The IAFF Podcast

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Dr. Suzy Gulliver from the Warriors Research Institute

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Lt. Drew Kane, a member of the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association of New York Local 854

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Indianapolis, IN Local 416 Battalion Chief Doug Abernathy.

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Garland, TX Local 1293 President Bill Crews.

Fire service personnel not only respond to the opioid epidemic on a daily basis, but they are part of the solution. This segment focuses on the experience of two IAFF affiliates that have taken an innovative approach to fighting the opioid crisis in their communities. Guest speakers include Brian Nee from Boston, MA Local 718, and Rob Weeks, president of Vancouver, BC Local 18.

This segment features two emergency medical services (EMS) subject matter experts who explore best practices in managing exposure risks for fire service personnel who respond to opioid incidents in the community. Captain Alan Van Heck is a 20-year veteran of the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and a member of Bloomfield, MI Local 3045. Toby Frost is a captain in the Lafayette Fire Department and a member of Lafayette Local 472. Both are instructors for federal resources and subject matter experts on the topic of synthetic opioids in the field of fire and EMS.

This segment features two emergency medical services (EMS) subject matter experts who explore situational awareness for fire service personnel who respond to opioid incidents in the community. Captain Alan Van Heck is a 20-year veteran of the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and a member of Bloomfield, MI Local 3045. Toby Frost is a captain in the Lafayette Fire Department and a member of Lafayette, IN Local 472.

Opioid addiction and other forms of substance use impact all members of society, including fire service personnel. This segment focuses specifically on how fire departments can support and respond to members coping with substance use problems using best practice standards in occupational health, as well as lessons learned from one IAFF affiliate.