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Fireworks, First Years, and Finding Our Footing

July brings fireworks, newbies, and a reminder that resilience grows in moments of chaos and learning. Matt shares a look at emergencies, rookie mistakes, and why taking care of your mental health matters, on and off the clock.  

July! The month where fireworks light up the sky, dogs hide under the bed, and first-year medical residents realize they’re not in med school anymore. This is their first week on the new job.
For first responders and hospital staff, July 4th can be more than a celebration; often, it’s a marathon. Firework injuries, grass fires, heat exhaustion, and the confused looks from newbies trying to figure out which way is north.

The Season of Chaos and Growth

July is a reminder that both literal and figurative fireworks happen. New responsibilities, fast-paced decisions, and more questions than answers. And while some have been doing it for a while, there is always a first shift for each of us.
So if you’re a new resident, new medic, new nurse, or just new to this whole “figuring life out” thing, take a breath. Ask your questions. Laugh when you can. Cry when you need to. And know that nobody expects you to have it all figured out, especially in July.

Be Kind—to Yourself and to the New Guy

If you’re further along in your career, remember what it felt like to be new. Teach with patience, lead with empathy, and never underestimate the power of checking in.

Strategize Your Success

Whether you're watching fireworks light up the sky or racing to a call where someone lit up their backyard a little too enthusiastically, take care of yourself, too. Resilience isn’t built overnight. It’s built in these moments of chaos, learning, and reflection.
At Tactical Counseling, we help first responders and health care teams build resilience with practical tools, tailored support, and real-world understanding. We can help with Individual Counseling (tailored for first responders, health care providers, those in high-stress careers, and their families), Peer Support Program Development (with ongoing mentorship for your agency), Workplace Wellness Training (designed specifically for high-stress professions), Conference Speaking & Workshops (focused on resilience, trauma-informed leadership, and mental health readiness).
Whether you're managing stress in the moment or building a healthier culture for your team, we’re here to help you take the next step.
Let’s celebrate safely. And let’s keep learning and supporting each other, long after the fireworks fade.

Resources for Further Reading

Post by Matt Short. Content was written and verified by Matt Short. ChatGPT-websitegenerator.b12.io and Grammarly (v1.121.1.0) were used to assist with HTML formatting and proofreading.

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