Takeaways

• Arriving in the middle of a call can be dangerous as you may not be aware of the dynamics and tensions already present.
• Compassion fatigue can lead to a lack of empathy and compassion, which can impact patient care and increase the risk of violence.
• It is important for first responders to reconnect with their purpose and maintain a compassionate mindset to avoid burnout and negative interactions with patients.
• Having a clear and universal code for calling for help in emergency situations can improve communication and response times. Seeking professional help for mental health is crucial, especially in traumatic situations.
• Departments should prioritize mental health and create robust mental health programs.
• Sleep is essential for overall health and wellness, and shift workers face unique challenges in getting adequate sleep.
• Informal peer support has its limitations, and professional help may be necessary in certain situations. The aftermath of the stabbing incident had a significant impact on Benjamin and his crew, leading to silence and a lack of communication within the crew.
• Benjamin expressed concern for his captain and crew members who did not seek mental health help, highlighting the importance of mental health support in the fire department.
• The concept of administrative betrayal was discussed, emphasizing the need for departments to carefully consider the discipline they impose and the potential impact on individuals' mental health.
• Benjamin emphasized the need for more education and training on mental health at every rank in the department to create a better understanding and support system.

Sound Bites

• "I was blown away by that, that paradigm shift of calling it that."
• "The entire fight lasted less than five seconds."
• "I was not a very nice person... I was bitter and burned out."
• "If I could go back and anything, would just help my guys be compassionate again, know, make sure they're rested and remind them of why we do this job so that when we're on scene, we are better patient caregivers."
• "What is it that launches your instinct?"
• "You can only [pass judgment] when you are an expert in that field."
• "We're not going to talk about the stabbing, okay?"
• "That's a very strange dynamic."
• "The skyscraper in the room"

Takeaways

• The transition from counseling to the fire service provided an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth.
• Preserving mental and physical health in the fire service is crucial for resilience and longevity.
• Post-shift recovery protocols focus on physiological and psychological restoration, emphasizing the importance of relationships and holistic well-being. The importance of solitude and restorative activities for first responders
• The physiological and mental benefits of sauna, cold plunges, and cycling
• The impact of community involvement on overall well-being and resilience
• The concept of creating a wellness center within first responder departments

Sound Bites

• "The fire service has been a process of trying to hold onto both toughness and tenderness."
• "I had been researching and reading about more things that have to do with mental health and physical longevity."
• "At the core of that, you're gonna find that in relationships, that you're gonna find that in the space between you and another person."
• "Reconnecting with activities that fulfill and reorient oneself"

In this episode, Jennifer Darling and Josh discuss the progress and impact of their podcast, "A Duty to Act." They reflect on the most impactful episodes so far, including the Des Moines episode and the discussion on secondary traumatic stress with Pat Ellis. They also mention the importance of addressing cancer in the fire service and their plans to cover topics such as lifeguards, smoke jumpers, and tribal EMS. Josh shares his experience in building a data science course for EMS and fire leadership, emphasizing the importance of thinking like a data scientist and using data to make meaningful changes in departments. They discuss the value of a data-driven culture and the need for curious minds to analyze and interpret data accurately.

The Des Moines episode and the discussion on secondary traumatic stress have been the most impactful episodes so far.

Cancer in the fire service is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

Lifeguards, smoke jumpers, and tribal EMS are potential topics for future episodes.

Building a data-driven culture is crucial for making informed decisions and improving departments.

Curiosity and asking the right questions are essential for effective data analysis.

"The Des Moines episode is such an important issue." - Josh

"I hadn't thought about the life and death of it. I had thought about the working environment and longevity and recruitment and retention." - Jennifer

"Everybody wants to grow up to be an influencer. When I was a kid, everybody wanted to grow up to be an astronaut or a firefighter or a race car driver." - Josh

"Everybody's got an ear to ear smile when they get to tour an ambulance or a fire truck." - Jennifer

"Looking at the numbers without context may tell a completely different story than having that kind of context added into it." - Josh

A Duty to Act Podcast

Don't miss this engaging episode of "A Duty to Act" as Jennifer Darling and Josh discuss the impact of their podcast and the importance of data-driven decision-making in public safety. Tune in to gain valuable insights and stay informed about the latest trends in the industry.