Behind the Scenes of the Nevada Peer Support Network
Release Date: 01/06/2026
Social Media Best Practices for ESOs
Don't Risk It! Podcast
Social media has become a powerful communication tool for ESOs—but responsible use across both your organization's accounts and members' personal accounts is essential. In our latest podcast episode, Emergency Services Specialists, Chris Rodgers, Dave Bradley, and Blair Tyndall, discuss the benefits and challenges of social media use. Take less than 16 minutes to learn how ESOs can use these platforms effectively, what to include in a social media policy or code of conduct, and how to ensure posts reflect your organization's mission.
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Safe Practices: Divided Highways
Don't Risk It! Podcast
Apparatus getting struck by vehicles on divided highways or other high-speed roadways is a leading cause of firefighter injuries—and sometimes even fatalities. Jake Hoover, former VFIS Education Specialist and current Battalion Chief at York Area United Fire and Rescue, joins Chris Rodgers of to talk about the best practices for responding to calls on these roads. Listen to this episode to hear them discuss: Safe turnaround approaches Acceleration and deceleration on high-speed roadways Blocking traffic with vehicles on the scene of an incident Take less...
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Reducing Risk Through Driver Monitoring Systems
Don't Risk It! Podcast
Unsafe driving of emergency vehicles can result in significant risks, such as damage to apparatus and serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and other individuals on the road. Deputy Fire Chief Scott Henry joins Chris Rodgers from to discuss a new driver monitoring system implemented by Southern Area Fire and Emergency Rescue (SAFER) in York, PA. Take 15 minutes to learn how this system operates, what driving factors it monitors, and how the system has encouraged safer driving habits.
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Arson: Youth-Set Fire Prevention, Intervention, & Investigation
Don't Risk It! Podcast
In this episode, Fire Chief Bill Wiegman joins the podcast to talk about how his shared experience as a firefighter and mental health clinician informs his work in youth-set fire prevention, intervention, and investigation. Listen to Chief Wiegman and Chris Rodgers talk about the: Psychology behind these incidents Importance of expertise and compassion Deep need for continued education Take less than 17 minutes to learn more about how you can take a holistic approach to arson prevention in your community.
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Fidelity Best Practices
Don't Risk It! Podcast
Fidelity risk refers to the financial loss your emergency service organization could face due to intentional dishonest acts by your members, such as theft, embezzlement, or forgery. Some of the major areas of fidelity risk include: Financial management Fundraising & special events Cybersecurity In our latest podcast episode, Emergency Services Specialists, Chris Rodgers and Blair Tyndall, discuss simple ways you can better protect your agency against these risks. Take less than 15 minutes to get quick tips you can implement today, like always requiring two...
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Digital Warnings for Approaching Emergency Services Vehicles - HAAS Alerting System
Don't Risk It! Podcast
Lives lost. Millions of dollars in damages. Up to four-year production delays for apparatus. These are just some of the potentially devastating costs that your emergency service organization could face because of a vehicle accident. One possible tool to help decrease vehicle crashes are digital alerts that notify the public about approaching emergency services vehicles. In this episode, Darrell Fisher of New Holland EMS joins Chris Rodgers of to share how their organization utilizes HAAS Alert technology and how they integrated it into their fleet.
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PTSD in EMS: One Paramedic's Story
Don't Risk It! Podcast
EMS personnel face very real threats each day, including the risk of violence. Melanie Kempf of Lancaster EMS joins Chris Rogers from to share how a seemingly routine call turned into a lifechanging experience. Listen to hear her recall the violent event, how it impacted her mental health, and changes that she helped implement to help future first responders cope with trauma *Sensitive Content Warning: This podcast discusses violence against EMS personnel, including a real-life example.*
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Injury Prevention Specialists in Emergency Service
Don't Risk It! Podcast
This episode looks at the benefits of an Injury Prevention Specialist in Emergency Services applying athletic trainer concepts to help prevent staff injuries. Specifically, Lancaster EMS in Pennsylvania is a front runner in using an on-staff Injury Prevention Specialist to help reduce workplace injuries and keep the first responders fit for duty.
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Service Animals in Emergency Services
Don't Risk It! Podcast
On this episode we are joined by Brent Lewis, with Correll Insurance Group, Inc. Brent is the Regional Sales Director and Producer for VFIS of South Carolina. He helps us explore the role of service animals in emergency services to include roles, certifications, training, deployment and what legal protections are in place through the Americans with Disabilities Act. Brent also shares a personal and amazing journey with “Maggie“, his own service animal!
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Enhancing Relationships Between 911 Operators & Field First Responders
Don't Risk It! Podcast
A lack of understanding, limited communication, and stereotypes are just a few of the reasons that 911/communication center personnel and field first responders, like firefighters and EMS personnel, may have some animosity towards one another. However, breaking down barriers between your emergency service organizations and establishing better relationships may not only help improve your working relationships—but benefit your entire emergency response system as well. In this episode, Chris Rodgers and Blair Tyndall, Industry Specialists, offer a few ideas help establish better “off...
info_outlineAfter losing a “top-notch firefighter from a top-notch family” to suicide, Derek Reid and his fire department didn't know where to turn for support.
This challenging time led to the creation of the revolutionary Nevada Peer Support Program, which seeks to smash mental health stigmas and provide support to first responders.
In this episode, Reid joins Chris Rodgers, VFIS Industry Specialist, to share how the program was developed, ways it's utilized, and tips for agencies to implement similar programs in their area.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Nevada Peer Support Network deep-dive coming in two weeks!