Fire Service Psychology Association | Robert Avsec | Activity

Robert Avsec posted an update: I've added a new page, Past FSPA Conference […]

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:09:04 -0700

I’ve added a new page, Past FSPA Conference Presentations, that has all the presentations that were delivered at our FSPA Conference for the years, 2023-2025.

Check it out (I’ll help you to navigate to it on your first try!). From the FSPA Homepage, on the Main Menu,

Clicke on the three dots (…) to the right of the About Us tab
Select…

firepsychology.org

Past FSPA Conference Presentations – Fire Service Psychology Association

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:37:31 -0700

FSPA Psychologist Earns APA Certification!

I saw the following post today over on LinkedIn from one of our FSPA Members, Dr. Erica Birkley, Ph.D. Congratulations Dr. Birkley! After a three…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:05:57 -0700

Suicides: Who Do They Tell (Before doing it)

From a post today over on LinkedIn by Battalion Chief Dena Ali: Less than 5% disclosed their thoughts of suicide to a clinician, less than…

Robert Avsec posted an update: According to neuroscientist and trauma expert Dr. […]

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:22:03 -0700

According to neuroscientist and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry, trauma embeds itself in the lower regions of the brain, the brain stem and midbrain – responsible for survival responses like fight, flight, and freeze.

Logical reasoning cannot pull someone out of survival mode; the brain must first be regulated through sensory, rhythmic, and…

crackyl.com

From the Frontlines to a New Finish Line - CRACKYL

Strive How horses help firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement officers, and other first responders regulate, restore, and reconnect.

Robert Avsec posted an update: Saw this over at LinkedIn from one of my 1st […]

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:37:40 -0700

Saw this over at LinkedIn from one of my 1st level connections, Dr. Rachel Wood, Ph.D., and a real leader in helping us learn more about the intersection of mental and behavioral healh and AI. Check it out.

Grateful to contribute to this American Psychological Association article focused on AI use in therapy.

AI chatbots may be the largest…

Robert Avsec posted an update: I want to give a "shout out" to those FSPA Members […]

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 17:40:30 -0700

I want to give a “shout out” to those FSPA Members who’ve “stepped up” to serve on the Task Groups that will select our honorees for 2026 that will be presented at FSPA’s Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon in October!

Task Group ECHO–Psychologist of the Year

Dr. Silvia DeGirolamo, Task Group Leader

Dr. Rick Boone

Dr. Diana Concannon…

Robert Avsec posted an update: We are so pleased to share our latest publication from our […]

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:28:20 -0700

We are so pleased to share our latest publication from our Family First Responder Inc. project. In this paper, Re: Building families: Evaluating a psychoeducation and support program for spouses of Canadian emergency first responders, we rigorously tested the impacts of the Re: Building Families (RBF) psychoeducation program with…

sciencedirect.com

Page restricted | ScienceDirect

Robert Avsec posted an update: In his latest "Friday Truth" article on CRACKYL Magazine, […]

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:13:31 -0700

In his latest “Friday Truth” article on CRACKYL Magazine, Kory Pearn once again delivers a healthy dose of “truth.” Here’s how it starts…you’ll want to read the whole piece, of that I’m sure! Check out, Sometimes the Shadow Is Our Own.

The greatest burden is often the person we believe we have to be

Early in my career, I spent a lot of…

crackyl.com

Sometimes the Shadow Is Our Own - CRACKYL

Thrive The greatest burden is often the person we believe we have to be.

Robert Avsec posted an update: The United States has one of the highest fire death rates […]

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:10:11 -0700

The United States has one of the highest fire death rates in the industrialized world. Not because the firefighters aren’t good enough. Not because the apparatus isn’t fast enough. Because of culture.

Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO has been saying that since 1970. He became a volunteer firefighter that year, a career firefighter two years later,…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Dr. Kelly Dean Schartz is the nominee and this is the […]

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:50:56 -0700

Dr. Kelly Dean Schartz is the nominee and this is the latest from a team he’s on.

Introduction

Emergency first responders (EFR; e.g. police, firefighters, paramedics) are at increased risk for psychological injury because of their repeated exposure to potentially psychological traumatic events.

The impacts of operational stress can also have…

doi.org

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Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:23:26 -0700

Announcing the Nominees for FSPA's Annual Awards!

