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Non-Fiction, Self-help
Date Published: May 29, 2026
Publisher: Manhattan Book Group
Burned Out evolved from
conversations I had with a friend who had been a firefighter for 30 years. He
shared stories about traumas he and his fellow firefighters experienced while
on the job. We discussed universal challenges that first responders face in
terms of not knowing what to do with this trauma, recognizing its
symptoms, and the impact it had on family members and loved ones. I
interviewed male and female paramedics, firefighters, and Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMT's) around the country to get their candid personal stories
and experiences. I also interviewed family members. We all shared the
goal of wanting to. help fellow first responders and family members understand
the dynamics of trauma, its impact, and how they can get support to cope with
its consequences with renewed understanding and resilience.
Key
themes of book:
1. What types of trauma do first responders
experience on the job?
2. How does it impact them physically and
emotionally?
3. How does it affect their relationships with family
members and loved ones?
4. How can first responders and family
members understand and cope with these traumas?
5. What ways
can they effectively communicate and understand the ramifications of
trauma?
6. Where can they go for help to deal with the trauma and
learn to heal from it?
Message for readers: My hope for those
who read this book is that you will have a greater understanding and
appreciation for the sacrifices our first responders and their families make
in the service of others. I believe reading these personal accounts in
combination with the information, support, and resources provided will be
invaluable to all who take the time to read Burned Out. I hope you will share
it with others you believe might find it beneficial.
Review
I came away from Burned Out with a much greater appreciation for what first responders may be dealing with beneath the surface. Their work requires them to face situations that can leave lasting emotional scars, and sometimes that trauma follows them home.
The book does a good job of reminding us that first responders are people first, and they can struggle just like anyone else. I thought its message about acknowledging trauma instead of simply pushing it aside was especially important.
About the Author
Iris Waichler has been a well known patient
advocate and licensed clinical social worker for the last 40 years. She began
her career working with geriatric patients who experienced catastrophic
illness and counseled them and their families about adapting to these medical
problems. She helped them understand their medical condition helping them to
cope with the disease and its impact on their lives.
She is an award
winning author. In addition she is a prominent speaker presenting on topics
related to infertility and caregiving. She has been featured in Redbook,
Parade, MindBodygreen.com., Forbes Magazine and Next Avenue Magazine. She also
has done many radio shows and podcasts.
Iris has taught and supervised
social work students, medical students, interns, residents, and nurses about
patient rights, ethics.
Ms. Waichler found herself in the role of a
patient when she battled infertility for many years. The feelings of loss and
helplessness she personally experienced were profound. She promised herself if
she was successful in having a child she would do everything she could to help
other people fighting infertility.
She authored a second award winning book, RIDING THE INFERTILITY ROLLER
COASTER, A GUIDE TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE. This book won 4 awards including 2
best book of the year awards. The response was so great she began doing
individual and group counseling with people who had infertility. She
volunteered for RESOLVE, a national infertility group, and went on to do a
series of radio interviews, magazine articles, workshops, and speeches on
infertility topics.
Her book, ROLE REVERSAL, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
AND YOUR AGING PARENTS, has won 8 major book awards. Her experience in caring
for her beloved father, who died at age 97, triggered her passion in reaching
out to others who suddenly find themselves in a caregiver role and are
uncertain about what to do or where to go for help. In this book she shares
her father’s inspiring story and her personal and professional
experience in assuming the challenges that come with being a caregiver for an
aging loved one.
Iris has been doing freelance writing for the last 18
years. The focus of her work has been on health related topics. She also does
workshops and speeches offering caregiving tips for caregiver family members
and educating healthcare professionals.
