A Podcast Series - Empowering Responders: Helping Responders to Bend, Not Break

Empowering Responders: Helping Responders to Bend, Not Break is a free podcast series and tool, made possible by the UASI grant program in partnership with NATAL.   

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An extension of the UASI/NATAL OSM training program, these podcasts were developed to provide NJ first responders with guidance and coping techniques to manage the stressors they face in their professional lives. Above all, the podcasts emphasize the need for self care, recognizing that first responders must first take care of themselves before they are able to help others.  The idea of "bending" rather than "breaking" is a critical element in ensuring that responders can be flexible to bend when faced with stress and crisis, so they can be there for their communities - both professionally and personally.

The podcasts were recorded by graduates of the OSM training program, medical experts, and leading professionals in the fields of emergency medical services, fire service, law enforcement, trauma and resiliency.   Drawing from personal experiences on the frontlines, the podcast hosts share best practices and tools that can be implemented during times of routine, which can also help with coping in times of prolonged crisis. 

 

Sample Content Includes:

- Tips for managing stress while at work 

- Tips for transitioning from work to home

- Peer support and team cohesion

- Hero fatigue 

- Overcoming a personal traumatic event and tools for resilience

Now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Episode 1: Getting to Know Stress and Anxiety

This episode focuses on defining anxiety and stress. Tips and tools are shared to assist with building resilience to help manage situations involving anxiety and stress. This podcast features Dave Cooper, Founder of Verge Coaching/Consulting Company and Mike Biller, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tomahawk Strategic Solutions.

Episode 2: Managing Stress Before and During Work

This episode focuses on easy to use coping mechanisms that first responders can employ at work and in their free time to manage stress. The podcast features Sherry Campanelli, Manager of the Mother/Baby Department at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood New Jersey and Terry Hoben, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey.

Episode 3: COVID Up Close: A Conversation with Dr. Jim Pruden

This episode shares the story of Dr. Pruden, an Emergency Medicine Physician and Director of Emergency Preparedness at St.Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, NJ. In this very personal podcast, Dr. Pruden details his experience being diagnosed with COVID and shares how he managed during his month-long hospitalization. Dr. Pruden's diagnosis was featured widely on broadcast media including the TODAY Show. Dr. Pruden joins the podcast to recount his personal story of perseverance and resilience, along with the powerful coping tools which aided in his recovery.

Episode 4: Transitions & Returning Home From Work

This episode ​focuses on the first responders' transition from work to home and the importance of setting boundaries, developing rituals and coping mechanisms to separate one's work life from home life. Featuring Sherry Campanelli, Manager of the Mother/Baby Department at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood New Jersey and Terry Hoben, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey.

Episode 5: Peer Support & Team Cohesion

This episode focuses on team cohesion during a crisis and the importance of peer support to get through difficult workplace experiences. This podcast features 30 year New Jersey fire veterans, Jim Boyle, Battalion Chief, Millburn Fire Department, and Bruce Pollack, Captain, Millburn Fire Department.

Episode 6: The Concept of "Residue"

This episode focuses on the concept of "Residue," which builds up in individuals who have had extreme experiences in their line of work, and has the potential to either bring people down or motivate and strengthen them if processed properly. This podcast features Dr. Preston Cline, Co-Founder and Director of Research and Education at the Mission Critical Team Institute (MCTI). He is interviewed by Jim Sheehan, a New Jersey law enforcement veteran and current Program Manager at the Jersey City/Newark UASI.

Episode 7: Hero Fatigue

This episode focuses on the concept of "Hero Fatigue," or the exhaustion that often arises when society views you as a hero. Internalizing this designation often has unintended negative consequences for first responders as it leads to them neglect self-care and ascribe to the belief that they always need to "do more." Returning are 30 year New Jersey fire veterans, Jim Boyle, Battalion Chief, Millburn Fire Department, and Bruce Pollack, Captain, Millburn Fire Department.

Episode 8: Power of Social Connections

This episode focuses on the importance of social connections. This podcast features Dr. Nicholas Epley, the John Templeton Keller Professor of Behavior Science and Director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Dr. Epley studies social cognition—how thinking people think about other thinking people—to understand why smart people so routinely misunderstand each other. His research has appeared in more than two dozen empirical journals, has been featured by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Wired, and National Public Radio, among many others, and has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Templeton Foundation.

Episode 9: 9/11 - a story of Post Traumatic Growth

This episode focuses on post-traumatic growth and how reflecting upon traumatic experiences can be a source of positive mental growth and action. This podcast features Lathey Wirkus, a retired firefighter and EMT, who was a former Deputy Chief of the Elizabeth Fire Department, located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Lathey currently is a Captain for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Unit. He was a first responder to the tragic events of 9/11 and through this podcast he will recount his experience and how he used it for positive growth.

Episode 10: Hurricane Katrina: Crisis Decision Making Under Stress

This episode focuses on Hurricane Katrina and the lessons learned from the emergency management response to the disaster. This podcast features the President of LPP Consulting, Phil Parr. Mr. Parr served as a Battalion Chief in the FDNY and as a Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA, leading national responses to almost 40 emergency situations across 19 states and territories, including the response to Hurricane Katrina. Bayonne Fire Department Special Operations Battalion Chief, Rob Seeburger, interviews Mr. Parr.

Episode 11:  Adjusting to the New Normal: An Interview with Staff From Holy Name Medical Center

This episode focuses on adjusting to the new normal. This podcast features Holy Name Medical Center's Vice President of Nursing and Director of Education, Cedar Wang, as well as Ben Mazza, who is the Manager of Holy Name's Emergency Preparedness Unit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cedar and Ben each handled many different facets of Holy Name Medical Center's response including emergency construction projects, out-patient testing and telemedicine services.

Episode 12: Weathering the Storm: A First-Hand Account of Superstorm Sandy Emergency Management Response

This episode focuses on Superstorm Sandy with first-hand accounts from first responders who held leadership positions during reponse to the event. This podcast features the Director of the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Greg Kierce. Greg is interviewed by Matt Ziemkiewicz, who is the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator with the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management in northern New Jersey.