About Gerald Mishoe

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So far Gerald Mishoe has created 794 blog entries.

Donald Wilkins Receives the Order of the Palmetto!

On Saturday, we joined many of our friends to honor a true legend in the Fire Service, Donald Wilkins. Much has been said about him, especially yesterday, but he is the best example of dedication to duty, and to his craft. There were few, if any, in attendance at yesterday's ceremony that have not benefited [...]

2025-05-04T20:53:38-04:00

Dr. Bryan Everitt to Present at Our 2025 Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit!

Bryan Everitt, MD, NRP, FAAEM, FAEMS, is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Health San Antonio (UTHSA) where he is faculty for the EMS Fellowship. Dr. Everitt currently serves as the Central Texas Regional Medical Director for Allegiance Mobile Health. Additionally, he holds the position of Medical Director for several fire departments, [...]

2025-04-17T20:58:36-04:00

First Responder Support Group Meeting is Scheduled for April 10th!

  We will host our April First Responder Support Group Meeting on Thursday, April 10th, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at our offices located on Dorchester Road in North Charleston. Since beginning this meeting over seven years ago, in partnership with the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, it continues to be a place where we meet  monthly to [...]

2025-03-26T22:29:32-04:00

North Myrtle Beach Fire Department Recruits Come for a Visit!

Today, we hosted Chief Billy Floyd and North Myrtle Beach Chaplain Jay Ortiz, their training staff, and fifteen new recruits for their department at our office on Dorchester Road. Our session included an overview of our Team, our mission, and our commitment to all of them. The classroom session was followed by a stop at [...]

2025-03-26T22:01:48-04:00

Dr. Mandy Gattis to be a Featured Speaker at our July 10th Summit!

Dr. Mandy Gattis is a seasoned first responder with nearly twenty years of experience, including roles as a volunteer firefighter and rescue squad member. She holds numerous certifications across fire, EMS, and emergency management and earned her Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Psychology, focusing her dissertation on first responder mental health resiliency and [...]

2025-03-11T22:23:27-04:00

Taking Care of Each Other

On Wednesday night, I learned, as I am sure many of you did, of the tragedy at Reagan National Airport involving a commercial airliner and a military helicopter. This crash took the lives of sixty-four people on the airliner and three on the helicopter. As I attempted to sleep last night, I could not help [...]

2025-01-30T22:41:34-05:00

2025 Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit Set for July 10th!

Our 8th Annual Behavioral Health Summit will be held on July 10, 2025 at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mount Pleasant.  Come join us for an exciting day of presentations and exhibitors.  All disciplines of emergency services will be represented including firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical services, telecommunicators, correction officers and coroners will be there [...]

2025-01-26T21:39:31-05:00

Just a Sign By the Road……..

Many of you have seen the sign in front of our Team office, near the roadway on Dorchester Road. This sign has been there since the station was built many years ago. When we moved into the station in 2013, the sign had not been used for some time. We decided to clean it up, [...]

2024-08-23T23:39:51-04:00

“What Keeps You Alive Could Deaden Your Relationships.”

We are pleased to share that Dr. Tracy Hejmanoski will return to our Summit this year as a presenter. Dr. Hejmanoski's presentation will focus on how serving in the fire service impacts adult and child relationships, given that fire training and experience serves as a lens through which circumstances are viewed. Attendees will be provided [...]

2024-06-29T23:02:53-04:00

Nicole Sinnigen, MS, LPC, NCC Joins Our Team!

We are excited to introduce Nicole Sinnigen, MS, LPC, NCC, as our newest clinician to join our Team. She lives and practices in the Moncks Corner area where she maintains a virtual practice at Reunion Health. Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Combat Veteran of the Air Force and Army. While serving in [...]

2024-06-10T16:13:29-04:00

Christopher Wells to Speak at Our Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit on July 11, 2024!

"The History of Behavioral Health Care for First Responders" Christopher Wells is the Trauma-Informed Systems Supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. In this role Chris has been providing consultation and training to staff from DMH and other agencies across the state since 2003. Chris received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the [...]

