Suquamish, WA November 4-5, 2021

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Presented by 1st Responder Conferences & Blue H.E.L.P. 

Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort

15347 Suquamish Way NE, Suquamish, WA 98392

This training is for all 1st responders, police, fire, military/veterans, corrections, dispatchers, chaplains, retired 1st responders, spouses, professional staff, clinicians, spouses and all who work in the public safety field. 

1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues that are consistently facing our first responders and their families, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health.

1st Responder Conferences proudly introduces a line-up of credible nationally recognized speakers who will address matters that impact the personal and professional lives of first responders and their family members through dynamic and engaging presentations for the entire first responder community. This two-day seminar is unique in that your spouses or significant others who support you are invited to come learn with you. 

With a progressive and forward message of optimism and sustainability, 1st Responder Conferences goal is pushing past traditional silence and bringing first responder wellness to our Everyday Heroes.

Register now for $50 off! Early bird pricing until October 13, 2021.

Speakers and Topics:

"You Are Not Alone" -A Personal Story of Survival, Courage and Vulnerability- Officer Jared Nesary, Yakima PD-Jared will share his personal struggle with PTSD, and what recovery looks like after residential treatment. His courage to ask for help, which in his words saved his life and career. “You are not alone” is a personal story of survival, courage and vulnerability and a great reminder to all that no matter how dark the darkness gets, there is help. Jared survived PTSD and won his life back. BIO- Jared is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with over 20 years in law enforcement. Jared worked the majority of his patrol assignment on a swing or graveyard shift. Jared spent 9 years on SWAT, handled two Patrol K9’s “Bruno” and “Yogi”, was a Gang Officer, School Resource Officer, is currently serving as the Training Officer for the Yakima Police Department and is the lead Active Shooter/Rescue Task Force Instructor and the Lead De-Escalation Instructor for his department.

"Financial 911" -Brian Shea, Tactical Financial Group, Financial Services Professional( Ret. US Army Medic)-  In 2011, I came into the financial industry after watching my family in law enforcement and fire side retire miserable. They weren’t told (or maybe didn’t hear) about the importance of financial planning and saving in general. They depended SOLELY on their pensions to a great extent. They weren’t aware how dangerous this was. Things like deferred compensation, life and disability insurance, OR JUST PLAIN OLD SAVINGS ACCOUNTS…. Missed or dismissed. I developed a class called FINANCIAL 911. This class is very short, but very impactful. It cuts through the mystery, the complicated terms, and the crap associated with financial wellness. Put simply, PAY YOURSELF FIRST! You can pay to attend a course at your place of worship, speak to a “financial coach”, or you can take a few minutes, turn the lens internally, and make some decisions to benefit the next 2-3 decades, not 2-3 months. I promise, it’ll be well worth your time.  In 1994, Brian O'Shea attained his EMT license.  He attended Essex Community College before enlisting in the US Army as a Combat Medic. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked in ER and trauma centers as a Critical Care Technician/ I.V. therapist until a near fatal motor accident in 2005. It became difficult to keep up with the physicality of the hospital life, so in 2006 he was recruited into a bio-med company to run their hospital installation section. In 2010, the company began to falter, and a good friend suggested that the financial services industry might be an interesting career option. Having never considered this, Brian spent 4 or 5 months delving into the ins and outs of investing and financial preparedness. In March of 2011, he made the move into financial services, and has never looked back. His life revolves around police, fire, EMS, military, and corrections, and helping them build financial stability. He currently holds the Series 7, 6, and 63 licenses. He lives in Middle River, Maryland with his wife of 17 years, Tammy, and has 2 grandchildren. 

"Operational Stress and Resilience"-Dr. Shannon Meyer- Even though we all know that this work changes us, we rarely discuss the emotional costs of being a first responder. Incidents, large and small, impact not only our feelings and perspective on the world, but they can also result in biological changes to our brain. In fact, evidence indicates that operational stress injuries, like PTSD, result from physical damage to our brain, including changes in its structure and functioning. This presentation will discuss some of the ways that work can take a destructive toll on us, both emotionally and biologically. We will talk about what to look for in ourselves, how to look out for each other, and where to turn if things get bad. We will also talk about the ways that we can cultivate resilience and how we can insulate, and protect, ourselves from the toxic effects of our jobs. Dr. Shannon Meyer has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with advanced training and expertise in PTSD, operational stress, and secondary trauma in first responders. Dr. Meyer is a Victim Specialist who works for FBI in the Seattle area, a member of the Skagit County CISM Team, and a psychologist at the West Coast Post-Trauma Retreat, a residential treatment program for first responders. Dr. Meyer and her German Shepherd, Odin, recently became certified as a Crisis Response Canine Team with the goal of serving first responders at natural and man-made disasters. Dr. Meyer is happily married to a retired law enforcement officer.

