#007 From 911 Calls to Saving Lives: This Paramedic Is Rebuilding Communities

Tara Tucker is not your average paramedic. She’s on a mission to revolutionize how first responders handle mental health, addiction, and crisis care—because for her, it’s personal.In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Tara, a behavioral health community paramedic, to talk about her boots-on-the-ground work bridging emergency response and long-term recovery. From opioid overdose calls to faith-based outreach events, Tara is meeting people where they are—and helping entire communities heal.What started as a career in EMS turned into a life calling after losing someone close to her to overdose—and nearly losing her own son to addiction. Tara’s story is raw, inspiring, and a masterclass in what it means to live on mission.If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when faith, community, and action collide—this is it.⸻Chapters / Timestamps:0:00 – Meet Tara Tucker: Behavioral Health Community Paramedic1:30 – What is a behavioral paramedic?3:00 – Why traditional EMS training fails mental health cases5:00 – The trauma and burnout of first responders7:00 – Her first personal loss to overdose9:00 – When she discovered her own son was struggling11:00 – How family unity helped save her son13:00 – From EMS worker to mom on a mission15:00 – Breaking the generational silence on addiction17:00 – The emotional toll of paramedic life19:00 – The suicide crisis among first responders21:00 – Holistic healing circles and buddy check programs24:00 – Monthly outreach events: Mental health, food, prayer & more26:00 – Sending kids to camp with first responders and churches28:00 – How a 911 call turned into a two-year sobriety story32:00 – Helping someone in crisis connect with a church35:00 – Why churches need to rethink “outreach”36:00 – Final message: Build the bridge—someone’s life depends on it⸻Guest Info (Tara Tucker):Tara is a Behavioral Health Community Paramedic serving in North Carolina. She collaborates with Recovery Alive, Broken Chains JC, and various community partners to connect 911 calls to long-term recovery solutions through faith-based outreach, peer support, and holistic care.For speaking, training, or partnerships: RecoveryAlive.com⸻Listen & Subscribe:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214debYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQRSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rssWebsite: https://www.livingonincline.com⸻Sponsored by Recovery AliveLiving on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery movement helping people rebuild their lives, restore relationships, and renew their faith.Website: https://www.recoveryalive.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveincYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive#TaraTucker #LivingOnIncline #RecoveryAlive #911ToRecovery #BehavioralParamedic #FirstResponderWellness #FaithAndRecovery #AddictionSupport #MentalHealthCrisis #EMSMinistry #OpioidCrisis #ChurchOutreach #HopeIsReal #JesusSaves #RecoveryIsPossibleSend us Fan Mail