Fire Rescue Wellness

Fire Rescue Wellness

Welcome to the Fire Rescue Wellness Podcast! My name is Annette Zapp (or AZ), and I'm a Retired Career Firefighter on a mission to ensure that every firefighter feels physically, mentally, and emotionally supported in their work. Join my guests and me as we have the critical conversations that help firefighters stay healthy and well.

Episodes

March 14, 2025 7 mins

In this Spotlight episode, my dear friend Jorge Carvajal talks about burnout. He recognized the signs in me and was able to convey messages that no one else was able (or willing) to convey. Hear the original episode here.


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Meet Taylor Goodman. She's a tiny dynamo on a mission to bring wellness to firefighters.

Formally trained as a strength conditioning coach, Taylor Goodman considers herself a wellness educator more than anything. Over the last eight years she’s held roles in the wellness and fitness industry. From an adjunct instructor for anatomy and physiology to health educator for the Army and currently working with Loudoun County fire and ...

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Today's Spotlight episode features my advisor, Dr. Jay Dawes. We explored topics such as fit for duty, the validation of fitness standards, and the occasional arbitrariness that can exist within public safety standards. Listen to the original episode here.

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South Metro Fire is making significant strides in human performance optimization, and today’s episode features Dr. Carrie Burns and PA Jeremy Gage. This dedicated medical team is identifying hidden heart disease and saving lives.

Tune in to learn about the CCTA and AI-assisted scanning process used at SMFR.

Dr. Burns joined South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) in 2022 as their full-time Wellness and Occupational Physician. Her career began...

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This week's spotlight features Nate Palin, former Tactical Manager at the NSCA and current owner of AGD-Any Given Day. Nate talks about hiring professionals, using personnel as force multipliers and recognizing the value of mental health interventions. Listen to the original episode here

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Register for the Women's Tactical Summit! <-- that's a clickable link!

Zig Markowski is married to Jennifer, a line-of-duty disabled police officer. He is the father of Ziggy and Aubrey and stepdad to Anthony.

He joined the Navy at 17 and trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician in Millington, TN, followed by additional schooling at Cecil Field, FL. He was then stationed at NAS North Island in San Diego and deployed...

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In this Spotlight, Lt. Andy Scott talks about the evolution of the health and wellness program at the Plainfield (IL) fire district. Here about some of the wins and lessons during Andy's tenure as the director of the program. Listen to the original episode here.

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This week’s episode didn’t exactly go as planned… let’s just say the audio was a total mess.

So, here’s the emergency episode—recorded in a quick 15 minutes before bedtime! 😅

In this one, I explain the power of making connections, how to do it effectively, and the best way to phrase your question when seeking help from subject matter experts.

So what, now what?!?

If you need help, ask for it! But remember, expertise has value—so be re...

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In this Spotlight episode, Troy Torrence shares insights on physical training in large academy classes and how the Indiana State Police has shifted away from using fitness as a form of punishment. Instead, Troy emphasizes a proactive approach focused on building up cadets and preparing them for long-term success. 

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If you listened to the episode, you know I’m running a care-package giveaway. Be sure to follow the instructions—I’ll draw the winner on February 18, 2025.

In today’s episode, I discussed advocating for yourself with your primary care physician. I didn’t cover advanced heart health screening, but stay tuned—Dr. Carrie Burns from South Metro Fire will be diving into that in a couple of weeks.

So what, now what?!

No one will advocate fo...

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Dr. Maura Shea breaks down the return on investment for Athletic Training services in this week's FRW Podcast Spotlight. 

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 Science to the Station 

7-Minute Science

🔥 Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit 🔥

In this episode, Dr. Brittany Hollerbach and AZ take on NYC and dive into the world of firefighter research—how to formulate study designs, get involved in research studies, and make an impact in the field.

🚒 So what, now what?!? 

We break down the next steps for those interested in tactical research and performance.

Pro tip:

🎭 When you can se...

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Today's Spotlight features the one and only Dr. Creatine, Scott Forbes, Ph.D. Scott riffs on the value of creatine in the brain and how it might help firefighters function better when sleep-deprived.

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...

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January 28, 2025 51 mins

Get registered for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit! Now with 8.5 Cat A BOC CEUs (for our athletic trainers)

Jon Vought is a firefighter/paramedic in South Florida who’s been on the job since 2009 and currently holds the rank of Captain. He’s a second-generation firefighter, plays the bagpipes for his fire department, and runs his department’s cadet youth group. In 2020, Jon started Rescue 1 CBD with the ...

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Dr. Katie Dabrowski is a co-owner of Old Bull Athletics in Florida, and she and her business partner, Frankie, have turned physical therapy care upside down. In today's Spotlight, Katie talks about getting patients better by challenging them with appropriately dosed strength and conditioning.

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Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fir...

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Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit

7-Minute Science

We all have "those nights" at the firehouse, but are they a chronic problem or an acute challenge? Our best practice approach to both situations involves forethought and planning because our brains will almost surely let us fail without a safety net for success.

So what, now what?!?

Self-awareness is a superpower. Surviving...

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Wendy Lund is the CEO of Wellth Management and teaches mindfulness to first responders. In today's Spotlight episode she reminds us that teaching first responder emotional management is every bit as important as teaching advanced airways.

Check out the full episode here.

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Purchase FRW Swag here

Get on the Waitlist for Building Your Career in Fire

Fo...

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Register for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit! Today's guest, Sarah Parks, will be attending, and you can hang out with her in person!

I meet the most incredible people while attending conferences! At this year's Science to the Station, I met Andy Anich, a guest, and Sarah Parks, today's guest.

Sarah is the embedded Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Oklahoma City Fire Depar...

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Welcome to the FRW Spotlight, where we revisit gems from previous episodes in 10 minutes or less. Today, my friend BC Luke Peterson talks about how he manages the wellness needs of a department under 100 members.

Luke Peterson is a friend, battalion chief, and director of the wellness program at my former department. In today's spotlight, Luke shared some wins accumulated during our 20-years of service together.


C...

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Register for the Women's Tactical Human Performance Summit!

You've previously heard from OKC FD's Chris Fields (ret), Athletic Trainer Damon Glass, and Major Cort Smith from the Training Academy. Today, you'll hear from Chief Kelley. Please share the episode and leave us a rating and review!

Richard A. Kelley joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 1991 and was appointed Fire Chief in Septe...

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