2023 SFA EVENTS UPDATE

We continue to enjoy our outreach events with organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police, Waterfront Warriors, and Responder Wellness.

We have referred many of our community to The Equus Effect program in Sharon, CT to experience their excellent work in somatic experiencing with horses. One of our organization members is now a Trained Facilitator in The Equus Effect.

We have also been fortunate to have found a home with Rising Star Horse Rescue. Resilient Riding is about learning to ride with resilience – whether it’s on a horse or through life. With Rising Starr we have hosted military and first responders and their families for onsite workshops and experiences at their barn in Wilton, Ct. We’ve loved traveling out into the community along with our 4-legged partners educating people about the equine and human connection. We’ve even had Navy the mini horse (along with his mini horse companion Army) out to West Point for visits in support of Army Community Services and Gold Star Families.

Working with horses pairs beautifully with the work we already do with HeartMath biofeedback HRV. Our hope in the coming months is to help Rising Starr raise an indoor round pen so that we can offer workshops and coaching year-round in a private space.

We have some new initiatives we’ve been working on with some other organizations, so stay tuned…..

If you’d like to be a part of our mission or if you are interested in our services contact us at info@standfastalliance.org

2022 SFA Events Update

Throughout the year, StandFast has taken part in several events, continuing their mission to help build resiliency in the First Responder and Military communities. Here are some of the highlights from this year:

• April 2022: Connected First Responders to Equus Effect Program in Sharon CT (Equus Effect Somatic Experiencing with Horses)

• April 2022: StandFast Coaches were invited to partake in the PQ (Positive Intelligence) Coach Grant Program. This program helps promote sustained change towards a more positive mindset which is crucial to building resiliency

• May 2022: National Fallen Fire Fighters Hero Family Wellness Conference. Members of StandFast took part in a 3-day Conference conducting workshops on Building Resilience Through Nature

• May 2022: Hosted the Fairfield Trauma Response Peer Group at Rising Starr Horse Rescue to take part in our Resilient Riding Workshop

• May 2022: Pairing with Rising Starr Horse Rescue, we brought horses to Maplewood at Danbury to visit with veterans and their families introducing them to Equine and Resiliency Topics

• June 2022: Set up informational booth at Fraternal Order of Police Car & Bike Show in Orange County, NY to spread the word about or various Resiliency Programs

• June 2022: Set up informational booth at the 3rd Annual Responder Wellness Inc, First Responder Retreat to share information on our Resilient Riding Program (partnered with Rising Starr Horse Rescue). We even enlisted the help of our mini horses to attract attention to the program

• June 2022: Stood up Car Donation Program with Car Donation Wizard. This partnership allows donors to be able to donate their vehicle with proceeds from the sale of the vehicle coming back to StandFast to help fund our programs

• July 2022: Took part in Waterfront Warriors with our outreach table at the beach in Rockaways

• Ongoing: Individual coaching sessions provided by StandFast Coaches to our Military and First Responder Communities

• Ongoing: Continue to help connect our community to necessary resources through our partner network

As September 11th draws near we wanted to say thank you to all our donors, partners, and volunteers without whose help we would not be able to do what we do. We will continue to work with our First Responder and Military heroes thanks to your help and support.

Responder Resilience Podcast Appearance

StandFast Alliance’s Executive Director, Eve Bucca, was recently invited to join Lt. David Dachinger (Ret.) and Dr. Stacy Raymond, Psy.D. on the Responder Resilience Podcast to speak about how StandFast Alliance empowers first responders, military and their families with the tools, training and resources they need to face the unique challenges of their service, with strength and resilience.

Special thanks to the Responder Resilience team for featuring Eve and StandFast Alliance, and for their dedication to improving the mental and physical well-being of police, fire, EMS, and dispatch personnel.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Honors Ronald Bucca, First Responders, and Military Members for 9/11

Remembering Ronald Bucca, 'The Flying Fireman' | 9/11: 20 Years Later

Thank you, FOX 5, for remembering Ronald Bucca and sharing his story tonight.

Link here for the full story

Mindful Meditation Session with Susan Brumbaugh, PhD

If you don't have time to listen to the full interview with Susan Brumbaugh, Ph.D., consider participating in the guided meditation we've highlighted in this video. If you'd like to hear more from Susan, check out her YouTube channel called Being Mindful.

Practice Mindfulness Through Everyday Activities

Being mindful doesn't mean you have to be sitting on a yoga mat, legs crossed, eyes closed being as still as possible. It can be practiced anytime, anywhere. This article from HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP goes into more depth about how to be mindful throughout your day.

