The Ones Who Hold Us Up

They see the lights. They hear the sirens. But they don’t see the ones waiting at home.

This episode isn’t about the chaos on scene — it’s about the people who keep us standing when the chaos comes home. The spouses who sit in silence until we’re ready. The families who let us vent without judgment. The kids who defend us when we can’t defend ourselves. And the partners on shift who catch us when the job nearly breaks us.

Because without them, most of us wouldn’t have made it this far.

💬 “I’d rather hear your story than read your eulogy.”

🧠 Need support right now? Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You’re not alone — not in this job, not in this fight. 📱 Follow us on Facebook: Dispatched and Dysfunctional   🌐 Visit: www.critical-run.com to connect, share your story, or just vent   🎤 Got a call that changed you? Submit your story — we’ll carry it with care (and maybe a little dark humor). ⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast contains graphic content, emotional storytelling, and dark humor based on real-life EMS and first responder experiences. Listener discretion is advised.   Any medical discussion is personal opinion, not medical advice. Always follow your local protocols, medical direction, and training guidelines. This podcast isn’t about fairy tales. It’s about real calls, real chaos, and the medics who survive both.   Dispatched & Dysfunctional — because sometimes the worst calls… make the best stories.