Welcome to
Extinguish the Burn
"More often than not, a hero's most epic battle is the one you never see; it's the battle that goes on within him or herself."
Kevin Smith, Author of Tough Shit
This website hosts a variety of resources designed for Kern County Fire Personnel and their families.
Each week a new topic will be presented live on Tuesdays @ 11 AM - 12 PM. You will receive an invitation via email that has the link to the zoom meeting.
After the meeting ends the video will be uploaded to the corresponding week's page found under the Extinguishing the Burn tab.
Each week has its own dedicated page with additional resources. Beyond this you can find articles, support hotlines, links, book recommendations, and mindfulness support on the additional tabs.
For passcode to access the site please see the email with program details.
How this site works
Resources
Where you will find resources and tools to help you and your family through the challenges of being a first responder. Bookmark this page for quick access.
Mindful tools
Proven methods to help you find calm in the chaos.
Weekly Topics
Each week a live meeting will be offered. Here you will find the recording, additional tools and supplemental information to help.
Heather Berry, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to partnering with first responders to achieve their goals of positive well-being and improved mental health. With over 30 years of experience in mental health, specializing in trauma recovery and treatment for first responders, Heather provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to process the challenges and triumphs of their unique stories. She offers both traditional individual therapy as well as intensive EMDR treatment opportunities. She brings a strong foundation of understanding and real-life experience to the strategies she offers her clients as an active mindfulness-based and trauma-informed practitioner.
What to Expect Each week During the Program
Quiz/Self-report
We will be posting a quiz or self-report measure of some kind for every topic. Why? Because we like to crunch numbers. Numbers make sense. We like scores, they tell us where we are at. Your name is not on these, you can print them out or complete them any way you want. No information is kept.
Affirmations
Why the rosy positive self-statements?
Because our brains are wired for negativity. We are genetically designed to look for problems and to scan for trouble, then your career reinforced this habit. It is not your fault that you are “negative” or “always see the dark side” you are wired like that. BUT, over time it literally gets stuck and becomes a draining habit of negativity.
So we have to practice seeing the positive, to say something pleasant about others and about ourselves. We will be offering you a proven method of practice to redirect that wiring to allow more positivity into your brain and into your life.
Journal Prompts
What for?
This is an opportunity for anyone to pull out their pen and paper and take a deeper look. Each week there will be prompts for you to consider and to explore at greater depth. Writing out your thoughts can relieve stress by providing a “brain dump” of your frustrations, pains, and anxieties. It can also just feel good, and often new ideas and solutions emerge. I suggest you get a new journal and a new pen and commit to exploring these topics over the 12 weeks. Bottom line. It can't hurt.
Mindful Toolbox
Yes, I will be guiding us through these mindful exercises and practices live, because they work. The practices that I will be demonstrating and teaching are all science, evidence-based, and have proven positive results.
WHY?
We are action-oriented and talking about things alone will not solve them. Mindfulness offers, "in the moment actions" to take, that are available to you at any given moment. And they are free. Basically as a therapist for 30 years I know mindfulness is the most effective and accessible way to change your brain and change your life
Resources
This section will host articles, websites, and further information and resources to continue your own exploration and discovery.