SAM 048 | Helping responders with addiction

Firefighters and addiction. It’s not something we like to acknowledge or talk about. On this episode, we both acknowledge the problem and I have two guests from the American Addiction Centers here to give first responders advice about how to get help. I’m really excited to have as my guests Mark Lamplugh and Mike Healy, both first responders and both committed to helping first responders with addiction issues. Assistant Chief Michael A. Healy is a forty -four year member of the Rockland County, NY fire service. He has served two prior terms as a chief. He is a NYS Fire Instructor, the Coordinator of Fire Education at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, a hands on fire instructor for the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs, and a member of the Rockland County CISM team. Mike retired in 2008 from he NY Transit Authority as the Clinical Director of the NYC Transit / TWU Local 100 Union Assistance Program. He is a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, Substance Abuse Professional, and a Labor Assistance Professional – Certified. In 2011 he teamed with Mike Blackburn, (Battalion Chief Providence FD, retired) to build a program to offer help to firefighters throughout the country suffering from behavioral health issues. Teaming with the NVFC and American Addiction Centers we offer a national hotline number for firefighters and EMS personnel. Mark Lamplugh, Jr. is a 4th generation firefighter and former Captain with the Lower Chichester Fire Company. He is now a national treatment consultant with American Addiction Centers specializing in First Responder Services. Mark has placed and referred 100’s of firefighters nationwide. He currently working towards his degree in applied psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and is a member of the American Academy of Experts of Traumatic Stress.   In this episode Mark and Mike talk about the growing issue of firefighter addiction and provide solid advice about how to get help. Our sponsor: Midwest Fire MidwestFire.com Intro music Safety Dance (1982) Men Without Hats GMC - Virgin Records Guest Contact Information American Addiction Centers 888-731-3474 http://americanaddictioncenters.org National Volunteer Fire Council Share the Load Program http://www.nvfc.org/hot-topics/share-the-load-support-program-for-fire-and-ems   Situational Awareness Matters! website www.SAMatters.com Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System http://www.firefighternearmiss.com/   Contact Rich Gasaway www.RichGasaway.com [email protected]   612-548-4424