FMBA Nation

In this episode, FMBA Nation Host Bill Brower talks with Marc Junkerman about his mental health program "Planning to Thrive".
Planning to Thrive (P2T) introduces adaptable management concepts intended to assist you in implementing and maintaining a successful culture of first responder wellness.  The blueprint is yours.  These are just a few "extra tools for your box" to help you with the build.  
Marc "Junk" Junkerman is an active law enforcement commander in Maryland with nearly three decades of service which includes nearly two decades advocating for first responder safety and wellness.  He continues to provide regular consultation and instructional support in this arena to various agencies within his state in addition to serving as a Mental Health First Aid instructor and as an International Critical Incident Stress Foundation faculty member.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Dr. Michael Bizzaro, Iris Perlstein, and Lindsay Pliner from Penn Medicine Princeton Behavioral Health to discuss the new virtual support group to launch in early May.

FMBA Nation Host Bill Brower talks with FMBA Local 309 Member Michael Barrett about the heroic off-duty actions he took that saved multiple lives when he noticed a fire in a multi-family dwelling. On the night of February 11th, 2021, Mike was a a red light and noticed a fire had broken out in an apartment building in Elizabeth, NJ. He immediately took action by entering the structure and alerting multiple sleeping occupants that they needed to evacuate. Mike noticed a victim in the building was disoriented and was able to bring him to safety outside of the building. Mike's actions are commended by the entire NJ FMBA and we are proud to have him as a member and his selfless actions taken that night.

In this episode, FMBA Nation host, Bill Brower, talks with (ret.) DC Anthony Avillo about the attack line entry checklist. Chief Avillo reviews some of the critical fundamentals that firefighters and fire officers need to follow in order to ensure smooth fire attack operations. 

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower, talks with NJ FMBA Chief Counsel Craig S. Gumpel and Tom Cushane, from Cushane Law Firm, about the impact of recreational marijuana and collective bargaining for public safety labor unions. 
 

In this episode, FMBA Nation Host Bill Brower talks with Alex Jabr from Emergency Resilience about a tough topic, notifying a family on scene that their loved one has died. We can all relate to this and it may just bring some comfort knowing that there are many of us out there that go through the same thing. For more info go to www.emergencyresilience.com

The NJ FMBA has a special relationship with FHE Health, who provides self care and rehabilitation services for NJ FMBA members and their families. FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Dr. Beau A. Nelson, Chief Clinical Officer of FHE, about self-care through tough times. FHE Health has the First Responder program called Shatterproof.
Shatterproof at FHE (formerly Florida House Shatterproof) employs evidence-based therapies, innovative medical care, and a comprehensive wellness program. These focus on symptoms of PTSD, among other mental health conditions, in order to help our first responders successfully manage their condition and/or achieve life-long recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Shatterproof is designed to help first responders overcome specific obstacles and increase their ability to manage emotions during stressful situations without turning to self-medication. 

In this episode, FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Ret. D/C Anthony Avillo (North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue) about the buildings that change the rules of the game. They discuss the keys to identifying these buildings and why it is important for us as firefighters to study these types of construction and stay sharp in the street.

FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with Jason Patton of @firedeptcoffee and @firedepartmentchronicles about how he got started in the fire service, how he got involved with Fire Department Coffee, their charitable foundation, and the brains behind the funny Instagram channel Fire Department Chronicles. Jason is a solid dude with a great personality and he enjoys long walks on the beach.

FMBA Nation host Bill Brower talks with AJ Fusco from @forkandhoseco about a staple in all firehouses..... the Firehouse Kitchen. They chat about cooking in the firehouse and why the kitchen is more than just about food and how sometimes it serves as a place of comfort and camaraderie.