How Much Does This Book Cost???

By Karen Solomon - The Missing Niche

Yesterday someone asked me how much my book cost, I replied with the dollars and cents they would be required to pay at checkout. After all, that is what she asked.

For some reason, I started to think about what the book really cost and it kept adding up. It cost me many sleepless nights, I’ve had panic attacks and nightmares. I’ve listened to some officers and their families choke back sobs while others wept openly. I’ve learned to be patient, when to crack an inappropriate fart joke one of my kids told me and when to let them finish crying. It cost me the ability to say, “No, I do not want to hear your horror story.” After all, they lived through it, I can live through hearing it.

It cost me the ability to pretend that since I can’t see the injury, it’s not there. It cost me security.
It cost me a few days of the year, I know the dates of every single incident and I dread their approach. I thought, “Oh, next week is my birthday. Oh, 7 days later is the anniversary of Joe’s death. What do I say to Michael on the anniversary?”

It’s cost me my ability to watch the news, talk about police brutality, line of duty deaths and any critical incident involving the police. It’s made me want to stop and talk to every officer I see, I can’t drive by one without wanting to stop and ask if they are okay. It’s affected me more deeply than I care to admit.

3 Habits of Great #1stresponder Leaders...

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

Before I share the three habits, I'd like to remind you that every day, leaders must wake up and lead themselves before they lead anyone else. Others depend on us, and because of that we must keep the fire burning within us.   

We must:

• Know where we are going - Our Vision
• Know why we are going there - Our Motivation
• Know how we can help others - Our Leadership

To stay energized and on course - leaders can sustain themselves by:

1. The Habit of Passion -

Your passion will give you two distinctive traits: energy and credibility. Pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh said, "It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane."

When you love what you do and do what you love, others find it inspiring. I also believe it's the job of the leader to turn up the passion – the energy – the emotion.

My challenge: today show more passion and heart for those who serve and lead!

What Do Cops Dream About???

By Safe Call Now® Board Member - Betsy Smith

I wrote an article a few years ago for PoliceOne.com titled “Cop Dreams.”  The feedback was immediate and unexpected.  So many people were surprised to find out that they weren’t alone in experiencing these vivid, sometimes terrorizing dreams, and it wasn’t just the cops who were having them. 

When I was a high school senior I worked evenings as a police dispatcher for my local sheriff’s department.  One night I had a terrible nightmare. It was so real!  One of my deputies was yelling for backup but no matter how many times I pushed the “transmit” button, I couldn’t call for another unit. I was unable to speak.  The phones didn’t work.  I was completely helpless.  I woke up sweating and terrified.  I wasn’t even a cop yet, and I’d just had my first “cop dream.”  

There is no exact science when it comes to the study of dreams. We dream between 90 and 120 minutes per night, depending on how long we sleep.  We tend to only remember the last dream we had, unless you have reoccurring dreams, which are pretty common in both humans and in animals.  Sometimes I watch my dog Marley twitch, whine, and pant while he naps.  I often wonder if he’s reliving some of the terrible abuse he suffered before we rescued him.  Humans obviously suffer similar emotionally difficult dreams.  The top five most common dreams for humans are:

• I’m Being Chased
• I’m Falling
• I’m Lost or Unprepared
• I’m Naked in Public
• My Teeth Are Falling Out (how weird is that?!)

 
 

#1stresponders... Are You Taking Medication???

By Safe Call Now® President & Founder - Sean Riley

Here’s something I see too often with #1stresponders that call the Safe Call Now® crisis line.  Officers being over prescribed medication or prescribed medication that may not be necessary for what they’re currently dealing with.  Let me give you an example; I generally see when a #1stresponder experiences a traumatic event or multiple events they may afterwards feel depressed, anxious and unable to sleep.  They’re searching for answers to these problems and visit their family doctor.  Too often they report that they are prescribed anti-depressants, sleep aids and benzodiazepines (something like Xanax) to deal with these issues.  I always say when you get this combination of three drugs going, at some point we at Safe Call Now® will be dealing with you.

Are we medicating normal feelings to an abnormal situation?  In most cases I believe so.  What gives me the ability or expertise to qualify this statement?  Through 23 years of addiction I was often prescribed these medications and just about everything else known to mankind and experienced their side effects and became dependent on some.  What do I see as the potential problem?  The health care industry is a complicated business and as I view it driven by the almighty dollar.  When I went to the doctor it seemed that I spent less time with them as their volume of seeing patients must increase to sometimes just break even when dealing with insurance companies.  Not their fault it’s just the way the system is set up.

