061. Duty Bound Grief: Unpacking Hidden Wounds in the Fire Service [Part 1]
Description
In this episode, Rachael Belcher shares her 27-year journey in the fire service, detailing her experiences from volunteering as an EMT to working as a paramedic with the Baltimore County Fire Department. Rachael's story takes us into her time on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, the emotional toll of dealing with traumatic events, and her courageous decision to seek mental health treatment. She also discusses her mission to dismantle the stigma around seeking help and educate first responders about duty-bound grief.Â
You will learn:
- the importance of mental health
- techniques for building resilience
- and practical ways to thrive in a challenging profession
00:11 Meet Rachael Belcher
01:53 Rachael's Early Career in Fire Service
02:40 From Volunteer to Paramedic
09:45 Experiences During Hurricane Katrina
14:27 Lessons from the Gulf Coast
16:35 The Shift Before COVID
22:46 Seeking Help and Healing
29:07 Life After Treatment
32:08 Conclusion and Reflections
JEMS Article - Grief On the Front Line: Managing Our Hidden Wounds
🔥 Ready to feel unstoppable in your gear? Fit For Service is the 8-week training plan built for firefighters to regain strength, confidence, and endurance on the job. 💪 Start your journey here!
>>> Shop Keep the Promise! <<<
Get 15% off your purchase at Rescue 1 CBD with code KTP at checkout!

![061. Duty Bound Grief: Unpacking Hidden Wounds in the Fire Service [Part 1] 061. Duty Bound Grief: Unpacking Hidden Wounds in the Fire Service [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/azjzftysauxjy7h85bjeayty6lyw?.jpg)
![079. One Thousand Paper Cuts [Part 2] 079. One Thousand Paper Cuts [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/bp1978h75r4wqke2lzwbuadzwv1f?.jpg)
![078. I Carved My Name On A Bullet [Part 1] 078. I Carved My Name On A Bullet [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0pnjydfb2o4qz9hxrlce958tjll1?.jpg)
![077. Don't Wear Your Uniform Home [Part 2] 077. Don't Wear Your Uniform Home [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/dpcqhkssvw6c3lxodfumeq3g7p3n?.jpg)
![076. The “Goldilocks” Decon That Firefighters Will Actually Use [Part 1] 076. The “Goldilocks” Decon That Firefighters Will Actually Use [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/s3dgpvd6gmxxfgoqswo1jnx182uz?.jpg)
![075. The Failures Make Me Who I Am [Part 3] 075. The Failures Make Me Who I Am [Part 3]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/2g0on3glg27kve4t4wl5llgloyun?.jpg)
![074. You'll Learn Something From Everyone You Work With [Part 2] 074. You'll Learn Something From Everyone You Work With [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/wv9ozejzgim0srt4cniuvfl43nnu?.jpg)
![073. The Real Cost of Promotion in the Fire Service [Part 1] 073. The Real Cost of Promotion in the Fire Service [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/jpkwsanw045t9zogbjb2fx4o8nub?.jpg)
![072. There Are Two Types of Senior Men: Which One Are You? [Part 2] 072. There Are Two Types of Senior Men: Which One Are You? [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ht6ir361r1vn7l4qhd939uahmupm?.jpg)
![071. Senior Man Is a Title You Have to Earn: Frontline Optics [Part 1] 071. Senior Man Is a Title You Have to Earn: Frontline Optics [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/v23i8zpj8lclyf8ch9sjfy6l1ays?.jpg)
![070. People Love Us, Don’t Let Them Down: Bobby Eckert [Part 3] 070. People Love Us, Don’t Let Them Down: Bobby Eckert [Part 3]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0fihxzch4sv5tr5mrrfsiyatm2pt?.jpg)
![069. The Working Fire Is The Great Equalizer: Bobby Eckert [Part 2] 069. The Working Fire Is The Great Equalizer: Bobby Eckert [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/htkijyvcqjmudxvos8vbns9ej72j?.jpg)
![068. Fires Are The Easiest Part of the Job: Bobby Eckert [Part 1] 068. Fires Are The Easiest Part of the Job: Bobby Eckert [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/vhnufom6ksk44496p9g4l3y3fkjb?.jpg)
![067. The Fire’s Out, But the Stress Stays: Finding Peace After the Chaos [Part 3] 067. The Fire’s Out, But the Stress Stays: Finding Peace After the Chaos [Part 3]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/2jr5ay5mphgljhkm3zqr1y9a6nhh?.jpg)
![066. Shake It Off: The Firefighter’s Way to Release Trauma [Part 2] 066. Shake It Off: The Firefighter’s Way to Release Trauma [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/j8r7etgn7cj0fzj711usn0i3kkdh?.jpg)
![065. The Trauma Doesn’t Retire: FDNY’s Rob Cefoli on Healing After the Job [Part 1] 065. The Trauma Doesn’t Retire: FDNY’s Rob Cefoli on Healing After the Job [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/gaemszdl7lqqzip30ex33qthldn4?.jpg)
![064. The Job's Not Meant For Everyone [Part 2] 064. The Job's Not Meant For Everyone [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/mimuj77j0hf72raolqgi9fnt8qy5?.jpg)
![063. Don't Let Your Ego Get In The Way [Part 1] 063. Don't Let Your Ego Get In The Way [Part 1]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/aj332a23fh78eykjweayao6vxdkv?.jpg)
![062. Addressing Duty Bound Grief: Building Mental Resilience for First Responders [Part 2] 062. Addressing Duty Bound Grief: Building Mental Resilience for First Responders [Part 2]](https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6xl21rwe97iyu8zvuzbfrh73ke6o?.jpg)



