Behind The Shield

Andrew "BETY" Nicoletti has over 25 years of flight experience in both the Law Enforcement and the Military operating Special Mission sets. He has lead aircrew in combat and at home serving the country and the public flying for the Army, Air Force and Law Enforcement Aviation Units. His expertise and desire to provide the highest level of elite Instruction is the driving force at Helo Tac. https://helotacair.com/

Eric Salas is a former firefighter, skydiver and stuntman. We discuss his journey into the fire service, the importance of physical fitness, BASE jumping, his transition into the stunt world, the fire calls that stayed with him, driving and so much more. Eric R Salas was a stunt performer in Ant-Man, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episode New World Order, a utility stunts performer in Black Widow and a stunt rigger in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episodes The Star-Spangled Man, The Whole World Is Watching, Truth and One World, One People.

Agent Drew Stokes is an Agent for the Air Marine Operations division of US Customs and Border Protection. Drew survived a murder attempt after getting groceries at a local store. We discuss how close he came to death, how training saved his life, trauma medicine, rehabilitation and Crossfit and so much more."On September 26th, 2017 I was ambushed in cold blood walking out of a Publix grocery store just outside of Jacksonville, FL. From start to fished the entire sequence lasted about five seconds.I was hit five time, once center mass, once in my right buttock, a round in each hip/leg, one in my left forearm. My injuries were catastrophic, bullet number one lacerated my liver, bullet number two comprised my colon, I have three bullets in my body, one in each hip, the other next to my spine.I wavered between life and death for several days, going to the other side twice. I completely bled out and was given 19 Trauma Units of blood to keep me alive. I was saved by heroic bystanders, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, Clay County Fire Department, and the Trauma Staff at the Orange Park Medical Center. I owe my life to them.Through hard work, an amazing rehab team and support at home, work, my amazing friends and around the country I returned to light duty on January 2, 2018, after eleven surgeries I returned to full duty on April 9, 2018 and returned to the sky in June of 2018.I will never quit on recovery."

Justin DeMoss is a strength and conditioning coach, wildland Hotshot and part of the Hotshot Wellness team. We discuss training the tactical athlete, injury prevention, longevity, sleep and performance, their upcoming summit and much more.Justin is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for improving physical, mental, and spiritual health. His mission is to help individuals achieve a better quality of life through holistic wellness.He earned a Master’s in Exercise Science from Long Beach State, focusing his thesis and work as a Wellness Instructor for Santa Ana College on firefighter health and wellness. At Sports Academy, he served as a strength and conditioning coach, training competitive athletes and tactical personnel.Currently, Justin is a Golden Eagles Hotshot, fighting wildfires across the U.S. as a 3rd puller and lead EMT on his crew. Seeking firsthand experience as a first responder, he has gained valuable insights into the challenges of the field.Website: https://www.hotshotwellness.org/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hotshotwellness?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYB42IXCNaFt6k7CgqdMdlUy-Summit: Dv36Zmp4I8ypPCpk9ZQHmpbUqybNru_GQ_aem_Iv2Hwtb3UjQhrgqcm9Hy2ghttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildland-fire-virtual-wellness-summit-tickets-1105954522749?aff=oddtdtcreator

