Stories From the Road

21/11/2023

🏙️ "Remembering and Healing: Triumph Over Tragedy" 🏙️

Sometimes, life throws us into situations that we could never have imagined. It's in those moments when our strength and resilience are truly tested, and we discover the depths of our own courage. Kayla's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that traumatic events can have on our lives, even when we least expect it.

As she reminisces about that fateful morning on September 11, 2001, Kayla vividly recalls the serene beauty of the sky, painted in a magnificent shade of blue. Little did she know that this picturesque backdrop would soon be shattered by chaos, tragedy, and the darkness that would envelope the World Trade Center. It's difficult to comprehend how such tranquility could be juxtaposed with the horrors that unfolded that day.

In the aftermath of the events, Kayla finds herself reflecting on her journey and the harsh reality of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She confesses her frustration at not recognizing the signs earlier, but she also highlights a crucial truth: PTSD is not limited to the military or first responders. It can affect anyone, regardless of their background or experiences.

Kayla's honesty and vulnerability serve as a reminder to us all. We must educate ourselves about the signs and symptoms of PTSD, not just for our own well-being but also to support those around us who may be silently struggling. By shedding light on this often misunderstood condition, we can create a more compassionate and empathetic society.

Today, as we remember the lives lost and the resilience shown on that tragic day, let's also honor those who continue to battle the invisible wounds of PTSD. Let's foster an environment of understanding, where seeking help and discussing mental health is encouraged and embraced.

Together, we can triumph over tragedy. Let's stand united, offering support, love, and compassion to those who need it most. 🕊️🌟

18/11/2023

“It was a hard pill to swallow. And […] it was one of these deals that if you was gonna retire, you know, you got that retirement date, you go have your little retirement party and everybody pats you on the back. You get that proverbial gold watch and everything, you know, ‘Good job!’ and, you know, ‘Enjoy your retirement.’ And, like I say, I walked in the door […] that day and people never seen me again. I never walked back in the door.” – CO Wayne

18/11/2023

Coordinator Mindy - "The Derecho": “And the instant thought I had was, ‘I hope we don’t have catastrophic injuries. I hope we don’t have any deaths, because we are now on an island. The people to the west of us are being hit by this, people to the east of us are gonna be hit by this. To the south, to the north - they’re all being hit by this. We are on our own.’” – Coordinator Mindy

It’s been three years since the derecho swept through Iowa and, although the days following have since become a blur, Mindy vividly remembers the storm itself: the sickly green color of the sky, the tumbling temperature, and the pieces of corrugated steel peeling from the rooftops around her before becoming airborne. She also remembers the urgency of her work: the warning calls made to the communities in her jurisdiction, the reassurance delivered to coworkers with a calm she did not necessarily feel herself, and the focus brought to a flustered fire department.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein, as he sits down with the podcast’s first emergency manager, Coordinator Mindy, who has spent 22 years in public service. Mindy discusses the work involved before, during, and after the derecho, how her concentration on the 17,000 people in her service area left her temporarily forgetting to take care of herself, and the important steps communities can take to make sure they are prepared for wind and weather disasters.

Thank you for listening! If you have a first responder story to share, please visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more about how you can be a guest on an upcoming episode.

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18/11/2023

"When all of this is going on, you just think, 'Oh my God, this is it. This is the moment where it's not going to be good.'"In a dangerous situation, it isn'...

