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Code 4 Northwest

15 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratings

The Code 4 Northwest podcast provides a pragmatic, positive voice for a community of first responders and their families. When your day job is dealing with what is often one of the worst possible days for those you serve, it is vital that your perspectives be accurate and not overshadowed by your day to day experiences. This podcast exists to help restore the balance between perceptions and perspectives by stepping back to see the bigger picture.Code 4 Northwest is an entirely volunteer-run, free and confidential crisis response and referral network for Washington State active and retired first responders, EMS, corrections, civilian support personnel, and their families.

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Episodes

#12 James Brack-- New Approaches To 1st Responder Wellness.

May 05, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 49.8 MB

James Brack is with the Bellevue Police Dept. and is leading their Wellness Program. Combining his own research and working with 1st Responder friendly professionals, new ideas and approaches to wellness are taking shape.  Proactive strategies  in the area of physical health are showing benefits in the emotional / mental health side. Rather than waiting for issues to develop, getting ahead of and preventing them is a much better payoff.   Wah Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incomp...

#11 Metabolic Syndrome in First Responders: You Need To Hear This.

June 07, 2022 21:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MB

Deanna Mehlhoff is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in Metabolic Syndrome--how it affects First Responders and working with them to identify the issues and correct them.  If you don't know what this is or even think you do, take a listen. Our line of work is proven to affect our health. This episode is to serve as needed information for your well being and highlights the work of someone who is out there to help you. Deanna's Phone is: 253-924-9955. Her website is:  nwhealthservices.org Mus...

#10 Meggin Gardner- "I had lost control of my life."

November 06, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MB

In this episode Meggin Gardner discusses her experience as a 911 dispatcher and how the effects of cumulative stress brought her to a tipping point.  As the traumas began adding up, her body gave out warning signals. She "soldiered on" being the "tough girl" and self medicating, until the day she was no longer ok.  Meggin also gives us an insightful look into the in patient treatment facility she entered. She credits this treatment center and the therapies received for saving her life and ma...

# 9 Pat Ellis -Chaplain

October 25, 2021 19:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MB

Pat Ellis is the volunteer coordinator for Code 4 NW and a full time Chaplain for Puget Sound Fire.  In this episode you will get a glimpse into his life as a Chaplain.  We also discuss the current state of the professional mental health provider system. Code 4 NW is there for those in the 1st responder world. It is an all volunteer network of peers dedicated to be there for our sisters and brothers in need.  Music in this episode: Wah Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.fi...

# 8 Devon Edwards - "I One Hundred Percent Intended To Be Dead"

July 31, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 55.1 MB

This episode contains explicit language and sensitive subject matter.  In 2019, more than 350 Police Officers and Fire Fighters died by Suicide.  This is the  story of a Police Officer who intended to take her life multiple times but through good fortune, one good supervisor who listened, and making a call to Code4 NW, did not carry it through. Her story includes losing her father to suicide, grieving for an officer who died in the line of duty, two attempts to talk to a fellow officer (incl...

# 7 Ben Lunak- "Papercut"

May 31, 2021 20:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

In this episode Ben Lunak, a Police Officer in Colorado Springs Co. and a Marine Combat Veteran , describes his journey from military service to a career in law enforcement. His story includes a traumatic injury and the emotional fall out he experienced afterwards. Transitioning from civilian life to the police force was difficult. EMDR Therapy was instrumental in helping Ben heal. His story is inspirational for all of us and an example of how well EMDR can work. Music: Wah Game Loop by Kev...

#6 Scott Rankin- conclusion "My Whole World Imploded"

April 30, 2021 17:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MB

Scott describes how his marriage was nearly destroyed because of his actions. He suffered deeply while trying to maintain at work. His wife and family suffered in the pain of betrayal.  Fortunately, theirs is a story of transformation and hope.  Music in this episode: Wah Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4602-wah-game-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

# 5 Scott Rankin Part 2 "I Ran From It"

April 26, 2021 15:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MB

We continue Scott's story. He speaks about the way he felt about himself, his actions, and how his internal pain was transferred to others--the word unfaithful is used. He describes an accident in a pursuit that could easily have cost him his life and how his attitude afterwards did not serve him well.

#4 Scott Rankin Part 1 "You will never see him again."

April 22, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MB

This is the first of three episodes with Police Officer Scott Rankin. You will hear his story which is quite interesting, and how unresolved emotional trauma can affect personal relationships.  In the 1st responder world, emotional trauma is "part of the job". We deal with it or it will deal with us. Some of us enter into our professions with "trauma eggs" already in our baskets. Then more are added as a result of our work. We can suffer from that and those we love can be casualties as well....

Karina Putnam- 911 "We Handle The First Wave"

March 15, 2021 00:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MB

In this episode, we go on the dispatch side of the radio with Karina Putnam. She jokes that 911 dispatch is like a "high wire act with knives and fire and no safety net". This is an insightful interview about how this work and experiencing vicarious trauma changed her as a person--change she didn't expect or notice happening. Seeing a photo of herself where she appeared different, looked tired and angry, made her want to change how she felt.  She volunteers for Code4 NW as a call receiver an...

Karina Putnam- 911 Dispatch "We Handle The First Wave"

March 15, 2021 00:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MB

In this episode, we go on the dispatch side of the radio with Karina Putnam. She jokes that 911 dispatch is like a "high wire act with knives and fire and no safety net". This is an insightful interview about how this work and experiencing vicarious trauma changed her as a person--change she didn't expect or notice happening. Seeing a photo of herself where she appeared different, looked tired and angry, made her want to change how she felt.  She volunteers for Code4 NW as a call receiver an...

Steve Johnson "I was done"

February 18, 2021 16:00 - 25 minutes - 17.2 MB

In this episode Steve Johnson talks about cumulative stress and using alcohol as a coping mechanism. He had that moment when he knew he was "done" and reached out for help. Steve is a Police Officer and one of Code 4 NW's volunteers and is there to help others who reach out. Music on this episode: Wah Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4602-wah-game-loop License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Nick Bauer- "Restoring Hope" And How Code 4 NW Works

January 29, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 6.22 MB

In this initial Code 4 Podcast listeners will meet Nick Bauer the Director of Operations at Code 4 NW.  Nick tells his story and how he became committed to Peer Support. He also goes over how Code4NW works when a call comes in. Thanks to the following for their help in this episode: Nick Bauer, Jim Gould, Robert Elliott, Sandy Tudor, Karina Putnam, Troy Meyers, and Jeff Richards.

Nick Bauer- "Restoring Hope" And How Code 4 NW Works

January 29, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 6.22 MB

In this initial Code 4 Podcast listeners will meet Nick Bauer the Director of Operations at Code 4 NW.  Nick tells his story and how he became committed to Peer Support. He also goes over how Code4NW works when a call comes in. Thanks to the following for their help in this episode: Nick Bauer, Jim Gould, Robert Elliott, Sandy Tudor, Karina Putnam, Troy Meyers, and Jeff Richards.

Nick Bauer's story. "Restoring Hope"

January 29, 2021 18:00 - 9 minutes - 6.21 MB

In this initial Code 4 Podcast listeners will meet Nick Bauer the Director of Operations at Code 4 NW.  Nick tells his story and how he became committed to Peer Support. He also goes over how Code4NW works when a call comes in. Thanks to the following for their help in this episode: Nick Bauer, Jim Gould, Robert Elliott, Sandy Tudor, Karina Putnam, Troy Meyers, and Jeff Richards.