The Real ResQ Podcast

Episode 179 [Full] Ashlee Leppert, USCG Flight Mech, Author and Life Coach

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Ashlee Leppert, U.S. Coast Guard flight mech veteran, author, inspirational speaker, and certified life coach.

Leppert discusses her motivation for joining the Coast Guard and her journey to becoming a flight mechanic. She speaks about many of her rescues, including a drug interdiction and migrant operation which earned her a Letter Of Commendation. 

She earned a second Letter of Commendation for rescuing two elderly persons in the water. Leppert goes on to discuss a third Letter of Commendation which she earned for her maintenance work and involvement during the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Finally, she discusses her fourth Letter of Commendation, earned for rescuing a distressed kayaker, which also made the local news. 

As we go further into Leppert’s career, we get into a complex nighttime rescue of a 90-year-old man on a 65-foot sailing vessel. This rescue earned her a Coast Guard Achievement Medal. Next, we get into what Leppert did during the rescue efforts of Hurricane Harvey. These efforts earned her an Air Medal and a trip to Washington, D.C., to be a part of President Trump's 2018 State of The Union Speech.  

We conclude our conversation with what she's doing now. Leppert talks about writing the book, The Hurricane Within, so that she could share her story. In addition to writing a book, she has become a life coach to help others overcome their struggles. Her advice emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself in order to be a leader in all aspects of life. She is currently a public speaker and a life coach.  Enjoy!

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Episode 178 [Full] Rick Woolford USCG Rescue Swimmer 03

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Rick Woolford, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 03.

Woolford, being one of the first five rescue swimmers in the U.S. Coast Guard, shares his journey from joining the Coast Guard to becoming a rescue swimmer. He discusses his background in water activities and law enforcement, as well as his experience in Navy Rescue Swimmer School. 

Woolford shares his experiences with equipment and training as the rescue swimmer program continued to grow. He remembers his first rescue as a rescue swimmer, and it just so happened to be the very first rescue of a rescue swimmer since the program's inception. It was a daytime rescue out of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A person was in the water and couldn't get into the basket, which required Woolford to get into the water.  

Woolford went on to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and flight school while serving as a pilot in Alaska. He recalls a rescue mission in Canada where he and his crew saved nine people from the icy waters and rocky shore. This rescue earned him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal and an Ian Fraser Award from Canada.  

Woolford also talks about his time as a helicopter instructor and the importance of training new students. He shares stories from his life in Alaska and from his career as an air ambulance pilot. 

We also touch on the gear and equipment used by rescue swimmers, including the famous Rolex watches. We finish our conversation with some good advice where Woolford emphasizes the importance of physical and mental health for rescue swimmers and highlights the legacy of the rescue swimmer program. Enjoy!

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Episode 177 [Part 2] Wryan Webb US Coast Guard Pilot

In Part 2 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Wryan Webb, a United States Coast Guard pilot.  

Webb was deployed down to Houston,Texas, from Traverse City, Michigan, for the relief efforts of Hurricane Harvey. While there, he earned an Air Medal for his efforts for the rescue of 29 survivors and six dogs. After that particular deployment, he discusses a few calls that stand out to him during the rest of his time in Traverse City. Next, he is brought into his current unit of Sitka, Alaska. A story that stood out to him was a medevac of a young lady who gave birth to a premature baby and needed a higher level of care.  

Webb also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a pilot, as well as his passion for photography. They finish their conversation off with a great piece of advice about continuing to learn and the importance of taking care of each other.  Enjoy!

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Episode 177 [Part 1] Wryan Webb US Coast Guard Pilot

In Part 1 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Wryan Webb, a United States Coast Guard pilot.  

Growing up in the middle of Texas, nowhere near water, Webb found himself wanting to blend his goals of being in aviation, being around water, and working search-and-rescue. With his very first rescue earning him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for responding to an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) from the 40-foot trimaran and its four survivors 60 miles offshore.

We continued our conversation discussing a few more rescues that stood out to him while he was stationed in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Webb shares a story about two F-18 Hornets that crashed and left four pilots in the water. Other stories include a flight to Bermuda for a rescue that was beyond Bermuda, a submarine that they had to rendezvous with, and a sailboat that was taking on water. Enjoy!

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Episode 176 [Part 2] Jason Ramos, Retired Firefighter, Smokejumper and author of Smokejumper

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Jason Ramos, a retired firefighter, smoke jumper, author of Smokejumper, and so much more.

Ramos recounts some memorable fire jumps, including a close encounter with a boulder. He shares various stories from his career as a smokejumper. He talks about getting lost in the wilderness and the importance of never leaving your gear behind. He also shares funny anecdotes about calling radio stations from remote locations and requesting songs to help keep morale up on scene. 

Ramos discusses the unique experiences of being part of a Helitack Crew and the thrill of initial attack. He also opens up about the traumatic events he has witnessed and the impact of PTSD on his life. Additionally, he shares his encounters with Bigfoot and the importance of survival skills and foraging in the wilderness. 

Ramos recounts his last jump and the challenges he faced, including dealing with whooping cough and a back injury. He emphasizes the importance of listening and communication in all aspects of life. 