Safe Call Now®’s Dr. Alex Cahana advised me of a study where the more time a doctor spent with a patient the better they got.  Those doctors that spent less time with a patient, their symptoms got worse.  Here’s the catch, the doctors that spent less time with their patients made more money for their entity.  Simple economics.  This is not to bash doctors as they are put into a tough situation.  In regards to #1stresponders, who is a doctor going to trust the most with medication and taking them responsibly?  You!!!  Therefor you’ll probably get prescribed whatever you want.

When dealing with the brain, it’s a crapshoot and I don’t care what anybody says.  What works for one person may not work for another.  When you combine medications, constantly change the milligrams, titrate up and down for weeks on end how do you know when you’re feeling the way you’re supposed to or getting yourself back to normal?  I remember going to the doctor and he/she asking me how I felt.  My response was always, “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel, that’s why I’m seeing you?” 

15 Ways Leadership Makes a Difference!!!

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

I was recently in Memphis Tennessee leading an all-day leadership retreat. As we began the daily discussion I reminded them that each of us "makes a difference" personally and professionally.

The question is: What kind of difference are you really making? 

Too many leaders today are going through the motions. They are preoccupied by noise and distraction, obsessed by the constant flow of "shiny objects" on the internet and wasting precious moments on trivial activities. Rather than thinking through the day and intentionally investing in others, they squander opportunities of empowering and equipping team members. 

I've also witnessed some great leaders in action the last few months. I've seen what good leadership can do. I've seen it turn around organizations, departments and impact the lives of men and women thirsty to be inspired and led. 

True leadership is not quick and easy to develop, but what a worthwhile thing it is. Becoming a better leader pays huge dividends, and is rewarding and fulfilling. 

Here are 15 ways leadership makes a difference:

Meet Safe Call Now®'s Newest Board Member

Safe Call Now® Board Member Lt. Randy Sutton (Ret.) - The Power Of Legacy

As President & Founder of Safe Call Now® it is my honor to introduce to America our newest Board of Directors Member Lt. Randy Sutton (Ret.).  Randy is dedicated to the betterment of first responders in their personal and professional lives.  He has spent his entire career and retirement serving others and now devotes his time to The Power of Legacy which brings families and people closer together.  Please take the time to wish Randy well and his new mission of saving the lives of those who protect all of us.

The Cop

Randy was born and raised in Princeton New Jersey, where after graduating High School, he joined the Princeton Borough Police department becoming one of the youngest Police Officers in the state.  He served the town for ten years before joining the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department where he served for almost 24 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant.  During his service he distinguished himself as one of the highest decorated officers in department history having earned multiple Lifesaving awards, Exemplary Service awards, Community service and a Medal for Valor.  He was also awarded a Presidential Point of Light Award by President George Bush for his creation of a reading program for inner city children.

The Actor

Randy was one of the most featured officers on the popular television series “COPS”, having appeared in three separate seasons which led to his being cast in a role as a police officers in the Academy Award winning film, “CASINO” with Robert Deniro and Sharon Stone.  Other film and TV roles followed, including “FOOLS RUSH IN”, “MISS CONGENIALITY II”, “THE ROAD HOME”, “CLOVERS MOVIE”, “AMERICA’S MOST WANTED” and a co-starring role opposite James Caan in the pilot episode of “LAS VEGAS”

The Author

During his police career, Randy penned three popular books about his, and other officer’s experiences.  ‘TRUE BLUE Police Stories by Those Who Have Lived Them” was his first.  Moved by the tragedy of 9/11, Randy wanted to bring to life stories from officers on the New York Police Department as well as officers from around the nation.  He donated the royalties for a fund set up for the families of the officers killed in the attack.  Two other books followed including the critically acclaimed “A COPS LIFE” and a second edition of “TRUE BLUE, To Protect and Serve”

Training that Changes & Saves the Lives of #1stresponders

Safe Call Now®'s Training Series

Today Safe Call Now® is in Henderson, Nevada providing life changing training to the first responders of the greater Las Vegas area.  Emotional Body Armor and the Bulletproof Administrator are courses designed for all first responders and their family members if they choose and to provide them with the tools to help individuals being held back both personally and professionally by the bonds of addictive behaviors, co-dependency, family systems or trauma in any form. 

Participants will examine those barriers and experiences that influence the capacity for a happy, healthy life and career. The intensive training experience will reveal how painful life and job experiences are and that they can hamper the growth of individuals and block the ability to be authentic in relationships with self and others.

We are very blessed to be able to provide these workshops nationwide so that first responders may reach their potential life, family and career goals.

For more information contact: Captain Brian Nanavaty at bn@safecallnow.org 

Partnering Up Saved this Cop's Life!!!

Safe Call Now® & Code 3 Spices

This is an email (with permission to use) that our partners at Code 3 Spices received after they put up a post on Facebook about Safe Call Now®.  I like these kind of emails, you just never know who you're going to touch!!!

