The IAFF Podcast

Managing Compassion Fatigue When Responding to Opioid Incidents: Suzy Gulliver Feb 16, 2023

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Dr. Suzy Gulliver from the Warriors Research Institute

Managing Compassion Fatigue When Responding to Opioid Incidents: Drew Kane Feb 16, 2023

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Lt. Drew Kane, a member of the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association of New York Local 854

Managing Compassion Fatigue When Responding to Opioid Incidents: Doug Abernathy Feb 16, 2023

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Indianapolis, IN Local 416 Battalion Chief Doug Abernathy.

Managing Compassion Fatigue When Responding to Opioid Incidents: Bill Crews Feb 16, 2023

This segment shares the perspectives of several IAFF behavioral health partners to explore compassion fatigue, burnout, and self-care among fire service personnel on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.

Guest speaker: Garland, TX Local 1293 President Bill Crews.

Community Approaches to the Opioid Crisis Feb 16, 2023

Fire service personnel not only respond to the opioid epidemic on a daily basis, but they are part of the solution. This segment focuses on the experience of two IAFF affiliates that have taken an innovative approach to fighting the opioid crisis in their communities. Guest speakers include Brian Nee from Boston, MA Local 718, and Rob Weeks, president of Vancouver, BC Local 18.

Managing Exposure Risks When Responding to Opioid Incidents Feb 16, 2023

This segment features two emergency medical services (EMS) subject matter experts who explore best practices in managing exposure risks for fire service personnel who respond to opioid incidents in the community. Captain Alan Van Heck is a 20-year veteran of the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and a member of Bloomfield, MI Local 3045. Toby Frost is a captain in the Lafayette Fire Department and a member of Lafayette Local 472. Both are instructors for federal resources and subject matter experts on the topic of synthetic opioids in the field of fire and EMS.

Situational Awareness When Responding to Opioid Incidents Feb 16, 2023

This segment features two emergency medical services (EMS) subject matter experts who explore situational awareness for fire service personnel who respond to opioid incidents in the community. Captain Alan Van Heck is a 20-year veteran of the Bloomfield Township Fire Department and a member of Bloomfield, MI Local 3045. Toby Frost is a captain in the Lafayette Fire Department and a member of Lafayette, IN Local 472.

Addressing Substance Use in Your Department Feb 16, 2023

Opioid addiction and other forms of substance use impact all members of society, including fire service personnel. This segment focuses specifically on how fire departments can support and respond to members coping with substance use problems using best practice standards in occupational health, as well as lessons learned from one IAFF affiliate.

Stories of Recovery From Opioid Addiction: Tyler Ramsey Feb 16, 2023

Stories of Recovery From Opioid Addiction: Chris Goggin Feb 16, 2023

Stories of Recovery From Opioid Addiction: Brian Nee Feb 16, 2023

Opioid Use Disorder: Responsible Approaches to Pain Management for Fire Fighters Feb 16, 2023

This segment explores best practices for fire fighters interested in managing pain while minimizing or discontinuing the use of opioids. Dr. Alan Gonzalez-Cota, a pain management expert and medical consultant for the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, shares his perspective and lessons learned in treating fire fighters with pain management challenges as a result of occupational injury, overuse, and trauma.

Opioid Use Disorder: Treatment Considerations for Fire Fighters Feb 16, 2023

This segment focuses exclusively on special treatment considerations for fire service personnel facing their own battle with opioid addiction, including medication alternatives, best practices in substance abuse treatment, and the unique role of peer support in a fire fighter’s recovery journey. Guest speakers include two treatment specialists who work exclusively with fire fighters in substance abuse treatment settings: Dr. Abby Morris, Medical Director of IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, and Lt. Drew Kane, a fire fighter and credentialed alcohol and drug abuse counselor with the FDNY Counseling Service Unit.

Treating Opioid Addiction Feb 16, 2023

This segment is for fire service personnel and civilians to understand how opioid addiction is treated and the life-long recovery process. Learn more about medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as a best practice in treating opioid use disorder, as well as the use of FDA-approved medications, evidence-based behavioral treatments, and the essential role of community-based support services.

Opioid Use Disorder: A Disease Feb 16, 2023

This segment is for fire service personnel and civilians to get a deeper understanding of opioid addiction. Learn more about the short-term and long-term effects of this complex biological disease, as well as the physical, social, and emotional changes in someone using or abusing opioids. Understand the medical definition of opioid use disorder and the difference between opioid dependence and opioid addiction.

Cancer Resources for Fire Fighters Jan 19, 2023

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Chief Operations Officer Joe Schumacher and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Senior Director of Field Corporate Strategy and Operations Kim Bruna highlight the cancer resources available for fire fighters through their partnerships with the IAFF. They highlight online resources, hotlines, and support services both organizations offer, and how those who are diagnosed with cancer or know someone who is diagnosed can access those resources.

PFAS Concerns Jan 08, 2023

Jason Burns (Fall River, MA Local 1314) and IAFF Chief Science Advisor Derek Urwin (Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014) discuss per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a class of toxic chemicals fire fighters are exposed to. They highlight the concerns for fire fighters and the impact on departments.

Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic (FACE) Teams Jan 03, 2023

Sam Eaton (Palm Beach County, FL Local 2928 [retired]) and Chris Bator (Metro-Broward, FL Local 3080) from the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative discuss how cancer in the fire service has impacted their departments and how this led to the creation of Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic “FACE” Teams.

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Dec 30, 2022

Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)’s Russ Osgood and DetecTogether’s Heather Maykel discuss how fire fighters can be their own advocate and how they can detect cancer earlier by utilizing the DetecTogether program. Russ and Heather explain some of the educational components of the training and tools to advocate for additional screenings.

Research Drives Culture Change Nov 21, 2022

Dr. Sara Janke and Bryan Frieders (FCSN) discuss issues female fire fighters face, behavioral health, stress, and relevant research that demonstrates the need for culture changes in the fire service to reduce occupational cancer.

Turning a Cancer Diagnosis Into Support for Others Nov 21, 2022

Dan King, a cancer survivor and FCSN mentor, joins us to discuss his diagnosis and treatment and how his experiences and lessons learned led him to become an FCSN mentor.

Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study Nov 21, 2022

Dr. Jeff Burgess and IAFF Director Derek Urwin discuss the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study, diving into the purpose of the study and what they see as the next steps.

What Is Cancer Insurance? Nov 21, 2022

The IAFF Financial Corporation COO Kurt Becker and Director of Insurance Sara McMullin discuss what the IAFF Financial Corporation is, how it benefits members, and what services are available, including the new cancer supplemental insurance options.

Cancer Goes Beyond the Fire Station Nov 21, 2022

Chrystal Woodcock and Captain Shawn Griffin discuss losing a husband and best friend to occupational cancer, including the impact losing a loved one has on a family and department support during a cancer diagnosis.

The Story of the West Virginia Mine Wars Mar 17, 2021