Josh Brolin is an actor, former firefighter and the author of "From Under the Truck". In this third conversation, we discuss the Palisades Fire's impact of his community, catharsis through writing, the ripple effect of generational trauma, addiction, the hope of post traumatic growth and so much more. “Josh Brolin’s out to catch his breath between the slant-eyed suggestions and irrefutable evidence of his past. He hears voices, and he listens, reminding us with brutal honesty that our surroundings were never there to be carried, rather woven into the fabric of the freedom to be who we are.”—Matthew McConaugheyFrom Josh Brolin, a unique and decidedly un-celebrity memoir, by turns affecting, funny, uncanny, and unforgettable.Weaving a latticework of different strands, moving back and forth through time, Josh Brolin captures a life marked by curiosity, pain, devotion, kindness, humor. He recounts an unconventional childhood far from Hollywood. Raised on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, he was surrounded as a child by the wolves, cougars, and other wild animals gathered by his fearless and explosive mother, Jane Agee Brolin. Her tragic, early death haunts this book, and the force of her unforgettable personality is felt throughout. Brolin also brings to life his career in the film industry—from his breakout role in The Goonies to the set of No Country for Old Men—and the professional and personal ups and downs in between and since. With unflinching honesty but also great humor, he shares insights into relationships, addiction, love, and fatherhood, while letting the white space in between words speak for itself. Grappling with the mysteries of life and death in a way that will catch readers by surprise, From Under the Truck is an audacious and riveting memoir from a born writer.https://www.harpercollins.com/products/from-under-the-truck-josh-brolin?variant=41584155426850

Evan Birch is a Canadian ultra runner, coach, partner, father, mental health advocate, motivational speaker and former emergency services professional.Runner’s-high courses through Evan Birch’s veins. Through a series of life events after a two decade career in emergency services, he confronted his struggles with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Through intensive therapy and countless miles on the trail he began isolating his driving force for the ultra journey while running towards the storms instead of away.Whether he is out on the trails to connect with his friends and athletes, clear his mind, or push his edges. Evan harnesses the power of unwavering tenacity, mental strength and a promise to always say, “Yes” to the people, places and runs that light him up.”He is now running forward, while summoning joy in the pursuit. Showing others that there’s always a path forward through the darkness.The process of healing mentally while training for the physically challenging world of ultra running has created the perfect storm of mental resilience and physical grit that he exudes through his running, coaching and speaking.https://ultrabirch.com/

Tori Gonzalez was a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when a former student murdered 17 schoolchildren and staff in 2018, including her boyfriend Joaquin Oliver.Anthony Gonzalez is Tori's father and was one of the responding firefighters to the attack.We discuss their early lives, Tori and Joaquin's romance, the aftermath of the massacre, grief, tactical medicine, the media, mental health and so much more.Tori Gonzalez is a young artist, transforming pain into purpose, dedicated to pouring her heart into creating pieces that inspire and comfort others on their journey of healing.Anthony Gonzalez is the Coral Springs–Parkland Fire Department Battalion Chief assigned to the Training Division. Battalion Chief Gonzalez has been with the city since 1995 where he began his career as a volunteer firefighter for the department until 2000 when he became a full-time firefighter for the city.In addition to serving as one of the chiefs of training, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is also an instructor and is involved in several areas within the organization.Battalion Chief Gonzalez earned his AS degree in Fire Science and is a State of Florida Certified Live Fire Instructor, Instructor 2, Fire Officer 2, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Safety Inspector 2, Fire Investigator 1 and a FLUSAR Rescue Specialist. Furthermore, he received his Fire Officer Designation from the Center of Public Safety Excellence (CSPE).Responsible for training members of the team when participating in scheduled training throughout the year, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Team, Florida Task Force II where he is a squad boss and directs crews on varies assignments when deployed. A few of his deployments included Hurricane Michael in 2018 and in Puerto Rico in 2020 for the Earthquakes.Moreover, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is a Fire Instructor for the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety and has been teaching programs since 2004. Some of those programs are, minimum standards, Driver Operator, and all the courses related to Special Operations. In addition to the Special Operations curriculum, Battalion Chief Gonzalez is the Lead Instructor for the Trench Rescue course where students learn how to remove individuals trapped in a collapsed trench. This particular program leads the construction industry as being one of the most hazardous type of work in that industry. Battalion Chief Gonzalez also provides all types of training, education, knowledge and skills required to do the job.Battalion Chief Gonzalez has received several awards and recognitions throughout his career including Administrative, Lifesaving, Unit and Team Citations and Meritorious Awards.