"My name is ____________. I am a 19 year police veteran from the state of _______. I wanted to thank you guys for doing what you do. You see, I have been through a lot of ups and downs and have seen a lot of horrible shit over the years of being a cop. Within the last year I got divorced, lost my house, Lost my mother and father, became depressed and I felt like everything was spinning out of control from there. 

Work was non-stop stress. I was involved in a situation that involved a horrible incident where 2 children were brutally murdered. I was the first one on scene. I went home that night, started drinking and thinking about all the horrible incidents I have been involved in and sat down at the kitchen table with my lap top, a pen and paper and my service weapon. 

As I was writing my last letter to my loved ones a co-worker sent me a message of one of the posts you had put up on Facebook about Safe Call Now and their call service. I am a spiritual type of man. I took it immediately as a sign to call this number. I broke down crying, emptied my service weapon and put it in my lock box and called my ex-wife to come over. She obviously knew something was wrong. 

I made a call to Safe Call Now and they were able to place me into treatment within 36 hours. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a company that supports organizations like Safe Call Now. The timing of your Facebook post saved my life, my career and my future. I am 100% healthy now and I owe it to the people of Safe Call Now. 

Thank you again for everything your company does in supporting first responders and military. I will be a supporter of Code 3 Spices for life. 

Sincerely, 

_________________ "

The War on All Fronts...

By Lt. Randy Sutton (Ret.) - The Power of Legacy

Another Police Officer is gunned down in Memphis. The killers of a Hattiesburg Police Officer only a few weeks ago is granted bail, as the Mother of that Officer looks on helplessly. A cop orders some food at a drive-through and the man that prepares it writes “PIG” on the wrapper. A County prosecutor decries police making car stops for minor violations as “Chicken-crap” when a car stop leads to the death of a black man. All of this takes place in the same few days and all of us involved in law enforcement and those who support us wonder, “How is this possible?”

The job of a Police Officer has never been easy. Trying to enforce laws, respond to calls for service, temper the needs of the community with the laws of the city, state and local government and be part Priest, Social Worker, Soldier and Teacher is pretty much an impossible task, yet one that is all part of being a cop. It is a job that places you in danger physically, emotionally, ethically and legally. It can tear your heart out one moment and lift your soul the next. You bear witness to the worst that humanity has to offer and you stand on the front lines with the best and bravest and bleed alongside them. It is the best of jobs and the worst of jobs and everyone who has taken up the badge will never be the same.

As difficult and challenging as “The Job” has been historically, I have never witnessed the all-out assault on law enforcement that is taking place now. Every day there is a headline and a video that accuses cops of everything from murder to racism. There is no way for the police to defend themselves because accusations are just that, inflammatory hyperbole designed to create headlines, further political agendas and manipulate thought. Propaganda comes in many flavors and the media has become the “Good Humor Man” of the delivery system. The cop on the street has no voice because should they say something in their own defense, the department that they work for will destroy their careers as surely as day will turn to night. They turn within themselves and harbor resentment against their bosses and even more importantly THEIR bosses in local government because they know that the Mayor or Governor or City Council are more concerned with their own reelection than the lives of those who serve on the front lines. 

#1stresponders... What's Your Top 20% in Life???

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

When I have the opportunity to present with Safe Call Now® at first responder conferences, I always challenge them to think about their top 20%.  What do I mean by this???  My life and leadership changed dramatically when I not only understood the 80/20 principle, but started practicing it. A eureka moment! A respected CEO I admire recently explained its impact again. This time it started to sink in. This time I started to really change the way I lived and worked. 

He explained: 

·         80% of the wealth comes from 20% of the people.

·         80% of the production comes from 20% of the workforce.

·         80% of classroom participation comes from 20% of the students.

·         80% of the profits comes from only 20% of the customers.

·         80% of problems are generated from 20% of the employees.

·         80% of sales are generated by 20% of the sales people. 

What an eye opener, the best 20% of my activities were sixteen times more productive than the remaining 80%!

What changed for me?

1. If I want to decrease the rush and complexity of my life and increase my productivity, then I needed to focus on my top 20%.
2. I needed to stop doing so many low value activities. 
3. I needed to identify with ruthless conviction my top 20%. 
4. In needed to schedule my top 20% in my calendar every day. 
5. I needed to off-load the over-load and delegate, outsource, and eliminate my 80%.
6. I needed to evaluate the way I was spending my time and reprioritize my schedule.
7. I need to exercise my "no muscles" and stop trying to please everyone.
8. I needed to ask "what gives me the greatest return in my business?"
9. I needed to ask "what is most fulfilling and rewarding in my life?"
10. I needed to be guided by my purpose not pressures.

#1stresponders... Let's Get Visible!!!

By Sgt. Mark St. Hilaire

You may have noticed in the recent years that many first responders are wearing reflective gear when they are responding to service calls along roadways.

