CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS.
Bridging the Gap Between the Station and the Living Room
As a first responder spouse and licensed clinician, I’m all too familiar with the unique challenges of public safety marriages. You shouldn't have to navigate shift exhaustion, mandatory holdovers, and hypervigilance alone—and you shouldn't have to explain how your schedule works to a therapist who doesn't get it.
Built directly from raw data provided by hundreds of local Fire/EMS personnel and their spouses, we have developed two concrete, battle-tested tools to help you identify your relationship's blind spots and protect your peace at home.
Run a 2-Minute Diagnostic
Not sure where the friction is coming from? Take our completely free, 10-question Relationship Pulse Check to get an immediate, personalized breakdown showing exactly where your relationship is Critical, Stable, or Optimal.
Learn more about the Relationship Pulse Check or click the button to take it!
Discover the Roadmap to a United Home Front
Ready to eliminate the guesswork? Stronger at Home: Communication in Fire/EMS Couples is our flagship, 5-chapter digital course built explicitly around your lifestyle. Learn high-efficiency protocols for shift transitions, managing acute fatigue, and maintaining emotional intimacy when life gets overwhelming.
Learn more about Stronger at Home or click the button to view our course library!
FIRST RESPONDER COUPLE’S QUESTIONNAIRE
The First Responder Couple’s Questionnaire was developed by two first responder spouses who had an interest in providing resources to others first responder couples. As Ohio Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, both Katie Szumigala (Phoenix 26 Consulting LLC) and Stacey Simon (Well Rooted Counseling, LLC) recognized the unique experiences of first responder couples and how the industry lacks in providing support for those at home.
In the process of developing an online course about communication in first responder couples, they opted to get some data from others to tailor their approach.
Katie and Stacey are not affiliated with any association or department. Data specifics were not reported to any other entity, only the summaries presented in the data analysis report.
Thank you to everyone who completed the questionnaire and provided valuable insight and experiences.
There are two ways to view the data
Click “Download Full Report” and another browser tab will open with a PDF of the data analysis, including demographics and recommendations.
Review the images below of highlighted data findings.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST RESPONDER COUPLE’S QUESTIONNAIRE
Complimentary Tools and Book Recommendations
FAMILY ADJUSTMENT STYLES
In her book, “First Responder Families: Caring for the Hidden Heroes,” Dr. Tania Glenn describes three family adjustment styles for those in first responder families based on how they were introduced to the public safety world. For some, their lives changed dramatically, but for others, it was minimal. And of course, there’s everywhere in between. Here’s an overview of each style, what it might look like, and some tips for adjusting.
Download 3-page PDF
TRAUMA PROCESS TIMELINE
From accidents to natural disasters and everything in between, your first responder will face a host of traumas throughout their careers. For those with first responders in their life, this resource can help you understand each step of the trauma progress timeline for your awareness and to encourage your first responder to seek additional assistance, when needed.
Download 4-page PDF
There are definitely more books available, but these are the ones I’ve read.
FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES: Caring for the Hidden Heroes by Dr. Tania Glenn
Lots of helpful info about what the first responder goes through and how that impacts the home.
Dr. Glenn has additional books and complimentary videos on her website https://www.taniaglenn.com/media/
FULLY INVOLVED by Dr. Mynda Ohs
Tailored to the couple with practical tools that I’ve actually used in my relationship. For those that are new to the fire/EMS world, Dr. Ohs walks through all the phases on the job in great detail.
The following books are on my list but not finished.
Dialed In: Trauma Informed Care for First Responders and the Military by Tania Glenn, PsyD, LCSW, CCPT and Rev. Christine E. Brunson, CCC-SLP
All Walks of Life (and Death): A Behind-the-Scenes Look at 42 Years as a Firefighter/Paramedic by John (Scooz) Spicuzza
Overcoming Tuesday: A First Responder’s Tale of Healing and Resiliency by Jim Burneka Jr. and Hilary Hawkins
If you have a book/practical tool recommendation or are looking for something specific you have yet to find, please send me a quick email so I can check it out.