Tyler was born and raised in the Bruce Peninsula and now lives in beautiful central-northern Ontario.

Exposed to emergency services at a young age by his grandfather who was a dedicated Ontario Provincial Police officer he developed a love and devotion for helping his community. Through his years of service as a Paramedic in rural Ontario, and a decade as a volunteer firefighter, he has maintained that selfless, caring, people-first mentality.

Tyler continues to make strides in the emergency services profession, through leadership, professionalism, training, advocacy, and interpersonal relationships. He promotes a strong mental health foundation of resilience and has a deep love for his young family. 

Instagram: Olmy4122 

Email: tjolmstead22@gmail.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Chris is a 9-year veteran of the FDNY. A pitcher on the FDNY Baseball team, an athlete of the FDNY CrossFit team, and part owner of IGY6 Fitness. His goal is simple, to motivate, build, push, and be a means to a fitter more well-rounded first responder. 

@chris_igy6fitness 

@nyc_igy6fitness 

@next_rung 

Co-Owner IGY6 Fitness

FDNY

ISSA Strength and Conditioning

CrossFit Level-1 & 2

CrossFit Aerobic Capacity

CrossFit Anatomy

CrossFit Weightlifting

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Scott Heywood is a Battalion Chief and has been with the Buffalo Fire Department for 26 years. He has been married for 29 years and he and his wife have 3 grown children and 2 dogs. One of his sons has carried on the fire service tradition as a Firefighter with Memphis.

@scottbfd33

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Jenny worked as an Advanced Care Tactical Paramedic for the Region of Peel. After 22 years on the job, she was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of her exposure to cumulative trauma. She has remained a strong advocate for first responder mental health and continues to openly share her personal story of post-traumatic growth and recovery. She has participated as a public speaker at various fund-raising events in an effort to continue to raise mental health awareness, encourage a shift in the current emergency services culture, and contribute towards ending the stigma associated with PTSD and OSIs in the workplace.

In 2021, she began a retraining program through the University of Guelph-Humber, where she is currently obtaining a Bachelor of Health Sciences Degree, with a focus on health, wellness, and holistic nutrition. Jenny is passionate about creating health and wellness strategies that are rooted in healthier nutrition, movement, breathwork, writing, nature, and a supportive community – and most recently, cold plunging! She is a certified Sherpa Breath & Cold Instructor.

Outside of her advocacy work and her focus on obtaining her degree, Jenny is a wife, mother, and seasoned musician.

For the past 8 years, she has been working alongside her husband as the lead singer of their acoustic duo. She has also joined a new project, lending her talents as a backup singer and percussionist in a signed Canadian band. Their record is projected to be released later this year.

Instagram: @jenni_fromthe_blok

Instagram: @jennyhowesduo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.howes.5/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyHowesMusic/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-ralph-8aa3b1235/

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Jeff's a retired JTF2 sniper (tier 1 special forces) and now focuses on sharing the science and possibilities of a forgotten theory called post-traumatic growth. 

He and his wife Jessica Lee Depatie are producing a documentary on PTG titled ‘Dark Night of Our Soul’. 

This film examines post-traumatic growth beyond the clinical setting, to ask the question: how can we make it an option for everyone?

Dark Night of Our Soul explores emerging scientific breakthroughs in neuroscience and mental health, as well as ancient mythology, and the evolution of our species.

It is written by Rick Alexander and directed by Luke Zachariah Montgomery. 

Watch the trailer and short:

https://www.posttraumaticgrowth.film/ 

Help support the completion of the film: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jessicadepatie/dark-night-of-our-soul-documentary

@jeffdepatie_

@jessicasepatie_

@rickalexander_

@zachariah_montgomery

@darknightofoursoul_

MCP 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Kevin is a fire service captain and Instructor with almost 20 years on the job.  In 2021, he was diagnosed with a stress injury that had been clearly accumulating for many years.  He chose to explore alternative methodologies in treating his injury and has had great success.  Hopefully, his story can shed light on what is becoming an increasingly recognized hazard of our profession (stress-related injuries) and some of the options firefighters have to work through them.

