The Firefighter Deconstructed

The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with 14 year firefighter/paramedic and combat veteran Ryan Mains. Why Ryan Mains? Because he ran 130 kilometers for every firefighter who killed themselves in 2019. That’s 80.77 miles for all of us non metric people. Ryan dealt with his own demons and is still working his recovery. We talk about Ketamine treatments, financial problems that face so many first responders with PTSI, and the difficulty of accepting help. Ryan also talks about the IAFF (International Association of FireFighters) Center of Excellence, the treatment and recovery center for IAFF members.

email: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/RunForOurLives/
www.ilffps.org
www.iaffrecoverycenter.com
www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-firefighter-ptsd-ryan-mains-20200103-vaioiikvg5hbth6pvqs6sc3bzi-story.html

This is such an important episode!! The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down and talks with an amazing woman who has made it her life’s passion to take care of fire responders in an area we never thought we’d could end up, in the legal system. Lisa Houle served as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney for 15 years before starting her own practice as a criminal defense attorney. When we first responders end up at the bottom of the PTSD hole and make a huge mistake, like get a DUI or get into trouble, something we normally would never do, we find ourselves at the mercy of the law, on the other side of where we’ve spent our entire careers. Lisa Houle realized there was a great need for representation for first responders who find themselves on that other side. She is a true gift to us and will fight like hell for you. Please listen in.

tel:424.332.9079
[email protected]
www.houle-law.com

Captain Dan Willis (ret), Author of Bulletproof Spirit, served as a police officer for the La Mesa Police Department near San Diego for nearly 30 years as a SWAT Commander, crimes of violence-sexual assault-child molest and homicide detective. He has provided emotional survival and wellness training in 35 states and in Canada to over 5,000 peace officers. This guy really knows his stuff. We discuss the important areas of warning signs of emotional distress, the signs and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSI), the efficacy of peer support programs, dangers and types of maladaptive coping techniques, and so much more about simple ways to help prevent PTSI and help heal from it. This is an incredibly informative episode for all first responders and everyone else!
Website: http://www.FirstResponderWellness.com
Amazon for the book: https://www.amazon.com/Bulletproof-Spirit-Revised-Responders-Protecting/dp/1608686310
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-willis-95468840/
Facebook: Dan Willis
EMDR.org

Melanie Mikeska, who is a total badass, and I sit down and talk about being a sheriff’s deputy in a large county that goes through several budget cuts and has some poor leadership. Having PTSD was hard enough but the department betrayal she experienced was unfathomable. Melanie went through hell and came close to suicide. But she is doing great now and loving retirement. Listen to how she got there.

All the way from Nova Scotia we have quite a guest, Jeffrey Hosick. He is a firefighter, a chaplain, therapist, trauma specialist, author and a professional speaker. We sit down and talk about when not addressing mental health can create a toxic work environment. He explains how the key to recovery is grace. Dr. Jeffrey Hosick is committed to finding ways to have accessible mental health support for first responders, their families, and support networks. When he’s not helping the first responder community, he’s helping corporate organizations eliminate drama in the workplace, bring attention to employee mental health, and teach leadership during crisis management situations. You can tune into one of Jeffrey’s many public speeches by following him online or by hiring him to speak at your next event. Topics Jeffrey discusses include organizational development, organizational behavior, organizational psychology, PTSD, trauma, relationships, mental health, physical well-being, goal setting, communication, and self-esteem. Jeffrey currently holds his PhD in diversified counselling and is currently earning a second PhD in industrial and organizational psychology with an emphasis on consulting. At the end of the show we look at the most recent suicide statistics among first responders.

