Free Burn 2023

Matt Ballard
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real life conversations with Firefighters police officers, emt’s, paramedics, clinicians and doctors about mental/behavioral health and resiliency in the first responder community. Burning the stigma with first responder mental health one podcast at a time!

  1. Episode Burn #26 Ret. Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Bentley

    05/24/2024

    Episode Burn #26 Ret. Firefighter/Paramedic Mark Bentley

    Mark, now Retired had 26 years of service as a FF/paramedic. 12 years with Sherman FD and 14 with Allen FD. He is married to his wife Lisa. They have 5 kids between them and 4 grandchildren.  He loves spending time with his family and friends. Come join in on the conversation as Mark shares his journey with mental health.  Thank you Brother for all you have done and continue to do, Most importantly ...Sharing your journey!!

    53 min
  2. Burn #25 Matty Fiorenza

    05/16/2024

    Burn #25 Matty Fiorenza

    On This Episode I Sit down with Matty Fiorenza, a retired Firefighter/Paramedic with 22 years of service! Matty is walking the walk and helping out our Brothers and Sisters in a big way with mental and behavioral health!! Hop on and enjpy this dudes journey and see where he's at today!!! He is also on the documentary PTSD 911, a must see and helps run a in patient facility Recovery First for first responder mental and behavioral health!! Thanks Matty for all you do! https://ptsd911movie.com/ https://recoveryfirst.com/

    1h 4m
  3. Burn #24 Arjuna George Beneath the helmet podcast

    04/22/2024

    Burn #24 Arjuna George Beneath the helmet podcast

    On this episode i sit down with Arjuna George he's a resilience warrior in high-pressure environments. With over 24 years of navigating challenging landscapes, including a decade as a Fire Chief, Arjuna is uniquely positioned to guide high-performing leaders on their journey to resilience. come listen to my new Canadian Brother as he shares what he's doing to Burn the stigma with mental and behavirol health! https://silverarrowco.com/ https://burntaroundtheedges.com/ https://silverarrowco.com/podcast

    45 min
  4. Burn #23 Hannah Elmore with The IAFF Center of Excellence

    03/14/2024

    Burn #23 Hannah Elmore with The IAFF Center of Excellence

    Hannah is a clinical social worker serving first responders on the outreach team for the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery. The IAFF Center of Excellence is a one-of-a-kind treatment facility specializing in PTSD for professional fire service members who struggle with trauma, substance use, addiction and other related behavioral health challenges. Hannah works with first responders through connection to behavioral health resources, providing education, and offering support. Hannah educates on behavioral health topics pertaining to the fire service and first responder communities to departments, peer teams, families and clinicians.   Hannah received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University. Prior to joining the IAFF Center of Excellence team, Hannah received her clinical training in various settings, including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL and the James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, FL. Hannah is a trained IAFF Peer Supporter, has a certification in Treating Fire Service Members in Behavioral Health Settings through the IAFF, has participated in Fire Ops, and has attended ride-alongs with fire departments in multiple states. Hannah dedicates each day to personal education and immersion into fire service culture to be a trusted resource for all. Hannah contact : 727-506-9036 www.IAFFRecoverycenter.com

    1h 4m
  5. Burn #22 Lauren Gamache Paramedic with The Colony FD

    03/07/2024

    Burn #22 Lauren Gamache Paramedic with The Colony FD

    On this episode I sit down with Lauren Gamache. She works at for The colony Fire Department as a Single role Paramedic. She just hit her five year anniversary there and has been a medic since 2015. Join in as she shares her journey through her personal struggles and healing. From Lauren Most importantly to me, I’m a mom to two beautiful, sarcastic, and way too smart kiddos. We have a crazy life in our log cabin in Whitesboro, Tx. I teach EMT and Paramedic students, and try to learn as much as I can about caring for our peers and connecting to people whenever I can! Thanks Lauren for sharing your journey with me and our listeners! Keep Burning that Stigma!!

    53 min
  6. Burn #21 Lieutenant Kevin Pfluger Live Oak FD

    02/29/2024

    Burn #21 Lieutenant Kevin Pfluger Live Oak FD

    On this episode is sit down with Kevin Pfluger is a 17 year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Lieutenant at the Live Oak (TX) fire department. He is the President of the Live Oak Professional Firefighters Association Local 4098. Through the local, Kevin is the lead organizer of the Dagum Texas Fire Conference. He teaches with MV Fire Rescue as the lead instructor teaching hose line management on “The First Line” Engine Ops Cadre and helps teach firefighter rescue and survival skills on the “No Quit RIT” Cadre. Kevin also teaches with the Bearers of the Oath Cadre out of Georgia. Kevin works for Mercedes Textiles Hose as a Consultant and is on the UL 19 Technical Committee for 0219-Fire Hose.

    1h 9m
  7. Burn #20 Nate Sturm District Chief with Apopka FD

    02/23/2024

    Burn #20 Nate Sturm District Chief with Apopka FD

    On this episode I sit down with Nate Sturm 23 year veteran of the fire service with the Apopka Fire Department. He currently hold the rank of District Chief. He’s Married to his best friend who truly is his rock, Angie with 2 Awesome daughters! Mental health has always been near and dear to his heart! Nate has  taken many classes in peer support, critical incident stress management and received training in becoming a Chaplain for the fire service. Nate has had his struggles just like a lot of us! He real, he’s passionate and most of all he is a solid Brother to me not only in the fire service but in Christ! Honored to have him as a friend! Thank You Brother for being open, trusting, and sharing your journey with me!! KEEP BURNING THAT STIGMA!!

    1h 19m
  8. Burn #19 Stephanie White Firefighter/Paramedic

    02/22/2024

    Burn #19 Stephanie White Firefighter/Paramedic

    On this episode I sit down with Stephanie White. She is a 20 year veteran of the fire service, and has spent the past 18 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic assigned to the field in a metropolitan fire department. Stephanie is a podcaster and contributing writer with Fire Engineering. She enjoys talking about the taboo subjects in the fire service revolving around laughter, harassment, and mental health.

    1h 12m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Real life conversations with Firefighters police officers, emt’s, paramedics, clinicians and doctors about mental/behavioral health and resiliency in the first responder community. Burning the stigma with first responder mental health one podcast at a time!

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Ballard
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt Ballard
  • Show Website
    Free Burn 2023