@bigkkapitan

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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David is a Fire Captain at Santee Fire Department with 24 years of service. His passion in the fire service is training and cancer awareness. Being a survivor of work-related cancer has inspired him to make others aware of the dangers of cancer in the fire service and how to protect against it. Spending time with family is most important to David; he has been happily married for 29 years and raised two adult children. His son is now interested in pursuing a career in the fire service, and his married daughter is in the science field.  He enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, and finding new adventures to share with family and friends.

@dleask_72

leaskfour@twc.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Steve Is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys pushing his limits and has always been drawn to the mountains and water. He is a 14-year Firefighter and student of the fire service, exploring efficiencies and tactics with a focus on aggressive professional performance, safety, and situational awareness. He instructs in fire-ground and marine operations within his department and part-time at a fire school. His goal in teaching is to grow and learn and leave students with a better understanding of the "why" behind tactics. He is also a peer support program co-lead and uses therapy, good friends, sarcasm and fitness keep him balanced.

higginssd@hotmail.com

@higgyp0p

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Ricky is a Firefighter with the London Fire Brigade and was one of over 250 first responders who were called to the fire at Grenfell Tower, on the 14th of June 2017. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 72 residents and injured over 70 more.

He suffered from PTSD as a result of the life-changing decisions he had to make that night, as well as carrying the weight of previous traumatic incidents over a long career.With a new perspective, He’s now a mental health advocate and public voice, focusing on raising awareness of the importance of social and workplace mental health and well-being.

https://www.justrick.co.uk/

@rickynuttallofficial

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Manny is a nozzleman with San Antonio Fire. Born, raised, and still lives and works in the city's inner west side close to his home. Engine and Nozzle work is his passion and is a true believer that the basics are where the fight is won. A Marine Corps combat veteran and first-generation college graduate. He is a proud husband and father of 3 and a field training officer with his dept.

@manny_b210

@andyfredericksghost

Manuelbarajas210@gmail.com

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Brent is a tenured Firefighter with thirty years of emergency service experience. He has served twelve years with the Office of the Fire Marshal as an Emergency Response Specialist., coordinating the provincial deployment of emergency response for hazardous materials and urban search and rescue emergencies. He has investigated illegal grow-ops, clandestine drug labs, and countless fire scenes and operated in a safety officer role at major emergency operations across the province. He is also a District Chief with Tay Township Fire Department, an instructor at Southwest Fire Academy for many years, and as of late 2022 accepted the role of Principal coordinating daily operations. 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Dr. Jody Burnett is a Registered Doctoral Psychologist with the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists, providing service to the general public, specializing in service provision to first responders/public safety personnel and their families for the past 20 years.  She is a Clinical Research Associate and Therapist at PSPNET with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) and supports outreach and engagement of these services across Canada. An Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Regina, Jody pursued both her academic and professional career in Regina, Saskatchewan, completing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and successfully establishing her own consulting firm (J. Burnett Consulting) specializing in high-performance training, counseling and research/evaluation within various sectors including health, education, and justice.  

PSPNET, a clinical research unit in partnership with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT), delivering online services tailored to Public Service Personnel in need of mental health support. PSPNET also provides families of PSP with mental health support through PSPNET Families, which delivers a rich foundation and understanding of what it means to be “on the job” for the family members of PSP. 

@pspnetcanada

www.pspnet.ca

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Poet, punk rocker, and firefighter, Kevin Burke is a difficult individual to sum up.  The last 8 years of his life, he's been a member of the fire service, and the last five years of that he has been proud to be part of SAFD's Res51cue.  Prior to his time as a public servant, Kevin has been a long standing and seasoned artist.  He has toured as a musician and as a poet, shared stages with world renowned poets and grammy award winning musicians, and has always tried to make art that makes a difference.  Aside from three DIY chapbooks, his work has been published by Freeze Ray Press, Into Quarterly, Timber Mouse Publishing, Button Poetry (video), and Write About Now Publishing. Kevin is also the 2011 Austin Poetry Slam Champ, 2011 Southwest Shootout Slam Champ, and the only two time Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival Champion, and currently the lead vocalist for County Hell (a blackened-crust-punk collaboration with poet Bill Moran).

