First Responders

Why is it so hard for first responders to come forward and ask for help when they need it?

Why first responders struggle to ask for help

Why is it so hard for first responders to come forward and ask for help when they need it? It's a great question. I think the short of it is most of us don't know we need it until it's too late, until we're past that point and then we're dealing with PTSD or PTSI. We're not able to process that first call in the day, that horrible first call, because we're moving on to the next call and starting it all over again. We get back to the firehouses. We joke around about it or we process things differently by joking, by giving each other a hard time, things like that. But we also live in the world, whether you're fire, EMS, or law enforcement, that we're the toughest ones out there and we can handle anything, but we're still human. Things are getting better and a lot more people are reaching out for help, which is a good thing, and we're making long strides to make that help available. But it's still a work in process, baby steps.

First Responders often feel like they need to be tough and not ask for help, which leads to not seeking help until it's too late. There are more resources available to help First Responders, but it is still a work in progress.

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Why is it difficult for first responders to seek help when they need it? It's a great question. I believe the main reason is that most of us don't realize we need help until it's too late, often when we're already grappling with PTSD or PTSI. We're constantly moving from one intense call to the next without taking the time to process the emotional impact. Back at the firehouse or in our respective units, we may use humor or teasing as a coping mechanism, but deep down, we still carry the weight of what we experience. There's also this mindset that as first responders, whether in fire, EMS, or law enforcement, we're supposed to be tough and capable of handling anything. However, it's important to remember that we're still human. The good news is that more and more people are starting to reach out for help, and efforts are being made to make support more accessible. However, progress in this area is still ongoing and happens incrementally.

Are there any common mistakes associated with rescue task force operations?

Key Takeaway: Training Together is Vital for Successful Rescue Task Force Operations

Question, are there any common mistakes associated with rescue task force operations? I'm gonna limit myself to the 60 second recording on this so I don't go down a rabbit hole. Training. Number one, training. Hands down, we don't do it enough. We don't do it enough with our PD, we don't do it enough with our EMS. They might train enough individually, but they don't do it enough together. Together is key. If it's going to work, they need to train together and have the proper equipment to do so. If they don't, it's not going to be a successful rescue task force operation. It's going to fail from the get-go and it's going to make things more chaotic. So please, number one, training. Train, train, train, and train together.

Insufficient training of PD and EMS personnel and lack of proper equipment are the most common mistakes associated with rescue task force operations.

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When it comes to rescue task force operations, one common mistake is inadequate training. It's crucial for both law enforcement (PD) and emergency medical services (EMS) to train together, not just individually. Training together ensures that they can effectively work as a team and have the necessary equipment for successful operations. Without proper training and coordination, rescue task force operations are likely to fail and create more chaos. So, the key takeaway is to prioritize training and ensure that PD and EMS train together consistently.

Given your expertise, what is one thing you would never do?

Expert reveals the one thing they would never do

Given your expertise, what is one thing you would never do? That's a good question. As far as that, I would probably say I would never be dishonest. That includes being dishonest with family, being dishonest with patients, being dishonest with coworkers. Being honest in your situations and all that gets you a lot further than not. Other than that, if you're honest with yourself, if you're honest with your patients, if you're honest with your coworkers and family, I think you're doing pretty good in life.

I would never be dishonest with family, patients, or coworkers.

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Given my expertise, one thing I would never do is be dishonest. I believe in being truthful with my family, patients, and coworkers. Honesty is essential in all situations, and it ultimately leads to better outcomes. Being honest with oneself and others is a crucial aspect of leading a fulfilling life.

Hi Shawn! Tell people about your background, expertise, and how you can help.

Meet Shawn Lamar: Firefighter, Paramedic, and Tactical Expert

A little bit about myself, my name is Sean Lamar. First and foremost, I am a husband and a father of two. I also am a firefighter paramedic for the last 17 years in the fire service. I'm also the training director for rescue task force in the Chicago Midwest region. I also have the pleasure of sitting on the founding members group of ILET, which is the International Law Enforcement Training Network. I'm also an associate instructor for tactical medical solutions. Within that, I help get departments the gear they need and the medical gear that they need for rescue task force type operations. I do bleeding control training, rescue task force training, and consulting. A whole list of other things. I hope to be able to answer your questions, all the questions that you may have, and if I don't have the answer, I will find it for you. It will be a pleasure meeting all of you. I hope you have a great day and hope to talk soon.

