Audio Episodes (Click Thumbnail for Video Version)

On this episode, we’ll be speaking with John Lynch, Town of Wilton, CT Chief of Police & Emergency Management Director, and Nick Paproski, Director Of ALS Operations at Vintech Management Services, about what you can do to become an engaged, proactive leader.

On this episode, we’ll be speaking with John Lynch, Town of Wilton, CT Chief of Police & Emergency Management Director, and Nick Paproski, Director Of ALS Operations at Vintech Management Services, about what you can do to become an engaged, proactive leader. Chief Lynch and Nick explain the importance of being a leader who maintains an awareness of their member’s physical and mental well-being. John Lynch has been a Police officer since 1985. He is a volunteer fireman, EMT, chief of police, e...

Caryn Czarnecki has been married to a career firefighter for twenty years, and will share the many unique challenges that come with being a spouse of a first responder. We’ll review some of the real life issues faced by first responder spouses, with Linda Rost, LCSW.

On this episode, we’ll be speaking about resilience for first responder relationships. Caryn Czarnecki has been married to a career firefighter for twenty years, and will share the many unique challenges that come with being a spouse of a first responder. We’ll review some of the real life issues faced by first responder spouses, along with some solutions. Linda Rost, LCSW also speaks about the challenges that come along with being a spouse to a first responder, and what you can do to maintain a...

Guest, Stephanie Samuels, Founder and President of COPLine, a confidential, 24 hour, toll free helpline for law enforcement professionals and their families that is answered by retired police officers. For the past 20 years COPLINE has served as a resource to help law enforcement cope with the stresses of the job.

Cops understand Cops. COPLine is a confidential, 24 hour, toll free helpline for law enforcement professionals and their families that is answered by retired police officers. For the past 20 years COPLine has served as a resource to help law enforcement cope with the stresses of the job. The organization's goal is to answer calls from law enforcement officers and their families who are facing a variety of issues, including stress, depression, marital problems, alcoholism and suicide. Stephanie S...

In this episode, we speak with Bradford Cole, Executive Director of K9 First Responders, Inc. about Connecting in Crisis: Lessons from the halls of Sandy Hook to the halls of Congress.

K9 First Responders: Connecting in Crisis In this episode, we speak with Bradford Cole, Executive Director of K9 First Responders about Connecting in Crisis: Lessons from the halls of Sandy Hook to the halls of Congress. This video aims to raise awareness of the incredible work performed by K9 First Responders. K9 First Responders provides K9 teams trained to assist victims of disaster, catastrophe, crisis or violence, and serve communities and individuals as well as Police, Fire, EMS and other...

On this episode of Responder Resilience we hear from the rank and file, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and dispatch who have used EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to overcome traumatic stress. They received therapy and the support of a responder-savvy, compassionate counselor who provided them a safe space to process their emotions. This is an up close and personal look at EMDR and how it changed the lives of several responders- who courageously stepped up to spea...

On this episode of Responder Resilience we hear from a veteran, firefighters, paramedics, police officers and dispatcher who have used EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to overcome traumatic stress.

In this episode, David and Stacy speak with Matt Domyancic, The Tactical Chaplain, about how to enjoy a career that provides deeper meaning to your spiritual life. Matt will share some strategies for transitioning from a responder career while staying highly connected with the job and the mission. We’ll also learn what a Patrol Chaplain is. Matt is a medically retired police officer who volunteers as a chaplain and peer support for police agencies in Los Angeles. Matt believes all first respond...

Matt Domyancic, the Tactical Chaplain, offers his modern spiritual approach to help police officers and firefighters who are "in the trenches".

Family Matters: First Responding to Your Marriage, and Challenges of Firefighter Relationships, with Anne and Captain Mike Gagliano of Seattle Fire Department (Ret.)

In this episode, Bonnie and David speak with columnist/author Anne Gagliano and her husband, retired Seattle Fire Captain Mike Gagliano. They discuss how firefighters and their spouses can build and sustain a strong, intimate, and lasting marriage. The conversation explores the mission of the firefighter versus that of the spouse—“the hero behind the hero”—who helps their responder thrive on the job. Mike and Anne share how to keep your “first family” first and why the spouse is vital to the re...

Involved in fire and EMS for over 45 years, Deputy Chief Bernie Meehan, whose comfort zone is chaos, has participated in over 400 critical incident debriefings. He was one of the paramedics responding to the Sandy Hook shooting. In an effort to cope with the effects of this tragic incident, Bernie was referred to some counselors who were not used to working with responders and not a good fit. After networking with other responders, he was able to find a responder-savvy trauma-informed therapist ...

With Deputy Fire Chief / Paramedic Bernie Meehan Jr., a true icon of emergency services in Connecticut, about Peer Support and Finding an Appropriate Clinician in the “New” Emergency Services.

Guest, Ray Connors, Retired Chief, State of Connecticut Animal Control Unit

On this episode, Stacy and David speak with Ray Connors, Retired Chief, State of Connecticut Animal Control Unit about what Animal Control Officers actually do, how they are genuinely first responders, some looks behind the scenes at real cases of animal abuse, animal attacks, traumatic calls, and the incredible connection between animal abuse and serial killers. Ray explains how he got into this specialized profession, what his background was, and what got him interested in animal control. We ...

Guest, Eve Bucca, Executive Director, FDNY Honorary Battalion Chief, HeartMath Coach and Trainer

On this episode, Dr. Stacy Raymond and David speak with Eve Bucca, Executive Director of Stand Fast Alliance about how they empower first responders, military and their families with the tools, training and resources they need to face the unique challenges of their service, with strength and resilience. Eve’s grandfather, father, and husband were all proud members of the FDNY, and military veterans. She holds the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief within the New York City Fire Department. Eve wa...

⚑ On this episode, David speaks with 911 Emergency Dispatcher Craig Tinneny and 31 year veteran Senior Operator Catharine D'Vileskis about how dispatchers are often left out of conversations involving First Responders. We discuss: ➤ What are some of the sensory challenges of being a dispatcher? ➤ How do you remain calm when the caller is overwhelmed and can’t communicate clearly? ➤ After the call, what do you do to re-stabilize your own emotional equilibrium? ➤ What actions or practices hel...

911 Emergency Dispatcher Craig Tinneny and 31 year veteran Senior Operator Catharine DVileskis

In this episode, Dr. Stacy Raymond, Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW/EMT and Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.) talk about Institutional Abandonment in emergency services: ➤ Why are so many responders feeling abandoned by their institutions and by their superiors? ➤ What are the benefits of after action reviews and proper mental health debriefings after difficult calls? ➤ What steps can command staff take to stay connected with their crews? ➤ How can we foster a department-wide team approach rather than “us ver...

In this episode, Dr. Stacy Raymond, Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW/EMT and Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.) talk about Institutional Abandonment in emergency services.