Episode 170: The Power of a 30-year-old Photo
This episode originally aired in the spring of 2023, long before I knew I’d one day call Oklahoma home.
This past Saturday, I attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Oklahoma City Bombing. A recurring theme throughout the event was the “Oklahoma Standard”—a powerful way of showing up for others that I’ve now witnessed firsthand.
After the ceremony, I spoke with my mentor, Jorge Carvajal, about his experience. I learned for the first time that he responded to the bombing as part of a FEMA team, spending 16 days at the site searching for victims. We had never talked about it before.
So what, now what?!?
Chris Fields has a powerful story, and you need to hear it.
Chris Fields is a former member of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, Chris joined the fire department on July 12, 1985, was promoted through the ranks, and retired as a Major on March 1, 2017, serving the citizens of Oklahoma City for 31 yrs and 7 months. Chris was captured in a photo that became an iconic symbol of the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 when he was cradling the body of 1-year-old Baylee Almon. Chris is now dedicating his life to traveling and speaking to other first responders, discussing the brutal realities of a life spent responding to citizens in their darkest hours. Chris tells the story of his life, his 31 years of public service, and how that day in 1995 all combined to take a toll on his life and his family, he suffered in silence for many years. Now he shares how with God, Faith, and Family, he took control and his journey out of the suffering in hopes of helping others avoid the failure, the pitfalls, and to reach out.
Chris also serves as a Fire Liaison on the Advisory Board for Survive First, a 501 C3 organization whose mission is to assist 1st Responders, military and their families who need mental health support from the impact of PTSD, and substance abuse. He is also Co-founder and co-host of a webinar, Trauma Behind the Badge. Chris also serves as a member of the Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division, giving back to the First Responders who serve and protect the citizens of Oklahoma.
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