Beyond the 1st Response

Beyond the 1st Response brings first responders, families, and mindset together for serious and humorous conversations on mental health. #BT1R

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Beyond the 1st Response

EP 72: In the Dark You Can Find Your Purpose - Matt Fiorenza

March 05, 2024 • Christy Lister and Ciara Madrid • Season 2 • Episode 72

In this Beyond the 1st Response episode, Christy and Ciara talked with Matthew Fiorenza retired City of Anaheim Firefighter.

Struggles, Resilience, and Purpose

During his years at the Anaheim Fighter Department, Matty Fiorenza has learned to overcome and find strength in resiliency. He opened up about the traumas and battles he fought within himself. Matty shared the failures in his personal life because of addiction and PTSD and the consequences of it, along with not being able to face his traumas. Fiorenza has an angel on his side, his wife has helped him so tremendously through the darkest times, and how she even saved his life. Matty has since retired and now dedicates his time to helping others. Matty attended Recovery First, a First Responder Treatment Center, to combat the addiction and start working through the traumas.

PTSD911

While listening, you may recognize Matty or his story, as he is the firefighter featured in PTSD911. If you haven’t seen the movie, you should not just watch it for first responders but for all. We spoke about how important it is for people to understand the traumas they go through daily and that seeking help is so important. Matty talked about the different events documented in the film, along with the passing of his good friend, dispatcher Nicole Ford, EOW 8-2-23.