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief The nominations for FSPA’s Annual Awards are now closed and I’m delighted to share the names of this year’s…

Robert Avsec and Pamela Holens are now connected

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:51:48 -0700

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:28:12 -0700

Complete Your FSPA Member Profile—Because Connections Matter

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief One of the greatest strengths of the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) is the diversity and depth of experience…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:41:09 -0700

The Cost of Caring: Why Self‑Care Must Be a Priority in the Fire Service and Mental Health Professions

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief In the fire service and in mental health care, we are trained to show up for others on their…

Robert Avsec and Missi Brown are now connected

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:35:23 -0700

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 02:09:26 -0700

How are we doing mid-2026?

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Can you believe that in just a few days we’ll be halfway through another year? And it’s only a…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Check out my latest post on the subject […]

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:18:21 -0700

Check out my latest post on the subject from LinkedIn.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-arent-we-buckling-up-fire-service-contradiction-deep-robert-avsec-csjde/

linkedin.com

Why Aren’t We Buckling Up? A Fire Service Contradiction with Deep Psychological Consequences

As the Operations Chief for the Fire Service Psychology Association- Admin, I spend much of my time working alongside psychologists and master’s-level clinicians who support the mental health of firefighters. In those conversations—whether in training rooms, peer support sessions, or … Continue reading

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:14:47 -0700

Podcast featurning FSPA's Dr. Carla Moore, Psy.D.

Twenty-five years in mental health. Over twenty devoted exclusively to law enforcement, firefighters, corrections officers, and 911 operators. Named Psychologist of the Year by the…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Most psychologists who work with first responders come […]

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:09:08 -0700

Most psychologists who work with first responders come from the outside — and spend years earning trust. Dr. Carla Sutton Moore built her career from the inside out.

Twenty-five years in mental health. Over twenty devoted exclusively to law enforcement, firefighters, corrections officers, and 911 operators. Named Psychologist of the Year by the…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:28:12 -0700

What a great FSPA Kitchen Table Meeting We Had Today!

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Absolutely the best FSPA Kitchen Table Meeting that I’ve had the pleasure of hosting! Thanks to today’s participants–And boy…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:19:39 -0700

What Makes Retirement from the Fire Service Different?

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operation Chief Leave it to my fire service colleague, Kory Pearn, to answer that question in a big way! In addition…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:37:45 -0700

PhD-level Psychologists don’t just “help people”

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief This one came across my LinkedIn feed from my 1st level LinkedIn connections, Dr. Deanna Drahovzal, Clinical Psychologist, Co-CEO,…

Robert Avsec posted an update: This article from FireRescue1 may be almost two years […]

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:46:26 -0700

This article from FireRescue1 may be almost two years old but in the publishing world they call this an evergreen article. Why? Because it’s never going out of vogue! And that’s why the work of Task Group ALPHA, Developing Guidelines for a Fire Department Mental and Behavioral Health Program matters.

Because without guidelines that have… Read more

firerescue1.com

3 steps to creating a successful peer support team in the fire service

Empower and optimize your department’s team by selecting quality members, providing thorough training and future planning to avoid burnout

Robert Avsec posted an update: Dr. Emil Rodolfa and Dr. Lydia McGaffee, a […]

Fri, 22 May 2026 21:36:07 -0700

Dr. Emil Rodolfa and Dr. Lydia McGaffee, a Fire
Service Psychology Association psychologist member, are the tentative guest
editors for the new Special Issue, Mental Health and Psychological
Resilience in Firefighters of the academic journal Fire. Fire (ISSN
2571-6255) is open access and peer-reviewed, and you can learn more about the
scope of…

Robert Avsec posted an update: In his latest post on CRACKYL Magazine, Kory […]

Fri, 22 May 2026 16:29:05 -0700

In his latest post on CRACKYL Magazine, Kory Pearn, firefighter, founder, and editor of the magazine really “nails it!” IMHO

“Firefighter [mental and behavioral] wellness needs to shift from fear-based messaging toward strength-based systems that aim to sustain, and not diminish, those…

crackyl.com

Here’s What We Got Wrong About Firefighter Wellness - CRACKYL

Thrive Firefighter wellness needs to shift from fear-based messaging toward strength-based systems that aim to sustain those who serve.

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:58:27 -0700

Get to Know Your FSPA Operations Chief

FSPA Operations Chief Robert Avsec is a retired fire service professional, author, and advocate focused on firefighter leadership and mental health. Here’s a clear overview…

Robert Avsec posted an update: What happens when an AI chatbot starts to feel personal, […]

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:01:50 -0700

What happens when an AI chatbot starts to feel personal, and then you decide to leave?