But you are not one of them.  Why not?  Are you invincible, acting reckless or ignorant?

In all fairness, you didn't know. I get it.

Wearing proper equipment, following established work guidelines and safety are another key component in our health and wellness.

Whether you work as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, E.M.S., public works laborer-operator, tow operator or anyone who has to work by a roadway, this effects your safety.

In 2008, a federal regulation went into effect basically requiring that public safety members are required like construction personnel working on the right of way of a federal aid highway to wear reflective outerwear or a vest which meets the ANSI/ISEA 107 class 2 or 3 classifications.

In short, so the public we serve will be able to see YOU during the daylight, nighttime or poor weather environment.  Are you visible?

More first responders are injured or have died due to a collision with vehicles on all our roadways whether an interstate highway, a city street or a rural roadway.  We are at a high risk when we are working in the roadways.

Organizational Stress... Burnout or Depression???

By Safe Call Now®'s Dr. Laura Brodie

Something that is not recognized by many in the civilian world is that our First Responders are as a whole have are more psychologically healthy than the general population at the time of hiring. How can I say this?  Well, very few careers require the psychological screening and assessment that First Responders have to pass in order to obtain their job.  In doing such a screening, the hope is to protect the public from someone who is unsafe, but the hidden benefit is to hopefully protect the individual doing the job from many of the psychological disorders that can develop from this type of work.  

So, if we use the premise that First Responders are more psychologically healthy than their civilian counterpart, why are we seeing the psychological problems we are seeing within First Responders?   Problems like substance abuse, high divorce rates and suicide?  Theoretically, this should not be happening, but it is rampant. Why?

Mental health professionals are very familiar with issues such as depression and have many tools in their therapeutic toolbox to help. What they are not nearly as educated in understanding is the environment of the First Responder and the issue of burnout.  Research has shown that the leading cause of stress in First Responders is not the day to day rescues and arrests they perform.  Those chores are why the individual signed up to do the job and there is clear understanding of those tasks through the academies and ongoing training.  What is not spoken of is the organizational stress that is killing First Responders. 

Yes, it’s the slow, ongoing, and constant organizational stress that is doing more damage to our First Responders than any other factor within the job.  As a professor, I have chaired several dissertations that have shown this stress and the gradual breakdown of the individual does not depend on the age, sex or rank of the individual. It appears that the seven-year mark is where the stress can eventually become the most significant issue for the individual and coping breaks down.

Organizational stress is from the departments and the fall out from the public. It is the gradual wearing down of the individual in all the tasks that have to be done to cover one’s posterior through paperwork, to handle the misconceptions and accusations of the media and public and the management of troops when management classes and courses are not offered as a way to help the individual learn how to manage. 

#1stresponders... What is Addiction vs. Dependence

By Great Oaks Recovery Center

When I was faced with being labeled an “addict” I felt defeated. To me, being an addict meant that I’d lost control and needed drugs to function. It also meant that I would be limited to two possible outcomes: quitting for good or going to an early grave. As I tried desperately to find another way to explain my chronic condition, I remembered hearing the term “dependence” and somehow it had a nicer ring to it.

Being physically dependent made my problem sound more manageable than being dubbed a drug addict. But when I was asked to differentiate between the two I was stumped. What is addiction versus dependence?

Addiction versus Dependence: Let’s Define Dependence First

The word dependence is typically used when referring to a reliance on something. That something can be any number of things, such as a person, a system, an object or a substance. Dependence can be psychological and/ or physical. In this discussion on addiction versus dependence, it is physical dependence that is being referenced.

No Angel...

By Jay Dobyns

As Jay Dobyns a.k.a. “Jay Bird” gets ready to present here in Las Vegas today, we’re very blessed that he speaks about Safe Call Now® and the help available for all first responders out there serving all of us nationwide.

"No Angel": My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner-Circle of the Hells Angels:

A New York Times Best Seller book by Jay Dobyns:

Getting shot through the chest as a rookie ATF agent, bartering for machine guns, throttling down the highway at 100 miles per hour, and responding to a full-scale, bloody riot between the Hells Angels and their rivals, the Mongols...these are just a few of the high-adrenaline experiences Jay Dobyns recounts in this action-packed, hard-to-imagine yet true story of how he infiltrated the legendary Hells Angels.

Dobyns leaves no stone of his harrowing journey unturned. On biker runs and at gang clubhouses, between rides and riots, Dobyns befriends bad-ass bikers, meth-fueled "old ladies," gun fetishists, psycho-killer ex-cons, and even some of the "Filthy Few" - the elite of the Hells Angels who've committed extreme violence on behalf of their club. Eventually, at parties staged behind heavily armed security, he meets legendary members like Chuck Zito, Johnny Angel, and the Godfather of bikers, Ralph "Sonny" Barger.