Kevin is a fire service captain and Instructor with almost 20 years on the job.  In 2021, he was diagnosed with a stress injury that had been clearly accumulating for many years.  He chose to explore alternative methodologies in treating his injury and has had great success.  Hopefully, his story can shed light on what is becoming an increasingly recognized hazard of our profession (stress-related injuries) and some of the options firefighters have to work through them.

@bigkkapitan

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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David is a Fire Captain at Santee Fire Department with 24 years of service. His passion in the fire service is training and cancer awareness. Being a survivor of work-related cancer has inspired him to make others aware of the dangers of cancer in the fire service and how to protect against it. Spending time with family is most important to David; he has been happily married for 29 years and raised two adult children. His son is now interested in pursuing a career in the fire service, and his married daughter is in the science field.  He enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, and finding new adventures to share with family and friends.

@dleask_72

leaskfour@twc.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Steve Is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys pushing his limits and has always been drawn to the mountains and water. He is a 14-year Firefighter and student of the fire service, exploring efficiencies and tactics with a focus on aggressive professional performance, safety, and situational awareness. He instructs in fire-ground and marine operations within his department and part-time at a fire school. His goal in teaching is to grow and learn and leave students with a better understanding of the "why" behind tactics. He is also a peer support program co-lead and uses therapy, good friends, sarcasm and fitness keep him balanced.

higginssd@hotmail.com

@higgyp0p

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Ricky is a Firefighter with the London Fire Brigade and was one of over 250 first responders who were called to the fire at Grenfell Tower, on the 14th of June 2017. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 72 residents and injured over 70 more.

He suffered from PTSD as a result of the life-changing decisions he had to make that night, as well as carrying the weight of previous traumatic incidents over a long career.With a new perspective, He’s now a mental health advocate and public voice, focusing on raising awareness of the importance of social and workplace mental health and well-being.

https://www.justrick.co.uk/

@rickynuttallofficial

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Manny is a nozzleman with San Antonio Fire. Born, raised, and still lives and works in the city's inner west side close to his home. Engine and Nozzle work is his passion and is a true believer that the basics are where the fight is won. A Marine Corps combat veteran and first-generation college graduate. He is a proud husband and father of 3 and a field training officer with his dept.

@manny_b210

@andyfredericksghost

Manuelbarajas210@gmail.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Brent is a tenured Firefighter with thirty years of emergency service experience. He has served twelve years with the Office of the Fire Marshal as an Emergency Response Specialist., coordinating the provincial deployment of emergency response for hazardous materials and urban search and rescue emergencies. He has investigated illegal grow-ops, clandestine drug labs, and countless fire scenes and operated in a safety officer role at major emergency operations across the province. He is also a District Chief with Tay Township Fire Department, an instructor at Southwest Fire Academy for many years, and as of late 2022 accepted the role of Principal coordinating daily operations. 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Dr. Jody Burnett is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, providing service to the general public, specializing in service provision to first responders/public safety personnel and their families for the past 20 years.  She is a Clinical Research Associate and Therapist at PSPNET with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) and supports outreach and engagement of these services across Canada. An Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Regina, Jody pursued both her academic and professional career in Regina, Saskatchewan, completing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and successfully establishing her own consulting firm (J. Burnett Consulting) specializing in high-performance training, counseling and research/evaluation within various sectors including health, education, and justice.  

PSPNET, a clinical research unit in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), delivering online services tailored to Public Service Personnel in need of mental health support. PSPNET also provides families of PSP with mental health support through PSPNET Families, which delivers a rich foundation and understanding of what it means to be “on the job” for the family members of PSP. 

@pspnetcanada

www.pspnet.ca

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Poet, punk rocker, and firefighter, Kevin Burke is a difficult individual to sum up.  The last 8 years of his life, he's been a member of the fire service, and the last five years of that he has been proud to be part of SAFD's Res51cue.  Prior to his time as a public servant, Kevin has been a long standing and seasoned artist.  He has toured as a musician and as a poet, shared stages with world renowned poets and grammy award winning musicians, and has always tried to make art that makes a difference.  Aside from three DIY chapbooks, his work has been published by Freeze Ray Press, Into Quarterly, Timber Mouse Publishing, Button Poetry (video), and Write About Now Publishing. Kevin is also the 2011 Austin Poetry Slam Champ, 2011 Southwest Shootout Slam Champ, and the only two time Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival Champion, and currently the lead vocalist for County Hell (a blackened-crust-punk collaboration with poet Bill Moran).

Currently, Kevin is a new father, a partner to his wife/getaway-driver, and an increasingly vocal advocate for mental health, especially for members of the first responder community.  In fact, Burke is currently enrolled in Northwestern University's Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has plans to become a therapist.  His forthcoming book entitled Tailboard Field Notes is due for release late this spring.

@kevinwburke

youtu.be/C4ih_oktiYU
www.sofarsounds.com/artists/kevin-burke
writeaboutnowpoetry.com
writeaboutnowpoetry.com/books
www.instagram.com/kevinwburke/?hl=en
www.facebook.com/kevinwburkepoetry/
www.instagram.com/countyhellmusic/
countyhellmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
kevinwburke.bandcamp.com/album/this-i…ckle-freedom

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Phil Resendes is a 15-year member of the Fire Service. Phil is a newly promoted Acting Captain with the Chatham-Kent Fire Department. He has Instructed at Lambton College Fire School in the Pre-Service and Fire Science programs. He is the Vice-President and one of the co-founders of True North FOOLS. Phil is a student of the Fire Service and is passionate about sharing his love for the trade by passing on what has worked and what has been passed on to him. "Culture is everything, and building strong Fire Department culture is done through continuous drilling and training”. Phil believes it is the glue that binds us and prepares us mentally and physically. The brotherhood is what brought him to the job, and the brotherhood is what he’s committed to preserving alongside the many like-minded and supportive members in your fire departments.

