First Responder Wellness Podcast

39 - Don't Forget Where you Came From with Marc Hill

My guest today is Marc Hill Marc is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of "Two Dark Thirty.” We talk about what fire departments do and don't do to prepare rookies for the traumas they will face. We also talk about the responsibilities that leaders have to take care of the rank and file firefighters - "Don't forget where you came from."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Marc Hill is a seasoned firefighter and paramedic who is best known as the author of "Two Dark Thirty." Marc is a highly sought-after educational consultant, lecturer, instructor, and mentor with more than 20 years of experience in both public school and emergency services. He has enjoyed a long career in public education, beginning as a social studies teacher and football coach in a high school before evolving into an administrator and college professor. Marc also climbed through the fire department's ranks to the position of full-time Chief, where he significantly impacted his departments. The Core Values Award, Teacher of the Year Award three times, and many more honors and accolades have been given to him personally. Marc has also written the companion workbook to go with "Two Dark Thirty".

CONNECT WITH MARC

https://twodarkthirty.com/book

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

38 - When Cancer Hits Home with Vickie Speed

Today is May 15th and its Peace Officers Memorial Day. So I think it’s appropriate that today’s podcast covers a topic that is sometimes not discussed among law enforcement and that is the subject of cancer.

My guest today is Vickie Speed. As the CEO of Blue Cancer Connect, Vickie Speed is a dedicated advocate for law enforcement families affected by cancer. After losing her husband, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Mitch Speed, to job-related cancer, Vickie has made it her mission to help other families navigate the complex world of departmental benefits, worker's comp, attorneys, and medical treatments.

With her author, peer support advocate, and public speaker background, Vickie brings a unique perspective to her work at Blue Cancer Connect. With 30+ years running multi-million dollar construction projects, she brings a wealth of business knowledge to the table. Her compassion and empathy for cancer patients and her strategic problem-solving skills make her an invaluable resource for law enforcement families in need throughout the nation.

Through Blue Cancer Connect, Vickie, in partnership with the City of Hope provides various services and support to help families affected by cancer, including emotional support, treatment options, education, screenings, Officer to officer support, hospice, and advocacy for policy changes. Her work has already significantly impacted the law enforcement community, and she continues to advocate for those in need.

Connect with Vickie: https://bluecancerconnect.org/

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911movie.com/toolkit/

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

37 - Be the Calm in the Storm with AK Dozanti

Being the calm in the storm is what first responders do. But when it comes to your own storm, that's another story! Today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast I talk with AK Dozanti a former Deputy Sheriff who talks about her own journey through PTS and depression and what's she's doing now to help other first responders.

ABOUT THE GUEST

As a former Deputy Sheriff, now First Responder Coach & Specialist, AK Dozanti helps First Responders learn how to manage chronic stress and regulate their nervous systems to prevent burnout and cultivate personal growth despite the pressures of work and home life. Having experienced burnout accompanied with depression, PTS, and adrenal fatigue it has become her life's mission to give back to all Life Savers.

She has blended her experience as a Deputy and Criminal Court Victim Advocate, graduate degree, yoga instructing and multiple other disciplines and modalities to create the Life Saver Academy. Now, coaching individuals, speaking and training at agencies and conferences, AK helps first responders regain their focus as they release the pressure that comes from the job so that they can start living the life they deserve. AK Dozanti, MA First Responder Wellness Coach & Specialist Life Saver Wellness LLC www.akdozanti.com

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.centralsquare.com

UPCOMING SCREENING EVENTS FOR PTSD911

May 15 – Gordon Center for Performing Arts – Owings Mills, MD – Hosted by Baltimore County PD – CLICK FOR TICKETS May 21 – Kentucky First Responder Peer Support Team – Erlanger, KY May 23 – College of Southern Maryland – La Plata, MD – Hosted by Charles County Sheriff’s Office – CLICK FOR TICKETS June 7 – Wor Wic Community College – Salisbury, MD Sponsored by Behind the Line, Inc. CLICK FOR FREE TICKETS Sept. 12 – EMS World Expo– Las Vegas, NV Oct. 8 – Stevens Point, WI – Details coming soon.

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

36 - Supporting Police Officers in Baltimore County with Sgt. John Haddaway

How does a large police department take care of its own? How do they make sure that officers are well, healthy and have the tools they need to thrive in their mental and physical well being?

Today on the podcast my guest is Sergeant John Haddaway he is a 24 year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department. He currently serves as the Department's Peer Support and Wellness Manager. We talk about how his team supports the officers within the Baltimore County Police Department and how this unit came to be. So Stay tuned for this informative conversation!