Hi, I'm Shawn Lamar. I'm a husband, father, firefighter paramedic, and training director for Rescue Task Force in the Chicago Midwest region. I'm also on the founding members group of ILET, an international law enforcement training network, and an associate instructor for Tactical Medical Solutions. I am an instructor for bleeding control training / stop the bleed, rescue task force training for first responders / civilians, and consulting. I look forward to answering your questions. 

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Hello, I'm Shawn Lamar, and I am eager to share a little about my background, expertise, and how I can assist you. First and foremost, I am a husband and a father of two. Over the past 17 years, I have worked as a firefighter paramedic in the fire service. Currently, I serve as the training director for the rescue task force in the Chicago Midwest region. Additionally, I am fortunate to be part of the founding members group of ILET (International Law Enforcement Training Network). As an associate instructor for tactical medical solutions, I facilitate acquiring necessary gear and medical equipment for rescue task force operations. My areas of focus encompass bleeding control training, rescue task force training, consulting, and more. My aim is to provide answers to your questions and support you in any way possible. If I don't have an answer immediately, rest assured that I will find it for you. It's a pleasure to meet all of you, and please feel free to reach out. Have a wonderful day, and let's chat soon!

What tips do you have for staying cool and calm during chaotic emergency situations?

Top Tips for Staying Cool and Calm During Chaotic Emergencies

The question is, what tips do you have for staying cool and calm during a chaotic emergency situation? Definitely, we'd say your training. Train as realistic as possible because you don't want to go into that boxing ring if you've never been hit. Number two, breathe. It's not your situation. It's not your emergency. It doesn't help your patients. It doesn't help for law enforcement. It doesn't help the person you have contact with for you to be the one stressed out. They're looking to you for answers. They're looking for you to help them in their situation, in their emergency. So just remember, think clearly, just take a breath and relax.

My tip for staying cool and calm during a chaotic emergency situation is to focus on your training and remember that it's not about you, but rather the person in need of help. Take a deep breath and stay focused on the task at hand.

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To stay cool and calm during chaotic emergency situations, the most important tip is to rely on your training. Realistic training prepares you for the unexpected and helps maintain composure. Additionally, remember to breathe. It's crucial to recognize that the situation is not yours; it belongs to those involved. Getting stressed out doesn't benefit your patients, law enforcement, or the individuals you are assisting. They look to you for guidance and support in their emergency. So, take a moment to think clearly, take a breath, and remain relaxed in order to effectively fulfill your role.

What types of medical treatments do you typically administer while in the ambulance?

Unpredictable Ambulance Duties: Assessments, Oxygen, IVs & More

Question, what types of medical treatments do you typically administer while in the ambulance? I run a 911 ambulance, so there's no typical medical treatments that we do on a daily basis, besides your basic assessments of vitals, EKGs, stuff like that. Because my days can range from typical I don't feel well calls, to psyche vows, the next call, to car accident, the next call, to a fire incident, the next call, and so on. So there's no typical medical treatment that we do on a daily basis all the time, again, except for assessments which include your vitals, your EKGs, maybe administer oxygen and IVs. That's typically it on a 911 ambulance, that would be considered a typical medical treatment.

Typical medical treatments performed on a 911 ambulance include assessments of vitals, EKGs, administering action, oxygen and IVs.

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While working in the ambulance, the types of medical treatments I administer vary greatly. As I run a 911 ambulance, there is no set routine for daily treatments. My days can involve a wide range of situations, from general illness calls to psychiatric evaluations, car accidents, fire incidents, and more. However, some common medical treatments that we perform on a regular basis include assessing vital signs, conducting EKGs (electrocardiograms), administering oxygen, and providing intravenous (IV) therapy. These would be considered typical medical treatments on a 911 ambulance.

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Within my 17 years of combined EMS, As the Director of training for Rescue Task Force, TEMS, Fire Service experience, and having the utmost pleasure of being apart of the International Law enforcement training network (ILET) founding members group and also as an associate instructor for tactical medical solution.  Through that I have been able to maintain focus and awareness while working in stressful environments and while engaging in continuous development of critical thinking skills necessary to mitigate actual and potential injuries, by identifying, evaluating, and applying appropriate situational medical care options and operational approaches. Also, to ensure that team members and or public patients are afforded the best possible treatment and are taken care of in a timely manner.

Shawn LaMar