@backstepsixtytwo 

@truenorthfools 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Admin: @haileyfirefit

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Adam Parkhurst is a Driver/Engineer with the Euless, TX Fire Department. He started his career in 2006 and worked for 10 years as a Field Training Paramedic. He is a Swift water rescue technician, a medical specialist with a federal USAR team, and a Paramedic Instructor at Tarrant County College. He holds a Master Degree in Sociology and has published articles or culture building, improving training within the fire service, as well as depression and mental health. He lives in Dallas with his wife and 2 sons.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco @m.pletz

Admin: @haileyfirefit

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With more than three decades of experience as a Health Studies Professor teaching physiology, pathophysiology & pharmacology, Wendy understands the biology of stress and resiliency.

She extensively investigated the experience of trauma in first responders and has built a case for how and why compassionate-based mindfulness theory and practices can build proactive resiliency in vulnerable sectors for her MSc in Mindfulness Studies. She has helped to pioneer curriculum for those who engage trauma in their work so that they reduce their risk of psychological injury in the line of duty. She has shared her vision in conferences as a speaker/plenary, in many workshops and in print.

Wendy believes it’s about being proactive, not reactive, with our mental health. Her vision is to help others redefine wealth in their workplace and lives.

https://www.wellthmanagement.ca/team

IG - @wellth_management.inc

Twitter - @WLund100 @WorkWithHeartWM

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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Daniel is a Marine Corps Veteran. He has been serving as a Firefighter with San Antonio for 5 years and is currently riding Truck 17. He is an SAFD mentor for probationary Firefighters and an MV Fire Rescue TX Lead Instructor. He has been published in Firehouse magazine and featured on The Rogue Tailboard Podcast.

@dcdrury

@mvfirerescuetx

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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Hailey is a rookie in a full-time department in Southern Ontario, Canada. , with experience as a rural volunteer. She is passionate about firefighter fitness, mental health and resiliency, and lifelong learning. Hailey originally went to University to pursue a different career but was introduced to firefighting as a possibility through a family friend. She views her failures as opportunities and is continually assessing her life plan to ensure it is moving in a positive direction. She encourages aspiring firefighters to have the same mindset as there isn’t one correct path into this profession. She is excited to pursue roles in teaching/mentorship and training first responders to be fit on and off-duty.

Instagram: @haileyfirefit

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/haileygreen

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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Daniel is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at Santa Ana College and a Ph.D. student who focuses on Human and Sports Performance.

He works with over 30 fire departments conducting physical and physiological assessments and educating on topics related to firefighter's health and wellness

His research focuses on how wearable technology may help inform and guide a firefighter's PT and recovery both on and off duty.

To find out more, contact him on Instagram @prof.dhigs

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

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Wayne Hannah is a 42-year-old veteran and firefighter from Central Ontario. Wayne was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD after spending the majority of his adult life self-sabotaging and making excuses for a negative mindset. After exploring the idea and thoughts of suicide, he decided to put on his big-boy pants and change his internal narrative.

In the spring of 2021, Wayne began sharing his “morning message” regularly on social media; TikTok and Instagram. He quickly found a home, but more importantly, a community.

“Good Morning Assholes” is now viewed by thousands of people every morning with over 230,000 followers and 2 million likes.

In the summer of 2021, he started the "Zen AF" podcast with actor Alex Skuby - which is quickly gaining popularity all over the world.

Through Wayne’s journey, he has inspired millions through straightforward and relatable messages pulled from his own experience, stories, and those of the community that follows him.

https://www.waynehannah.com/

https://www.zenafpod.com/

@zenafpodcast

@officialalexskuby

@goodmorningassholes

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

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Southwest Fire Academy is a registered private career college in southern Ontario that offers a variety of dynamic programs: pre-service firefighting, officer development, HAZMAT, and various technical rescue courses, amongst many others. SFA takes pride in its passion for rigorous training, backed by an impressive roster of highly skilled, reputable instructors. Featured are SFA founders Gord Roesch and Jesse Bond, who have combined 40-plus years of firefighting experience and over 30 years of instructing experience. An honored retiree in his municipal service, Roesch has served an extensive career, with tenure as a firefighter, a training officer, and a Chief in many organizations. Bond is currently a career fireman and Acting Captain and additionally serves as a Captain for two municipal volunteer departments.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

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For longevity and serenity in this life, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments and wins along the way. If you are lucky enough, you will have the opportunity to celebrate them with dear friends. As I approach turning 50, I realize, that like reaching the 50th episode of this podcast, it’s just another number, but in both is the opportunity to reflect on the journey with loved ones. I’m incredibly grateful that two of my dearest friends, Caroline Downes and Dave Vanderburg, wished to spend this time together doing what friends do best, allowing each other to be seen, heard, understood, and accepted.

Deepest thanks to all the guests that have trusted me with their stories, and those that have taken the time to listen and connect with me. A special thanks to Matt Pletz of Premium Mix Marketing, editor extraordinaire Brad Shea, and our sponsor Southwest Fire Academy for everything they have done to produce and support the show. The team and the podcast continue to grow and evolve. Here’s to the next 50.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

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Dave is an avid road cyclist and has been a Captain for 3 years. Born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area, his journey to becoming a firefighter was atypical, stumbling into the profession 15 years ago. He has spent time working as a trench rescue instructor, an honour guard member, co-lead of his department’s muscular dystrophy boot drive, and currently co-leads its peer support team. His life, upbringing, and travels have offered a unique perspective on firefighting. We discuss mental and physical health, the value of people, being an officer, communication, service to others, bro culture, and the corporatization of the service.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

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