My name is Joshua, and I have served as a Firefighter/EMT with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department since 2012. Currently, I serve as TFRD’s Wellness Coordinator, leading our Peer Support Team, CISM Team, and chaplains to support the mental, emotional, and overall wellness of our members.
My commitment to firefighter wellness became deeply personal after the 2014 Magnolia Street fire, which claimed the lives of Toledo firefighters Pvts. Stephen Machcinski and James Dickman. That fire changed my life and how I understood the impact this profession can have on a person. It helped shape my belief that taking care of firefighters means caring for the whole person.
I hold a Master of Social Work and have professional experience in mental and behavioral health. I am also a college professor and doctoral student in Educational Psychology at the University of Toledo, where my research explores firefighter trauma and wellness, including how occupational trauma affects identity, coping, relationships, and help-seeking.
An important part of my own wellness is Soldier, my Giant Schnauzer service dog, who has also become a familiar companion in my wellness work.
I believe peer support is not about fixing people or having all the answers. It is about being present, listening without judgment, understanding the culture, and helping our brothers and sisters recognize that they do not have to carry everything alone.
I often remind firefighters, “Your wellness is worth it.” You are worth the time, effort, and courage it takes to take care of yourself.