2024-06-08T22:35:25-04:00

Ruben is Twenty Now!!!

Originally published by Gerald G. Mishoe  August 10, 2017  ·  In June of 2008, on the first anniversary of the Charleston 9 tragedy, the families of the fallen gathered with firefighters, family members, and many people in the Charleston community to pay our respect to them as we observed the first memorial service. As part of the observance, [...]

2024-03-28T00:08:49-04:00

Welcoming Micheal Cardaronella to Our Team!

We are pleased to announce that Micheal Cardaronella has joined our Team as our Charleston County Coordinator for our Lowcountry 911 Telecommunicator Support Team. Micheal will be assuming this responsibility from Michelle Brown as she is now our 911 Support Team Coordinator in Henderson County, North Carolina working with our counterparts in the North Carolina [...]

2024-03-25T22:39:58-04:00

Remembering Phonesia Machado-Fore….

On Saturday, during the funeral service for Florence County Paramedic Phonesia Machado-Fore, members of the New Mexico State Police came to the services in South Carolina to present the Fore family with a New Mexico state flag and a framed photograph of their own Trooper Justin Hare. Trooper Hare was killed after he stopped on [...]

2024-03-23T23:10:50-04:00

It Takes a Village…….

Today, I watched an example of those who are our unsung heroes. They respond when we call for them, to lend a hand, and to support us. A fitting example came today when Captain Justin Driggers and his crew of North Charleston Fire Department Truck 205 showed up to repair the lanyard of our flagpole. [...]

2024-02-21T21:32:48-05:00

Charlie Nash Named Grand Strand Region Coordinator for Our Team!

We are excited to share that Battalion Chief Charlie Nash of Horry County Fire Rescue has been appointed as our Team’s Grand Strand Regional Coordinator.  He will be taking over this position from our long-time coordinator Mike Medeiros.  Mike has been our team coordinator since the inception of our Team, and he will remain a [...]

2024-02-16T21:59:30-05:00

Saying Goodbye to a Brother……

                                                  Today, we were honored to be a part of the memorial service of our brother, Captain Danny Schulken, CFD Retired, in Mt. Pleasant. After several musical selections by his former [...]

2024-02-10T21:25:21-05:00

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Program Held in North Charleston!

This past Thursday, we hosted the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Program "Taking Care of Our Own". We were pleased to have twenty-seven people registered from many Lowcountry departments. The program prepares us for the potential of a line-of-duty death in our own department or, in others where we may be of assistance. Subjects covered included [...]

2024-01-13T21:58:04-05:00

Welcoming Rick Kazzi to Our Team!

?????????? We are excited to introduce our most recent member to become a part of our Team. Rick Kazzi joins us after retiring from the Fairfield, CT. Fire Department with 40 years of service. He was, and continues to be, a member of the department’s Peer Support Team. He received his initial peer [...]

2024-01-03T21:19:54-05:00

Welcome Camille Hobeb to Our 911 Telecommunicator Team!

Please join us in welcoming the newest member to our Lowcountry 911 Telecommunicator Support Team. Camille Hobeb is employed as a call taker for the Berkeley County 911 Center.  She believes her experience in communicating with those who reach out for help in her work environment will enable her to be an effective peer team [...]

2023-11-30T22:22:54-05:00

Ben Woods, Jr. Joins Our Team!

Please join us in welcoming Ben Woods, Jr. to our Team. He was born in Charleston where he lived with his parents on Bowen’s Island near Folly Beach. He moved, as a young child, to Edisto Beach with his parents and would become a volunteer firefighter with his father on the Island. Ben is a [...]

2023-11-26T17:29:34-05:00

First Responder Support Group Meeting Held on November 9th!

  We held another monthly First Responder Support Group meeting on Thursday night with a turnout of 17 people. These meetings have become great locations to gather to welcome new folks and to give all in attendance a chance to be heard. It is just an amazing experience to gather to listen and support one [...]

