Please note that this episode refers to fires in California...

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Dr Russell Thackeray talks to Christy Warren, a retired fire captain from the Berkeley Fire Department in California who talks about her experiences as a firefighter and paramedic and the challenges and stressors associated with the profession.

Christy had twenty-five years of service as a professional paramedic and eighteen years as a professional firefighter/paramedic but retired after being diagnosed with PTSD in 2014. In this podcast she shares her feelings of shame and personal struggles with PTSD and highlights the importance of accessing proper treatment and support.

Since she retired from the fire service Christy has become a triathlete, completed the Escape from Alcatraz swim five times, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Washington State University. She is also a volunteer Peer at the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat and is focused on raising awareness about the struggles faced by first responders and their families, the importance of mental health support and haring her story so others don’t feel so alone.

Main topics

• The challenges and stresses of being a firefighter
• How dark humour acts as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress
• The balance between safety and expedient decision-making in firefighting
• The PTSD symptoms Christy suffered when her nervous system was overwhelmed
• The importance of having a support system when dealing with PTSD
• Raising awareness about the struggles faced by first responders and their families
• The importance of mental health support for first responders.

You can find out more about them at christyewarren.com and at resilienceunravelled.com/episode/christy-warren

Her book is "Flashpoint" https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flash-Point-Firefighters-Journey-Through/dp/1647424488 and she also runs her own podcast "The Firefighter Deconstructed" which provides support and information for first responders.

You can find out more about our podcasts and send us messages at https://resilienceunravelled.com/