NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with PJ Goldfeder, a more than 23 year Yonkers (NY) Fire Department veteran and Assistant Chief. PJ also serves as the Yonkers Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) President and a Customer Success Manager for NEP Services. Jim and PJ discuss the Yonkers UFOA's recent communication strategies during the 2023 electi…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with Dave Gillotte, a more than 35 year fire service veteran currently serving as a Captain in the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Dave has been on the board of LA County Firefighters IAFF Local 1014 for 26 years, including serving as President of the more than 3,400-member union for the last 22 years. Dave also ser…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with Dr. Kerry Ramella, LPC, Ph.D., Owner and Clinical director of Public Safety Crisis Solutions, a Phoenix, AZ based counseling and wellness center. Dr. Ramella is former radio dispatcher and 911 operator and has more than 35 years of public safety and clinical mental health experience and works with numerous public s…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with Matty Fiorenza, a retired Anaheim (CA) Firefighter / Paramedic who now works with Recovery First First Responders Treatment Centers, helping first responders struggling with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Matty is also featured in the documentary film PTSD911 which explores the struggle of first respo…

When Roseville Firefighters IAFF Local 1592 suffered the loss of two retired firefighters recently, the association’s leaders realized that they also had lost two careers worth of history, stories, and firefighting acumen that comes from decades of experience responding to emergencies on a fire truck. The union needed a way to preserve the memories…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with Michele Freeman, PhD, a nearly 30 year law enforcement veteran who served for almost a decade as Chief of the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety. Dr. Freeman earned her Doctor of Public Policy Degree, which focused on Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Law Enforcement Officers from UNLV and has been a …

NEP Media's Jim Aleski talks with Mynda Ohs, PhD, a Las Vegas based Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) who specializes in critical incident debriefings, counseling services, crisis intervention, suicide prevention and more. She works extensively with retired emergency services personnel, a rapidly growing and often under served and under s…

Too often, the private ambulance company contracted to respond to medical emergencies throughout the county would put their bottom line above service, closing ambulances and leaving residents without the care they deserve when they need it the most. As wait times for ambulances grew, the Professional Fire Fighters of Sonoma County IAFF Local 1401 s…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski sits down with Jake Windell, a Firefighter/Paramedic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department who serves as his agency's Peer Support Leader and K-9 Coordinator. Jake talks about the peer support and mental health initiatives in place for LA County Fire Department members including a therapy dog program. For more informati…

When one of our brothers or sisters is diagnosed with cancer, we are all profoundly affected. It is important to remember, however, that individuals will respond to their diagnosis in their own unique way. Some people may keep their diagnosis private and some may not want to talk about their diagnosis at all.…

With 15 vacancies, and several more retirements anticipated in the coming months, the labor union representing Ithaca, New York's law enforcement professionals wants all aspiring police officers to know that there is still time to apply for the upcoming Ithaca Police Officer entrance exam. The deadline to apply has been extended to August 7th, 2023…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski sits down with Dr. Heather Williams, a Psychologist from Southern California's Premier First Responder Psychological Services, at the 2023 NEP "We Need to Talk" mental and behavioral health conference in Las Vegas. Dr. Williams discusses her decades of experience working as and alongside first responders. Dr. Williams' journe…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski spoke with Patrick Dugan from the College Station Professional Firefighters Association at the 2023 NEP "We Need to Talk" mental and behavioral health conference in Las Vegas. Patrick discusses some steps his union and fire department have taken to get mental health support programs off the ground. He also talks about how con…

NEP Media's Jim Aleski caught up with Libby Timmons from Tuscon, AZ's Thrive With Chaos at the 2023 NEP "We Need to Talk" mental and behavioral health conference in Las Vegas. Libby discusses her years of experience working as an addiction counselor and therapist for first responders.Af Jim Aleski

NEP Media's Jim Aleski speaks with Dr. Brooke Bartlett from San Diego's Center for Trauma, Anxiety, and Stress at the 2023 NEP "We Need to Talk" mental and behavioral health conference in Las Vegas. Dr. Bartlett discusses her years of experience working with military and emergency services personnel and their families and the goal of making mental …

