Join Wendy Norris as she recounts her incredible journey from childhood dreams of firefighting to surviving a life-altering line-of-duty injury. In this moving conversation, Wendy shares how she found new purpose in the face of devastating physical and emotional loss. Discover how her faith and calling led her to found Firefighter Ministries, pioneer support systems for fallen firefighters’ families, and advocate for mental health and resilience in the fire service.

This powerful episode is a testament to endurance, leadership, and healing through faith.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify, or visit firstlinefaith.com for more. Follow @ChiefBrianLuscomb for more on servant leadership and faith in action.

00:00 Introduction and Key Takeaways

01:04 Guest Introduction and Background

02:05 Early Aspirations and Firefighting Journey

03:53 Career Beginnings and Mentorship

08:37 Injury and Its Aftermath

16:40 Struggles and Recovery

22:07 Finding Purpose After Injury

28:19 A Firefighter's Faith and Resilience

30:00 Creating Firefighter Ministries

30:46 Challenges of Connecting Resources

31:20 The Birth of the Task Force

33:59 Partnership with the State Fire Marshal's Office

36:05 National Expansion and Recognition

37:02 The Impact of Catastrophic Events

41:48 Mental Health and Post-Traumatic Stress

48:19 Addressing the Rising Suicide Rates

53:30 Advice for Firefighter Organizations

56:28 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Andy Starnes is a highly experienced and dedicated firefighter, emergency services entrepreneur, husband, father, and leader in our industry. With Christian values applied to a Servant Leadership mentality, he has changed the fire service and influenced firefighters as well as chief officers across the nation. His efforts actively improve fire house culture and lead others to foster professional development advantageous to ethically sound success. The company that he successfully developed, named Insight Training, specializes in Thermography and its applications within Fire and Emergency Services. This technology provides cutting edge advantages that are attributed to significant rescue capabilities within, otherwise, inhospitable environments. The training provided by Insight leads the industry in this subject matter. There is no other educational specialist capable of delivering quality training in our industry that exist within this highly specialized field. With passionate views pertaining to family, Christianity, brotherhood, and leadership, Andy has inspired individuals and organizations around the world. The sacrifices and leadership Andy provides saves lives and his cultural influence improves fire houses across the globe.

Join Chief Richardson as he shares his extraordinary journey of resilience, faith, and servant leadership in the fire service. From early challenges in EMS and law enforcement to navigating personal loss and rediscovering faith, Chief Richardson reflects on the moments that shaped his life and leadership style. Learn how his experiences have fueled his commitment to servant leadership, mental health advocacy, and fostering a culture of compassion and trust within his department.

This powerful interview offers profound insights for those in emergency services or anyone seeking inspiration through faith and leadership.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify, or visit firstlinefaith.com for more. Follow @ChiefRichardson for insights on leadership, faith, and service.

00:00 The Brotherhood in Times of Loss

00:25 Introducing Chief Richardson

01:07 Chief Richardson's Career Journey

06:39 Challenges and Personal Losses

15:47 Finding Faith Amidst Adversity

21:42 Reflections on Faith and Leadership

25:48 Finding Faith in Difficult Times

28:08 Faith and Leadership: A Powerful Connection

30:51 Servant Leadership in Action

39:16 The Importance of Transparency

43:22 Addressing Mental Health in Emergency Services

52:20 The Role of Faith in the Fire Service

55:03 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Tune in for a faith-filled episode!

Learn more about Chief Richardson’s department at Little York Fire Department!