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Featured Release

Press Coverage

For Immediate Release  ·  Newport Beach, Calif.

Inside the Fire That Follows

A Retired Fire Captain's Journey Through Trauma and Recovery — In "The Last Patient," Captain James Owen Confronts Addiction and Institutional Failure While Offering a Practical Path to Resilience

He ran into burning buildings, but no one prepared him for what came after. In his new memoir, "The Last Patient," retired fire captain James Owen delivers a candid and unflinching account of life inside the fire service — shedding light on the lasting psychological toll of the job and the institutional gaps that leave first responders to navigate the aftermath alone.

Drawing from a long career in high-pressure environments, Owen shares a deeply personal story of trauma, addiction, and recovery — while challenging long-held assumptions about mental health in first responder culture. A recipient of the Meritorious Bravery Award and recognized by the Los Angeles District Attorney for mentoring at-risk youth, Owen now speaks nationally on resilience, leadership, and the need for systemic change within high-loyalty professions.

"We run into burning buildings, but no one trains us to enter the burning buildings in our minds, or how to face the fire that follows us home. A first responder's life is like living on high-interest credit — you can make the minimum payments, but eventually the full balance comes due. Situation screwed. Still survivable."

Owen is the founder of Camp Pivot, a mission-driven initiative to restore purpose, rebuild confidence, and reignite the human spirit — for first responders, veterans, and anyone dealing with the weight of high-stakes careers.

118
Firefighter suicides in 2022 vs. 96 line-of-duty deaths (FBHA / NFPA)
30+
Years in fire service — Long Beach Fire Department

"The Last Patient" is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Walmart. Learn more at captainjamesowen.com.

Media Appearances

As Heard On

Sirius XM Doctor Radio

First Responder Mental Health — National Broadcast

Captain Owen joins Sirius XM Doctor Radio — one of the most-listened-to medical radio programs in the country — for a conversation on trauma, recovery, and the systemic gaps that leave first responders to navigate the aftermath of service alone.

Please credit Sirius XM Doctor Radio when sharing. Maximum clip: 5 minutes.

Listen to Clip
Booking Open

Podcast and Media Appearances

Captain Owen is available for podcast interviews, panel discussions, and media appearances on trauma, resilience, first responder mental health, and leadership after crisis.

Contact Tracy@P2Rinc.com (P2R Inc., Tracy Keyser, President) to discuss scheduling.

Press Materials

Ready to Use

For Producers and Hosts

On-Air Introduction

A tight two-sentence introduction ready for podcast hosts and event emcees to read on air — no editing required.

James Owen is a retired Long Beach Fire Department captain and author of The Last Patient. After decades in high-pressure environments, he now speaks on trauma, recovery, and the unseen cost of service — helping first responders and high-stress professionals navigate what happens after the call.

Approved Short Bio

Short Bio

The approved short bio for programs, event listings, and media databases.

Captain James Owen is a retired fire captain, motivational speaker, and author of The Last Patient, a memoir on trauma, recovery, and resilience. A recipient of the Meritorious Bravery Award, Owen spent over 20 years with the Long Beach Fire Department before founding Camp Pivot, a platform dedicated to recovery and resilience. His story is one of survival, accountability, and rebuilding — and he now shares it to help others do the same.

Description

Press Release Boilerplate

The standardized description for press releases, speaker directories, book pages, and program listings.

Captain James Owen is a retired fire captain, speaker, and author of "The Last Patient." The memoir explores trauma, addiction, recovery, and the discipline required to rebuild a life after its darkest moments. Over the course of his career, he earned a Meritorious Bravery Award and was recognized by the Los Angeles District Attorney for mentoring at-risk youth. Today, he advocates for first responder mental health and stronger leadership cultures. Owen is the founder of Camp Pivot, a platform focused on trauma recovery and resilience. Learn more at captainjamesowen.com. "Situation Screwed / Still Survivable."

Testimonials

Look Who's Talking

"Raw, Honest, and Deeply Important — James Owen's book is one of the most honest and impactful books I've read about trauma, recovery, resilience, and the hidden emotional toll carried by first responders and high-stress professionals. A powerful, timely, and deeply needed book."

— Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino, Founder of Best Ever You, Bestselling Author

"We train for the call. We don't train for what follows."

— Captain James Owen

"The job doesn't break you. Carrying it alone does."

— Captain James Owen

"High performers don't fail from weakness. They fail from overload."

— Captain James Owen

"Silence is the most expensive coping strategy in the fire service."

— Captain James Owen

"Situation Screwed / Still Survivable."

— Captain James Owen

Media Inquiries

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