In this episode of The People’s AI, presented by the Vana Foundation, we explore a new and increasingly important question in AI: can you take your AI memory, chat history, and personal context with you when you switch models?

As AI assistants become more…

Robert Avsec posted an update: It's a good day for clinical social workers in […]

Thu, 21 May 2026 20:55:36 -0700

It’s a good day for clinical social workers in private practice… the Social Work Interstate Compact has finally been enacted! This starts the countdown for estimated 9-12 months for states to begin issuing multi-state licenses.…

linkedin.com

It's a good day for clinical social workers in private practice... the Social Work Interstate Compact has finally been enacted! This starts the countdown for estimated 9-12 months for states to begin… | Christopher Brown, LICSW | 43 comments

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 20 May 2026 20:33:05 -0700

From Fitness to Fulfillment: The New Challenge Facing Retired Firefighters

By: Robert Avsec, Batt. Chief/Paramedic (Ret.), FSPA Operations Chief For much of the 20th century, many firefighters in large departments—such as Boston, Philadelphia, and New…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Firefighters and EMS professionals operate in […]

Tue, 19 May 2026 20:43:40 -0700

Firefighters and EMS professionals operate in environments defined by chaos, trauma, and split-second decision-making. Yet, despite these realities, many departments still rely on psychological assessment tools that were never designed for the fire service—or worse, skip them…

fireemsleaderpro.org

Why Fire Departments Need Fire-Service-Specific Psychological Assessments: A Strategic Imperative for Safety, Readiness, and Retention – Fire & EMS Leader Pro

Robert Avsec posted an update: Greetings FSPA Members! 😊Our community is built […]

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:57:39 -0700

Greetings FSPA Members! 😊

Our community is built on dedication, compassion, and the commitment to support those who serve. Now is your opportunity to play a direct role in recognizing the very best among us.

I’m excited to invite you to step forward and volunteer for one of our FSPA 2026 “Of the Year” Task Groups—a meaningful way to help…

firepsychology.org

2026 FSPA Award Nominations – Fire Service Psychology Association

Robert Avsec posted an update: Here are the details for “Dr. Chuck” services. FYI, he […]

Mon, 18 May 2026 16:41:51 -0700

Here are the details for “Dr. Chuck” services. FYI, he was a Nebraska Cornhusker by birth so his services are in his hometown:

For those who can attend, the celebration of life will be held on Sat May 30th, with the viewing on May 29th.

“Celebration of Life” for Chuck will be on Saturday, May 30 at 10:00 am

Cantrell Funeral Home – 609 S…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Mon, 18 May 2026 01:57:23 -0700

In Memorium: Dr. Charles "Chuck" Allen

The late Charles “Chuck” Allen was an early member of FSPA and was actively engaged in the organization as a member of the Board of…

Robert Avsec posted an update: […]

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:58:40 -0700

The rise of moral distress: How ‘make it work’ is slowly breaking the fire service

Every deferred engine, denied staffing request and compromised rescue plan leaves behind moral residue chiefs can’t shake

A really good article with references that FSPA Fire Services members will recognize and that FSPA clinicians can really benefit from…

firerescue1.com

The rise of moral distress: How ‘make it work’ is slowly breaking the fire service

Every deferred engine, denied staffing request and compromised rescue plan leaves behind moral residue chiefs can’t shake

Robert Avsec posted an update: The following message comes from FSPA's founder and […]

Sun, 17 May 2026 01:55:12 -0700

The following message comes from FSPA’s founder and Board of Advisors Chair, Dr. Kristen Wheldon:

“I’m heartbroken to share that Dr. Charles “Chuck” Allen passed away on May 15, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.”

“For so many of us in the Fire Service Psychology Association, “Dr. Chuck” wasn’t just a colleague, he was friend, a…

Robert Avsec posted an update: The Firehouse Yak: How the Fire Service […]

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:51:29 -0700

The Firehouse Yak: How the Fire Service Psychology Association is Leading Efforts in Firehouses

Peter Matthews, Editor at FIREHOUSE Magazine is joined by Robert Avsec and Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski from the Fire Service Psychology Association to discuss firefighter wellness as part of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

On the podcast, Tracy and I…

podbean.com

How the Fire Service Psychology Association is Leading Efforts in Firehouses | The Firehouse Podcast