"Metabolic Syndrome in First Responders"- Deanna Mehlhoff ARNP, FNP-BC- First Responders have life ending cardiac events at a prehypertensive status more than any other profession. First responders are losing their lives shortly after retirement at an exceptional rate beyond the common civilian. The duties of first responders takes a physiologic toll on their bodies unlike the typical civilian leading to Metabolic Syndrome, which is the leading cause of early sudden death in otherwise seemingly healthy individuals. What good is retirement if you don’t live long enough to get to enjoy it!! If your PCP is not versed in the first responders job, or stressors of the job, including psychological and physiological stress on the body, then responders are at high risk for being under treated and misdiagnosed. This discussion will break down and easily arm responders with tools to help themselves with preventative health measures to reduce and PREVENT Metabolic Syndrome. This course will look at the shocking statistics specific to first responders and the hows and whys first responders are at high risk for illness, how to recognize symptoms and how to get the help first responders deserve! Deanna Mehlhoff is the spouse of a deputy sheriff, a primary care provider and professor of clinical education. Deanna was raised in a first responder family, her father retiring as a Lieutenant of Lake Tapps Fire Department. She has been in healthcare over 25 years with the last several years focused as a specialist in Metabolic Syndrome. She spent 18 months in graduate school researching MetS in First Responders and has carried this research into her First Responder Screening Tool in her private practice as Owner of Northwest Health Services, PLLC. In her spare time she travels to agencies in person and presents directly to responders about MetS and health and wellness. She is a Professor of clinical practice for bachelor and master students at Pacific Lutheran University. Deanna is happily married to Willie Mehlhoff, with two step children, two fur babies and a love for fishing and golfing.

"Families First"- Rebecca Bowen, School Counselor, Enumclaw School District and Founder of The Emotional Wellness Project & Rick Bowen, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission; Program Manager-- The duties of first responders and the lifestyle it creates can take a significant toll on their families unless intentional measures are taken to minimize potential negative effects and outcomes. Families can not only survive but actually thrive with their first responders if priorities and expectations are identified, honest communication is welcomed, and healthy practices are put into place. This course will offer a look into the dynamics of a first responder’s family and will offer ideas and tools that will prove helpful in facilitating healthy family habits and dynamics. Rick is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a retired law enforcement officer, and former Commander of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. In this role he has spoken with thousands of recruits and their families about this topic and about health and wellness for first responders. Rebecca is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and has worked for over 25 years as a School Counselor and School Psychologist and is the founder of The Emotional Wellness Project focused on providing tools for parents and educators to nurture emotional wellness in children. They have been married for 34 years, have 3 grown children and will soon welcome their sixth grandchild.

Why in God’s Name Would I Need a Chaplain?- Jeff Humphrey, Island County Sheriff's Office Chaplain- Stress, disappointment, pain and trauma are unavoidable in the lives of First Responders, LEO and Dispatchers. It just goes with the territory. As much as we want to ignore these sights, sounds and smells, they often attach themselves to lives. Day after day, incident after incident, these things can change our personhood and make the career that we once loved become the job that we loath. Chaplains can be a great service and resource of help and hope. How can your Chaplain help you? What do Chaplains do? Do you have to be religious to talk with a Chaplain? Can Chaplains be useful at a crisis incidents? Jeff will help you understand the role of a Chaplain in your life and how to utilize a Chaplain at an incident. He’ll provide practical ideas and ways to navigate thru the dark days of PTSI and bring hope to your life. Jeff Humphrey serves as the Chaplain for Island County Sheriff’s Office. He provides support for LEO, ICOM, Island County Jail and Fire & Rescue through ride alongs, coffee, fishing and tacos. He is also the Founder and Executive Director for Whidbey Community Resource Chaplains. WCRC provides resource Chaplains to the different agencies of Whidbey Island when a crisis happens and multiple Chaplains are needed for support to members of the community.

I am You, You are Me, a Post Traumatic Growth Story-Mike Washington, Seattle Firefighter (Ret.)- Mike recently retired from the Seattle Fire Department after 27 years where he was a firefighter and Team lead with the Seattle Fire Departments Critical Incident Stress Management Team for 25 years which provides basic and immediate mental health assistance to firefighters, military, and civilians in the wake of high impact stressful situations. Mike will take you on his life journey and describe how he grew from the traumatic incidents he endured throughout his life and how you can make a positive change for yourself and others. Mike was recently featured in "Upstanders", a collection of short stories created by Starbuck's, showing various courageous people in America. 

Continental Breakfast and lunches are provided on both days.

*Accommodations: Conference specials/discounted hotel rates available: Group block/discounted hotel rates available:  We have a group block at The Clear Water Casino Resort ($96-$136/night. You and your guests can make reservations by calling 866-609-8700 and asking for 1st Responders Conference block, or BookID:17608, which will grant access to your contracted rooms and their rates.  If the preference is to make reservations online the following link may be used https://reserve.clearwatercasino.com/suquamish#groupSignIn  and GROUP ID 17608 will need to be input to receive the group rate. 

Nearby Overflow Hotel Options: The Point Casino and Hotel , The Marshall Suites,  Guest House Inn Suites and Hotel (Please check Google for more)  

*Disclaimers*

Photograph/Video Disclaimer Statement

1st Responder Conferences (1RC) reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by 1RC , without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. 1RC may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by 1RC including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, etc. No video recording by attendees permitted.  Please keep in mind that the photos and videos we take are mostly of the overall attendees and not specific to one person.  We respect the privacy of everyone at our conferences and we will not use photos or videos that jeopardize your well being.

Waiver of Liability 

Some of the material presented at this event may cause emotional triggers. We will have onsite assistance if needed. There will also be additional resources available if needed. This conference is not intended to provide counselling services, whether medical, psychological or of any other kind, nor to diagnose, prevent, cure or treat any disease, diorder or injury. This conference is certainly not intended to replace the advice of a physician. If you need expert advice, please consult a competent professional. This conference is only intended for “educational” use and it should only be used as a guide.

At registration we will have a waiver of liability and a photo disclaimer form that must be signed. If you have any questions regarding the waiver please contact us, so we can be of assistance.

More information about this event is coming soon!