Keith Hanks

About Keith Hanks

Keith Hanks is a retired Firefighter and EMT that dedicated 21 years of his life to the…

Experience

1. Founder, President

   Smart Ride Llc

   Mar 2023 — Present · NH, US

   The purpose for this presentation, much like the objectives, is to share a story of how unresolved trauma and PTSD can not only affect a 1st responder but their department, family, co-workers, and society. By being transparent and sharing our personal stories of struggles, failures, lows and highs, loss and even gain and then wrapping it up with how we turned it all around into a success story, it provides hope. Our job as 1st responders is thankless from the get-go and for most of us that’s ok cause it is not what we signed on for. However, not being able to or not knowing how to deal with and heal from what we see and do during our career(s), is not what we signed on for. During the presentation, we also discuss how breaking down the mental health stigma can also have a positive impact on employee retention, applications, and career advancement along with the overall attitude towards the job. I address how a lot of what needs to change needs to come from the top, the chief officers, administrators, and other “brass” to engrain this acceptance of mental wellness from the most senior members to the “probies”. Beyond just telling “war stories”, we provide insight into the numerous resources and treatment modalities that some of us have used and that are available. With healing and overcoming adversity, comes true strength. This strength can be the foundation of great leadership. During the presentations, we go over leadership traits and characteristics along with how to build upon them by using surviving trauma as a source. Leadership that can be used on and off the job.Overall, we tie in tragedies and triumphs, failure and follies, sadness, and ultimate success as a way to provide both education and hope to those in the first responder, military and healthcare fields. Along with their families.

Education

• Mount Wachusett Community College

  Associate of Science - AS, Fire Science/Fire-fighting

• North Middlesex Regional

  Diploma of Education, General/Technical Applications