2023-11-09T23:11:10-05:00

Welcoming Madison Trevino to our Team!

We are pleased to announce that Madison Trevino has joined our Team in a support position. She will be participating with us in our community outreach programs and other activities and will train to be a peer team member in the future. Maddy comes to us from the Township 6 Fire Department in Craven County, [...]

2023-10-31T23:20:47-04:00

First Responder Support Group Meeting to be Held on November 9th!

    It's almost time again for our monthly First Responder Support Group. Please mark your calendars now and come join us! All are welcome; active duty or retired, firefighters, EMS personnel, 911 telecommunicators, law enforcement officers, chaplains, family members and others. Come enjoy great fellowship and support, food, and fellowship. We look forward to [...]

2023-10-31T22:47:25-04:00

“Brenda” Makes Appearance at the “Crop for a Cure”

This weekend, we conclude our event schedule for observance of Cancer Awareness Month by taking our pink fire truck "Brenda" to the Hilton Hotel in Nexton for the "Crop for a Cure" that raised money for women's cancer research. It was an amazing event with several hundred women in attendance. We gained lots of new [...]

2023-10-31T23:23:57-04:00

Kelly Bowick Joins Our Team!

It is our pleasure to welcome our newest Lowcountry EMS Support Team member, Kelly Bowick, of Berkeley County EMS, to our Team.  Kelly has always been a huge advocate of our Team in helping support first responders. She recently completed her initial peer support training with the Summerville Fire Department’s Peer Team. We are also [...]

2023-10-17T22:05:20-04:00

On the Road with the “Road Runner”!

Today, we joined the community for the Miracle League of Charleston's First Responder Day baseball tournament with our Autism Awareness Fire Truck, the "Road Runner". It was truly a wonderful day as we watched children and adults alike as they played ball and enjoyed themselves in the amazing weather. Of course, we were happy to [...]

2023-09-30T22:46:45-04:00

“Brenda” on The Road!

We were honored tonight to support the Carolina Lady Anglers at their Captains' Meeting in preparation for their 25th Annual Fishing Tournament to support women with breast cancer. Thanks for allowing us to bring "Brenda", the Pink Fire Truck, in support of your mission. October is breast cancer awareness month and "Brenda" will be out [...]

2023-09-27T21:57:06-04:00

Welcoming Kristin Johnson to Our Team!

We are excited to introduce a new clinician to our list of therapists who are available to provide services to our emergency services personnel and their families. Please join us in welcoming Kristin Johnson of the Waterfall Wellness Center, located 89 Old Trolley Road, Suite 203 in Summerville. Kristin is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate [...]

2023-08-12T17:34:21-04:00

Charleston Memorial Stair Climb Presents $ 10,000.00 to Our Team!

Last week, during our Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit, John and Rachel Cole of the Charleston Memorial Stair Climb presented our Team with a check for $ 10,000.00 as a contribution from the 2023 Stair Climb held on June 17, 2023, at the North Charleston Coliseum. Many first responders, and their friends and family came [...]

2023-07-19T21:51:25-04:00

“Brenda” Joins Our Team!

We are pleased to share that the City of North Charleston Fire Department has transferred ownership of "Brenda" their pink fire truck to our Team to continue its mission of supporting research and related programs to women's cancer initiatives. "Brenda" was originally dedicated by the City in 2011 to Brenda Cawley, who showed brave resolve [...]

2023-07-19T16:35:23-04:00

Welcoming a New Addition to the Team!

This 1988 Emergency One, on a Spartan chassis, was purchased new by the West Florence Fire Department in Florence County, South Carolina. Our Team was fortunate to have it donated to us last Fall when we were in search of an appropriate truck to convert to a caisson vehicle to transport our firefighters to their [...]

