Welcome to Beneath the Helmet Podcast
May 15, 2024

The Thing First Responders Fear Most

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Firefighter Wellness - Beneath The Helmet Show

In this episode, we reveal what First Responders Fear the most!

In this powerful episode of "Beneath the Helmet," host Retired Fire Chief Arjuna George sits down with Robert Avsec, a former Battalion Chief and Fire Service Psychology Association member, to discuss the critical issue of mental health in the fire service. Robert shares his insights on the fear of job loss due to mental health challenges, the importance of viewing mental health as part of overall health, and innovative approaches to firefighter rehabilitation.

 

Key Topics:

The biggest fears firefighters face regarding job loss and mental health

The stigma around seeking mental health care in the fire service

Comparing firefighter rehabilitation to athletic recovery

The need for a holistic approach to firefighter health, integrating mental and physical recovery

The Fire Service Psychology Association's efforts to bridge the gap between professional psychology and firefighting

 

00:00 - Introduction and welcome

01:00 - Diving deep with Robert Avsec: Mental health in firefighting

04:00 - Robert's journey from New Jersey to Battalion Chief

22:00 - Addressing the mental health stigma and integrating holistic rehabilitation

35:00 - Learning from sports: A new approach to firefighter rehab

55:00 - The role of culturally competent clinicians in firefighter mental health

1:02:00 - Innovative mental health strategies: TRIM and beyond

1:15:00 - Conclusion and final thoughts

 

Remember to like, subscribe, and join our Facebook community for more support and discussions about firefighter health and wellness. Stay well!

 

Connect with Our Guest: Robert Avsec

Organization: Fire Service Psychology Association

Rank: Battalion Chief (Retired)

E-mail: chiefavsec@firepsychology.org

Personal Website: fireemsleaderpro.org

 

About the Host:

Arjuna George hosts "Beneath the Helmet" and is a passionate advocate for mental health in the firefighting community. With a rich fire service and leadership background, Arjuna brings insightful perspectives to each episode, exploring topics that matter most to first responders.

 

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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/602275498508857/

For inquiries or feedback, reach out to us at arjuna@silverarrowco.com

 

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Episode 48 Season 2

Connect with the Host:

Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.

www.silverarrowco.com

www.burntaroundtheedges.com

www.beneaththehelmet.ca 

Robert Avsec Profile Photo

Robert Avsec

Battalion Chief (Retired)

Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (ret.) served with the Chesterfield (Virginia) Fire & EMS Department for 26 years. He was an instructor for fire, EMS and hazardous materials courses at the local, state and federal levels, which included more than 10 years with the National Fire Academy.

Chief Avsec earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s EFO Program.

Beyond his writing for FireRescue1.com and FireChief.com, Avsec authors the blog Talking “Shop” 4 Fire & EMS and has published his first book, “Successful Transformational Change in a Fire and EMS Department: How a Focused Team Created a Revenue Recovery Program in Six Months – From Scratch.” Connect with Avsec on LinkedIn or via email.