Safeguard the Wellness of the Family Unit
By Stephen Odom, PhD and Chris Catren, Ret. Chief of Police Leadership must set an example of prioritizing their family, which will ultimately impact families department wide and communities across the nation. One of the greatest challenges First Responders face is keeping their families whole and healthy throughout their career. Because of the critical nature […]
National First Responders Day, October 28th
Written by Chief Sam DiGiovanna Every October 28th, communities across the United States pause to honor the unwavering courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s first responders. Firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and emergency medical personnel, these are the individuals who run toward danger, not away from it. They are the steady hands and […]
From Triumph to Tragedy
Navigating the Emotional Arc of Public Safety Careers By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna In the world of public safety, the journey often begins with pride and purpose. Graduation from the academy marks a moment of triumph, uniforms crisp, hearts full, and a future brimming with possibility. Recruits step into their roles with a deep sense […]
How Ego Can Contribute to Suicide Risk
Written by: Fire Chief Sam Digiovanna “Suicide isn’t weakness—it’s a signal that the ego has run out of ways to protect a hurting heart. What we need is not judgment, but connection.” When the ego (our sense of self) becomes overwhelmed by internal conflict, shame, or loss, it can collapse. This collapse may lead to […]
Post Traumatic Stress Awareness Month
Post Traumatic Stress is exactly what it sounds like. Traumatic events cause stress on our brains, which then causes them to process the world in a light that is not congruent with the reality that we live in. The symptoms can range from total brain dissociation and panic to just general feelings of uneasiness when […]
5 Tactical Stress Tools Every First Responder Needs
As a first responder, you know that stress isn’t just part of the job—it’s woven into every shift, every call, and every moment you’re on duty. While you can’t eliminate the inherent stress of emergency response work, you can develop tactical tools to manage it effectively. These five evidence-based strategies are designed specifically for the […]
Alcohol Use and Trauma in First Responders
By Stephen Odom, PhD, Founder and Chief Clinical Officer, FR Health Family of Companies As we recognize Alcohol Awareness Month this April, it’s an important time to shine a light on the complex relationship between alcohol use and trauma in first responders. These are the men and women on the front lines—law enforcement officers, firefighters, […]
Tips on How to Ask For Help
We may all reach a point in our lives when carrying a particular burden becomes too unbearable. Yet upon reaching this point, we may find that we are hesitant to tell anyone we are struggling or that we need help. For many reasons—including not wanting to let go of control, feeling ashamed, feeling needy, or […]
Taking Care of Your Wellness: 5 Factors that Can Contribute to Poor Heart Health in First Responders
First responders have some of the highest rates of heart-related health issues including heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. The average age of a police officer who has suffered a heart attack is 49 years, while the average for the general population is 64.7 years, according to research conducted by the IACP. Similarly, nearly half […]
Navigating the Winter Months
Winter weather can bring about dangerous conditions. First Responders often attend emergencies on the most treacherous roads, drunk driving, or fighting fires caused by fires or heaters as the temperatures drop. Through tough and critical, winter may bring unique risks and challenges that can add what feels like a pillar of pressure. When conditions are […]