Help Find the Best Presentations for Our Conference

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Conference Manager

The six month mark for our 8th Annual Conference is just around the corner. 😊

Reminder that our next Conference Planning Meeting will take place on May 19th, 2025, 10:00 am PST / 1:00 pm DST. It’s not too late to join the Conference Planning Committee, just send me an email to chiefavsec@firepsychology.org.

Meanwhile, the Call for Presentations closes on May 30, 2025, and I haven’t had a chance to look at how many have been received to date. In a conversation with Dr. Wheldon a couple of days ago, an idea sprang up and that is to ask each of you 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 Pearland, Texas, on October 9-10, 2025.
This year’s conference will bring together leading experts, practitioners, and advocates dedicated to advancing the mental health and well-being of fire service professionals. It is a unique opportunity to share your expertise, engage with a dynamic audience, and contribute to the growth of this essential field.
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.
If you are interested in presenting, please submit your proposal at https://firepsychology.org/conference-call-for-papers/, by May 2, 2025.

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]

For each “find” that you discover, please send me an email at chiefavsec@firepsychology.org with the following data which we’re putting into a spreadsheet to track how we’re doing in this effort.

Thank you for your support in helping to make our 8th Annual Conference this October even bigger and better as we continue our focus on having the best presentations pertinent to fire psychology.