2023-07-19T16:08:30-04:00

Dr. Christine James Joins our Team’s Clinicians’ Network

We are pleased to share that Christine James, PsyD, LPC of Garden Path Counseling in Murrell's Inlet is now a part of our clinical network serving emergency services personnel and their families. She is a licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with diverse populations to help aid her clients in achieving their goals and living [...]

2023-05-03T15:10:19-04:00

Robin Phoenix Johnson to Speak at our July Summit!

Robin Phoenix Johnson CEO Best Medicine Brigade Executive Director, HEALHARIOUS: Humor Therapy for Veterans Please join us in welcoming Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Robin Johnson as a speaker at our 2023 Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit on July 13, 2023, at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.  She served over twenty years in [...]

2023-05-03T14:16:33-04:00

Laura Hare Nominated for the Louise R. Hassenplug Award

We are excited to share that Laura Hare of the Charleston Dorchester Department of Mental Health Center’s First Responder Support Team has been nominated as the Center’s representative for the state Louise R. Hassenplug Outstanding Clinician Award. This award recognizes annually an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the treatment of individuals in [...]

2023-04-27T21:38:01-04:00

The Loss of a Legend…..

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of a true legend in the Fire Service. Louise Franklin, former member of the C & B Fire Department in Ladson has passed away. "Weezy" as she was affectionally known by all who knew and loved her was by all standards the [...]

2023-04-26T22:10:37-04:00

First Responder Support Group to Meet April 13th!

This group continues to grow! All are welcome, Fire, EMS, 911 Telecommunicators, Law Enforcement, active duty or retired. Bring a friend! Fellowship and food for all! We promise a great experience for all who attend. Come join us Thursday, April 13th, at our office located at 6390 Dorchester Road in North Charleston. We hope to [...]

2023-04-08T14:07:06-04:00

Dr. Angela Moreland of the Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health to Address Our July Summit!

  Developing and Disseminating Virtual Tools to Address Behavioral Health Among Firefighters Angela Moreland, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Moreland serves as the Director of the Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health, which provides resources and support [...]

2023-03-26T22:41:08-04:00

Eric Stephenson to Speak at 2023 Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit!

"From Surviving to Thriving " Eric Stephenson, Executive Director First Responders Peer Support Network Newport, North Carolina Eric Stephenson is the Executive Director of the First Responders Peer Support Network located in Carteret County, N.C. He retired as a Captain of the Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Fire Department after dedicating twenty-nine years to the [...]

2023-03-19T18:26:36-04:00

Rachel Wadford Joins Our 911 Telecommunicators Support Team!

Please help us welcome our new teammate, Rachel Wadford.  Rachel has been a telecommunicator for twenty-three years and is currently employed at the Berkeley County 911 Center. She enjoys working for the citizens of Berkeley County as well as all of the public safety agencies served by the 911 Center.  Rachel is from Cayce, South [...]

2023-03-12T20:55:21-04:00

Welcoming Gina Hovis to Our Team!

We are pleased to share that Gina Hovis of Rock Hill has joined our Team as a Peer Team member. We have been associated with Gina for many years during our work with the SC FAST Team and through the SC Public Safety Chaplains Association where she served as a Spiritual Director for 4 years. [...]

2023-02-27T23:06:29-05:00

Our “Operation Zzz” Blanket Program Rolls into our Seventh Year!

Our "Operation Zzz" weighted blanket program will soon reach 450 blankets sewn and delivered to our first responders. This program is being sponsored again for the seventh consecutive year by the Steinberg Law Firm LLC of Goose Creek. We are forever indebted to them for their wonderful support. And certainly, our very own Marci-Jo Mishoe [...]

2023-02-27T22:11:17-05:00

Charleston Fire Department Peer Team Training Concludes!

  Finished up the second day of our training with the Charleston Fire Department Peer Team today. The afternoon session included presentations by two of our clinicians who work with our first responders. Pictured here is Sherie Corbett of Healing Roots Behavioral Health Center in Summerville as she speaks to the group. Special thanks to [...]