The Firefighter Deconstructed gets real with John Hofman. This guy knows how to talk and doesn’t care if he ruffles a few feathers, he calls it like he sees it. Coach John Hofman, MS., CSCS*D, TSAC-F*D is one of leading experts in the field of Firefighter Health and Wellness and currently serves as the Director of Tactical Strength & Conditioning Specialist for Southern California University Health Systems. Prior to going SCU, Coach Hofman spent 10 years as the strength and conditioning coach for the Sacramento Fire Department, where he oversaw the Wellness Centre, coordinated the department’s medical and fitness assessments, developed recruit fitness training, pre-employment medical and fitness evaluations and assisted with the department’s 20-certified Peer Fitness Trainers. Coach Hofman spent a great deal of time getting to know the business end of being a firefighter. I know this is another firefighter episode but it can be applied to ALL first responders. We all work long shifts, we all encounter trauma and a physical and mental beating.
https://www.amazon.com/BEYOND-TURNOUTS-Comprehensive-Firefighter-Wellness/dp/1478178965
https://scuhealth.org/tactical-sports-medicine/
[email protected]

The Firefighter Deconstructed talks with Cristian Hinojosa who has served the Dallas community as a public servant for nearly 15 years. He currently leads the DFD Peer Support Program, providing outreach and support to firefighters. He shares his own struggles and how he turned to alcohol to cope. He currently serves the northeast Dallas area as a Captain and Acting Battalion Chief at Station 28. He has led the second largest DFD employee association, representing over 450 firefighters. This role has carried substantial political and administrative responsibilities and had included extensive interaction with DFD Command Staff, City Council, and the City Manager on a regular basis. Prior to joining the Dallas Fire Department, Cristian worked as an investment banker in New York City and Dallas. He has quite an extensive background in everything. AND he is a ridiculously nice guy with great ideas and perspectives on peer support.

You can find Cristian at:
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/DFRpeersupport/?ref=page_internal
214-669-7500
https://www.firehouse.com/home/contact/21116607/cristian-hinojosa-dallas-firefighters-peer-support

The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with Danielle Cook Kawash, Mike Salemi, and Simon Mathews from First In Wellness. They develop wellness programs for Fire departments, yet all of their information applies to all first responders, and yes even dispatchers. For a person who sits for long periods of time, being physically fit will help the body and mind handle all that stress. They work to make and keep firefighters thriving, energetic and resilient. The program provides for on going coaching to help enable success. They have a real understanding to the unique challenges and specific needs firefighters have. First In Wellness talks about the importance of department leadership taking part in the conversation and driving the efforts of wellness and suicide prevention.

https://firstinwellness.com/

The 2-Week COVID Program, which is a taste of the 90-day, and will help build physical resilience (and mental) is available for free. People can sign up for this at www.firstinwellness.com or directly by going to the link: https://p.bttr.to/3hTePRu.

We will be doing a pilot study of the 90-day program for 8-10 firefighters. Anyone interested can email me at [email protected]'s a summary of the program:

Our 90-day fire program is an online, interactive program designed to run for 3 consecutive months. A lifestyle section and a fitness section form a comprehensive system for building physical and psychological resilience.

The 90-day program includes:
*Detailed guidance on lifestyle topics of nutrition, sleep, and Psychological Resilience
*6 small group coaching sessions (2 per month) led by nationally board-certified coaches, a psychologist and a registered dietitian
*Additional materials on nutrition planning and food preparation, stress management, sleep, and goal setting
*9-week personalized, multi-level strength training program designed specifically to improve multi-plane, firefighter-specific movements, and enhance balance and flexibility
*Cutting edge physiological tracking technology to measure progress (Oura Ring, EverSleep)

Taking Charge of Your Recovery. The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with paramedic and dispatcher Michael Henderson. Michael was a paramedic in Oakland, CA and then became a dispatcher. He was a dispatcher on duty during the catastrophic Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa and Napa that became the most destructive fire in California history. We talk about his journey through trauma and the resulting PTSI. Michael’s spiral down to the bottom of that dark hole almost cost him his life. His journey back is one of resilience and inspiration. We also talk about the Stellate Ganglion Block treatment for PTSI and Michael’s experience with it.
You can find Michael at:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028203436078
[email protected]

The Firefighter Deconstructed sits down with Sean Wyman and talks about getting out from being miserable. Sean Wyman is an 18 Year Law Enforcement Officer and Trainer, Army Veteran, father of 3, and husband of 14 years. He is also trauma informed care speaker, trauma trainer, and bestselling author. Sean went through a horrific childhood that continued to direct his life and how he lived. Sean realized just how miserable he was and decided to do something about it. His journey is remarkable. Sean has now dedicated his life to helping others get unstuck.

Sean Wyman Links:
gbtcbook.com
gbtc911.com