Yakima, WA June 10-11, 2021

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

Co-hosted by the Yakima County Sheriff's Office

This training is for all 1st responders, police, fire, military/veterans, corrections, dispatchers, chaplains, retired 1st responders, spouses, professional staff, clinicians, and all who work in the public safety field. (Spouses and significant others are encouraged to register.)

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 May 19, 2021.

Speakers and Topics:

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. 

Financially Fit- Marco Parzych (Lt Col, USAF Ret.), Founder & Executive Director of Mission Ready Finances - a nationwide nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a vision of financial hope, peace and success for all who bravely serve our nation as military members or first responders. He is an accredited financial coach and published author of the book, Mission Ready Finances, of which all sale proceeds go back into the nonprofit to further their mission and reach. Marco is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, having had the distinct honor and privilege of leading forces into combat both in the air and on the ground. Marco's presentation is aimed at restoring financial hope and encouraging all why they should, and how they can, do better with their personal finances. His goal is to serve as a catalyst, inspiring audiences to take action by presenting information in a new way that gets them to start thinking differently, believing that wealth building is possible for all and then taking the steps to get on a brighter financial path forward.

The Alertness Edge- Steve James, PhD and Assistant Professor- Our society is dependent on first responders providing services 24/7, despite mounting evidence for negative physical and mental health outcomes from sleep displacement due to shift work. This talk reviews short- and long-term health consequences of sleep displacement and circadian misalignment due to shift work. We will also discuss the impact of sleep loss on cognitive function, decision making, and the ability of the first responder to process stress. You will be given a better understanding of why sleep alludes us and given concert advice on how to achieve more sleep. Sleep is a core biological function that can help protect you from the stresses of your job and promotes recovery.  BIO- Stephen James, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing at Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane. His research focus includes the interaction between physical stressors [such as sleep and shift work related fatigue], law, policy, training and practice relating to operational performance for military and law enforcement personnel. Dr. James strives to better understand the dynamics of performance in a wide variety of policing tasks; driving, citizen encounters, crisis intervention, and deadly force encounters. Dr. James utilizes neurophysiological measurements and simulation technology to evaluate training and performance of military and law enforcement personnel.

"You Are Never Alone" -A Personal Story of Survival, Courage and Vulnerability- Officer Jared Nesary, Yakima PD (Ret.) -Jared will share his personal battle 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 never alone” is a personal story of survival, courage and vulnerability and a great reminder to all that no matter how dark the darkness gets or how far you have fallen, you are never alone in this battle. Jared survived PTSD and won his life back. BIO- Jared is a United States Marine Corps Veteran with 22 years in law enforcement. Jared worked the majority of his patrol assignment on a swing or graveyard shift. Jared spent 9 years on SWAT, 10 years on Honor Guard, handled two Patrol K-9’s “Bruno” and “Yogi” (Da-Bear) was a Gang Officer, School Resource Officer, Peer Support Officer, and was the Department Training Officer, lead Active Shooter/Rescue Task Force Instructor and the Lead De-Escalation Instructor for the Yakima Police Department when he retired in December 2020.

"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.

“The Resilient Hero"-Captain Nicole Picknell, South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue- The first responder lifestyle often creates stress in our lives both acute and long-term stress. Many of us live for the job and take the job stress home. We often allow our work to get in the way of taking care of our body and mind first. In this workshop first responders and families will discover how movement, exercise and nutrition can be the foundation to a healthy mindset. We will discuss how exercise can decrease stress, clear the mind and support you shifting from shift. You will learn how to create a healthy foundation so you become more resilient and able to handle the stress of life and the job! Join me in learning how movement and nutrition can support you with optimum health. Nicole Picknell has served almost 30 year in the fire service and has experience as a Wildland Firefighter, Paramedic, Helitack firefighter, Captain, Lieutenant and Acting Battalion Chief. Her education includes Exercise science and Firefighter health. She has a background in nutritional therapy, massage therapy and emotional intelligence training. She has a passion and desire to create awareness around peer support needs and emotional awareness. 