2023-02-27T22:15:46-05:00

“On the Road Again”

Our Team provides many training programs that are available to be offered at individual departments and organizations around our State. These programs were developed to provide behavioral health training in one or two hour blocks to accommodate a volunteer department's night or weekend trainings and to fit the normal training schedules of our paid departments [...]

2023-02-15T23:00:42-05:00

“Holding the Standard” Now Available Through our Team!

HOLDING THE STANDARD This program is a hard hitting, straight forward look at the Fire Service of today and the traditions of the past that have shaped it.  It addresses firehouse etiquette, laying ground rules, mindset and right versus effective.  This program offers and honest evaluation of where we are today in the Fire Service. [...]

2023-02-15T22:47:27-05:00

Welcome Our Newest Member Lee Walden to our Team!

      Please help us welcome Lee Walden to our team as our newest member. Lee began his firefighting career at the Whitesville Fire Department in Berkeley County before working at the James Island Fire Department, the Naval Weapons Fire Department, and the Joint Base Charleston Fire Department since 2010.  He lives in Moncks [...]

2023-02-15T20:53:45-05:00

Sixth Annual Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit Coming in July!

The Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team, Inc. is pleased to announce that our Sixth Annual Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit will be held at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on July 13, 2023. This year’s Summit will include exhibits, multiple vendors, and exciting new speakers who will share their expertise with all [...]

2023-02-12T19:04:56-05:00

Around Town!

We look for any opportunity to meet with our emergency services personnel to share with them about our program and resources. We believe that it is important to make those contacts in the early days of their careers. Speaking at recruit classes and new hire training is an important way to accomplish that task. [...]

2023-02-05T00:15:04-05:00

Susan Polk Joins Our 911 Telecommunicators Support Team!

We are excited to introduce the latest addition to our Lowcountry 911 Telecommunicators Support Team. Susan Polk joins us from the Berkeley County 911 Center where she has been employed for five years. In addition to her 911 experience, she holds a Master’s in Divinity degree from Duke University. She has also served as a [...]

2023-01-30T22:16:58-05:00

Training with Recruits in the “Ville!

Today we visited the Summerville Fire Department Recruit class to provide information on our Team and how they can ask for assistance. It is always a pleasure to share information with our new folks on resources available to take care of them and their families. It also gives us an opportunity to get to know [...]

2023-01-25T22:14:31-05:00

“Hope, Healing, Respect & Recovery”

A few days ago, we shared a new look for our Team.  Many thanks to Misty Leathers of Signs ASAP in Summerville for her amazing ability to take our thoughts and hope and applying them to our Team’s mission. We have received many positive comments from our social media posts, our conversations with others, emails, [...]

2023-01-22T15:54:11-05:00

FIRST RESPONDERS “SOUND THE ALARM” PROGRAM COMING TO CHARLESTON

On January 26 and 27, 2023, representatives of the Quell Foundation in Tucson, Arizona will be in Charleston to present their First Responders Sound the Alarm program. Our friends of the Charleston County Consolidated 911 Center are hosting this program open to all interested participants. Visit the link at www.quellfrrp.org  to see what it’s all [...]

2022-12-30T22:51:24-05:00

APRIL MILLER ACCEPTS POSITION AS OUR TEAM’S PRIVATE EMS COORDINATOR.

We are pleased to share that our Team will begin a new initiative in 2023 to provide behavioral health services to the many private EMS organizations in the Lowcountry with the appointment of a new Private EMS Coordinator. In addition to these companies that provide medical transport to hospitals, doctors offices, dialysis clinics, etc., there [...]

2022-12-27T21:43:44-05:00

“Operation Zzz” Blankets Make It to Beaufort County!

On a recent trip to Bluffton for training, we were happy to provide the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office Central Communications Center with two of our "Operation Zzz" weighted blankets. Pictured here are Tori Pace and Malaysia Akins, telecommunicators with the BCSO, accepting the blankets. Our continued appreciation goes to Marci-Jo Mishoe, our Team's Special Projects [...]

