In April 2016, Police Officer Adam A. Meyers was involved in a critical incident when he used deadly force against someone who armed themselves with a hatchet inside a busy Department store. In the aftermath of this incident, Meyers was plagued with trauma and guilt, descending into a spiral of…
In this episode, we speak with Edmund Russell, Executive Director, and Jim King, Vice President of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF). Edmund is a retired 31-year member of the LAPD, and Jim retired as a Captain from the Indianapolis Fire Department after 30 years of service. The United States…
Patrick Fitzgibbons is a retired Police Commander who went through dark periods, then sought help at FHEHealth’s Shatterproof Program for first responders, which he says saved his life. Patrick is now on a mission to help other responders navigate the same issues that he faced. In this episode, Patrick discusses…
Join us for a deep dive discussion with award-winning filmmaker Conrad Weaver about PTSD 911, a documentary film that follows the lives of first responders, who are suffering from line of duty PTSD. It was created to raise awareness of the psychological issues faced by America's first responders and to…
Join us for a conversation with Ernie Stevens from the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops. This film shows how community policing can make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering. It also shows the importance of having empathy, and how the most…
What does the phrase “Motivational Check” mean? Former LEO Terry Tucker has reinvented himself frequently over his professional career. He was an officer and SWAT Hostage Negotiator with the Cincinnati Police Department. Motivational Check is a mantra from when Terry was a recruit in the Cincinnati Police Academy, it was…
Is there a connection between pain and trauma? How are stress and trauma stored in the body? Many responders are struggling with some kind of emotional pain, substance abuse, depression, trauma and even suicidal ideation, etc. Is it possible to transform that pain into something more positive? Gabriel Shaw is…
In this episode, we’ll be speaking with Michael Crouch, LCSW on the topic, “Is Trauma Treatable?” Michael is an EMDR Consultant and Co-Coordinator of the Fairfield County Trauma Response Team (FCTRT). Mental health trauma treatment is a critical topic for many in the first responder community. Michael is featured in…
We'll be speaking with financial representative Adam Palamara of Northwestern Mutual, who works with over 100 First Responders and Veterans across the country. We discuss some critical questions that should be answered well before retirement arrives. We also discuss estate planning, financial planning and pension maximization strategies. Depending on the…
In this episode, we’ll be speaking with trauma expert and author of the book CopShock, Allen Kates, about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and how to survive it by employing resiliency techniques.
Can we exercise the mind to build mental fitness? Yes, says performance expert Erik Leslie from Modern Mindfulness. Erik has trained professionals in the world’s toughest careers (first responders, Special Forces and Apache Pilots) with simple ways to become present in high-stress situations. Erik talks about what modern mindfulness is,…
As a CIT Coordinator, Officer Peter Elste works closely with Crisis Intervention Clinician Scott Alvord on the Danbury Police Crisis Intervention Team. Together, they respond to calls involving mental and behavioral issues to help connect people to available services. In this episode Pete and Scott speak about Community Response and…
Sonny Provetto is a former state trooper, EMDR clinician and a trauma consultant for police departments and emergency responders nationwide. He runs the Vermont Center for Responder Wellness, a comprehensive treatment center for first responders, which uses a multi-disciplinary approach to healing traumatic stress. Sonny talks about a tool he…
Katharine Pope is a renowned Forensic Investigator and Crime Scene Specialist, whose resilient career and path through PTSD and Alcohol Use Disorder is remarkable. Death investigation is a challenging field that requires a unique personality, work/life balance and a wide range of skills to be successful. In this episode, we…
Throughout his 46 year career as a Fire Captain and Investigator, Patrick Wills had seen more than his share of trauma and death, but it wasn’t until he responded to a tragic fire that claimed the lives of three young sisters that he unknowingly descended into total PTSD. David and…
Retired L.E.O. and FBI agent Michael Van Meter is a well respected Law Enforcement Leader and an Addiction Recovery Expert. In this episode, he talks about the devastating effects of addiction on the public, himself, and his profession. Pulling from personal and professional experience, Michael shares thoughts on this complex,…
Award-winning paramedic and educator Nick Paproski talks with David about a vital and elusive commodity: SLEEP.
Peer support is an essential element of any emergency response team. This episode features an interview with Doug O'Rourke, a Lieutenant with the Hamden Fire Department, who also serves as the Director of the Connecticut Firefighter Peer Support Network. In this video, Doug talks about the organization and its mission.…
Pete Elste is a Danbury Police Officer who has become a leader in peer support and crisis intervention. In this episode Pete shares his story of addiction, restructuring his path to recovery, and staying grounded. Pete is a resilient leader who has proven that you can achieve anything you put…
In this episode, Bonnie and David interview Sara Beckert, National Fire Academy Instructor and founder of First Response Health and Wellness.
The Responder Resilience show is dedicated to improving the mental, spiritual and physical well-being of police, fire, EMS, and dispatch personnel. Hosted by Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.), Dr. Stacy Raymond, Psy.D., and Bonnie C. Rumilly, LCSW/EMT-B, these broadcasts feature expert guests sharing vital information about wellness topics for first responders.…
We discuss first responder EMDR therapy, which is a powerfully effective way to take the charge out of stressful memories and reprocess them. First Responder therapists Dr. Stacy Raymond and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW will be talking about what to expect from the EMDR process, how it can help responders.
Michael Sugrue has been on the front lines of the battle against duty induced trauma since he responded to a fatal officer involved shooting that instantly changed his whole world. Hear Michael's story, and learn about his book RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma.
We’ll be speaking with Steven Wilcox Director of Education for FrontlineCT about their first responder peer support program and the stigma around first responder mental health. Mental health issues are still infrequently discussed in the first responder community. The paramedic profession has a high rate of suicide and mental health-related…