07/11/2023

CO Wayne - "Career Ending": “It was a hard pill to swallow. And […] it was one of these deals that if you was gonna retire, you know, you got that retirement date, you go have your little retirement party and everybody pats you on the back. You get that proverbial gold watch and everything, you know, ‘Good job!’ and, you know, ‘Enjoy your retirement.’ And, like I say, I walked in the door […] that day and people never seen me again. I never walked back in the door.” – CO Wayne

It wasn’t Wayne’s plan to work in corrections but, once he started, he found quickly that he had a passion for it. In a career that spanned nearly two decades across multiple states and levels of security, he prided himself on being firm, fair, and objective. He especially enjoyed his work in transportation, which included getting inmates to everything from surgeries to court hearings, and it was a role from which he assumed he would retire – until an icy January morning changed everything.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with friend and guest Corrections Officer Wayne, who recalls the accident that ended his career. While transporting two inmates to a court hearing, the van Wayne was riding in hit a patch of black ice and barrel rolled, leaving the van’s passengers trapped inside. After sustaining knee, back, and shoulder injuries as well as a concussion, what he originally thought would merely delay his return to work until the following Monday resulted in extensive physical therapy and surgeries and prevented him from ever stepping foot inside the prison again.

Don’t forget! If you’re enjoying Stories From the Road, please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com for more content. Support the show

31/10/2023

Captain Kara - "Fire and Life Safety": “I don’t care how long anybody has been doing this – when you hear that, it just creates something in you that is almost a feral response. You know, I don’t think that it’s something that you can even control – even if you are the most calm, salty, old-school firefighter and you’ve done it a thousand times – when you hear that, it just creates a reaction in you that’s just visceral.” – Captain Kara

The fire department’s alert system sliced through the previously quiet night, and Kara was jarred awake by an incomparable rush of adrenaline. A structure fire had been reported in rural Upstate New York by a neighbor, and she immediately knew there was a lot working against them, including time, distance, and water supply. Although they were racing through the inky darkness, from the back seat Kara felt like they were crawling, and she could only think about how far ahead of them the fire must be and the need to get to the people reportedly trapped inside.

Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Captain Kara, the first female officer in her fire department’s 213-year history. Kara discusses her work that spans what she calls the “best of both worlds.” Not only does she perform the hands-on work necessary to combat structural fires as a volunteer firefighter, but she also utilizes data as a fire and life safety educator and juvenile firefighter intervention specialist to understand how people are getting injured in relation to fire emergencies. Ultimately, she hopes to reduce the number of people injured or killed by fire and burn-related emergencies.

In addition to her career and volunteer work, Kara also owns St. Florian Fitness. Her goal is to reduce line of duty deaths related to poor cardiac health. You can learn more about Kara’s work by visiting her organization’s Instagram page: St. Florian Fitness.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. If you’d like more content, or to learn about opportunities to be a guest on the show, visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com. Support the show

24/10/2023

Paramedic Josh - "Eleven Patients and No Help": “You know we asked – I asked – ‘Hey, if you can send anybody from that other service we can get some mutual aid, and then if you can clear anybody out [of] the hospital, we have multiple children kind of on the ground ejected from a vehicle,’ and we – I – knew it was serious.” – Paramedic Josh

A sea of red taillights laid out before them, Josh and his colleague quickly realized that the New Orleans East interstate – usually humming with traffic – had turned into a haphazard parking lot. They had been given minimal information about the motor vehicle accident they were approaching, but rather than wait for the ambulance to navigate the maze of cars, Josh decided to make the rest of the trek to the scene on foot. He'd hoped to find a run-of-the-mill fender bender at the end of his half-mile journey, but his arrival brought something far worse: a nightmarish scene comprised of a severely damaged minivan, 11 children in various states of injury, and absolutely no help.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with Josh, a quality manager and critical care paramedic, who shares a story from early in his career. Josh and his colleagues weren’t unfamiliar with operating on limited resources, especially while working weekend shifts in New Orleans – a city that is no stranger to widespread chronic diseases, gun violence, hordes of tourists, and a perpetually festive atmosphere. But when Josh finds himself to be the lone paramedic on the scene of a mass casualty incident involving children, he must swiftly learn how to balance his desire to be an expert clinician with the need to effectively manage the scene and his resources.

Thanks for listening to Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to share it with a friend and give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Check out all available episodes on www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com.

