teaching...but teaching the right way...to help the student to understand and absorb the information. Rob has dedicated much of his career studying the psychological and physiological effects of stress during training.

Rob is the owner of Mayday Mindset and teaches all over the U.S. and even Europe. Mayday Mindset came from Rob's personal experience during a USAR mission in Haiti and realized that we need to break down the skills of RIT and firefighter survival.

Rob truly cares about the betterment of the brothers and sisters in the fire service and cares about treating others with respect and compassion.

I hope you all enjoy this episode and add some valuable information to your tool box.

Nozzle Tov!

https://data-not-drama.com

https://www.firefighterrescuesurvey.com

In this brief interview, I had a chance to sit down with the board members of the Monadnock Fire Conference. The board wanted to be bring back the training facility that was so popular back in the '50s. The Southwest of the state does not have a training facility, for firefighters living in the southwest, they have to travel to Concord NH, which is over an hour away. Having this training facility available to local firefighters is so important to not only the firefighters, but their communities as well.

In this episode I sit down with Chris Gray of Truck Company Manifesto and Joe Bourquin of OSA Group LLC.

We dive into who Chris and Joe are, the services they provide and the lessons that they learned through the years.

Both Chris and Joe have a long lasting friendship and help provide training on various subjects...from EV emergencies to Crowd Control mitigation.

Chris and Joe have been NE FOOLs members for a very long time and know the value of participating in the training activities that the NE FOOLs provide.

Both have a treasure box full of valuable information and experience that they love to share with all of us.

Thank you both for being a part of the podcast and for all that you do.

https://osagroup.net

Jared Robison is a dedicated firefighter with over 22 years of experience in the fire service and is the of owner/Lead Instructor for Elite Fire Training. Jared began his career in 2003 as a volunteer with the Gordon County Fire Department and was hired full-time in 2006. In 2023, he transitioned to the Cartersville Fire Department, continuing his passion for service, training, and mentorship. Throughout his career, Jared has trained and instructed firefighters across the country in various disciplines. Jared is one of the most humble and down to earth people that I have had the pleasure to meet.

Jared has learned to love life for all that it's worth, He is truly passionate about his family, faith and the fire service. Jared has learned to love himself and is always working on being better human..even though I think he's perfect just the way he is.

Joe Lasko is on the Whitman Fire Department. He is passionate and driven. Joe has a great story about what drives him to succeed. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe at the New England FOOLs Northeastern Fire Summit in Wells, Maine.

Joe talks about how the loss of his father inspired him to become a paramedic and to continue on to making it in the fire service. We talk about the love of the job, being a mentor to the new generation and being a better person.

I truly had a blast getting to know Joe and what motivates him. Thank you Joe for being you and always smiling.

Nozzle Tov!!

WOW!! We hit 40! I can't thank you all enough for the support and words of encouragement. I truly wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life and for trusting me to deliver solid content to all of you.

I figure there is no better way to celebrate our 40th Episode than to set it off with Ash Shapiro of Capital City industries.

Ash and I sit down to talk about where he came from, how it all started from him in the fire service. Valuable lessons learned from his father, Uncle and others that he looks up to in the Fire Service.

Ash knows what it means to look out for your fellow brothers and sisters, We talk about the importance of mental health and talking to your crew when the bad calls happen.

Ash hails from Hartford, Connecticut and is a generational firefighter. Ash's father and Uncle served on the Hartford Fire Department ,CT. Ash continued on with the family tradition and joined the Hartford Fire Department when he was 19 years old.

Besides the fire service legacy, Ash is also the owner of Capital City Industries. Capital City Industries Originally organized in 2010 as Capital City Fire Helmets, They are now Capital City Industries. CCI specializes in serving the fire industry through helmet sales and repairs, gear, tools, and apparel. They are a firefighter/family owned and operated company, also serving in the City of Hartford Fire Department, CT.

On this episode of The CAN Report, we are getting "Fully Involved" with Chief Lisa Albino and Chief Cristina Schoeck Co-Directors of Camp Fully involved.

Camp Fully Involved is a physically challenging, aggressive hands-on, live-in week long summer camp directed towards young women between the ages of 14 (and having completed the 8th grade) and 20 who are interested in exploring the career of a firefighter.

Camp Fully Involved is the brain child of Lt.Jess Wyman. Lt.Jess Wyman served with the Nashua Fire Department for 16 years and was the first female firefighter to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in Department History. Lt. Jess Wyman served the fire Service Community for 26 years and unfortunately passed away from Occupational Lung Cancer. Her Legacy lives on with Camp Fully Involved. Chief Albino and Chief Schoeck help to keep her spirit alive by working hard to keep Camp Fully Involved going and successful.

As a cadet in Camp Fully Involved, you will participate in numerous hands-on evolutions including, but not limited to vehicle and dumpster fires, rappelling, SCBA drills, room and content fires, Engine and Truck company operations, forcible entry, ventilation and combined operations. In addition to the technical evolutions, cadets will also participate in evening classroom programs.

I hope you all enjoy learning about this great program that is alive and well in the great state of New Hampshire.

There are still a few spots left for any young women who are interested in learning about the fire service and making great connections and long lasting friendships.

https://www.campfullyinvolved.com/index.html