Currently, Kevin is a new father, a partner to his wife/getaway-driver, and an increasingly vocal advocate for mental health, especially for members of the first responder community.  In fact, Burke is currently enrolled in Northwestern University's Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has plans to become a therapist.  His forthcoming book entitled Tailboard Field Notes is due for release late this spring.

@kevinwburke

youtu.be/C4ih_oktiYU
www.sofarsounds.com/artists/kevin-burke
writeaboutnowpoetry.com
writeaboutnowpoetry.com/books
www.instagram.com/kevinwburke/?hl=en
www.facebook.com/kevinwburkepoetry/
www.instagram.com/countyhellmusic/
countyhellmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
kevinwburke.bandcamp.com/album/this-i…ckle-freedom

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy
Editing: @bradshea
Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco
Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Phil Resendes is a 15-year member of the Fire Service. Phil is a newly promoted Acting Captain with the Chatham-Kent Fire Department. He has Instructed at Lambton College Fire School in the Pre-Service and Fire Science programs. He is the Vice-President and one of the co-founders of True North FOOLS. Phil is a student of the Fire Service and is passionate about sharing his love for the trade by passing on what has worked and what has been passed on to him. "Culture is everything, and building strong Fire Department culture is done through continuous drilling and training”. Phil believes it is the glue that binds us and prepares us mentally and physically. The brotherhood is what brought him to the job, and the brotherhood is what he’s committed to preserving alongside the many like-minded and supportive members in your fire departments.

@backstepsixtytwo 

@truenorthfools 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Admin: @haileyfirefit

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Adam Parkhurst is a Driver/Engineer with the Euless, TX Fire Department. He started his career in 2006 and worked for 10 years as a Field Training Paramedic. He is a Swift water rescue technician, a medical specialist with a federal USAR team, and a Paramedic Instructor at Tarrant County College. He holds a Master Degree in Sociology and has published articles or culture building, improving training within the fire service, as well as depression and mental health. He lives in Dallas with his wife and 2 sons.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco @m.pletz

Admin: @haileyfirefit

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With more than three decades of experience as a Health Studies Professor teaching physiology, pathophysiology & pharmacology, Wendy understands the biology of stress and resiliency.

She extensively investigated the experience of trauma in first responders and has built a case for how and why compassionate-based mindfulness theory and practices can build proactive resiliency in vulnerable sectors for her MSc in Mindfulness Studies. She has helped to pioneer curriculum for those who engage trauma in their work so that they reduce their risk of psychological injury in the line of duty. She has shared her vision in conferences as a speaker/plenary, in many workshops and in print.

Wendy believes it’s about being proactive, not reactive, with our mental health. Her vision is to help others redefine wealth in their workplace and lives.

https://www.wellthmanagement.ca/team

IG - @wellth_management.inc

Twitter - @WLund100 @WorkWithHeartWM

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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Daniel is a Marine Corps Veteran. He has been serving as a Firefighter with San Antonio for 5 years and is currently riding Truck 17. He is an SAFD mentor for probationary Firefighters and an MV Fire Rescue TX Lead Instructor. He has been published in Firehouse magazine and featured on The Rogue Tailboard Podcast.

@dcdrury

@mvfirerescuetx

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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Hailey is a rookie in a full-time department in Southern Ontario, Canada. , with experience as a rural volunteer. She is passionate about firefighter fitness, mental health and resiliency, and lifelong learning. Hailey originally went to University to pursue a different career but was introduced to firefighting as a possibility through a family friend. She views her failures as opportunities and is continually assessing her life plan to ensure it is moving in a positive direction. She encourages aspiring firefighters to have the same mindset as there isn’t one correct path into this profession. She is excited to pursue roles in teaching/mentorship and training first responders to be fit on and off-duty.

Instagram: @haileyfirefit

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/haileygreen

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing Credit: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Logistics: @haileyfirefit

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