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17/10/2023

Firefighter Wendi - "Representation": "In 2023, less than five percent of career firefighters are female. Despite all the efforts that we put in to make the fire service more diverse, we’re still at that. That’s only a one percent increase in the last 10 years. That’s not very good. So, it is still history, and it’s still important. Representation is extremely important. I didn’t even know females were firefighters until I was in my 20s – like I just thought men did it." -Firefighter Wendi

Working in public service is difficult enough, but navigating a male-dominated career path as a female brings additional challenges. Fortunately for Wendi, she’s always been ready to rise to the occasion. So, what would she say to other young women interested in joining the fire service? “Just keep going. Don’t let them get you down. Work hard. Get those certifications, and don’t ever stop chasing your dream.”

Join host and former paramedic/firefighter Phil Klein as he sits down with this week’s guest, Firefighter Wendi. After a prior career left her feeling unfulfilled, Wendi decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in forensic pathology. What she discovered instead was a love for the fire service, and at age 32, she finally found her calling. While it hasn’t always been easy, Wendi values the opportunity to help both people and pets, to forge strong relationships between career and volunteer firefighters and members of the community, and to educate others as a fire instructor and CPR/first aid instructor. She shares her thoughts on everything from navigating challenging interpersonal relationships at work to agencies’ policies on tattoos and the slowly evolving views on women in public service.

Thank you for listening to Stories From the Road! If you’re a first responder with a story you’d like to share, please visit the ‘Be A Guest’ section of the Stories From the Road website to learn more about the opportunity to be featured in an upcoming episode.

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10/10/2023

Dr. Campsey - "Recovery": “So, I never complain about anything anymore. I’m not sure I was really much of a complainer to begin with, but I don’t complain at all. I’m willing to roll with the punches with change. I am trying to create. I don’t feel like I’m the most creative person, but I’m trying to be better at it. […] So, if I could tell people what to do, you know to help them recover, I’d say find a routine. I think routine is something we all need every day.” – Dr. Campsey

It was a seemingly ordinary November morning in 2021 for Dr. Mike Campsey. A work meeting at the hospital dictated that he exercise earlier than normal, but he was accustomed to the predawn wakeup. After a HIIT workout on his stationary bike, he began calisthenics, but he quickly realized that something was very wrong. His right arm wasn’t cooperating, and it wasn’t long before he was lying on the floor, his face drooping and his speech reduced to an infantile babble. He miraculously managed to make enough noise to wake his wife two floors above him, and she knew immediately upon seeing him that he had suffered a massive stroke. A life flight and an embolectomy later, Dr. Campsey found himself staring down the long road to recovery.

Join host and former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein as he sits down with interventional cardiologist, Dr. Mike Campsey. While not a traditional first responder, Campsey brings a different perspective to the lifestyle of caring for others – often above oneself. He shares the anxiety, grief, and depression that brought some very dark months after his stroke, his decision to seek help, and his conflicted feelings on being diagnosed with PTSD. While he knew there would be physical recovery, it was the mental recovery that was perhaps the most unexpected and challenging – but also the most transformational.

To learn more about Dr. Campsey and to read his blog on health and leadership, visit www.mikecampsey.com.

Enjoying season six of Stories From the Road? Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more exclusive content!

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03/10/2023

Sgt. Jason - "Reunification": “So, upon my arrival on that day, I stopped in the middle of a five-lane road and said, ‘This looks like a good place to be. I’m gonna stay here.’ I walked in to find uniforms, matching of mine, looking for command to say, ‘This is what we need to do.’ […] At that time that I finally got there, the kids had been moved from the high school into a church that was just a few blocks away, and we were trying to get the kids back to their parents.” – Sgt. Jason

Structure. Order. Composure. These words don’t typically come to mind in the aftermath of a school shooting, but for Sgt. Jason, they were essential to effectively managing the situation and reunifying students with their families. When he was called to Arapahoe High School after a shooting in 2013, he discovered the pandemonium you would expect to find with relocating thousands of panicked high school students to a nearby church and desperate family members flooding the scene to find their children. Sgt. Jason recognized that while first responders were well-trained to respond to the active shooting situation itself, they lacked the organization necessary to efficiently pick up the pieces and put them back together afterward.

