Questions? Contact Mark Treglio [email protected]
This foundational class with the world’s premiere expert on sleep deprivation lays out the science of sleep and how the lack of it contributes to just about every health problem emergency responders face. Also provides invaluable tips on how to improve sleep so you can work to establish new health and safety standards back at home.
Suicide is a sensitive topic to discuss. Stigma and fear continue to keep those who are struggling to get the help they need and deserve. Accurate reporting of suicide remains difficult and increases our need to invest more resources for this leading cause of death. Taryn Hiatt of AFSP will discuss how we view suicide, how to talk about it, and proactive steps you can take to implement sound, proactive policy on your department.
When stressed, emergency responders usually resort to their “go-to” in order to cope, whether it is working out, going for a jog, or simply throwing a line in the water to fish. Dr. Williams will walk through her “Admit, Talk, Heal” approach for when your coping mechanism isn’t enough to manage the stress and trauma you face.
PTSD has become a common phrase in emergency services, yet our understanding of its manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment is not well known. This class will lean on evidence-based research to explain the origins of trauma and more importantly, the path towards resiliency.
Trauma exposure is par for the course in the career of a first responder, and it can lead to a range of unfavorable symptoms if left unaddressed. Yet, there is a common misconception in first responder culture that managing trauma symptoms is merely a matter of willpower. This presentation aims to correct this misconception by addressing the physiological underpinnings of trauma exposure and how it impacts our thinking and behavior. It will also highlight ways to mitigate the effects of trauma exposure through a scientific lens.
Dr. Ohs focuses on emergency responders and behavioral health issues as they approach retirement knowing that they won’t be needed anymore, there won’t be any more emergencies, and the adrenaline rush and camaraderie are gone.
Every department has them. The member that is always there front and center leading the charge when other members of the department are in need. But what happens when that person is the one needing help? Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Jason PreslEy walks you through his story of being that guy, becoming the one who needed help, and steps you can take to stay healthy and be there for your members.
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network will discuss the events in the immediate hours of a cancer diagnosis and how to help friends, family, and co-workers get through that early phase of how to cope with someone who has received the dreaded call to inform them of a cancer diagnosis.
As first responders, when we think of mental health disorders, we often think in terms of us vs them. We believe that our responsibility to our community means we can never show any sort of weakness. This misperception can lead members to suppress emotions and fail to address the underlying causes that can build into crisis. Attendees will learn methods to prevent suicide by learning its traceable causes. Rather than focusing on individual risk factors, this course is designed to explain how creating an environment to encourage help seeking behavior can alter an individual's trajectory from reaching suicide.
Dr. Ramella will focus on what you need to do back home to affect change and enact new policies and procedures that are proactive in nature.