Mindfulness for the Military

Check out this article from HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP on the "how-to" when it comes to being mindful as well as a guided practice AND a great video talking about the impact of practicing mindfulness on family relationships.

Mindful Meditation - Interview with Susan Brumbaugh, PhD

To kick-off "Mindfulness," the next topic of "Ron's Lessons in Resilience," StandFast Alliance's Senior Vice President of Programming, Katie Copeskey, sits down with Susan Brumbaugh, Ph.D. in sociology and Master's in counseling and education psychology, as she shares about the benefits of mindfulness meditation. Susan provides tips on how to stay in the present moment and leads a 10 minute guided meditation practice. If you'd like to hear more from Susan, check out her YouTube channel called Being Mindful.

Johnny Van Zant Honors FM Ronald Bucca

On 9/11/2020, Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd climbs Jacksonville Fire Department Ladder in memory and honor of FDNY Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca, who we lost on 9/11/2001.

StandFast Alliance - Just Breathe

38 Special Honors FM Ronald Bucca

Thank you to the band 38 Special, for honoring FM Ronald Bucca with a Facebook post on 9/11.

"A true hero who made a difference........

We are remembering all of America’s fallen heroes who perished on this day 19 years ago. They gave the ultimate sacrifice and will never be forgotten. This is an exceptional article about one, Ronald P. Bucca, a NYFD firefighter and former Army Special Forces soldier, and whose family are personal friends of the band.

After his death, his son Ronnie followed in his father’s footsteps and is still serving in the Army with the 11th Special Forces Group.

Ronnie was able to eventually visit Camp Bucca in Iraq, named in honor of his father.

Please keep him and them all in your prayers."

Ronald Bucca - "The Flying Fireman"

The following audio was taken from a radio interview Ronald Bucca appeared on 1 year after surviving a five-story fall at an Upper West Side tenement fire in 1986. He broke a vertebrae and his knee when he fell off a building while trying to help a fellow firefighter. He also earned the nickname, "The Flying Fireman."

9/11 Ronald Bucca Memorial Tribute

For most of us at StandFast Alliance, we would normally be attending the annual 9/11 Ronald Bucca Memorial Luncheon Tribute on this day with some of our family and friends in the first responder and military community. Unfortunately, due to the extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the luncheon has been canceled this year.

As Ron would say, we need to finish our mission. So in lieu of the luncheon, we have created a tribute video that honors Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11. We would like to thank the following people for providing video submissions for our tribute video:

• Daniel A. Nigro, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department

• Gary Urbanowicz, Executive Director of the NYC Fire Museum

• Colonel (Retired) Patrick J. Mahaney, Jr, Senior Advisor in the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)

• Chief Fire Marshal Thomas Kane, FDNY - Bureau of Fire Investigation

• Ron’s loving family and friends

We hope you take some time today to reflect on the events that occurred 19 years ago, remember those we have lost, and think about the resilience of our country during these trying times.

Deaths, Retirements, and Promotions in FDNY/BFI - Sept 2019 - Sept 2020

BFI Retirements

• SFM James C. Kelly

• FM Michael L. Arbuiso

• SFM Lucien C. Segot

• SFM Andrew F. DiFusco

• FM Kevin P. Burns

• FM Stephen E. Bumb 

• FM Robert Mineo

• FM Thomas Boyne

• FM Francis J. Vaskis

• FM Charles S. Guttman

• FM Glenn Sweeney

• Charles Puleo

• Scott Specht

BFI DEATHS

• FM Joseph Ricca                           July 8, 2019

• FM Thomas Fennelly  August 5, 2019

• FM John Franklin         August 27, 2019

• FM James J. O’Brien   October  1, 2019

• FM Salvatore Sancimino   November 29, 2019

• SFM Robert McCann  March 30, 2020

• FM Joseph Gillen    August 28, 2020

• FM John E. Knox      March 16, 2020

• FM Thomas Ianucci     March 21, 2020

• FM Michael Hankins   April 2, 2020

• FM Charles E. Poznak   April 13, 2020

• FM Thomas M. Dixon  April 26, 2020

• FM Clyde W. Carter   April 28, 2020

• FM James R. Current   April 29, 2020

BFI Promotions

• SFM William Rohr

• SFM Richard J. Pulzone

• SFM John E. Colabatistto

• SFM Mark Colicci

• SFM Matthew Donnelly

• Lt.  Joseph W. Bordt

• Lt. Richard Faraci

• Lt. Christopher D. Hyden

• Lt. Andy B. Rondon

• Lt. Bryan S. Ponemon

• Lt. Joseph P. Daretany

• SFM Edward S. Kester

• Lt. Mark Long

• Lt. Stephen P. Balsamo

Line of Duty Deaths   5-5-5-5

• Lt. Brian J. Sullivan Sq-41 August 10, 2019

• Firefighter Michael H. Haub       September  11, 2001   (Memorial service held 9-10-19)