Join host and former firefighter/paramedic Phil Klein whose guest, Jason, spent 15 years with law enforcement in roles ranging from field training officer to sergeant. An avid proponent of training, he worked to ensure his department exceeded the standard in everything from report writing to crisis intervention. He shares the unique perspective he has gained from responding to shooting situations like the one at Arapahoe High School and the critical changes that have been implemented from lessons he and other first responders have learned.

Your support is appreciated! Please take a moment to share Stories From the Road with a friend, and don’t forget to give it a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Support the show

26/09/2023

Cop Shrink Deana - "Boundaries": “. . .but it was the moment that I recognized I am not taking care of myself. I’m not taking care of my daughter. [...] I’m serving the population I wanna serve, but I’m doing it in a way that’s hurting me and hurting my relationships.” — Cop Shrink Deana

For 12 years, Deana the “Cop Shrink” has answered the calls of over 100 federal, state, and local agencies in need of therapy for their first responders. These men and women have experienced everything from infant deaths to line of duty deaths and natural disasters to mass shootings – critical incidents Deana has experienced, too, as she helps others cope with subsequent depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout. But when the cumulative, traumatic effects of grueling 12-hour days, cross-country flights, cold meals, and missed time with her daughter leave her feeling overwhelmed and helpless, Deana recognizes changes must be made to beat her own burnout.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with the “Cop Shrink.” In addition to providing therapy and responding to critical incidents, Deana also teaches basic and advanced officer training at the academy level. She shares her journey to becoming a first responder therapist, which began with her childhood admiration of her grandfather, a police chief. It was when she saw the police psychologist in Lethal Weapon, however, that she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She discusses the many lessons she has learned since that day about setting boundaries, learning to say no, and understanding you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Welcome back to the sixth season of Stories From the Road! Please take a moment to give us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use to listen. If you’re interested in being a guest on an upcoming episode, visit www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more.



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20/09/2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-road-first-responder-stories/id1605628558

11/09/2023

In memory of those who didn’t make it home, those who later lost the fight, and those still fighting. No one is forgotten.

11/04/2023

Detective Vic - "Chaos Continued": “They hit him with that Narcan, Mr. Blount jumped up like, it was like a Halloween thing. The guy jumped up on the %*^ # gurney and is throwing — he’s in withdraw — and he’s throwing up against the side of the wall like a fire hose. And I’ll never forgot, the nurse goes, ‘Would you do that in your house?’” – Detective Vic

You’d be hard-pressed to make up a story involving a cast of characters known as Portuguese Elvis, Whiplash Willie, and Hansel and Gretel, but for Detective Vic, they were a very real part of his 20-year career in the New York City Police Department. From summer days spent sitting on DOAs in sweltering city apartments to fellow department members who couldn’t pull their own weight – literally – and navigating the subterranean lairs of apartment buildings only to discover NYC’s largest cockfighting ring, Vic takes listeners on a whirlwind ride that could only happen on the streets of New York City.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein for the final episode of season five as he shares the mic with returning guest Detective Vic, who acquired more than a few stories from his work in everything from auto crimes to narcotics. Now retired and an author, Vic entertains his readers with humorous and improbable insights of events from his personal life as well as his professional life inside the nation’s largest police department.

Can’t get enough of the chaos? Click here to learn more about Vic or to purchase his books.

Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed season five. If you’d like to be a guest on an upcoming season, visit our website, www.storiesfromtheroadpodcast.com to learn more! We’ll see you soon for season six!

