Sirens, Slammers and Service - A podcast for Female First Responders

Nikki Cloutier
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As a former correctional officer in Alberta for almost 2 decades and the founder of Blue Line Fitness Testing which provides law enforcement fitness testing and wellness workshops, I started this podcast as a way for female first responders to be able to share their stories including the trials, tribulations and triumphs of their daily work. Our episodes cover female correctional officers and caseworkers, military personnel, female paramedics, firefighters and dispatchers, as well as feature female Edmonton Police Service officers, drug dog handlers and female tactical team members. I want to showcase the unique perspectives, skill sets and personalities that women bring to a first responder career and work to encourage more women to apply for these careers and step up to learn more about what we do.

  1. 3D AGO

    🎙️ Season 11 Kickoff | Nancy Farmer: From the Front Lines to Fresh Starts

    Send a text  We’re coming out of the gate strong for Season 11 of Sirens, Slammers and Service with an incredible conversation featuring Nancy Farmer.  Nancy takes us through her long and impactful career with the Calgary Police Service—from what first motivated her to join policing, to rising through the ranks to an Inspector of the Support Section, and even achieving her tactical operators number along the way. We dive into leadership, resilience, and the realities behind the badge. The conversation doesn’t stop at retirement… because Nancy tried it twice.She opens up about the challenges of her first retirement, the identity shift that followed, and how equestrian pursuits and cultural learning at Tsuu T’ina helped shape the next chapter. That journey ultimately led to the launch of Pepper Insights Limited, a business rooted in experience, reflection, and purpose. This episode is honest, inspiring, and packed with wisdom—and it’s just the beginning of Season 11. Buckle up. We’ve got so much more coming your way.  Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 17m

  2. JAN 13

    Outside the Badge: Identity, Disappointment & Reinvention with NYPD Detective Dina Campbell

    Send us a text  We’re closing out Season 10 of Sirens, Slammers and Service with a powerful conversation that hits right at the core of first responder life.  In this final episode, Nikki sits down with NYPD Detective Dina Campbell, who shares the deeply personal story behind launching her podcast Outside the Line—a platform born from an identity crisis following a crushing disappointment during facility dog handler training. What started as heartbreak became purpose.  Dina opens up about her 14-year career with the NYPD, the demanding hiring process, her work as a peer counselor, and why building an identity outside the uniform isn’t optional—it’s essential.  🔥 This episode dives into:  What happens when your career dream falls apartWhy first responders struggle when work becomes their whole identityThe power of peer support and honest conversationsHow Dina turned a setback into something that helps others heal 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered who you are without the badge, this one’s for you. 👉 Stay tuned—Season 11 is coming soon, and we’re just getting started! Listen to Outside the Line and learn more about Puppies Behind Bars!   Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 2m

  3. JAN 2

    Grit, Growth & Giving Grace: Paramedicine, PTSD, and Telling the Truth with Lesley Prosko

    Send us a text In this candid and franky, HILARIOUS episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Lesley Prosko—a paramedic of over 18 years, author, and IV therapy clinician—for an honest conversation about the realities of life in EMS, on and off the truck. Lesley shares her path from athletic therapy to paramedicine, why maturity matters in this profession, and what the City of Edmonton EMS hiring process really demands. She opens up about repeat callers, the cumulative weight of the job, and the experiences that ultimately led to her PTSD diagnosis—with clarity, humour, and zero sugarcoating. We also talk about her bold book Instagram Moms Are Full of Shit, her children’s book Mommy Why, and why kindness, respect, and mental health awareness are non-negotiables in first responder culture. Nikki and Lesley also make a strong case for mandatory observation shifts so candidates truly understand what they’re signing up for. If you’re in EMS, thinking about it, or raising humans while surviving shift work—this episode will hit home. Grab Lesley's books and learn more!!  🎧 Check out other related episodes on the podcast and don’t forget to tune in to Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station for more real talk from the front lines. Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 11m

  4. 12/26/2025

    Horses, Badges & the Beat: Inside CPS Mounted Patrol with Robin Koltusky

    Send us a text This episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service takes you behind the reins of one of policing’s most unique and powerful units. Nikki is joined by Robin Koltusky, Mounted Patrol Team Lead with the Calgary Police Service and AWIPS Civilian of the Year 2025, for a deep dive into what it really takes to run a modern mounted unit.  Robin shares her unconventional path into policing—from a lifetime in horsemanship and entrepreneurship to becoming a civilian subject matter expert within CPS—and how that expertise helped reshape the Mounted Unit’s breeding program, herd assessment, and training standards.  We break down the four operational portfolios of Mounted Patrol—frontline patrol, community engagement, search, and public safety support—plus the intense tactical training horses and officers undergo, including desensitization to crowds, noise, footing, and chaos. If you’ve ever wondered how officers and horses are selected, trained, and deployed when it matters most, this episode delivers.  🐎 Curious about other specialized units and behind-the-scenes roles in public safety?  Check out our related episodes—and don’t forget to tune in to Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station for more real talk from the front lines.  Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 8m

