Here is my most recent article for the National Volunteer Fire Council newsletter, “Firefighter Strong.” Learning Resilience in the Fire ServiceThis article is about eight core practices we can learn that might help prevent or mitigate the worst symptoms of PTSD or “Acute Stress.” https://www.nvfc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Firefighter-Strong-Issue2.pdf As always, I’d love your feedback!
Be Brave
I love writing about the bravery we see daily. Firefighters train to do things that other people describe as brave, we think of it as our job. What grabs my heart is the everyday bravery we see, a mom dealing with a son who’s a heroin addict, a son caring for a father with dementia, and passerby’s stopping to help us with a brutal crash. These are all acts of courage. Find my writing on being brave in a frightening world.
Be Kind
I speak publically about kindness, PTSD and bravery. As every firefighter learns, for each time we need to be brave, there are one hundred opportunities to be kind. We are rarely remembered for our big trucks, sirens, and flashing lights. Most often we are remembered for our kindness. So it is in life, you will be remembered for your kindness.
Contact me about speaking to your group.
Fight Fires
One of my ongoing projects is interviewing firefighters on why they chose the vocation and what they’ve learned. I interview both career and volunteer firefighters. You'll hear stores about service, giving back, and "knowing in a flash I wanted to be a firefighter". Firefighters are inspiring, thoughtful, and wise!
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life is not about happiness . . .
Firefighters: Who we are: Ty Stottlemyer
Firefighting is sometimes a family business. Ty has been a volunteer and career firefighter for 32 years, his daughter Kelly for 8 years, and his dad. . . a volunteer for over, wait for it, 60 years!