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145 - From Skeptic to Believer - with Chief Rob Reardon
Episode Description
What happens when a fire chief faces the kind of call no department ever wants to receive?
In this episode of the First Responder Wellness Podcast, Conrad Weaver sits down with Fire Chief Rob Reardon, a former TV journalist turned firefighter and chief, to discuss the pediatric critical incident that changed his department—and changed him.
Rob shares how his crew navigated the aftermath of multiple pediatric cardiac arrests, why their first critical incident stress debrief failed, and how peer support, EMDR therapy, and strong leadership helped them begin to heal. Once skeptical of mental health resources, Rob explains why he now believes seeking help is one of the strongest decisions a first responder can make.
In This Episode
- Firefighter mental health after a pediatric trauma
- Critical incident stress management and peer support
- How EMDR therapy helped a skeptical fire chief heal
- Building trust and wellness in the fire service
- Leadership lessons from one of the toughest calls of Rob's career
Whether you're a firefighter, fire chief, EMS provider, law enforcement officer, or public safety leader, this conversation offers practical insight into first responder wellness, resilience, and leading through trauma.
Subscribe to the First Responder Wellness Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Learn more at PTSD911.com.
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