ABOUT THE GUEST Sergeant John Haddaway is a 24 year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department. He currently serves as the Department's Peer Support and Wellness Manager, in addition to ad-hoc roles on the Dignitary Witness Protection Team and Special Response Team. Sgt. Haddaway is also a general, Taser, and firearms instructor. During his tenure Sgt. Haddaway has served in patrol, directed enforcement, investigations, homeland security, emergency management, intelligence, counter-terrorism, public-private partnership SHIELD Program manager, and as the planning chief of the Department's Incident Response Team during the COVID pandemic.

Sgt. Haddaway served in the Maryland Army National Guard for ten years as part of an infantry unit and in a recruiting and retention role. He was also federally activated for over a year with MDARNG as part of Operation Noble Eagle.

CONNECT WITH JOHN

https://www.baltimorepolice.org/transparency/bpd-policies/1711-peer-support-program

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-haddaway4603/

UPCOMING SCREENING EVENTS FOR PTSD911

May 4 – Chula Vista, CA EastLake Church CLICK FOR TICKETS May 7 – CentralSquare ENGAGE 2024 Conference – Dallas, TX May 15 – Gordon Center for Performing Arts – Owings Mills, MD – Hosted by Baltimore County PD – CLICK FOR TICKETS May 21 – Kentucky First Responder Peer Support Team – Erlanger, KY May 23 – College of Southern Maryland – La Plata, MD – Hosted by Charles County Sheriff’s Office – CLICK FOR TICKETS June 7 – Wor Wic Community College – Salisbury, MD Sponsored by Behind the Line, Inc. CLICK FOR FREE TICKETS Sept. 12 – EMS World Expo– Las Vegas, NV Oct. 8 – Stevens Point, WI – Details coming soon.

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

Kathy Sullivan is an artist on a mission to help first responders de-contaminate their brains. She is the co-founder of Ashes 2 A.R.T. that refers to Mindful Decontamination which addresses the need to mindfully decontaminate from a shift just as one would be required to physically decontaminate. Kathy launched this program a few years ago with the help of a northern Virginia Fire captain. Listen to this compelling conversation and see how you can begin to de-contaminate your brain.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Kathleen Sullivan, MAAT, ATR, SME, NORA Council Member, Executive Director Ashes2A.R.T. Kathy Sullivan is the co-founder of the Ashes2A.R.T. program and the Mindful Decon Initiative which have been providing preventative wellness techniques to First Responders since 2017. Incorporating the creative arts and self-regulating techniques, Ms. Sullivan has established a clear protocol to decrease cumulative and traumatic stress in the emergency services profession. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recruited Kathy as a council member to their sister organization, National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) in 2021. Presentations and partnerships include: Critical Incident Stress Management World Congress, Recovery Centers of America, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Virginia EMS Symposium, National Association of Mental Illness, NIOSH, George Mason University, Inova Emergency General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care and Trauma Virtual Symposium, Missouri Department of Corrections,and George Washington University CE, and Revital Colorado. Previously published in the Journal of Clinical Social Work, Ms Sullivan is currently collaborating with George Mason University testing the physiological effects of specific wellness techniques on First Responder emotional health; currently in the process of being published. Ms. Sullivan has been trained in: CISM, Havening, EMDR (I), P.E.A.T., EFT, Reiki II, QiGong, Trauma Informed Nature Based Expressive Arts, and first level Hypnosis.

CONNECT WITH KATHY https://ashes2art.org/

Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us

https://a.co/d/hcTRQLj

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

First Responder Wellness Podcast - Special Edition

Conrad Weaver, host of the First Responder Wellness Podcast gives his take on the 2024 FDIC convention and the "Wellness Center" at the Lucas Oil Stadium Experience at the conference. . . . +++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: / ptsd911movie Facebook: / ptsd911movie YouTube: / @wellnesschannel4first

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

34 - Go Play in the Puddles with Ricardo Martinez

Ricardo Martinez II has one of the biggest 9-1-1 related podcasts out there. He's the founder of the #IAM911 movement and the host of the Dare to be Great virtual events for 911 professionals, plus he loves to play in puddles with his kids. He's my guest today on the podcast...

ABOUT THE GUEST

Ricardo Martinez II is a creative individual who is using his skills in writing, design, and podcasting to tell the stories of those he works with. For 13 years he has answered the call of a 9-1-1 dispatcher and recently accepted a new position with INdigital telecom as a 9-1-1 systems trainer and designer. Throughout his years in dispatch he was able to go to school where he received an Associate’s in web development through Baker College, a Bachelor’s in graphic design through Full Sail University as well as a Master’s in new media journalism in March of 2013. Before starting his Master’s program he launched Jabber Log, a blog about current events and his life stories. His personal blog posts became a hit with his audience and one such post even appeared on WordPress.com’s “Freshly Pressed” section on their main page. From there his blog opened doors that included promotions for businesses, artists and musicians. Once he started his Master’s program he began doing multimedia stories that can be found on his YouTube channel. Through this program he discovered podcasting. It spawned a series that tells the stories of those in the field of emergency services. He then created a podcast version of a segment on his blog called Within the Trenches, a section of writing based on his experience as a 9-1-1 dispatcher. He launched Kickstarter campaign to raise $1,500 for the equipment needed for a show that would feature the stories of 9-1-1 dispatchers. The campaign was funded and can now be found at www.thejabberlog.com. His goal is to tell the story of everyone he meets. “I believe that everyone has a story to tell. I want to do everything I can to bring that story to life.” - Ricardo

