Jeremy Hurd's Page

Firefighters: they’re the iconic men and women that make a difference in our community through simple things such as educating children and community leaders on fire safety to rescuing someone from a burning building. Despite all the heroism, they’re people just like you and me. They shop in the same grocery stores and walk the same streets. They have families to take care of and kids they have to spend lots of money on. . . Between saving lives and keeping up with a family, firefighters…

When I attended the Illinois Fire Fighter Peer Support (ILFFPS) 3 day training in September 2015, it started as any training would. The instructor began by introducing himself but after that, it was clear that this was different from other classes. This was a training for those who wanted to learn what it meant to be a Firefighter Peer Supporter.

Primary Instructor Lt. Matt Olson began sharing his story; a story that involved multiple difficult calls and traumatic incidents at work…

As a part of the Florian Program Advisory Board, I have the privilege of attending an annual meeting that allows me to hear from some of the best and brightest minds in the area of firefighter behavioral health. The Florian Program is a recent addition to the Rosecrance Institute in Rockford, Illinois, and it focuses on firefighters who are struggling with substance abuse and any other type of co-occurring issue. This program has a group of professionals who understand the firefighter…

When I purchased my tickets to FDIC last fall I had no idea what to expect. I knew I was going to Indianapolis and taking some classes. I knew that I would be doing my radio show on Monday afternoon (which you were probably listening to or are going to download). Other than that I really didn’t know what else was going to be headed my way. Tammie and I landed on Thursday night and spent the next three days seeing the sites and enjoying some time away. On Sunday afternoon, I walked into the…