2026 FSPA Conference

Schedule

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Last years schedule

Day 1 – October 9th
Time	Session
8:00 am – 8:40 am	Introduction of Pearland FD Chief, J.J. Taylor for Opening Remarks by Robert Avsec, Master of Ceremonies, followed by the Presentation of Colors and our National Anthem.
8:40 am – 9:00 am	Avsec introduces Keynote Speaker, Firefighter Eduardo “Eddy” Liceaga.
9:00 am – 9:30 am	Wheldon & Avsec: Presentation of FSPA Awards.
9:30 am – 9:40 am	Break (10 minutes)
9:40 am – 11:00 am	Effective Psychological Pre-Employment Evaluations in Fire Services, Daniel R. Altman, Ph. D.
11:00 am – 11:10 am	Break (10 minutes)
11:10 am – 12:30 pm	Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Training Among First Responders—Kristen Wheldon, Psy. D & Captain Heather Buren
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm	Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:50 pm	Re-Humanizing the Heroes: Recognizing and Confronting the Dehumanization of First Responders, Kari Mika-Lude, Ph. D. & Firefighter Allen Lude
2:50 pm – 3:00 pm	Break (10 minutes)
3:00 pm – 4:20 pm	Fire Service Seatbelt Use: A 20-Year Case Study—Burt Clark, Ed. D and Fire Chief Jason Mays.
4:20 pm – 4:30 pm	Break (10 minutes)
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm	FSPA Membership Meeting

Day 2 – October 10th
Time	Session
8:00 am – 8:05 am	Opening Remarks from MC Robert Avsec.
8:05 am – 8:35 am	Presentation by Pearland FD
8:35 am – 8:45 am	Break (10 minutes)
8:45 am – 10:05 am	Human Factors in the Dutch Fire Service: Changing the Culture to Normalize Mental Resilience, Jasper Tobias Brouwer, Master of Science (Psychologist); Captain (Royal Netherlands Air Force).
10:05 am – 10:15 am	Break (10 minutes)
10:15 am – 11:35 am	Effective Psychological Fitness for Duty Evaluations in Fire Services, Daniel R. Altman, Ph. D.
11:35 am – 12:35 pm	Lunch
12:35 pm – 1:55 pm	The Slow Burn: Understanding the Morbidity of Suicidality—Catherine Harris, Psy. D
1:55 pm – 2:00 pm	Break (10 minutes)
2:00 pm – 3:25 pm	Stress Reduction for Mental Health Practitioners Serving Firefighters—Ben Bernstein, Ph. D
3:25 pm – 3:35 pm	Break (10 minutes)
3:35 pm – 4:55 pm	AI for Fire Departments and Mental Health Professionals: A Primer, Greg Menvielle
4:55 pm – 5:05 pm	Break (10 minutes)
5:05 pm – 5:30 pm	Dr. Gina Dunckel: Announcement of location for FSPA Conference in 2026 and presentation by the host city.
5:30 pm – Close of Conference	Close of Conference