Meet Jay Scott, retired Fire Lieutenant from the Oklahoma City Fire Department. The Oklahoma City bombing has had lasting effects on everyone, especially those who were there. Jay Scott is no different. His uncanny memory and insight causes him to remember more than he would like. It’s been 25 years since the bombing and Jay still continues to find closure for events from that day. It’s an incredible story with incredible insights. He remembers so much that one hour is not enough space for all of his story. Please listen to Part 1, I guarantee you will take something away from it that is meaningful.

Deborah is the wife of ret. New York State Trooper, who after struggling with symptoms took years to finally be diagnosed with PTSD. Deborah has been through the gauntlet of being the spouse of a first responder with PTSD. After the diagnosis came and healing began, Deborah used her writing and producing skills to create the award winning documentary film, Code 9: Officer Needs Assistance. This film tells the stories of police officers and their journeys through PTSD. She is currently working to produce another film called Monochrome, about bridging back the trust between the community and the police. Her story is powerful, honest, and loving. It was an honor for me to talk to her and I think you will enjoy this show!

Deborah and her work can be found:
www.code9.org
www.facebook.com/monochromedoc
Code9film.com
www.dangerouscurvesproductions.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO01Qeg15KU&t=74s

More first responders kill themselves than die in the line of duty. Fire captain Jeff Dill decided to do something about it. Jeff is the founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, holds a Master’s degree and is a Licensed Counselor. He is a retired Captain from Palatine Rural Fire Protection District in Inverness, Illinois and is a member of the American Counseling Association and National Board of Certified Counselors. FBHA’s goal is to provide behavioral health workshops to fire departments and EMS organizations across the globe, focusing on behavioral health awareness with a strong drive towards suicide prevention and promoting resources available to firefighters/EMS and their families. Jeff and I discuss how the FBHA is working to prevent firefighter, paramedic, EMT and Dispatcher suicides. We talk about what organizations and we as individuals can do to help prevent these tragedies that are increasing in number every year.
https://www.ffbha.org
National suicide prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
To Donate: https://www.ffbha.org/ways-to-help/make-a-donation/
www.FirefighterDeconstructed.com

Retired Sergent Surgue has 20+ years experience in the military and law enforcement. Michael tells his compelling story of having to face a police officer’s nightmare and the debilitating mental health struggle that ensued. Michael demonstrates the strength and resiliency in order to survive and recover, even when it feels like all is lost and there is no hope. He has become a national keynote speaker and dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), Resiliency, and First Responder Suicide Prevention. He also volunteers at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat.
You can find Mike Surgue at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgtmichaelsugrue

Retired Sergent Surgue has 20+ years experience in the military and law enforcement. Michael tells his compelling story of having to face a police officer’s nightmare and the debilitating mental health struggle that ensued. Michael demonstrates the strength and resiliency in order to survive and recover, even when it feels like all is lost and there is no hope. He has become a national keynote speaker and dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), Resiliency, and First Responder Suicide Prevention. He also volunteers at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat.
You can find Mike Surgue at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgtmichaelsugrue

Ellen Kirschman is known as the “Cop Doc”. She has 30 years as a clinical psychologist specializing in law enforcement and first responders. Today Ellen and I talk about the importance for first responders to see a therapist who understands the police and first responder culture. We also talk about the differences in the culture of cops and firefighters, and tools for self-care that apply to everyone and anyone. She has written several books including Counseling Cops: what Clinicians need to know, I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know, I love a firefighter: What the families need to know. She has also written fiction including The Right Wrong Thing, Burying Ben, and The Fifth Reflection. Those three books make up the Dot Meyerhoff Police Psychologist Series. Ellen also writes a blog for the magazine Psychology Today. She is a clinician at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat. Ellen has traveled the world teaching, researching and sharing her expertise in police psychology. Ellen is a treasure chest full of information and doesn’t beat around the bush. This is a great episode for first responders, clinicians, and the general public.
Ellen can be found at:
www.ellenkirschman.com
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cop-doc