S6 E42 Firefighter Identity & Mental Health: Doug Hexel, Fire Lieutenant & USAR Specialist

Fire Lieutenant Doug Hexel has spent 13 years running calls, pulling patients out of rubble, and training the next generation of paramedics. He loves the job. He just refuses to let it become his whole identity. Doug is a career fire officer, urban search and rescue specialist, paramedic, and sworn New York State peace officer. He is a fire, EMS, and law enforcement instructor for New York State, sits on the state’s Pediatric EMS Advisory Committee, and holds technician-level certifications in hazmat, rope, confined space, trench, swiftwater, and collapse rescue. Doug joins hosts Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.) and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW/EMT, to talk about: The line between resilience and suffering in silence Hypervigilance and what years of bad calls do to us “Death by rescue” and why medical comes first in technical rescue How leaders build mental readiness into every shift Telling a crew “it’s not your fault,” and meaning it Training rescuers for outcomes they can’t change Loving the job without living it Contact Doug Hexel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglashexel Don’t miss EMS Fire Pro Expo. October 22 through 24. Mohegan Sun. Register today at https://emspro.org/ Contact Responder Resilience: Phone: +1 844-344-6655 Email: [email protected] Our website with past episodes and more: https://www.respondertv.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ResponderResilience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responder-resilience-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responder.tv/ ★ Resources for Responder Wellness ★ • Fitness: FightCamp (code RESILIENCE for 10% off) http://joinfightcamp.com/rr • Free App: CRACKYL http://crackyl.respondertv.com • Book: Helping the Helpers https://a.co/d/dm0VS4Q This show is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical, psychological, or professional treatment. Views expressed are those of the individuals, not any affiliated agency or organization. In an emergency, call 911. For mental health support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).