Douglas R. Brown runs into burning buildings for a living. After a horrible all he began showing the signs of PTS. His friends and family could tell something was wrong, but Doug was the last to figure it out. He finally asked for help when his marriage was about to dissolve. He began writing as a cathartic way of dealing with the day-to-day stresses of life as a firefighter/paramedic in Columbus, Ohio. Now he focuses his writing on fantasy and horror where he can draw from his lifelong love of the genres. He has been married since 1996 and has a son and a few dogs. He has had four books published to date. Douglas has since given his work a new home under his own imprint of Epertase Publishing where you can find his latest collection of supernatural suspense stories titled A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories.Website- A Firefighter Christmas Carol | Epertase (epertasepublishing.com)Amazon link- A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories: Brown, Douglas R, Brown, Rebecca, Murphy, Steve: 9781736882030: Amazon.com: BooksBarnes and Noble - A Firefighter Christmas Carol and Other Stories by Douglas R Brown, Hardcover | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)Audible- A Firefighter Christmas Carol by Douglas R. Brown | Audiobook | Audible.comhttps://bookshop.org/ Fire Escape Cabin: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/375957?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=2bef18ca-a718-4158-b4a8-5a438f873f17

Lt Rob Hiller, of the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, shares his personal story of a cardiac medical condition, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress - each one almost costing him the job he loves so much. Lt. Hiller continues to walk forward as he continues to get knocked down by his body and his department. He is still working today. Fortunately, his department has accepted mental health awareness as a vital part of keeping their department running and healthy. His story, just like so many, is inspiring in that he’s never given up.

Today retired firefighter Joe Bartholomew shares his story of getting trapped in a basement fire and coming as close to dying as you can get. He talks about how this fire and his 33 years in the fire service left him with PTS. He dealt with department betrayal and a cold shoulder from some of his so called brothers and sisters in the department. Joe tells us how he healed and wants everyone else suffering to know they are not alone.

Finally! A new episode! I talk with Dave Robertson. He is the owner of FireEDGE - Fire Service Training + Career Coaching/Training Officer. He is a Fire Chief (ret) from the Napa Valley, CA. Dave and I discuss the havoc that PTS brings to a first responder and their family. Dave shares his story of finally coming to the realization that he needed help and the real reason he participated in Napa Lunches.

Quentin Waynick started in the first responder muck when he was 15. He did everything from firefighting to dispatching to being a paramedic. He lived on top of the world....until he got angry, really angry. In fact he was fired from his job due to his anger. He lived like this not having any idea what was wrong with him - that is until her heard this podcast and realized he has PTSD and he is not alone.

Retired police officer Ray Fernandez has 30 years on the job. Like so many of us first responders, once a tough guy, he drank with the boys after work and especially after a bad call. He also had a “shit-show” of a childhood. He had PTSD for years and didn’t know it. It cost him his marriage and almost cost him his life. He spent 30 years as a kick ass cop and after doing the work and coming out the other side, he is a kick ass person and loves life.

Olivia Johnson, once a paramedic and now an emergency nurse, married a firefighter name Josh Johnson. Josh Johnson got PTSD and subsequently went through hell. Well guess what, so did his wife Olivia. Olivia is one of the most powerful and raw guests I have on the show. Josh and Olivia’s story is nothing short of incredible. Here was a guy begging for help and he got shit on, sorry I don’t know how else to say it, but he kept getting back up and moving forward. And Olivia stuck around! So today we get to hear Olivia’s story of being married to a first responder. Josh was on this show June 17, and I recommend that you listen to his interview also.www.3forthelove.comTo contact Olivia: [email protected] contact Josh: [email protected]

This week we sit down with Neal Oilar. He is a medically retired deputy sheriff-coroner (Del Norte County, CA. 2014-2020). He had several CI’s, two shootings, and ultimately he was stabbed which led to my retirement. He was diagnosed with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. His department left him out to dry. This is the first part of his story.

Albert Veldstra, who has 30 years as a police officer in Stanislas County in the California central valley, sits down with the FF deconstructed and tells his story of how 30 years on the job and an officer involved shooting affected him and his family. He talks about how he recovered and now helps struggling first responders heal and find hope. You are going to love this guy.

Founder of the #Iam911 movement, former 911 dispatcher Ricardo Martinez sits down and shares his story on this episode. Ricardo is the host of the Within the Trenches podcast and is about to release episode 400. He is doing amazing work for dispatchers throughout the country. His passion is sharing the stories of dispatchers and helping them process the trauma they experience on the job. He has started his own media company, hosts and participates in conferences, all dedicated to dispatchers. I really can’t say enough about this guy. You just gotta listen.https://www.withinthetrenches.net/bizcard