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How to hit the ‘RESET’ button on behavioral health

Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine talks Safety Stand Down resources to share with your crew, plus managing “sticky” traumatic event memories

“You’re not Superman; you can’t carry it all.” Sarasota (Florida) Deputy Chief Darin Wallentine urges all listeners, no matter your rank, to carve out time to focus on your behavioral health. If you don’t know where to start, this year’s Safety Stand Down offers a variety of resources centered on the theme “Break the Stigma: Behavioral Health RESET” – Recognize, Educate, Strategies, Empower and Training. Use the resources for your personal health needs, and share them with your crewmembers as part of the annual weeklong event, June 15-21, when all fire and EMS departments are encouraged to suspend non-emergency activity to focus on this central theme.

Get Firefighter Safety Stand Down resources.

This episode of the Better Every Shift Podcast is sponsored by MagneGrip. Eliminate diesel exhaust fumes from inside the fire station with a MagneGrip exhaust removal system. Learn more at MagneGrip.com.

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Previously on the Better Every Shift Podcast
Eminem’s anthem about owning a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity applies to hard truths in the fire service
Battalion Chief Greg Sawyer explains how one month at a slower station — replete with some cool health toys — can help members feel human again
Chief Bryan Frieders breaks down the fire department role at major events like the Super Bowl and large festivals
Tracking exposures, traumatic calls, hazmat incidents and unique situations creates a personal record that protects you long after the call ends
Zapp, a human performance researcher and retired firefighter, talks health monitoring, smart (and safe) exercise, creatine supplements and more