Jason Ramos spent over three decades as a wildland firefighter, Ramos has fought firesfrom Alaska to Florida and nearly everywhere between. In this second conversation, we discuss proactive mitigation factors for wildfires, water supply, fire modeling, goats, technology, climate change and so much more.Jason currently serves as a first responder with Washington State Search & Rescue. He is the lead drone pilot for Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington. Jason brings decades of experience to the UAS Center at SBD with his extensive background in fire, aviation, and search and rescue. Jason flies drones weekly and regularly consults with drone manufacturers and software providers. His breadth of knowledge spans the broad array of drone technology, including various RC/drone platforms, fixed wing micro to large scale, STOL, powered gliders, 3D, FPV and various types of multirotor drones.Prior to retiring from the US Forest Service, Jason served as a wildland firefighter for over three decades. He began his career at age seventeen in California with the Riverside County Fire Department. He then went on to become an aerial-delivered firefighter in 1993 with a helitack crew, and in 1999 became a smokejumper. As an aerial-delivered firefighter, Jason has fought fires in Alaska, Florida and nearly everywhere in between. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST). He is author of the book Smokejumper and is a featured speaker on TedTalks. Jason proudly serves as a volunteer member of the FAA Safety Team (FAAST).https://smokejumperbook.com/

Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb has served the FDNY since 1992. The Chief of Safety for the FDNY’s 17,000 employees. Frank holds a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from SUNY Empire State and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). He has served as an advisory panel member for UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) “Study of Coordinated Attack in Acquired Structures” and chair of the FRCE cancer advisory committee. Frank is also a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees 420, 1585, and 1710 and was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 a presenter at the U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control in 2022 and 2023. He is the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership - On and Off the Fireground.DENA ALI is a Battalion Chief with the Raleigh (NC) Fire Department where she has worked her way up the ranks. She previously served as a police officer for five years. Ali has a degree from North Carolina State University and an MPA from the University of North Carolina—Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. As a graduate student, she was awarded the 2018 MPA student of the year. She has also received several awards throughout her career. One that she is most proud of is the NC Office of State Fire Marshal Honor, Courage, and Valor award that she earned for her steadfast effort to bring awareness to firefighter mental health through her vulnerability. Dena has also served as a subject matter expert at the National Fire Academy where she assisted in curriculum review for their health and wellness curriculum. Dena is the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support where she helped to develop their statewide curriculum. She is also the author of the soon to be released book "Hope out of Darkness a Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness" which will be published by Fire Engineering.https://firstrespondercenter.org/

John Wayne Walding was born on the 4th of July. He spent almost 12 years in the US Army, including seven in the prestigious 3rd Special Forces Group.John has been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. During the battle of Shok Valley, John lost his right leg to sniper fire. He continued to fight alongside his brothers while wounded for four more hours. (The incredible story of that six-hour fight is detailed in the book “No Way Out: A Story of Valor in the Mountains of Afghanistan” by Mitch Weiss and Kevin Maurer.)For his bravery in battle, John received the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and a Purple Heart. He was also awarded a Combat Infantry Badge, an Airborne Tab, Air Assault Tab, and Special Forces Tab.John has never let his injuries slow him down. He attended Special Forces Sniper School and was the first amputee to become a Green Beret sniper. John also competed in the 2009 Boston Marathon; where he finished fourth in the hand crank division, and the 2010 New York Marathon, where he finished in the top 10. He also ran the 2010 Army 10 Miler, the 2016 Dallas Half Marathon, and one of the hardest marathon routes in the world, the Bataan Death March (which also required him to carry a 45-pound rucksack).Along the way, Sentinels of Freedom (SOF) provided mentoring, networking, and financial assistance to help John reach his goals. SOF also helped John create a business plan for the first company he started, 5 Toes Custom, a Dallas-based company that makes custom firearms. John recently launched a new company, Gallantry Global Logistics.Today, John and his wife, Amy, live in Texas with their four children. John also travels the country to speak about leadership, excellence, and overcoming adversity. All along the way John sticks to the motto he lives by: “Lean Forward, Fight Hard.”Sentinels of Freedom continues to mentor and work with John.https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwaynewalding-ba1a48b4/