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04/04/2023

Officer Jay - "A Claymore Mine, a Herd of Goats, and a Fire": "Like with first responders: 'Oh, what was the craziest call you've been on?' Like we don't wanna talk about that. We want to tell the fun stories. We want to tell, ‘Oh, this one day this happened, and it was funny!' Where I think a lot of people in our profession, they always forget to tell those fun stories to the regular civilian, and I think it's pretty important." – Officer Jay

A claymore mine, a herd of goats, and a fire: what could go wrong?

It was June 2006, and Jay was on his third deployment in Afghanistan. As part of a patrol providing overwatch for a mission, Jay and his fellow unit members had received intelligence alerting them to expect combat and, in anticipation of activity, he set up a trip flare and a claymore mine – a conglomeration of explosives and 700 ball bearings sandwiched inside a curved, rectangular plastic case. But after the trip flare had been triggered and the mine subsequently detonated, the patrol members quickly realized that no amount of intel could have predicted the sure-footed enemy who had really been behind the looming ambush.

Join former paramedic/firefighter and host Phil Klein as he shares the mic with returning guest Officer Jay who, prior to retiring after his 12-year career in law enforcement, served for four years in the Marine Corps. Jay discusses how civilian curiosity often involves hearing the worst, when many first responders and military members often have entertaining, even hilarious stories like this one that are just as important to share. Don’t forget, you can check out Officer Jay’s previous story from the road, Healing, in season four.

Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give Stories From the Road a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Join us next week for the final episode of season five. Support the show

28/03/2023

Chief Linda - "Mayday": “This is all right at the beginning of fire season, and my symptoms really escalated from that point on. I started being paranoid, a startle response, it was crazy. I thought I was going crazy.” - Chief Linda

The mid-September Saturday in 2015 seemed harmless enough. It was forecasted to be cloudy with low winds and high humidity – a reprieve from a hectic, relentless fire season. Linda had been the duty chief for most of the major fires that had occurred, and she was looking forward to a few days off. But what came to be known as the Valley Fire – then the third-worst wildfire in California state history – had other plans.

Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Linda, a retired chief and 32-year veteran of the fire service. Linda vividly recalls rushing to the fire and learning that the helitack crew – a group she knew well – was in the midst of a mayday situation after being cut off from their escape route. Left in command of the fire while the crew was being rescued, Linda was simultaneously forced to deal with the knowledge that her colleagues were in danger and the realization that the fire was quickly outgrowing the resources initially ordered to combat it. Linda shares how witnessing the crew’s severe burns and injuries profoundly impacted her mental health and led to her diagnosis of PTSD. Now an author and performance coach, she strives to help others accept their PTSD diagnoses and work actively to recover.

Chief Linda's book, Solving the Post Traumatic Stress Brain Injury Puzzle: A First Responder’s GPS, can be purchased here. Thank you for listening! Please take a moment to give Stories from the Road a five-star review on Apple podcasts or whichever platform you use to listen. Don’t forget to visit us on Patreon to learn more about how you can support the podcast.

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23/03/2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-from-the-road-first-responder-stories/id1605628558?i=1000605113871

JUST RELEASED!!!

New episode of The Stories From the Road Podcast:

Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Ret. Sgt. Michael Sugrue, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, whose career began with the United States Air Force in 1998 in security forces. When Michael honorably separated from the Air Force in 2004 as a captain, he joined a California police department where he served in a variety of roles before retiring in 2018.

It’s an extensive resume and despite his impressive work domestically, internationally, and on the streets of California, Michael still asserts the bravest thing he’s done is ask for help. He shares how the end of the call at the condominium complex was the beginning of a years-long journey through investigations and a federal trial – events that forced him to relive that morning over and over, nearly driving him to take his own life before a friend’s actions pulled him back from the brink and set him on the path to healing.

⬇️ LISTEN HERE: ⬇️

https://spotify.link/FZN3Y23Olyb

Or:

https://www.podbean.com/ei/dir-vbgur-17467715