Life Fire Layout The Readiness Lab

In this final episode of the Mental Health and Wellness mini-series, Nick Carson brings a fresh perspective on Peer Support and the critical link between a member in crisis and getting the help they need. 

Nick wears many hats but one of the most important ones is his role with Mind the Frontline. We dive into peer support and Nick's position at the non-profit Mind the Frontline whose entire purpose for being is to "support those who selflessly safeguard our communities"

"It is not normal or okay to suffer" - We also talk about a culture of good mental health and how the results benefit both the member and the Department/agency they are a part of. 


Imporant Links: 
https://mindthefrontline.org/ - Mind the Frontline Website 

1-866-MIND247 (866-646-3247‬) - Mind Shield Warm Line 

Contact Nick: 
ncarson@mindthefrontline.org

Find Nick on LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/nickcarson1623 

https://www.jems.com/author/nick-carsonclarionevents-com/ - Nick's JEMS Article

Beth Jacobs is a licenced clinical mental health counselor and has been for the past eight years. She is also a law enforcement spouse of 24 years and a mom of three. 

Beth and host Prescott Nadeau dive into the clinician portion of mental health and wellness with a focus on EMDR therapy and its restorative effects for emergency service providers. We also hit on trust and the critical nature of developing a relationship as an individual or Department with a clinician. 

"It became apparent this was going to be a lot about death" - Beth, reflecting upon early recognition about being the spouse of a police officer and how that ultimately led to a much greater understanding of emergency services and how to connect with such a unique group of people. 

How to reach Beth: bethjaco210@gmail.com 

Finding the right clinician 
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.iaffrecoverycenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Finding-the-Right-Clinician-2020.pdf

Clinician Webinars 
https://www.iaffrecoverycenter.com/community-education/ 

For part II in our multi part mini series on responder mental health and wellness, host Prescott Nadeau interviews Williston Police Officer Dan Macaig. 

Dan has been a firefighter, EMT and police officer in a wide range of areas including on call, career, volunteer, busy houses, slow houses... the whole gammut. 

We talk about a range of topics including:
Mental health and responder wellness conversations during entry level recruit academies The journey of a responder as his cup slowly fills up and what happens when it overflows Breaking the stigma of the "salty old school responder" and "suck it up" Acute stress reactions and how to seek help The drastic effect a listening ear can have on someone in need of help An example of the wrong clinician (followed by finding the right one) A discussion about EMDR and the tangible benefit to responders What do you want the listeners to do tomorrow?
- Treat others like you want to be treated 

Want to reach out to Dan? daniel.c.macaig@gmail.com 
Want to reach Prescott? (802) 999-5944 or prescott.nadeau@thereadinesslab.com 

Resources: 
Mind the FrontlineIAFF Center for ExcellenceSuicide and Crisis LifelinePFFV Peer Support Hotline- 1-833-802-7337  

Host Prescott Nadeau speaks with Lt. Anthony Simanskas about his experience dealing with one of the most horrific emergency scenes that has occured Statewide back in 2018. They discuss how a call like that has potential to flatten even the most seasoned responder and how to prevent it from doing just that. 

Discussion points include: 
How minimal staffing can effecet mental healthThe trauma created by pediatric patientsIdentifying stress reaction symptoms What recovery looks like following a critial incidentFinding the right clinician 
What should the listeners do "tomorrow":
Finding the right support network Feel like you can be vulnerableFind a hobby / something you enjoy doing Try something new each day
Resources: 
Mind the FrontlineIAFF Center for ExcellenceSuicide and Crisis LifelinePFFV Peer Support Hotline- 1-833-802-7337  

In this episode, host Prescott Nadeau speaks with Remote Paramedic Daniel Taylor on the world of wilderness medicine and the associated challenges.   

Dan defines the difference between wilderness, austere and remote medcine. We nerd out on gear and equipment while referencing how it applies to the urban, suburban and remote provider.   

Dan dives into the acronym MARCH PAWS and RTHP (Ruck, Truck, House, Plane)  We wrap up with a discussion on becoming a physician extender in the need for rock solid communication (as much as can be accomplished).  

This was a great conversation with a storied paramedic who has lived some pretty wild and incredible adventures. Want to learn more? Tons of resources below: 


Self-directed learning and references
Prolonged Field Care CollectiveProlongedFieldCare.org

PFC CPGsConsolidated: Prolonged Casualty Care GuidelinesSeparated out by topic: https://jts.health.mil/index.cfm/PI_CPGs/cpgs
Wilderness Medical SocietyWMS.orgWMS Journalhttps://wms.org/WMS/WMS/Research/journal.aspx?hkey=4ab1319f-2d1e-4636-acca-096377ce3018
WMS Clinical Practice Guidelineshttps://wms.org/WMS/Research/WEM/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines.aspx

Podcasts
PFC Podcasthttps://prolongedfieldcare.org/prolonged-field-care-podcast/

College of Remote and Offshore Medicine Podcasthttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/corom-foundationEpisodes 36 (Nursing care in South Sudan), 58 (Human Remains Retrieval), and 77 (Doctorate level paramedic in Colorado) 


Training
Austere Emergency Carehttps://specializedmedicalstandards.org/courses/
Anyone Not Readyhttps://anyonenotready.com/aec/
Ragged Edge Solutionshttps://www.raggededgesolutions.com
College of Remote and Offshore Medicinehttps://corom.edu.mt/austere-emergency-care/
Other courses of relevance
SOARescuehttps://www.soarescue.com/completelist
College of Remote and Offshore Medicinehttps://corom.edu.mt/short-courses/
ConferencesCanadian Association of Wilderness Medicine Annual Conferencehttps://cawm.ca 
Wilderness Medical Society Conferenceshttps://wms.org/WMS/WMS/Attend/Conferences/Overview.aspxbr...

After a temporary break away from the podcast after having his third child, Prescott returns and speaks to listeners about work life balance, including the barriers to and how to better achieve balace between personal lives and work lives.

Using lessons learned from time on the job as a career firefighter as well as time away during FMLA leave, Prescott tackles some of the complexities of work life balance that the world of emergency services presents.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to Prescott at prescott.nadeau@thereadinesslab.com. Do you know someone who you'd like to hear on the Life, Fire, Layout Podcast, or a topic you'd like us to dive deeper into? Drop a comment on email Prescott for more.