Retired chief Robert Avsec and Dr. Tracy Hejmanowski, who work with the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA), dive into the topics of firefighter mental health and psychology as part of the annual Mental Health Awareness Month. Avsec relates firefighter mental health support for firefighters like hazmat responses, with four … Continue reading

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 12 May 2026 18:20:55 -0700

This Isn’t a Hose-Measuring Contest Anymore

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief The title of this post comes from a recent article by the same name published on CRACKYL Magazine. Below…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:51:41 -0700

FSPA Seeks Member to Serve as Newsletter Managing Editor

We are seeking an FSPA member to serve in a volunteer capacity as Managing Editor to create and maintain an online quarterly newsletter for…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Task Group DELTA has been given the 27 […]

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:36:49 -0700

Task Group DELTA has been given the 27 presentation proposals for the 2026 FSPA Conference in Portland, Oregon, October 15-16, 2026, that were received by the submission deadline of April 28, 2026.

Thank you to our five FSPA member psychologists who have volunteered to review those proposals and select the presentations for our conference!

Robert Avsec and Frank Dellucky are now connected

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:43:32 -0700

Robert Avsec posted an update: Picked up this one over on LinkedIn from my colleague […]

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:06:42 -0700

Picked up this one over on LinkedIn from my colleague and researcher extraordinaire, Sara Jahnke, PhD.

I’m going to say something that probably won’t surprise anyone in this space.

A peer-reviewed review (say that 5 times fast) published in the Harvard Review of Psychiatry found PTSD prevalence rates of 6–32% among law enforcement officers,…

linkedin.com

ResponderStrong | LinkedIn

ResponderStrong | 1,133 followers on LinkedIn. RespongerStrong acknowledges and supports the common and diverse challenges of the Responder community. | ResponderStrong, a community of and for Emergency Responders, acknowledges diversity in the Responder community by providing Responders, Families, and Agencies … Continue reading

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:46:52 -0700

“We have to be held responsible for what we say”

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Sharing this post from a LinkedIn colleague, Bill Carey, Associate Editor for FireRescue1 and EMS1 at Lexipol. I heard…

Robert Avsec and Alison Fienning are now connected

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:50:04 -0700

Robert Avsec posted an update: In the fire service, most of us have seen it firsthand: […]

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 21:59:49 -0700

In the fire service, most of us have seen it firsthand: the quiet (or not so quiet) tension between EMTs and paramedics. Labels get thrown around. Egos get bruised. But when the tones drop, everyone knows the truth—the system only works because both roles matter.

That same lesson applies to how we support the psychological well‑being of…

firepsychology.org

Beyond “Paragods”: Why Fire Departments Need the Whole Team – Fire Service Psychology Association

Robert Avsec and Stacy Raymond are now connected

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:49:43 -0700

Robert Avsec posted an update: When topics like trauma, suicide risk, and behavioral […]

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:56:18 -0700

When topics like trauma, suicide risk, and behavioral health are presented by individuals without psychological training or licensure, the risk of misinformation—and unintended harm—is real.

In this article, I describe the position of the Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) that psychological content at major fire service conferences…

lnkd.in

Psychological Expertise Matters in the Fire Service

I recently attended a national fire service conference, along with several of my fellow Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) members, where we observed a presentation addressing a critical psychological issue in the fire service that was delivered by individuals who … Continue reading

Robert Avsec and Silvia DeGirolamo are now connected

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 01:12:17 -0700

Robert Avsec and Jeannelle Perkins are now connected

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:06:18 -0700

Robert Avsec posted an update: Our newest published author, our own Dr. Kristen Wheldon, […]

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:26:31 -0700

Our newest published author, our own Dr. Kristen Wheldon, is raffling off a signed copy of her book, Fire Service Psychology: A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Firefighter Health, Safety, and Longevity at the FSPA Meet & Greet at FDIC in Indianapolis!

See the link for details but hurry because the deadline to register for the raffle is…

facebook.com

Burton Clark

The FSPA will raffle a signed copy of Dr. Wheldon’s new book at our Meet & Greet. Sign up to attend, must be present to win.

Robert Avsec posted an update: Greetings FSPA Members! 😊 First, let me apologize to […]

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:05:34 -0700

Greetings FSPA Members! 😊

First, let me apologize to Dr. Elizabeth Ramquist for the technical glitch that didn’t allow for her “2nd day on the job” as the host for our Monthly Clinicians Consultation (MCC) session.

The link took for those who tried to sign in today’s session took them to the February 11, 2026session, which of course is in…