2022-11-04T21:14:26-04:00

First Responder Support Group Meeting Coming up on November 10th!

Our First Responder Support Group meetings were started some years ago in partnership with the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy to provide a place where folks could gather to find and give support to all in the emergency services community. The meetings are held every second Thursday of the month at our office located at 6390 Dorchester [...]

2022-11-01T21:58:16-04:00

New Addition to Our Team Arrives Today!

Today, representatives of our Team traveled to the West Florence Fire Department in Florence County to take possession of a 1988 Emergency One pumper donated to us by the WCFD and the Florence County Fire Service. This truck will join our “Big John” and “Road Runner” trucks in our community outreach programs. The truck is [...]

2022-10-21T22:21:22-04:00

The Passing of a Brother…..

On Monday, October 17th, Capt. Kenny Sott of the Summerville Fire Department suffered a medical emergency after returning home from working out with the Summerville recruits. Fire and EMS were dispatched, and he was transported to the Summerville Medical Center where he passed away. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022, [...]

2022-10-18T22:15:25-04:00

The Three Amigos!

It is not often that you get to take a few minutes with old friends to pose for a photograph.  Today, I caught up with two of the masters of the trade.  We all became friends so many years ago I have lost track of how long it's been.  Regardless, we are all better for [...]

2022-10-18T21:59:50-04:00

Annual LFST Golf Tournament Coming up on October 7, 2022!

Just three weeks until our 9th Annual Golf Tournament to help the Lowcountry Firefighter, EMS, and 911 Telecommunicator Support Teams. Come join us for a great day of fellowship, golf, BBQ, prizes, and a 50/50 raffle. Dixon Golf will be on hand for several games on the course along with Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and even [...]

2022-09-16T22:14:15-04:00

David Townsend Joins Our Team!

Please help us welcome our newest team member, David Townsend. He is an USAF veteran and a retired law enforcement officer. He was a member of the Santa Cruz Police Department, the Calaveras County Sheriff’s office, and retired from the Santa Clara Police Department in California. He has worked patrol, as a K-9 officer, a [...]

2022-09-07T14:33:18-04:00

Laura Stephenson Announces Her Retirement.

We are excited for our teammate, Laura Stephenson, as she has announced her retirement from the fire service and EMS after giving forty years of her life to serving others. Laura is loved by all that know her and has been involved in the continued growth of our firefighter and EMS Teams over the years.  [...]

2022-09-03T21:44:02-04:00

Suicide Awareness Shirts Now Available for Delivery!

The Joint Base Charleston Suicide Awareness shirts are in and ready for delivery! All "to ship" orders will be completed by Monday so you should get your shirts this week. For all of you that bought them to pick up, contact us at 843-609-8300 to arrange to get them. They will be in the Support [...]

2022-08-28T22:20:26-04:00

Skylar Brown and “Woofin’ It Down” Donate to Our Team!

One of the many highlights of our recent Summit was when Skylar Brown presented us with 50% of the proceeds of the money she raised selling her "Woofin' It Down" homemade dog treats at the Summit. Thanks to our attendees for supporting her and for supporting us. Skyla is the daughter of Nichole Brown, the [...]

2022-07-17T17:28:03-04:00

It’s Almost Time!

We are just a few days away from our 2022 Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit! We have 8 amazing speakers and 25 exhibitors lined up for a day of learning and networking with over 225 other attendees from fire, EMS, 911, law enforcement, clinicians, chaplains, and many more who support our first responders on a [...]

2022-07-09T22:44:34-04:00

Melissa Camp to Present at the Emergency Services Behavioral Health Summit on July 14, 2022!

"TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES, WHILE TAKING CARE OF OTHERS” Melissa Camp is the Director for Behavioral Health Services at Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro, South Carolina. Before working in the inpatient setting at Colleton, Melissa worked for 16 years in community mental health, where her roles included managing the Assessment Mobile Crisis Team, First Responder Support [...]

2022-06-26T21:37:57-04:00
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