fire service

Santa Cruz City Firefighter Nick Hanna, formerly with Ventura City Fire, talks about his mental health journey over the past year.  Nick's story starts with being "true fireman", engaged with his department and association. Following a significant illness, he began to experience  panic attacks, sleeplessness, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and active  suicidal thoughts. After many dead ends trying to find treatment, an effective combination of therapies was identified and Nick in a better place.  Nick's story is relevant for all firefighters  - and firefighter families - especially those who think mental health is not  their concern.   If you're in crisis, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988, day or night.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Executive Director Joe Booth from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Nick Hanna of Santa Cruz City Fire Department
Link: Suicide and Crisis Hotline : 988  (call or text)  or  https://988lifeline.org/
Link: Deer Hollow Recovery
Link: Amen Clinics

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Santa Cruz City Firefighter Nick Hanna, formerly with Ventura City Fire, talks about his mental health journey over the past year.  Nick's story starts with being "true fireman", engaged with his department and association. Following a significant illness, he began to experience  panic attacks, sleeplessness, PTSD, major depressive disorder, and active  suicidal thoughts. After many dead ends trying to find treatment, an effective combination of therapies was identified and Nick is in a better place.  Nick's story is relevant for all firefighters  - and firefighter families - especially those who think mental health is not their concern. If you're in crisis, call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988, day or night. 

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Executive Director Joe Booth from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Nick Hanna of Santa Cruz City Fire Department
Link: Suicide and Crisis Hotline : 988  (call or text)  or  https://988lifeline.org/
Link: Deer Hollow Recovery
Link: Amen Clinics
Link: 2/20 PTSD Webinar

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

In this episode, Mike Canny, a retired firefighter and vice president of tax services at Firefighters First Tax Services, shares his experience in the fire service and his transition to a career in taxes. He discusses common financial mistakes made by firefighters and provides insights into deductible expenses for firefighters. Mike also explains the risks and penalties associated with incorrect deductions and offers tips for long-term financial planning. The conversation covers tax planning for charitable gifts and the impact of 2017 tax law changes on itemized deductions.  Mike emphasizes the benefits of investing in real estate and provides information on tax services offered by his organization, an affiliate of Firefighters First Credit Union. Listen in...

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Executive Director Joe Booth from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Mike Canny of Firefighters First Tax Services
Link: 2/20 PTSD Webinar

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM is a critical care paramedic in Massachusetts and founder of Stay Fit 4 Duty, an organization that provides resources and training to healthcare providers and first responders.  In this conversation, James discusses many aspects of mental health support for first responders, including the need to transition from term "culturally competent" to the more inclusive,  "culturally informed", the challenge to provide services to retired first responders,  employee assistance programs (EAP), critical incident stress management (CISM), peer support, and the difference between your identity and your profession..  James also discusses his upcoming webinar, "PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions", hosted by Ventura Fire Foundation.  Listen in...

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: James Boomhower, Stay Fit 4 Duty, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM
Link: 2/20 PTSD Webinar

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Julie Cart, Cal Matters reporter talks about her award-winning 2023 series, "Trail by fire: The trauma of fighting California’s wildfires." The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including Cal Fire's reaction to the series, the importance of discussing mental health challenges in the fire service, lessons from the military, and differences between Australia and the US in fighting wildfires.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Chief Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Julia Cart, Cal Matters
Link: https://calmatters.org/series/california-firefighters-trauma-wildfires/

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

With 80 combined years in the fire service, newly retired firefighters Captain Tom Weinell, Engineer Brian Kremer, and Captain Thom Hoffman have a lot to say.  This wide-ranging conversation touches on the Thomas Fire, La Conchita mudslides, Jesusita Fire, firehouse hijinks, burnout, changes they've seen in the fire service, their experiences with retirement so far, and much more  Many current and former Ventura City firefighters are namedropped, and many stories are told (a few made it past our censors). 

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Captain Tom Weinell
Guest: Engineer Brian Kremer
Guest: Captain Thom Hoffman

Link: Firehouse Roundtable Episode 16 - Life in a Fire Family with Madeline and Erin, Ventura City Fire Captain Thom Hoffman's Daughters

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Part 2 of a discussion with Ventura City Fire's newest Firefighters.  Just finished with their probationary period, five new firefighters - Gurshan Bajwa, Jon Ellis, Jeremy Hinman, Stephan Parrish, and Rocky Sanfilippo - talk about what brought them to Ventura, differences between Ventura  City Fire and their previous departments, their career plans, and the suck of 30 minute burpees. Listen in...

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Gurshan Bajwa
Guest: Jeremy Hinman
Guest: Stephan Parrish

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Part 1 of a discussion with Ventura City Fire's newest firefighters.  Just finshed with their probationary period, five new firefighters-Gurshan Bajwa, Jon Ellis, Jeremy Hinman, Stephan Parrish, and Rocky Sanfilippo-talk about what brought them to Ventura, differences between Ventura  City Fire and their previous departments, their career plans, and the suck of 30 minute burpees.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation
Guest: Rocky Sanfilippo
Guest: Jon Ellis
Link: Everyday Ellises

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Captain Tami Crudo, coordinator for the Oxnard College Regional Fire Academy, talks about being a female in the fire service, mentoring, stress and resilience, and how to prepare to enter the Academy. 

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Captain Tami Crudo of the Oxnard College Regional Fire Academy

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

American Fire Brigade's John Gary talks about the injury that led him to start AFB, protecting your days off, impact of overtime on mental health and family life,  Mandos, and mullets.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: John Gary of American Fire Brigade

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

An active shooter situation.  What do you do?  The objective is to save lives.  Obviously, it law enforcement plays a key role but treating mass casualties requires fire departments and emergency medical services to be on the scene.  An immediate, coordinated response saves lives when you are on the firing line.   

