Resiliency for First Responders 0900-1100 & The Science Behind Trauma 1300-1500 presented by the First Responders Foundation
The First Responders Foundation is an organization that serves first responders and military personnel through behavioral, physical, and spiritual health. Behavioral health programs include therapy sessions, training and presentations, and support groups. Physical health programs include Gracie Jiu-Jitsu classes for all ages offered by a retired law enforcement officer and his wife. Regular events held by the First Responders Foundation include the annual Guns N Hoses hockey match and the 9/11 luncheon. Please visit their website (firstrespondersfoundation.org) to learn more about the organization!
Presenters Leah O’Brian and Mindy Hinton-
Leah O’Brian is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, Certified Professional Counselor, and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who specializes in working with first responders and their spouses. Growing up the daughter of a Lincoln Firefighter and currently the spouse of a Council Bluffs Firefighter, Leah has found her niche helping those in the first responder community. Leah is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM), and brain spotting. She also facilitates a monthly spouse support group.
Mindy Hinton is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP). Mindy has spent the last 20 years working in the mental health field in various capacities, including skill building, in-home crisis intervention, in-home therapy, and in an outpatient clinic. She has been a therapist for 16 years, specializing in the treatment of trauma, domestic violence, abuse, neglect, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, perinatal/post-partum, significant life changes including divorce, blended families, relationship conflict, personality disorders, and other mental health concerns.
Emerging and Resurgent Infectious Diseases for First Responders and EMS Management of Highly Infectious Consequence Pathogen Patients- All Day Course
This course provides first responders with the critical knowledge needed to identify, understand, and respond to emerging and resurgent infectious diseases. As well as equipping EMS personnel with the necessary skills and protocols to safely manage and transport patients with high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). The training includes in-depth guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), biohazard spill response, and waste management.
Presented by Russell Greene MBA, MS, NRP, FP-C an accomplished veteran in the Public Safety Sector. He currently serves as a Captain/Paramedic for a municipal fire department located just outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Greene is also serving as an EMT Program Coordinator. Along with serving at the local level Mr. Greene also serves as a Lead Instructor and Subject Matter Expert at the Center for Domestic Preparedness training our Nation's first responders. Mr. Greene has also had the great privilege of deploying with the Department of Health and Human Services Incident Management Team working as an Emergency Management Specialist previous deployments include Hurricane Ian, Maui Wildfires, and multiple National Special Security Events in Washington D.C.
Leadership in Emergency Services Morning 0900-1200
There are a variety of definitions for the term “Leadership” and its application to an infinite number of situations. This makes the practice of being a leader an increasingly daunting task. This workshop is not a “secret recipe” for how to lead, there is no checklist or flowchart to ensure strong leadership. Rather this will act as a source of networking between emergency service providers and be an interactive discussion of leadership’s application for first responders of all experience levels. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of effective leadership principles and be introduced to theories from a variety of subject matter experts in the leadership and team building field. The workshop will differentiate the traits and skills required for effective leadership. Participants will analyze case studies to identify practical applications of the principles, traits and skills utilized in scenarios and further apply them to role-play scenario(s). Lastly participants will be provided with tools to assist them in establishing a personal development plan to enhance their abilities as a leader in Emergency Services. Requirements for the course are a pen, pad of paper and an open mind!
Presented by Tony Siedlik, who is first and foremost a husband to a supportive wife and a father of two beautiful girls. He has SERVED as a career Firefighter for the past 21 years and for the past 4, has been in the role of Company Officer. Tony serves as an adjunct instructor for Academy Classes in his department and is currently part of the promotional list for Battalion Chief. He is a published author in Fire Engineering and is a lifelong student of the fire service with a passion for learning and growth, so that he may in turn share that knowledge and passion with others. Diagnosed at age 8 as a Type 1 Diabetic and with lessons learned from that experience, Tony believes that a foundation of fundamental skills, meticulous efforts toward efficiency/organization and planning are the keys to success for any Company serving at an Emergency Incident. He holds an AS in Fire Science, a BA in Graphic Design and has completed coursework toward an MA in Organizational Science and Leadership. Tony has spent the past 4 years on Research & Development to upgrade equipment and Incident Command procedures for “Highrise” Operations; he is actively pursuing a redesign of hose loading/deployment methods for 24 Engine Companies. He brings industry insight, creativity, and a solution-based approach to Emergency Services.
