01/05/2024
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Warning upcoming long post 😀
I began carrying a pager in January 2002. The events of September 11, 2001, changed me as it did many, many others. I knew I wanted to give back somehow. I was married and had one small child already at home. I considered the military but thought I would "start" by volunteering for my local fire department Sumner Volunteer Fire Department. I was hooked immediately. About 8 years later, I was interested in learning more about EMS. Where I lived, the two volunteer agencies were not connected so I left the fire department and joined the volunteer EMS agency Sumner Emergency Medical Services, Inc. It was at this moment when I found my true calling. I quickly went from an ambulance driver, to an EMT, to a Critical Care Paramedic. I eventually found myself working at the Waverly Health Center with some of the greatest healthcare people in the business. This wasn't enough for me so I began volunteering or working at other EMS agencies in order to truly learn the craft. In EMS this is not uncommon. At one point I was working full-time at Waverly and volunteering or working for an additional six other EMS agencies at the same time. Needless to say, I have the best wife around because I was not home a lot.
Five years of working the above schedule, along with my kids getting older pushed me into a new role. I once again found myself with a dream opportunity...emergency management for Winneshiek County Emergency Management. Through this I had the opportunity to become a reserve deputy for the Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office. For those still reading, this meant I have worked or volunteered for different fire departments, EMS, EMA, and law enforcement agencies. All four boxes checked on my emergency responder Bingo card.
I love knowing I have been able to do all of those things and have helped countless people, however working or volunteering for all of those different agencies has not come without a price.
Now to the reason for this post!!! We're almost done, I promise!!
Emergency responders are fantastic at telling those people we are called to assist at how to get help. In fact this is a staple throughout many of our trainings to become an emergency responder. What we are horrible at, is asking for help ourselves. We need to begin to breakdown the stigma that asking for mental health assistance is a bad thing. "It's ok, to not be ok."
Our trainings do a poor job of preparing us for what we may be asked to see, do, smell, touch, etc. These images stay with you forever. We are expected to assist a total stranger with their needs then simply forget what just happened and go back home, to work, etc. like nothing happened. This takes a toll.
A few months ago I began to think about what can I do. I had an idea and knew just who to guilt into help me. WinnMed Ambulance Department and Winneshiek County Public Health. I am proud to announce the first of its kind, for my area anyway, a mental health for emergency responders conference. I am calling it "The Weight of the Badge." The event will take place on March 28, 2024, at Luther College from 5 pm to 10 pm. As you can see from the flyer I have lined up some fantastic speakers for this inaugural event (bios in the flyer). What makes my conference unique? I am asking that each emergency responder bring their significant other/spouse with them. As I mentioned earlier, we are horrible at asking for help. But you know who can help us get better? Our significant others/spouses.
The QR code for registration is on the flyer. I would appreciate you helping me spread the word by pushing this event to all your emergency response contacts. The cost is FREE!!
My target audience is any active or retired law enforcement, jailer, dispatcher, fire department, EMS, healthcare worker, EMA, utility worker, veteran, and significant others/spouses.
EMS & Nursing credits will be provided.
THANK YOU to all the local sponsors who have pledged to assist me with covering the costs for this conference. Winneshiek County is truly blessed.