Although cancer is the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, firefighters are not 68% more likely to develop cancer than the general population. Accurate data is crucial when quantifying occupational cancer's toll on and threat to firefighters and their families. Recently, a number of well-intended journalists, legislators, manufacturer…

Mental health has become critical in today's fast-paced and demanding work environments. The well-being of employees directly impacts their productivity, job satisfaction, and overall success. Employers play a crucial role in fostering a supportive work culture prioritizing mental health. In this piece, we will explore the significance of mental he…

In 2001, a group of software developers developed a set of values and principles they believed should be used in their field to guide their work. This document, known as "The Agile Manifesto," sought to modernize the processes developers followed and make them more straightforward, responsive, and flexible. While the "Manifesto" contained four key …

Social capital is a concept that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as "the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively." These social networks provide value through the added resources, trust, and support created…

Retirement planning is a vital aspect of financial planning that many individuals tend to overlook. In the United States, most employees rely on their employers' pension plans or personal retirement accounts, such as 401(k) and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), to fund their retirement years. However, Americans' confidence in their retirement s…

Workplace, family, and societal stressors have been taking their toll on people more than ever. Living through a pandemic, political ugliness, and economic uncertainty hasn't helped. Anxiety, tension, depression, and addiction seem to be affecting people wherever you look.Thankfully, personal or mental resiliency is a concept that's been getting mo…

First responders usually hate to be called this - but you are the heroes people rely on in times of crisis. You are the ones who are called upon to save lives, protect property, and keep communities safe from harm. Unfortunately, while your job is rewarding, it can be incredibly stressful and traumatic. The constant exposure to danger and trauma ca…

As firefighters, we're often too busy saving lives and protecting property to take a moment to appreciate the experiences we encounter during our shifts. However, taking pictures at work is an excellent way to capture these moments for ourselves, our departments, and our communities. These images help build department morale and maintain a visual h…

In the face of rapidly escalating emergencies and dwindling resources, the fire service across the nation is being pushed to its limits as it grapples with an unprecedented hiring crisis. With experienced fire fighters retiring and new recruits proving difficult to find, fire departments are increasingly stretched thin, struggling to maintain adequ…

When people dial 911 to report a medical emergency, they expect an immediate response from local emergency medical providers tasked with providing critical life-saving care in their area. But far too often and in far too many places, the private ambulance companies contracted to respond to them put their bottom line above service. As a result, emer…

As a public safety officer, one of the most important benefits you earn is dignified retirement via your pension. While a 25-year career is typical in many places, some pension systems allow police officers and firefighters to retire after 20 years of service. However, these "20 and out" policies are often not without political controversy.…

A New York City fire marshal commander is recovering after being saved by a Bedford (NY) police officer, a Yonkers (NY) fire captain, and a retired FDNY firefighter, who successfully performed CPR on him when he collapsed while playing basketball last month. CJ Kanelopoulos, 49, had just come off the court at St. Joseph's gym in Bronxville, NY, on …

Fear any and all changes to our pensions! Treat these as attacks on our compensation and dignified retirements until proven otherwise! And don't just be aware of any changes - be hyperaware! Go to meetings. Pay attention to your union at the local, state, and national levels. Social media and traditional news outlets can often yield warning signs a…

You'll be no stranger to long hours and irregular sleep patterns if you're a firefighter. The job demands that you be ready at a moment's notice, often requiring you to work through the night and be in and out multiple times. While the adrenaline rush of fighting fires may keep you going in the short term, long-term sleep deprivation can seriously …

"Begin with the end in mind." The quote is the second of seven habits from Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of what you want it to look like at the end, then take a proactive approach to make it a reality. Besides the legacy we chisel out while working along and pr…

One of the most challenging parts of starting new communication and outreach endeavors is figuring out precisely what you're trying to accomplish. Amber Liebner, Director of Client Success and Training for NEP Services, has guided hundreds of labor organizations and other groups to figure out exactly what it is they are trying to do.…

Law enforcement officers face unique challenges and stressors in their work, such as dealing with trauma, violence, and the pressure to make split-second decisions. Unfortunately, these challenges can take a significant toll on their mental health and well-being. Thankfully, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to suppo…