It can happen anywhere and it did.  On September 21, 2021,  the place was Collierville, Tennessee, often known for being one of many suburbs surrounding the City of Memphis.  This incident became the first known case where police and fire entered together while an active shooter incident unfolded at a Kroger store..

This is the story of the Collierville Fire Department, the Germantown Fire Department and all the other agencies who provided mutual aid to this tragic event..  Many lives were saved that day through the efforts of the brave men and women who were on the scene risking their own lives for others.

-Tom Mann
Executive Producer/Host

Storylines guests include: 

Chief John Selberg,  Collierville, Tennessee Fire Department

Chief Eric Grizzard, Germantown, Tennessee Fire Department

Battalion Chief Mike Sansone, Collierville, Tennessee Fire Department

Lt.  Jimbo Hunsucker, Collierville, Tennessee Fire Department

 George Langston, Retired Memphis Firefighter
Featured in "Surviving the Unthinkable" EFD podcast links:
https://emergencyfdstoryline.buzzsprout.com/1036018/6566581
https://emergencyfdstoryline.buzzsprout.com/1036018/6751366


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA2NYLA-b6Cp3oFn-5Mk7Kg


If you need help, seek out professional help from your fire department or local fire union.  There are  also resources online such as:
https://allclearfoundation.org


Go to emergencyfd.com for more podcasts.
Email EmergencyFD Storyline:  storyline@emergencyfd.com


Support EmergencyFD Storyline at emergencyfd.com

Support the show with PayPal

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Firefighter Erik Hernandez and his wife, associate marriage and family therapist Maggie Hernandez, talk on a wide range of topics, including the benefits of therapy, finding culturally-competent therapists, peer support, PTSD, complex trauma, bio hacks, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and how they reconcile different approaches to parenting.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Erik and Maggie Hernandez, 809 Fight for Awareness

Link: Rudeman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Audra and Chelsi, firefighter spouses and hosts of the Dear Chiefs Podcast, provide unvarnished advice for firefighters and their spouses on how to maintain their relationship while in the fire service. They go toe-to-toe with Peter and Jason on firefighter divorce rate,  balancing a firefighting career with family life, and the generational differences they see in firefighters (Gen X/Millennials/Gen Z).

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Audra and Chelsi of Dear Chiefs

Link:  Cal Matters Report.  "Trial by fire: The trauma of fighting California’s wildfires"

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

For more on Adams County Fire Rescue, please visit our website at acfpd.org, or our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. 

Falone Serna, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach with California Lutheran University solves the mystery of getting into and paying for college. Dean Serna provides practical advice on deciding if college is the right path after high school, how to choose a school that's a great fit, what schools look for in students, how NOT to pay sticker price, and how to ensure the investment in college pays off (hint: going to college is like going to the gym).

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Falone Serna, California Lutheran University

Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Oxnard Fire Chief Alex Hamilton, considered one of the most forward-thinking chiefs in the country, covers a wide range of important topics, including behavioral health, sleep deprivation, call volume, peer support, the value of networking, Movember, grantwriting, advice for firefighters looking to promote, how the COVID pandemic led to greater collaboration among fire departments,  and his vision for a first responder wellness center in Ventura. 

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Alex Hamilton
Link: 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb 

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Roy Schneider and Jessica Villar, attornies with Schneiders & Associates law firm, join the show to talk about what nobody wants to discuss...what happens to your property and family if you die or are incapacited. Bottom line: nothing good unless you take the proper steps now. Learn all about wills versus trusts, avoiding probate, and how to ensure your wishes are carried out.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest Company:  Schneiders & Associates

Guest: Roy Schneider, Esq.

Guest: Jessica Villar, Esq.

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Sean Toomey, firefighter with Denver Fire Department and Operations Captain for the Clear Creek Fire Authority, co-founded First Responder Sleep Recovery with his wife Jacqueline to empower the health and wellness of those who serve in the fire, police, and emergency services. Sean joins the show to explain how sleep is connected to heart disease, cancer, and other diseases and to provide easy-to-implement hacks to help first responders (and everyone else) achieve better sleep.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Sean Toomey, First Responder Sleep Recovery
 
Link: Restoring the Rescuer

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Dr. Mynda Ohs,  marriage and family therapist and author of Fully Involved: A Guide for Being in a Relationship with a Firefighter, talks about her new book When the Calls Stop: Retiring as a First Responder. Drawing on her own family's experience and input from hundreds of first responders, Mynda provides practical advice -- for both spouses -- on how to successfully transition away from the firehouse.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Mynda Ohs, PhD, Fully Involved Life
 
Link:  When the Calls Stop: Retiring As A First Responder

Link:  Fully Involved: A Guide For Being In A Relationship With A Firefighter

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.

Brent and Stephanie Fenton (a.k.a. Firefighter Fenton and Mrs. Firefighter Fenton) discuss how Firefighter Fenton originated, where the character is going, the role of humor in mental health, and building a life outside the fire service.

Hosts: Capt. Peter McKenzie (ret.) and Capt. Jason Kay from the Ventura Fire Foundation

Guest: Brent Fenton (aka Firefighter Fenton), Daisy Mountain Fire Department

Follow Firefighter Fenton on Facebook | Instagram
 
Guest: Stephanie Fenton (a.k.a. Mrs. Firefighter Fenton),

Follow Steph’s Cookie Creations and Alive AZ IV

Follow Mrs. Firefighter Fenton on Facebook | Instagram

Karen Follows Firefighter Video
"My Knee Hurts Now" Music Video

Connect with Ventura Fire Foundation on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Production House: Flint Stone Media

Copyright of Ventura Fire Foundation 2024.