Code Forty4

06/02/2026

I had the opportunity to speak at the First Responder Banquet here in Hancock County.

As I stood on stage and looked across the room at the first responders and their spouses, I was reminded once again of the toll this job can take on every single person it touches.

For some, the weight is minimal.
For others, it is tremendous.

After the presentation, a gentleman approached me and simply said, “Thank you. I really needed this and it gave me a lot to think about.”

And honestly… that’s why these conversations matter.

The stigma surrounding mental health in the first responder community will only change when we face it together. When we check on each other. When we create space for honest conversations. When we remind people they are seen, valued, and supported.

Because it is okay to not be okay.
And no one should have to carry the weight of this job alone.

06/01/2026

05/28/2026

Leadership matters.

The culture changes when leadership changes.

As I continue this journey with and so many incredible voices in the first responder wellness space, one thing becomes more and more clear:

Breaking the stigma around mental health has to start at the leadership level.

When leaders create space for honest conversations, normalize support, and lead with awareness instead of silence… it gives permission for others to do the same.

This FREE 3-day retreat through First Responders Bridge is an incredible opportunity for leaders across law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, and corrections to learn, connect, and grow alongside others who understand this life firsthand.

And this is not just for Ohio ….first responders and leadership from anywhere in the U.S. are welcome.

Please pass this along to any first responder leader who could benefit from this experience or who wants to better support the people they lead.

The culture shifts when leadership chooses to shift with it.

First Responders' Bridge is now registering for our 24th confidential, expense free retreat for active and retired first responders. This retreat will be for Leadership..... anyone OVER the rank of Officer, Firefighter/EMS, Corrections Officer or Dispatcher.
**Rank specific programming will be provided. Example, Chiefs and equivalent will be in their own discussion groups and table top discussions. Significant others are encouraged to attend.
Come get the healing you deserve in a safe and confidential environment, free of cost!

05/27/2026

🎙️ The new Code Forty4 episode is now live.

If EMDR has ever sounded intimidating or confusing, this conversation is for you.

In this encore episode with Alana Trevino, we break down what EMDR actually looks like, what happens during a session, and why so many first responders are finding healing through the process.

This one is all about removing fear, answering questions, and creating hope.

🎧 Listen Now! [Link located in the comments]

05/26/2026

Tomorrow’s episode is an encore conversation that so many people have been asking for…

EMDR.

What actually happens during a session?
Do you have to relive the trauma?
What does healing really look like?
And can EMDR help if there wasn’t just “one big event”… but years of cumulative stress and trauma?

If you’ve been wondering whether EMDR is right for you or someone you love, this episode may answer a lot of those questions.

This conversation goes deeper into what EMDR actually is, what to expect, and why so many first responders are finding hope and healing through the process.

🎙️ Encore episode with Alana Trevino Frontline Wellness, LLC drops tomorrow on Code Forty4.

05/20/2026

OHIO - Don’t forget to register for First Responders event, Stronger Than the Call—a free one-day wellness training focused on practical tools, real conversations, and real support. Each first responder may bring one adult family member, spouse, or support person to attend with them.

This event is designed to strengthen resilience, improve awareness, and connect our first responders and families with tools and resources that truly help.

Approved Continued Professional Training Credits:

7 Hours for Law Enforcement (26CPT1159)
7 Hours for Fire/EMS

05/20/2026

As I’m preparing to speak at a First Responder Banquet tonight, this article came across my feed.

While the article focuses on EMTs, I don’t believe this struggle is exclusive to one profession ... it impacts all first responders. One of the biggest barriers many face is the fear, stigma, and hesitation surrounding individual counseling and mental wellness support.

It’s another reminder that the stigma has to be broken. We have to normalize these conversations and support our loved ones in putting wellness guardrails in place BEFORE they reach a breaking point.

Mental health care shouldn’t begin only after the damage is done. Prevention, awareness, communication, and support matter.

For our first responders and their families , you are not alone

I wanted to share one of my recent published studies examining the lived experiences of EMTs when seeking individual counseling.

This study was deeply personal to me — not only as a counselor and researcher, but as someone who spent over a decade working on an ambulance.

What the participants described was not simply “stress.” They talked about:
• fear of being judged
• stigma within the culture
• difficulty trusting providers who did not understand the job
• waiting until they reached a breaking point before seeking help

Many also described how disconnected they felt trying to navigate counseling while still carrying the expectations of the profession.

One of the biggest takeaways from this work is that first responder mental health is not just about access to services — it is also about culture, trust, understanding, and feeling safe enough to use those services.

These conversations matter.
And the people behind the badge, patch, or radio matter too.

Thank you to the EMTs who trusted me enough to share their experiences and stories through this research.

📖 Hutchinson, J. (2025). *The lived experiences of emergency medical technicians when seeking individual counseling*. Psychological Services. [https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0001013](https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0001013)

05/16/2026

Stop out and support the First Responder Community today 11-2 at Culver’s in Findlay. Rain or shine!!

05/11/2026

Sometimes the hardest part about mental health support… is not knowing what help actually looks like.

That’s exactly why we’re bringing back Alana Trevino from Frontline Wellness, LLC for Part 2 of our EMDR conversation on the Code Forty4 Podcast

In this next episode, we’re diving deeper:
• What actually happens during EMDR?
• Do first responders have to relive the trauma?
• Can EMDR help cumulative trauma and hypervigilance?
• What does healing actually look like?

If you or your loved one has ever felt hesitant or fearful about trauma therapy… this episode is for you.

🎧 Before Part 2 drops, now is the perfect time to listen to Episode 9, our first EMDR episode, and understand how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system.

Because healing starts with understanding.