Finally, Ramos shares lessons that he learned as a firefighter and smoke jumper and relates it to his current work, which is his current role as a drone pilot. He discusses the advancements in drone technology for search and rescue operations. Enjoy!

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Episode 176 [Part 1] Jason Ramos, Retired Firefighter, Smokejumper and author of Smokejumper

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Jason Ramos, a retired firefighter, smoke jumper, author of Smokejumper, and so much more.

Ramos shares his experiences and insights. He discusses his background, including his various roles in the fire service. Ramos recalls his early days as a volunteer firefighter and the intense and challenging calls he responded to. Additionally, he shares stories of memorable calls that left a lasting impression on him.

Next we talk a little bit about the training and delve into the challenges to become a smokejumper.  Ramos shares his experiences during his first job, jumping into an area with a bunch of rocks all over the field. This is where it all began for him and his crew as they battled the fire for the next couple days.

We divert a bit into a few other topics where Ramos discusses different scenarios on scene, such as, “What happens if you land in a tree?” or, “What happens if you have an injury when you are in a scene?”  In addition, we get an insider look into a few extra skills that smokejumpers learn.  Enjoy!

 

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Episode 175 [Full] Thomas 'Buck' Beaudry USCG Rescue Swimmer 175

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Thomas “Buck” Beaudry, U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Rescue Swimmer 175.  

At a young age, Beaudry planned to be a firefighter like his brother. However, as life seems to go, his path changed when he failed one of the tests. This became “a blessing in disguise,” as it led him to joining the Coast Guard and becoming a rescue swimmer.  

Throughout this conversation, they talk about his amazing 29 year career in the USCG, including his first rescue: A medevac off of a large Japanese ship that was 300 miles off shore. Then they get into more of his rescue stories that earned him an Achievement Medal for multiple rescues that occurred over a short period of time in Cape Cod. He received a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for a man stuck on a barge in big seas and 80-knot winds. Next, they get into his Air Medal case, where he worked with another swimmer to rescue six people in 20-foot seas and 40-knot winds. Lastly, they get into the emotional rescue of a father and son who were in the water due to their canoe flipping over. Following the rescue, the crew went to visit the family in the hospital and received a letter from the family thanking them. Enjoy!

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Episode 174 [Part 2] Phillip Powell USCG Flight Mech

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by retired U.S. Coast Guard flight mechanic Phillip Powell. Powell continues to share his experiences and challenges in hoisting and rescuing people during his time in the Coast Guard. 

Powell also talks about Internal Communications Systems (ICS) failure and the ICS boots he developed to prevent water intrusion. He recounts his experience during Hurricane Harvey and the challenges the Coast Guard faced in conducting search-and-rescue operations.

Powell discusses various aspects of helicopter rescue operations. He emphasizes the responsibility of the flight mechanic in ensuring the wellbeing of Coast Guard swimmers, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the field. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges and best practices of helicopter rescue operations. Enjoy!

 

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SecurComs ICS Boots

Episode 174 [Part 1] Phillip Powell USCG Flight Mech

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by retired U.S. Coast Guard flight mechanic Phillip Powell. Powell shares his experiences and challenges in hoisting and rescuing people during his time in the Coast Guard. He recounts memorable rescues in Savannah, Georgia, and during Hurricane Katrina. 

Powell also talks about his very first rescue, where six people were stuck in a boat in the mud. Then he shares a few more memorable rescues, including two people rescued off of a sailboat and another of a man having chest pain who needed to be hoisted off a boat. Powell details a few more of his experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In addition, Powell discusses his experience as part of the Coast Guard Standardization Team (STAN Team) and the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS), and shares a harrowing hoist runaway incident and speaks about the importance of proper hoist procedures. Enjoy!

 

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SecurComs ICS Boots

Episode 173 Jason Segal, Paramedic, Hoist Operator and Rescue Specialist - Live in the Vertical Booth at HAI Heli Expo 2024

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is live in the Vertical Booth at HAI Heli Expo 2024 with Jason Segal, Paramedic, Hoist Operator and Rescue Specialist. Segal grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he got his first taste of emergency response from his father who was a firefighter medic. This influence paved the path for Segal's journey into becoming a paramedic, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career in rescue operations. 

Segal's first patient was a diver who came up a little too fast and was required to be put into the decompression chamber. From there, Segal tells us a bunch of stories that stand out to him, including working with Lenny Cunningham in Louisiana on a call out for a motor vehicle crash. Transitioning to the arid landscape of El Paso, Texas, Segal recounts a daring rescue operation involving the hoisting of a victim who had fallen over 100 feet.  Another rescue that stands out was when he was teaching and the agency asked him to help with the hoist recovery of a victim with a broken back.

As the conversation draws to a close, Segal provides insights into his current endeavors, collaborating with Vita Inclinada, and sheds light on the advancements made in their VRS system. He concludes with a reminder of the significance of "teachable moments," encapsulating the essence of continuous learning and growth in the realm of rescue operations. Enjoy!

 

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