ASTerisk: Josie McKee, Director of Communications and Operations at Responder Alliance

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Josie McKee, Director of Communications and Operations at Responder Alliance. A conversation on mental health in high-risk professions and the practical tools that help rescuers stay steady through stress, trauma, and the aftermath of difficult calls.Drawing from her own search and rescue experience, McKee explains how cumulative stress can quietly build over time, and why proactive support matters just as much as operational training. Together, they break down the stress continuum as a simple framework for recognizing where you are mentally, and why awareness is the first step toward resilience.They also discuss the power of peer support, the role Responder Alliance plays in providing training and support for rescuers, and the need for meaningful follow-up care—especially after missions that don’t end when the scene is cleared. McKee shares tools that can be used immediately in the field, including the “3-3-3” protocol for grounding and stress management, and offers insight on communicating with families in crisis while protecting your own mental well-being.This episode is a reminder that strength isn’t white-knuckling it alone—it’s staying connected, knowing your tools, and taking care of the people who take care of everyone else.This episode is powered by Vertical HeliCASTS.Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Airbus, Bluedrop, PAG and The Real ResQ Store.Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical HeliCASTS.Responder Alliance https://www.responderalliance.com/