Critical Incident Stress Management (Mental Issues With the Job)
Fire Captain Richard Alamo, Sacramento Fire Department
Hosted by club member, Dave Stirling
Our guest speaker will be attending LIVE.
Topic:
Captain Alamo will be speaking on the mental issues of being a firefighter. PTSD and the job. He will be joined by Peer Support K9 Ember.
About the Speaker:
Information was gathered from internet research.
Richard began his public safety career in 1999, with the Sacramento Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He has held the ranks of Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, and most recently was appointed by the Fire Chief as the Behavioral Health Coordinator. Capt Alamo is the leader of the behavior health unit. Capt Alamo sits on the committee which meets once a month with attention to ways to improve firefighter's mental health.
After graduating from Montclair High School in 1994, Richard relocated to NorCal to attend the Fire Technology program at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. He holds an AS degree in Fire Technology and a BS in Health Science from ASU.
Capt Alamo has been a contributing member to the Sacramento Fire Department's peer support team for the past 5 years. He has completed training in peer support, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) for individuals and CISM for groups. Richard is experienced in CISM defusing, substance abuse programs, 12-step work, and crisis intervention.
At 22 years of age, he wasn't ready for what he would see on the job. As years progressed, holding in his feelings created personal issues. With the help of peer support, Capt Richard has been able to address his own personal issues. Capt Alamo is a first responders advocate and now lives a healthier mental life Taking care of our mental health is as important as our physical heath.
He is a dedicated athlete and has competed in the Ironman California and in Nov 2021, completed his 11th Ironman: an endurance event that includes a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. With dreams of competing in Hawaii, Capt Alamo continues to train.
Besides his love for physical training and traveling, Richard enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and daughter.