Connect with Ricardo: https://www.liinks.co/wttpodcast

Get the book: Imagine Listening: Your worst day is our everyday (#IAM911)

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

33 - An Unexpected Journey from Cop to Author with Scott Medlin

Scott Medlin is a national speaker, five-time author, and the founder of L.E.O. Motivation LLC, is making waves with his transformative work showcased on the rapidly growing YouTube channel and podcast, “The 10 Code Mindset”. Beyond his impactful online and in-person presence, Scott is also featured in the award-winning documentary, “Is There Something Going on At Home?”

Dedicated to empowering police officers and first responders at every rank, Scott provides them with the essential tools not just to survive, but to thrive amidst the inherent stresses, demands, and traumas of their careers. His wealth of expertise is encapsulated in insightful books like “Mental Health Fight Of The Heroes in Blue,” “101 Health Tips for Police Officers,” and three other books.

With a distinguished service record in law enforcement from 2007 to 2022, Scott’s journey includes a meritorious promotion to Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during his second deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. Scott further fortified his knowledge by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in 2007.

As a passionate advocate for mental health and self-care, Scott extends his impact by addressing police academy classes and participating in many police/first responder conferences.

Recognized as a “dynamic speaker” by Police Chief Neil Gang, Chair of the California Chiefs of Police Association Wellness Committee, Scott Medlin ensures that his content is not only valuable but also tailored to benefit departments across the spectrum of ranks.

Learn more: https://thescottmedlin.com/

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcMCvwUQ2M4&list=PLThZbKfAzbcYlNhLY58gkmfNc-ULxmRh4

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

32- Some things I'm thinking about...

Listen in as Conrad talks about the podcast, and what's next for the PTSD911 film and upcoming events.

Spoiler alert for FDIC....

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.

31- What Makes a Good Officer go Bad? with Marlon Marrache

Why do some good cops go bad? What are the circumstances that cause this to happen? And how do these situations get prosecuted, and do agencies ever get it wrong? Tune in for my conversation with Marlon Marrache today on the First Responder Wellness Podcast and you'll hear answers to these questions a lot more.

ABOUT MARLON MARRACHE

Sergeant Marlon Marrache recently retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after 24 years of service. He now is focused full time on helping agencies and individual officers understand the internal affair process. According to Marlon, “There is so much more work to be done. We need to teach Supervisors how to investigate IA complaints. We need to teach officers their rights.” He is a co-instructor for our Internal Affairs/Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations course with the Savage Training Group.

Marlon’s 24 years at LAPD included 12 years of Police Misconduct Investigation, adjudication, and examination experience. Much of his experience comes from when Marlon was assigned to Internal Affairs (IA) in a prosecutorial role, representing the Chief of Police conducting Board of Rights, a unique Tribunal Hearing (the only agency with such a process in the nation). The numerous cases he tried involved “False & Misleading” allegations and termination was at issue.

Marlon’s passion for discipline came early in his career when he was preparing cases for Court Marshals & Non-Judiciary Punishment (aka: Captain’s Mast) when he was in active duty in the U.S. Navy back in 1995. After joining the LAPD in July 1998, working as a patrol officer, then promoted to Sergeant in January 2007, his passion was reenergized when he was chosen to work ORS and IA.

Marlon possesses a Juris Doctorate from Pacific Coast University, School of Law and was going to become a full time Police Attorney until he was offered this recent promotion. Meanwhile, Marlon has been retained as a Subject Matter Expert and will continue to share his knowledge with students everything there is to know about IA investigations which he considers a very untapped subject matter.

In 2023, Marlon launched a podcast called Internal Affairs: A Police Podcast. Marlon interviews officers who have been on all sides of an I.A., from investigators to the subject officers themselves. This podcast is the only place you can get a behind the scenes look into what really happened in some well known cases.

To work with Marlon, get registered for our Internal Affairs and Officer Involved Shooting Investigations course.

Web site: https://savagetraininggroup.com/

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@internalaffairspolicepodcast

+++++

FIRST RESPONDER WELLNESS PODCAST/PTSD911 MOVIE Web site: https://ptsd911movie.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptsd911movie/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptsd911movie/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ8jxjxYqHgFQixBK4Bl0Q

Purchase the PTSD911 film for your public safety agency or organization: https://ptsd911.myshopify.com/products/toolkit

The First Responder Wellness Podcast is a production of ConjoStudios, LLC

Copyright ©2024 ConjoStudios, LLC All rights reserved.