Help Find the Best Presentations for Our 2026 Conference

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief

Hard to believe that we’re now in the 2nd quarter of the 21st Century, aka, the year 2026, and here we are! Our 9th Annual FSPA Conference in Portland, Oregon is already just a little over 9 months away and we’re already getting things “rolling” from a planning standpoint. Our Conference Lead from our 2025 conference in Pearland, Texas, Dr. Gina Dunckel, is already heavily involved with Matt Laas and his team at the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office–our host for the conference–in getting them started on the road to October (Save big time by registering for the conference before May 1st, 2026 for $300 off your registration)!

The Call for Presentation Proposals is currently open and closes on April 28th, 2026. This is where you–one of our valued FSPA members!–come in! I’m asking you to do some literature searching for peer-reviewed articles/publications regarding firefighter mental and behavioral health.

Here are some excellent search engines and platforms to find peer-reviewed articles on firefighter mental health issues:

• PubMed: A comprehensive resource for biomedical literature, including mental health research.
• Google Scholar: A widely-used tool for academic articles across various disciplines.
• PsycINFO: A database by the American Psychological Association, focusing on psychology and related fields. Accessible through many university libraries.
• SpringerLink: Offers access to journals and books, including topics on mental health in first responders.
• Frontiers in Psychology: A journal platform with open-access articles on psychology, including firefighter mental health.
• BMC Public Health: Features research on public health, including PTSD and mental health in firefighters.
• ResearchGate: A platform where researchers share their work, including studies on firefighter mental health.

If you have access to a university library, their databases often provide additional resources like JSTOR or ProQuest.

Your “Pitch Letter”

When you find a “good one,” look up the authors, and send them an email with the following invitation:

Subject: Invitation to Present at the Annual Fire Service Psychology Association Conference

Dear [Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I found your [Title of Article or Paper] to be informative and educational. On behalf of the Fire Service Psychology Association, I am delighted to invite you to submit a presentation proposal for our Annual Conference, which will be held in Portland, Oregon, on October 15-16, 2026.

This year’s conference will bring together leading experts, practitioners, and advocates dedicated to advancing the fire psychology as a recognized field of psychology for the betterment of mental and behavioral health programs for firefighters and EMS personnel (DYK, that roughly 70-percent of fire departments also provide EMS to their communities?). Presenting at our FSPA conference is a unique opportunity to share your expertise, engage with a dynamic audience, and contribute to the growth of this essential field of psychology.

As a valued thought leader, your insights and experiences would be a tremendous asset to our program. Presentations may be in the form of workshops, panel discussions, or individual lectures.
Learn more about our call for presentations process–and to submit your proposal!–at FSPA’s Call for Conference Presentations webpage, https://firepsychology.org/conference-call-for-papers/, by April 28th, 2026.

We look forward to the possibility of showcasing your expertise at this important event and hope you’ll join us in shaping the future of fire service psychology.
Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title/Role]
Fire Service Psychology Association
[Your Contact Information]

Thank you for your support in helping to make our 9th Annual Conference this October even bigger and better as we continue our focus on having the best presentations pertinent to fire psychology.