Managing Violence in EMS Afternoon 1300-1600
This course consists of lessons learned working in a very busy district of Omaha for over a decade and a half. We will discuss personal safety strategies not typically addressed in traditional EMS training. We will also discuss how to effectively communicate and attempt to de-escalate tense situations.
Presented by Shawn Whittington Jr. a seasoned Firefighter and Tactical Paramedic with 24 years of dedicated service at the Omaha Fire Department, currently assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit. He also brings valuable experience from his 4 years with the Council Bluffs Fire Department and 4 years in private EMS. Shawn is a Certified Law Enforcement Officer and an Adjunct Instructor at the Omaha Police Department training academy. He is an expert in LE Firearms, TacMed, and serves as the Senior Instructor and medical program/unarmed defense director at 88 Tactical.
Metro Community College Fire Science Virtual Reality Training Scenarios- Limited to 10 Students per Session 0900-1200 & 1300-1600
Incident Command: The company officer is in a classroom with a radio and instructor. They are given the dispatch information and a picture of the incident from the A side. The objective is to give a good approach call, assign objectives to fellow crew members, track resources, complete life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation objectives. They are provided pictures of all sides of the incident. The company officer then conducts a "hot wash" with his crew at the conclusion of the VR scenario.
Interior Operations: Two firefighters will be on the VR hose line with headset conducting interior operations. This can be fire attack as well as search and rescue. They will have a radio to communicate with incident command and pump operations. They are responsible for completing their assigned tasks and giving CAN (Conditions, Actions, Needs) reports.
Pump Operations: The fire apparatus engineer will be responsible for supplying water for interior fire operations. The engineer will also establish a water supply with a 5-inch hose. The Fire apparatus engineer will have a screen showing him the A side of the incident and will have a radio to communicate with incident command and interior operations.
Presented by Metro Community College Fire Science instructors.
First-in Fire Investigation All Day Course
The “First-in Fire Investigation” course is designed to provide firefighters and/or company officers with fundamental skills and knowledge needed to assess fire scenes and gather critical information during the early stages of a fire and subsequent investigation. This class will focus on recognizing fire origin and cause indicators, ensuring proper documentation, and understanding the importance of fire scene preservation to support successful investigations. By the end of this course, participants will better understand how their initial actions can affect a fire investigation, be able to assist and interact with investigators, identify key evidence, and contribute to the determination of the fire’s origin and cause.
Presented by David J. Sobotka, Jr. IAAI-CFI(V), CI, ECT, NAFI-CFI.
David is currently assigned to the Omaha Fire Department, Fire Investigation Unit. David has been involved in the fire service for 30 years; beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter. David has progressed through his career, earning many certifications and awards in firefighting. In 2012, David transitioned his career focus into Fire Investigation; in 2016 he became the first certified Arson Dog Handler for the Omaha Fire Department and is currently the only one in the State of Nebraska. David has obtained several certifications along with his training and experience, including becoming a State of Nebraska Certified Police Officer through the Omaha Police Department Academy. David is currently a Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Instructor, and Evidence Collection Technician through the International Association of Arson Investigators. David is also a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. David has attended courses at the National Fire Academy and Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) training center (NCETR). David is currently instructing courses related to fire and arson investigation as an adjunct instructor for Metropolitan Community College Fire Science Program and is actively involved in the Nebraska Chapter International Association of Arson Investigators as the organizations President.
General Aviation Incidents for Stuctural Departments Morning 0900-1100
This 2-hour operations-level course provides structural fire department personnel with a foundational understanding of responding to aircraft incidents outside of dedicated airport facilities where ARFF resources are unavailable. The class focuses on identifying aircraft-specific hazards, basic fire suppression techniques, and rescue considerations to ensure safe and effective incident operations. Participants will gain insight into aircraft construction, fuel and secondary hazards, and strategies for accessing and stabilizing crash scenes in rural, suburban, or urban settings. The course emphasizes firefighter safety, incident command basics, and coordination with mutual aid and EMS resources.
Presented by Waterloo Fire Captain Paul Stewart and Village of Boys Town Fire Department Assistant Chief Scott Mumm