"Not On My Watch"- Ret. Detective Richard Wistock- This is an up close and personal Conference session as well as an in service Training for Fire, Police, Dispatchers, Telecommunicators, Probation, Corrections and Military. This training showcases how First Responders Suffer in Silence and are afraid to ask for help from their employers. This session will guide and direct the first responder how to ask for help as well as the employees rights to the Federal Medical Leave Act and how it pertains to public service. This will be an in depth look at what First Responder therapy looks like and how to acquire it to lead a successful life. All over the country First Responders are suffering and taking their lives by suicide. This training will not only show the first responder who may be struggling how to ask for help, but also for their partners and supervisors who recognize there may be an issue with PTSS, Mental Health, Gambling, Alcoholism or Drug Abuse.

This conference will take place at the Yakima Convention Center.

10 North 8th Street 

Yakima, WA 98901

Continental Breakfast and lunches are provided on both days. 

*Networking Social on June 10th from 4:00-6:00 pm @ the venue. This is a great opportunity to get to know others, ask questions and share your ideas and thoughts with other like-minded professionals. Appetizers will be provided and beverages will be availble for purchase.

*Accommodations: We have secured two hotel options.

Oxford Suites Yakima Washington Hotel: Oxford Suites Yakima Washington Hotel 1701 E. Yakima Ave • Yakima, Washington 98901 Phone: 509.457.9000 • Toll Free: 800.404.7848

*Accommodations: Conference specials/discounted hotel rates available: Group block/discounted hotel rates available: We have a group block at The Oxford Suites (Riverview Double Queen Suite/Ground floor King Suite $96.00 Wednesday-Friday night, Riverview King Suite $100.00 Wednesday-Friday night. All reservations are due by May 10, 2021, after which rooms that are not reserved will be returned to general inventory and the discounted group rate will no longer be offered. After that date, reservations will be accepted based on availability and standard rates apply. All reservations for the group will be handled through the Oxford Suites reservation department. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (509) 457-9000 and mentioning 1st Responder Conferences.

Holiday Inn Yakima: 802 East Yakima Avenue Yakima, Washington, 98901 (Across from the venue)

Conference specials/discounted hotel rates available: Group block/discounted hotel rates available: We have a group block at The Holiday Inn. This rate is $89.00 and will be available based on guest room availability). The cut-off date to reserve rooms by is May 19th. Reservations for the group will be handled through the Holiday Inn reservation department (1-509-494-7000)or by clicking on the provided link. If you call please let them know that you are attending the 1st Responder Conferences Conference. FirstResponder@HolidayInn 

To download a flyer please visit www.1stresponderconferences.org or contact us for flyers, basic info letters, and sponsor/industry partner/vendor forms for your organizations or to share. 

*You must register to attend. Seats are limited for this conference. Early Bird registration is open until May 19th and is $249.00. Registration after May 19th will be $299.00 (Plus Eventbrite charges) 

A limited amount of scholarships are availble for those with financial hardships. Please contact Amanda at amanda@1stresponderconferences.org for more information.

*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 counseling 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.

COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION:

While participating in events held by 1st Responder Conferences (1st RC) “social distancing” must always be practiced and face coverings worn to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, 1st RC has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 1st RC cannot guarantee that its participants, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19.

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

Holiday Inn Yakima: 802 East Yakima Avenue Yakima, Washington, 98901 (Across from the venue)

Conference specials/discounted hotel rates available: Group block/discounted hotel rates available: We have a group block at The Holiday Inn. This rate is $89.00 and will be available based on guest room availability). Reservations for the group will be handled through the Holiday Inn reservation department (1-509-494-7000)or by clicking on the provided link. If you call please let them know that you are attending the 1st Responder Conferences Conference. FirstResponder@HolidayInn