2024 CONFERENCE AGENDA - THURSDAY, March 7

In his enlightening presentation, Dan, a seasoned Firefighter-Engineer Paramedic and Marine Corps veteran, introduces participants to the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth. Drawing from his extensive background in emergency medicine, public safety, and wellness, Dan explores five key components: curiosity in education, increasing personal capacity through regulation, the power of sharing one’s story, creating a new narrative, and serving as an "Expert Guide." His approach not only addresses overcoming trauma but also focuses on proactive strategies for "Pre-traumatic Growth," incorporating stoicism, camaraderie, life balance, learning from shared experiences, recognizing personal strengths, and embracing the transient nature of life's challenges.

Dan's session also delves into the concept of "Anti-Fragility," discussing various methods and practices to enhance one's ability to cope, endure, and transcend challenges. Participants engage in small group exercises to identify their top coping methods, promoting camaraderie and the discovery of new possibilities. Furthermore, Dan underscores the significance of recreational activities, not just for leisure but as metaphors for life's challenges, encouraging a shift in paradigm, exploring alternatives, embracing intentional discomfort, and differentiating between intentions and expectations. His diverse experience, from military service to his role in technical rescue and his advocacy for combat veterans and first responders, enriches the presentation, making it a profound learning experience for all attendees.

Chris Moore, a Captain with the Chesapeake Virginia Fire Department and a national touring speaker, is passionate about raising awareness of mental health issues and suicide among first responders. His presentation aims to highlight the critical yet often overlooked prevalence of PTSD and suicide within this group, drawing parallels to the well-known struggles within the military and veteran communities. Chris discusses the stigma around seeking help, the impact on families and organizations, and the need for legislative action to recognize and address PTSD and suicide in first responders. He emphasizes the urgency of providing necessary support to those suffering in silence, advocating for proactive measures within departments to prepare for and handle such crises effectively.

Having served over 30 years as a first responder, Chris’s own journey with post-traumatic stress, including a personal encounter with suicide, deeply informs his advocacy and speaking engagements. Openly sharing his experiences, he offers insights and solutions to better support individuals facing mental health challenges. Chris’s dedication extends beyond speaking at conferences; he is a published writer, featured in the documentary PTSD 911, and an alumnus of Save a Warrior. His commitment to ending the stigma surrounding mental health in public safety is reflected in his transparent, honest approach, making him a powerful voice for change in the first responder community.

Attendees will delve into the essence of being truly present in their day-to-day lives, a skill crucial in navigating the fast-paced challenges of modern life. This discussion will highlight the significance of mindfulness practices in mitigating long-term stress effects, both psychologically and physically, emphasizing simple stress-reduction methods aimed at enhancing post-retirement life quality. 

David brings a unique perspective with his extensive background as a police officer and paramedic for over three decades. His journey into yoga began as a quest to heal from the physical toll of his careers and endurance sports. Transitioning from high-intensity Bikram to the more gentle practices of Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin, David discovered the therapeutic power of yoga. Now a 200-hour certified instructor from Barefoot Yoga in Tucson, he integrates outdoor activities with yoga and favors creative and unconventional teaching methods. Attendees can expect to explore new dimensions in familiar postures, reflecting David's belief in the transformative potential of yoga beyond conventional boundaries.

Despite 35 years since the first Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, its effectiveness in crisis response, force reduction, and arrest rates remains uncertain. Research suggests examining the structural framework of CIT programs could better assess their impact and areas for improvement, focusing on their stability and effects.

Detective Sabrina Taylor, with two decades in law enforcement and 14 years as a CIT-certified officer, currently coordinates the CIT program for the Phoenix Police Department. A former 1st Vice President of CIT International, she's a key figure in law enforcement mental health training and co-author of the CIT International Best Practice Guide, bringing her extensive experience and academic background in public administration to enhance CIT program implementations.

Child survivors of intimate partner homicide (IPH) face unique challenges in psychosocial development, often struggling with emotional regulation, behavior, and relationship building. Traditional approaches can worsen these trauma responses if not healing-centered, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary support and care. Programs like the Arizona Child & Adolescent Survivor Initiative (ACASI) address this by providing trauma-informed, collaborative care to aid healing and safety.

Bianca Harper, a Clinical Associate Professor at the ASU School of Social Work, directs ACASI. Her expertise in working with trauma-affected children and families spans psychotherapy, crisis counseling, and school social work. Her research and practice focus on child maltreatment and trauma-informed treatment, underscoring her dedication to improving outcomes for child IPH survivors.

*Earn 1.25 CE Credit from NBCC

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, a critical tool for handling mental health crises, faces challenges when addressing dementia, a condition requiring distinct response strategies. 

Tracey Wilkinson from the Scottsdale Police Department, with over 25 years of experience, stresses the need to differentiate between mental illness and dementia in crisis situations, drawing on her personal and professional experience with dementia cases.

Heather Mulder of the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute complements this approach. Her work focuses on educating first responders about dementia, leveraging her background in caring for older adults and creating dementia-friendly programs. Together, Tracey and Heather provide essential insights and strategies for effectively responding to dementia-related crises in public safety.

Delves into the therapeutic use of ketamine and psychedelics for treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, particularly among first responders. They aim to demystify ketamine therapy, addressing safety concerns, habit-forming potential, and its mechanism of action. Their talk includes real-world cases of ketamine therapy in first responders, discussing its role in employee retention, improving workplace culture, and saving lives. They'll cover critical aspects of ketamine therapy like set, setting, and integration, and differentiate between coaching and counseling roles in the treatment process.

Matt, a former firefighter with personal experience in using ketamine therapy for PTSD and other mental health issues, now works as an Integration Coach for first responders. His journey inspired many firefighters to seek ketamine therapy. Jennifer, with over 22 years in social and public services, specializes in treating first responders with mental health issues. A former law enforcement officer and crisis responder, she holds advanced degrees in psychology and mental health counseling. 

*Earn 1.25 CE Credit from NBCC

In the demanding world of public safety and behavioral health services, this workshop, led by Water Shepherd, offers a transformative experience in self-awareness and resilience. Participants will engage in introspection, group discussions, and interactive activities, focusing on understanding the "hero" archetype, personal values, vulnerabilities, and biases. The session will explore the neurobiology of stress, trauma, and compassion fatigue, providing tools for managing their impacts. Participants will learn mindfulness techniques to enhance present-moment awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience, aligning personal and professional values, managing emotional triggers, and cultivating self-compassion.

Water Shepherd, founder of Third Eye Integration, brings over 30 years of experience in human services. A graduate of Arizona State University with a Master of Arts in communication, a Bachelor of Science in psychology, and a Certificate in social and behavioral science, she is a certified clinical trauma professional and skilled in neurolinguistic programming, emotional intelligence, yoga nidra, and sound. Her workshop is designed as an investment in personal growth, collegial support, and community service, encouraging participants to embrace the power of self-awareness for a more fulfilling and impactful career.

*Earn 1.25 CE Credit from NBCC

participants will focus on improving foot health as a key component of overall well-being. The session includes a self-assessment of foot health, comparing participants' feet to a healthy model, and setting goals for improvement. Instruction will cover adaptive footwear, techniques for foot realignment, and exercises to enhance foot mobility and strength, crucial for natural foot function.

Jennifer brings her expertise in physical therapy and Pilates to the session, offering tailored strategies for first responders. Her approach, shaped by her experience as the spouse of a Tucson Fire Fighter and Captain, focuses on practical foot care methods to support the demanding lifestyles of first responders. This session promises valuable insights into maintaining foot health and, by extension, overall physical and mental wellness.