Fit For Off-Duty


Book Description

Every firefighter is a trauma survivor. Even veteran firefighters may not realize this. But constant exposure to traumatic events takes a serious toll. The body is affected, so is the nervous system, and so are the firefighter's personal relationships. Off-duty days can become something to dread rather than look forward to. It doesn't need to be this way. This book- written by a trauma therapist from a firefighter family-is a definitive manual for healing from trauma exposure for those who serve in the fire service and for those who love them. Feeling fit, healthy and unburdened by the effects of trauma can be a short-term therapeutic process. And there are steps firefighters can take on their own, immediately. This book is a good place to start.




Create Your Own Light


Book Description

From taking human life to being assigned to the body recovery team of nine brother firefighters, including one of his best friends, U.S. Marine, former Police Officer and Firefighter Travis Howze was plagued with extreme Post Traumatic Stress, Depression and Survivors Guilt from a lifetime of very traumatic exposures dating back to early childhood. Victorious in the fight for his very own life at just three months old, his struggle to survive was just the beginning. Years later, he would defeat the very silent and deadly killer, PTSD, but not before it caused massive carnage and collateral damage to his personal and professional life. From Class Clown to professional Stand-Up Comedian and Speaker, Travis' UNBELIEVABLY GRIPPING, uncensored autobiography is a MUST READ that takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride through the eyes of an emergency responder. Follow Travis through countless horrific events, from funny stories inside of the Firehouse, Patrol Car, and Marine Corps, to Stand-Up Comedy Stages and the dark places first responders have to go to in their mind to survive.This true, hard-hitting story is about staying in the fight. It's about never quitting yourself, always getting up, doing the things you love, and how the power of perspective, attitude, ownership and acceptance can lead to LIFE CHANGING personal growth and a more PURPOSEFUL LIFE.




Officer Off Limits


Book Description

Story Brooks' fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn't bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, just suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it's too late. Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never—not once—been refused by a woman. So when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She's the daughter of his mentor, who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her. Despite her father's warnings and Daniel's troubled past, Daniel and Story can't resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé's abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel's already forbidden relationship survive? Each book in the Line of Duty series is STANDALONE: * Protecting What's His * Officer Off Limits * Asking for Trouble * Staking His Claim * Protecting What's Theirs




Honor & Commitment


Book Description

Based on her work with thousands of firefighter families - and her own days and nights in the trenches of family life - Lori Mercer shares what it takes for firefighter families to bring honor and commitment not only to firefighting, but also to marriage, family, and every other area of life.




The Rescuer


Book Description

He helped save people every day—but he had no idea how to save himself. Jason Sautel had it all. Confident in his abilities and trusted by his fellow firefighters, he was making a name for himself on the streets of Oakland, California. His adrenaline-fueled job even helped him forget the pain of his childhood—until the day he looked into the eyes of a jumper on the Bay Bridge and came face to face with a darkness he knew would take him down as well. In the following months, a series of traumatic emergency calls—some successful, others impossible-to-forget failures—drove Jason deeper into depression. Even as he continued his lifesaving work, he realized he could never rescue everyone, and he had no idea how to save himself. In the end, Jason was forced to confront the truth: only the relentless power of love could pull him back from his own deadly fall. Action-packed, spiritually honest, and surprisingly romantic, The Rescuer transports readers inside the pulse-pounding world of firefighting and into the heart of a man who needed to be broken before he could finally be made whole.




Fit For Off-Duty


Book Description




Developing Firefighter Resiliency


Book Description

Three Key Messages: -- This is important. -- You can do it. -- I won't give up on you. Training ordinary people to do extraordinary things requires an understanding of how we learn. Developing Firefighter Resiliency starts with the basic psychophysical aspects of learning. The fire service has unwittingly used a failure-based training model for many years. Hands-on training exercises are often based on unachievable objectives. Trainers are often not educated about the psychology of adult learning or the effect of stress during learning. Consequently, participants face learning activities with mastery-level skill requirement to succeed when competency has yet to be established. This amounts to a never-ending diet of tests without actual skill development. Accessing knowledge under extreme circumstances cannot be left to chance, because the penalty for failure is severe. This book provides the roadmap for a journey to train, establish relevancy for the lessons, develop competency in the skills, and capitalize on confidence to achieve mastery. We study the impact of a stressful environment on the ability to learn and function.




Challenges of the Firefighter Marriage


Book Description

In Challenges of the Firefighter Marriage, author Anne Gagliano, the widely read Fire Engineering and FireLife.com columnist, has teamed up with her husband, Captain Mike Gagliano, to share their 30-plus years of personal experience on how marriage can thrive in the chaotic world of firefighting. In addition, they have called upon well-known and respected couples who share their stories of comfort and guidance for firefighter families everywhere. What you will learn: Aspects of this occupation that differentiate it from any other and how these impact marriage Essential conversations every firefighter couple should have The reality of sleep disruption and how to minimize its impact The importance of healthy intimacy in your relationship Why finances can be such a problem and ways to make it a solution Advice on how to deal with time off, kids, firefighter health, and so much more




From PTSD to PTG


Book Description

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has increasingly affected individuals all over the world. So, how do we mitigate this growing problem? Posttraumatic Growth, (PTG). PTG is defined as a phenomenon where a person becomes stronger and creates a more meaningful life in the wake of tragedy or trauma. David suffered from PTSD after his involvement as the first due engineer on a multiple line of duty death incident in Charleston, South Carolina where nine firefighters perished. He delved into a life of alcohol and prescription drug abuse, mixed martial arts fighting to quell his anger, erratic behavior, sleeve tattoos, depression, survivors guilt, and anxiety. Join David on his journey from the point where he almost lost his life, all the way to where he is today as an international speaker, author, instructor, and captain in the emergency service profession. Learn from someone who actually experienced a traumatic event, was diagnosed with PTSD, and through hard work, beat it with PTG. This is proof PTSD can be overcome and individuals who suffered from it can live a mentally healthy and successful life.




Proud Police Wife


Book Description

Hope for Today Strength for Tomorrow When your husband is a police officer, you experience a unique set of challenges and fears that others may not understand. Rest assured that you can still find peace and joy every day with God by your side. Proud Police Wife is the perfect resource for any police wife or future wife in need of hope, encouragement, comfort, and strength. Each devotion includes · applicable Scriptures, · relatable stories, · empowering action steps, and · uplifting prayers. Strengthen your relationship with God and gain confidence in your role as the heart behind the badge. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14 NLT