The grief support group had a curriculum, an instructor, and a chapter one. He lasted about ten minutes before standing up and telling the room he'd be at Wingstop, first round on him, if anyone wanted to come talk. The instructor asked him to leave. He was already going.

Captain Thomas Varady of South Montgomery County Fire Department makes the case for ditching formal programs in favor of real human connection, challenges fire chiefs across Montgomery County to let him come speak to their rookie classes, and shares the motto he lives by: how will history remember you.

RESOURCES:

IRONCLAD WELLNESS

Jason Corthell

https://ironcladwellness.com

LEADERSHIP WON BLOG

Have confidential conversations about your struggles today.

https://ironcladwellness.com/leadersh...

GRACE & GUIDANCE

Lona Snell

https://www.elevateyourlifecounseling...

832-242-9970

CARRERA COUNSELING SERVICES

Priscilla Carrera

https://carreracounseling.com

281-222-6247

1st Response Clinic

Desi & Jerry Bittner

https://frfclinic.com

936-231-8610

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Thomas Varady | Captain Community Risk Reduction | MCESD8 | South Montgomery County Fire Department | firefighter mental health | first responder peer support | fire service culture | firefighter suicide prevention | Grace and Guidance | Lana Snell | FireBreak podcast | Bella Media | Montgomery County fire departments | firefighter wellness | first responder outreach