Fire Rescue Wellness

Today's Spotlight episode features my advisor, Dr. Jay Dawes. We explored topics such as fit for duty, the validation of fitness standards, and the occasional arbitrariness that can exist within public safety standards. Listen to the original episode here. ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire Follow Fire Rescue We...

South Metro Fire is making significant strides in human performance optimization, and today’s episode features Dr. Carrie Burns and PA Jeremy Gage. This dedicated medical team is identifying hidden heart disease and saving lives. Tune in to learn about the CCTA and AI-assisted scanning process used at SMFR. Dr. Burns joined South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) in 2022 as their full-time Wellness and Occ...

This week's spotlight features Nate Palin, former Tactical Manager at the NSCA and current owner of AGD-Any Given Day. Nate talks about hiring professionals, using personnel as force multipliers and recognizing the value of mental health interventions. Listen to the original episode here .  ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your C...

Register for the Women's Tactical Summit! <-- that's a clickable link! Zig Markowski is married to Jennifer, a line-of-duty disabled police officer. He is the father of Ziggy and Aubrey and stepdad to Anthony. He joined the Navy at 17 and trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician in Millington, TN, followed by additional schooling at Cecil Field, FL. He was then stationed at NAS N...

In this Spotlight, Lt. Andy Scott talks about the evolution of the health and wellness program at the Plainfield (IL) fire district. Here about some of the wins and lessons during Andy's tenure as the director of the program. Listen to the original episode here . ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire Follow Fire Re...

This week’s episode didn’t exactly go as planned… let’s just say the audio was a total mess. So, here’s the emergency episode—recorded in a quick 15 minutes before bedtime! 😅 In this one, I explain the power of making connections, how to do it effectively, and the best way to phrase your question when seeking help from subject matter experts. So what, now what?!? If you need help, ask for it! But...

In this Spotlight episode, Troy Torrence shares insights on physical training in large academy classes and how the Indiana State Police has shifted away from using fitness as a form of punishment. Instead, Troy emphasizes a proactive approach focused on building up cadets and preparing them for long-term success.  ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist...

If you listened to the episode, you know I’m running a care-package giveaway. Be sure to follow the instructions—I’ll draw the winner on February 18, 2025 . In today’s episode, I discussed advocating for yourself with your primary care physician. I didn’t cover advanced heart health screening, but stay tuned— Dr. Carrie Burns from South Metro Fire will be diving into that in a couple of weeks. So...

Dr. Maura Shea breaks down the return on investment for Athletic Training services in this week's FRW Podcast Spotlight.  ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials... IG | LinkedIn | Twitter Discount Code: FRW20 at Fluid Nutrition Affiliate Links Check out my Fringe Affiliate...

 Science to the Station   7-Minute Science 🔥 Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit 🔥 In this episode, Dr. Brittany Hollerbach and AZ take on NYC and dive into the world of firefighter research —how to formulate study designs, get involved in research studies, and make an impact in the field. 🚒 So what, now what?!?   We break down the next steps for those interested in tactical research...

Today's Spotlight features the one and only Dr. Creatine, Scott Forbes, Ph. D. Scott riffs on the value of creatine in the brain and how it might help firefighters function better when sleep-deprived. ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire Follow Fire Rescue Wellness on the socials... IG | LinkedIn | Twitter Discoun...

Get registered for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit! Now with 8.5 Cat A BOC CEUs (for our athletic trainers) Jon Vought is a firefighter/paramedic in South Florida who’s been on the job since 2009 and currently holds the rank of Captain. He’s a second-generation firefighter, plays the bagpipes for his fire department, and runs his department’s cadet youth group. In 2020, Jon star...

Dr. Katie Dabrowski is a co-owner of Old Bull Athletics in Florida, and she and her business partner, Frankie, have turned physical therapy care upside down. In today's Spotlight, Katie talks about getting patients better by challenging them with appropriately dosed strength and conditioning. ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your...

Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit 7-Minute Science We all have "those nights" at the firehouse, but are they a chronic problem or an acute challenge? Our best practice approach to both situations involves forethought and planning because our brains will almost surely let us fail without a safety net for success. So what, now what?!? Self-awareness is a superpower. Surviving...

Wendy Lund is the CEO of Wellth Management and teaches mindfulness to first responders. In today's Spotlight episode she reminds us that teaching first responder emotional management is every bit as important as teaching advanced airways. Check out the full episode here . ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire Follo...

Register for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit! Today's guest, Sarah Parks, will be attending, and you can hang out with her in person! I meet the most incredible people while attending conferences! At this year's Science to the Station , I met Andy Anich , a guest, and Sarah Parks, today's guest. Sarah is the embedded Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Oklaho...

Welcome to the FRW Spotlight, where we revisit gems from previous episodes in 10 minutes or less. Today, my friend BC Luke Peterson talks about how he manages the wellness needs of a department under 100 members. Luke Peterson is a friend, battalion chief, and director of the wellness program at my former department. In today's spotlight, Luke shared some wins accumulated during our 20-years...

Register for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit! You've previously heard from OKC FD's Chris Fields (ret), Athletic Trainer Damon Glass , and Major Cort Smith from the Training Academy. Today, you'll hear from Chief Kelley. Please share the episode and leave us a rating and review! Richard A. Kelley joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 1991 and was appointed F...

Welcome to the FRW Spotlight, where we revisit gems from previous episodes in 10 minutes or less. Today, Megan Lautz hops on her favorite soapbox: Energy Drinks. Check out the full episode Follow Megan on IG Register for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit (5.9.25 in OKC) ***** Register for 7-Minute Science here Purchase FRW Swag here Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in...

As always, my New Year episode features someone who supports and inspires me and is unrelated to the fire service. Lex Lancaster and I have been working together since 2018, when she designed my original logo and website and started working behind the scenes supporting my business. I'll let her introduce herself below! It’s so nice to meet you, I’m Lex! I’ve created my dream career by marryin...

I had the pleasure of meeting Cort Smith at the OKC Fire Training Academy when I stopped in one day to speak with Damon Glass. Cort is one-of-a-kind, and I'll never forget his statement about research: "If there's a better way to do something, I want to hear about it!" Did Cort and I become best friend nerds at that exact moment? I think so! Cort Smith holds the rank of Major a...

Register here for the OSU-OKC Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit. Do not wait! Damon Glass and I have been social media friends for a few years but haven't met in person until recently. As luck would have it, Damon set up a meeting with my advisor, Jay Dawes to talk shop. During the meeting, one of them brought me up, but Damon didn't know I had moved to OK! Surprise! Now we&...

I met Jenna Weinstein in at the Society for Sport Neuroscience conference in 2021 (I think) whilst having a wardrobe malfunction being mitigated by previous podcast guest Katie Dabrowski . How's that for 2 degrees of Kevin Bacon??? On today's episode, we had a killer conversation about mental performance and resilience and the factors that play into those skills. Jenna is originally from...

The good vibes are palpable when Ali and Andy talk about sports physical therapy and helping firefighters feel their very best. You're going to love this conversation. Alison Heartman, PT, DPT, CSCS, is a Sacramento-based physical therapist, strength coach, and health and wellness coordinator for the fire rescue community in the greater Bay Area of California. She currently works in-house for...

Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita drove six hours to teach my motor control and learning class at Oklahoma State University a couple of weeks back, so it was only proper that we do an in-person podcast while standing around my kitchen island. You can grab Vanessa's bio at her previous episode, linked here: Previous VFP Episode So what, now what?!? Health can equal performance! Email Vanessa: vfrost@pf...