9-11 WTC DEATHS

• Firefighter Robert B. Fitzgibbon E-47              August 14, 2019

• Firefighter John W. Boyle R-1                           August 24, 2019

• Firefighter Roger Espinal E-320                        September 14, 2019

• Firefighter Richard J. Tanagretta R-5               September 24, 2019

• Firefighter Andrew S. Gargiulo E-160              November 6, 2019

• Lieutenant Richard G. Estreicher E-248          November  11, 2019

• Firefighter Clifford DiMuro, L-137                   November 22, 2019

• Firefighter Brian W. Casse, E-294          December 4, 2019

• Captain Dennis M. Gilhooly, E-67        November 30, 2019

• Firefighter Michael L. Feldman, L-161             February 1, 2020

• Lieutenant Paul W. Deo Jr., E-317                    February 7, 2020

• Firefighter Richard B. Jones, L-25                     February 7, 2020

• Firefighter Joseph A. Hatzelman, E-218          February 18, 2020

• Firefighter Daniel R. Foley, R-3                         February 22, 2020

• Firefighter Anthony J. Catapano, E-202          May 30, 2020

• Firefighter Paul A. McManaman, Sq-252       June 5, 2020

• Battalion Chief Dennis J. Moynihan, B-18           March 21, 2020

• Lt. Kevin C. Dunn, E-251                                         May 6, 2020

• Firefighter Paul J. Greco, SQ-270                          May 6, 2020

• Firefighter John H. Marr, E-34                               April 7, 2020

• Firefighter John P. Fogerty, L-3                             August 25, 2020

Non Line of Duty Firefighter Deaths

• Battalion Chief John J. Nykiel   CTDP              September 14, 2019

• James Boyle E-217                                             October 27, 2019

• Matthew J. McDevitt L-135                              October 29, 2019

• Christian E. Murphy   L-6                                   July 13, 2020

• Firefighter Jason McNamee, L-134                 August 26, 2020

COVID 19 DEATHS

• EMT Gregory H. Hodge, NYCEM                           April 12, 2020

• EMT Idris A. Bey, EMS Bureau of Training          April 21, 2020

• EMT Richard Seaberry, Station 50                       March 26, 2020

• EMT John Redd, EMD,                                           April 21, 2020

Growth Through Trauma

Katie shined the light on the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth in her recent interview with CPT Aimee Robertson. In a nutshell, Post Traumatic Growth showcases the fact that people can experience something good from going through hard times. Here's an article from HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP if you would like to learn more.

First Responders and PTSD: A Literature Review - JEMS

There's no denying the impact that ongoing stress has on our mind and body. This journal article reviews multiple studies in order to summarize the effects that chronic stress is having on the first responder community. Be sure to keep Ron's Lessons in Resilience in your toolkit to help combat chronic stress.

Resiliency Optimization workshop at Maplewood Senior Living

Shout-out to our Executive Director, Eve, for her Resiliency Optimization workshop with veteran residents at Maplewood Senior Living.

What is PTSD/PTG? - Interview with CPT Aimee Robertson

To kick-off "PTSD/PTG," the third topic of "Ron's Lessons in Resilience," StandFast Alliance's Senior Vice President of Programming, Katie Copeskey, sits down with CPT Aimee Robertson to discuss Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-Traumatic Growth.

Being a member of the first responder or military community is stressful. Period. That stress has only been elevated by the impact of COVID-19, protests, riots, and natural disasters that have occurred in addition to the high OPTEMPO you all face. Let's get the facts about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to know when you or someone you know needs extra support. Also, the other side of PTSD is Post-Traumatic Growth. Listen in to this interview to learn about both.

Tactical Breathing for the Military

To continue the "Breath" topic of "Ron's Lessons in Resilience," read more about how the breath impacts our body's nervous system as well as other benefits to tactical breathing in HPRC - Human Performance Resources by CHAMP's article. There's even a breath pacer to help you get used to breathing slowly and rhythmically. When do you think you can take a few minutes to become more aware of your breath?