The Firefighter Deconstructed has the honor of having Jeff Smith on the show. Jeff spent 20 years as a paramedic in Vancouver, BC and launched a not-for-profit organization called The Detachment Technique, aimed at providing first responders resources and tools to understand and work through their trauma. He struggled with PTSD and almost lost his life to suicide. We get to hear from someone who was inches away from taking his own life when a police officer interrupted his attempt - so we can hear what was going through someone’s mind just before they tried to kill themselves. This is a powerful episode.

https://www.detachmenttechnique.com/
[email protected]

Skip is a retired FF, recovering addict and now is the president of World Wide Support. Paul flew from England to get some of that Wold Wide Support. These guys talk about asking for help and their recovery, which Paul is right in the middle of. Both guests lay it all out and share their difficulties and triumphs. We also talk about the Pete Lewin’s New Foundlands emotional support programs.

https://www.worldwidepeersupport.org/

(SKIP) Martin Ross Ockomon
[email protected] (765)425-1936

http://petelewinnewfoundlands.co.uk/
24/7 Peer Support
844-844-2584

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

This week’s guest is retired Kern County Fire Captain, Derek Robinson. Derek tells his story of how he reached out for help and continued to not get it, which so many of have had to deal with. He kept going forward and asking for help until he found it. Derek talks about the healing power of journaling and how it turned into a book.

Book: continue: Surviving the darkness, choosing to live

Retired Firefighter/Paramedic Tyler Fausette tells his story of a critical incident that led to a PTS diagnosis. He struggled and struggled and ended up having to medically retire "early" due to his Post Traumatic Stress Injury. Tyler is incredibly articulate in telling his story and shares insight that we all can learn from. This is an incredible story to listen to. I highly recommend listening to it twice.
https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaPFFA/
https://local.iaff.org/a26

Douglas R. Brown runs into burning buildings for a living. After a horrible all he began showing the signs of PTS. His friends and family could tell something was wrong, but Doug was the last to figure it out. He finally asked for help when his marriage was about to dissolve. He began writing as a cathartic way of dealing with the day-to-day stresses of life as a firefighter/paramedic in Columbus, Ohio. Now he focuses his writing on fantasy and horror where he can draw from his lifelong love of the genres. He has been married since 1996 and has a son and a few dogs. He has had four books published to date. Douglas has since given his work a new home under his own imprint of Epertase Publishing where you can find his latest collection of supernatural suspense stories titled A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories.

Website- A Firefighter Christmas Carol | Epertase (epertasepublishing.com)
Amazon link- A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories: Brown, Douglas R, Brown, Rebecca, Murphy, Steve: 9781736882030: Amazon.com: Books
Barnes and Noble - A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Douglas R Brown, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
Audible- A Firefighter Christmas Carol by Douglas R. Brown | Audiobook | Audible.com
https://bookshop.org/

Fire Escape Cabin: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/375957?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=2bef18ca-a718-4158-b4a8-5a438f873f17

Lt Rob Hiller, of the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, shares his personal story of a cardiac medical condition, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress - each one almost costing him the job he loves so much. Lt. Hiller continues to walk forward as he continues to get knocked down by his body and his department. He is still working today. Fortunately, his department has accepted mental health awareness as a vital part of keeping their department running and healthy. His story, just like so many, is inspiring in that he’s never given up.

Today retired firefighter Joe Bartholomew shares his story of getting trapped in a basement fire and coming as close to dying as you can get. He talks about how this fire and his 33 years in the fire service left him with PTS. He dealt with department betrayal and a cold shoulder from some of his so called brothers and sisters in the department. Joe tells us how he healed and wants everyone else suffering to know they are not alone.

Finally! A new episode! I talk with Dave Robertson. He is the owner of FireEDGE - Fire Service Training + Career Coaching/Training Officer. He is a Fire Chief (ret) from the Napa Valley, CA. Dave and I discuss the havoc that PTS brings to a first responder and their family. Dave shares his story of finally coming to the realization that he needed help and the real reason he participated in Napa Lunches.

Quentin Waynick started in the first responder muck when he was 15. He did everything from firefighting to dispatching to being a paramedic. He lived on top of the world....until he got angry, really angry. In fact he was fired from his job due to his anger. He lived like this not having any idea what was wrong with him - that is until her heard this podcast and realized he has PTSD and he is not alone.

Retired police officer Ray Fernandez has 30 years on the job. Like so many of us first responders, once a tough guy, he drank with the boys after work and especially after a bad call. He also had a “shit-show” of a childhood. He had PTSD for years and didn’t know it. It cost him his marriage and almost cost him his life. He spent 30 years as a kick ass cop and after doing the work and coming out the other side, he is a kick ass person and loves life.