  5. 12/19/2025

    No Sugarcoating It: 15 Hard Truths About Life as a First Responder

    Send us a text  In this solo episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki gets real—no filters, no fluff. Drawing from lived experience, she breaks down 15 hard truths every first responder needs to hear, especially early in their career.  We talk about why keeping your work life and personal life separate actually matters, the reality of “work friends” and situational relationships, and the uncomfortable truth that this job isn’t fair—and never will be. This episode is honest, grounding, and meant to help you navigate the career with clearer eyes and stronger boundaries.  If you’re new to the job, feeling burned out, or just need someone to say the quiet parts out loud—this one’s for you.  🎧 Hit play, then check out our other related episodes for more real talk from the front lines.  📻 And don’t forget to tune in to Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station for even more unfiltered conversations.  Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    55 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    Sleep, Stress & the Science of Staying Grounded with Helen Dugdale

    Send us a text  In this episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Helen Dugdale—psychotherapist, science lover, and soon-to-be two-time author—to dig into the gut-brain connection, sleep, anxiety, and why your nervous system is calling the shots more than you think.  Helen breaks down how sleep deprivation wrecks emotional control, why first responders can’t rely on gut instinct alone, and how mental fitness starts with simple habits: brain dumping before bed, getting your body moving, reinforcing self-worth, and learning to separate emotion from logic when the stakes are high.  We chat about her book Put Insomnia to Sleep, her upcoming release Overcoming Anxiety, and real-world strategies anyone working shifts can start using tonight.  If your sleep, stress, or mental bandwidth is stretched thin, this episode is for you. Learn more from Helen - https://www.australianbraincoaching.com.au/ helen@australianbraincoaching.com.au Check out our other wellness-focused episodes on Sirens, Slammers and Service! And if you like what you hear, you can catch Nikki every Wednesday on the Thin Line Rock Station.  Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1 hr

  7. 12/05/2025

    When the Badge Comes Off: Identity, Sanctuary Trauma & Healing with Dr. Katherine Rolfe

    Send us a text In this powerful episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Dr. Katherine Rolfe, a registered psychologist and former member of both the military and the Edmonton Police Service, to explore the deeply personal journey of serving—and the challenges of stepping away after more than 20 years in uniform. Dr. Rolfe shares the emotional landscape of leaving a first responder identity behind and explains how sanctuary trauma—organizational betrayal or lack of support—can intensify PTSD and drive burnout in even the strongest professionals. She offers straightforward, actionable guidance for those still in the job: Get a therapist early—don’t wait until crisis hits.Keep structure and work-life balance to maintain perspective.Move the emotions through the body—running, physical activity, and movement matter.Talk about what you go through, so isolation doesn’t take over.This episode is a must-listen for anyone in frontline service or supporting someone who is. Don’t miss this candid and validating conversation—and be sure to check out Balance Psychology to learn more about building resilience and protecting your mental health. https://www.balancepsychservices.ca/ info@balancepsychservices.ca Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 3m

  8. 11/28/2025

    Resilience, Reinvention, and Rising Strong with Lori Bailey

    Send us a text In this episode of Sirens, Slammers and Service, Nikki sits down with Lori Bailey, an Inspector with the City of Calgary Transit’s Community Outreach Team, whose career journey is a powerful example of perseverance and reinvention. Lori shares her path from federal corrections, to teaching at Bow Valley College, to serving in her current role supporting Peace Officers and vulnerable populations on Calgary Transit—while also opening up about her own battle with PTSD and earning her Master’s degree at 52.  Nikki and Lori dig into the realities of working in male-dominated environments, the hypervigilance that can follow corrections officers long after shifts end, and the importance of support systems and self-care for anyone in first responder careers. Lori also offers grounded, practical advice for those considering a career in federal corrections and preparing for the challenges of the job.  Don’t miss this insightful conversation—and be sure to check out upcoming training resources and workshops designed to support the mental health and growth of first responders.  Blue Line Fitness Testing is a premier law enforcement fitness testing and training center based in Edmonton. Specializing in helping individuals prepare for the physical demands of a career in law enforcement, we offer comprehensive fitness evaluations, specialized training programs, and classes tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.  Support the show Want to support this podcast even more! Make a monthly subscription for only $3 a month here! Interested in becoming a first responder? Reach out to learn more! Email - info@bluelinefitnesstesting.com Blue Line Fitness Testing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluelinefitnesstesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bluelinefitnesstesting/ LinkedIn - Nikki Cloutier

    1h 5m
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About

As a former correctional officer in Alberta for almost 2 decades and the founder of Blue Line Fitness Testing which provides law enforcement fitness testing and wellness workshops, I started this podcast as a way for female first responders to be able to share their stories including the trials, tribulations and triumphs of their daily work. Our episodes cover female correctional officers and caseworkers, military personnel, female paramedics, firefighters and dispatchers, as well as feature female Edmonton Police Service officers, drug dog handlers and female tactical team members. I want to showcase the unique perspectives, skill sets and personalities that women bring to a first responder career and work to encourage more women to apply for these careers and step up to learn more about what we do.

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