Fire Service Psychology Association | Site-Wide Activity

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,…

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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…

Alison Fienning and Sarah Parks are now connected

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:08:50 -0700

Alison Fienning and Elizabeth Ramquist are now connected

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:20:05 -0700

Alison Fienning and Stacy Raymond are now connected

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:15:19 -0700

Alison Fienning and Silvia DeGirolamo are now connected

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 21:42:14 -0700

Dr. Kristen Wheldon and Alison Fienning are now connected

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:50:07 -0700

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

Silvia DeGirolamo posted an update: Good morning!I’m excited to have found this group and […]

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:56:07 -0700

Good morning!

I’m excited to have found this group and looking forward to meeting folks on the upcoming calls/zooms.

For the past 18 years I’ve worked as a civilian psychologist inside the military — primarily with special operations — on talent selection/management, leader development, and human performance. My husband became a firefighter…

Silvia DeGirolamo changed their profile photo

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:23:37 -0700

Jeannelle Perkins changed their profile photo

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:51:16 -0700

Jeannelle Perkins updated their profile

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:51 -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…

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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…

Kevin Kelley changed their profile photo

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:30:28 -0700

Kevin Kelley changed their profile photo

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:28:14 -0700

Kevin Kelley updated their profile

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:26:22 -0700

Kevin Kelley changed their profile photo

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:16:35 -0700

Kevin Kelley changed their profile photo

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:15:16 -0700

Dr. Kristen Wheldon and Scott Kilpatrick are now connected

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:04:35 -0700

Greg Menvielle and Jason Mays are now connected

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:27:07 -0700

Jason Mays changed their profile photo

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:26:46 -0700

Robert Avsec and Blake Bidleman are now connected

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:44:01 -0700

Blake Bidleman changed their profile photo

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:41:43 -0700

Robert Avsec posted an update: A powerful piece of prose from one of our presenters […]

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:41:13 -0700

A powerful piece of prose from one of our presenters from our 2025 Conference, Dr. Kari Mika-Lude:

If any of you are wondering why fewer and fewer therapists are accepting insurance these days, this is why.

Imagine you have a job that pays you based on tasks completed. Pretty standard, right? But now imagine that up to a year later (or…

therapistresourceinstitute.com

Therapist Resource Institute – TRI

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 19:46:15 -0700

Some powerful prose from our Founder, Dr. Kristen Wheldon!

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Having spent the last couple of days with Dr. Wheldon at the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s Annual Fire and…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:46:29 -0700

FSPA in Washington, D.C.

FSPA Represented at the 2026 Congressional Fire Services Institute’s Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief On…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:14:52 -0700

🔥 Call for Presenters: 2026 FSPA Conference | Portland, OR | October 15–16, 2026 🔥

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief The fire service is evolving—and so is how we support the minds and hearts of those who serve. At…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:29:20 -0700

FSPA's New Continuing Education Manager

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief It give us great pleasure to announce that FSPA Member, Dr. Catherine Harris, Psy.D, has agreed to take on…

Robert Avsec posted an update: Check out this amazing article by a psychology […]

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:36:23 -0700

Check out this amazing article by a psychology student writing about her immersion into understanding firefighters and the fire service culture and how it has influenced her direction in her career pursuit.

Note to Fire Departments: If we want more culturally competent clinicinans, we need to start taking an active role in seeking them out.…

crackyl.com

An Aspiring Clinician’s Immersion in Fire Service Culture - CRACKYL

Strive A therapist-in-training discovers purpose, perspective, and a profound respect for the fire service through an immersive experience.

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:32:05 -0800

New Host for Our Monthly Mental Health Clinician Consultation

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief We at FSPA want to give our sincere thanks to Dr. Charles “Chuck” Allen, the fellow who got the…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:28:11 -0800

Let the Nominations Begin!

Honoring Those Who Serve the Fire Service: FSPA’s Annual Award Nomination Process is Open! By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Every year, the Fire Service…

Robert Avsec posted a new post.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:12:57 -0800

Keep 'em separate for better mental health balance

By: Robert Avsec, FSPA Operations Chief Love this post from my fire service colleague and fellow member here at FSPA, Matthew Thorpe, @mthorpeoafm! Another great…

Robert Avsec posted an update: From Murphy Yarborough, one of our FSPA Psychology […]

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:39:54 -0800

From Murphy Yarborough, one of our FSPA Psychology Students, over on LinkedIn:

For my final quarter at Western Washington University and in anticipation of receiving my BA in Psychology, I’ve elected to take two 400 level seminar classes of interest. The two classes, Social Psychology: The Psychological Processes of Manhood, and Health…

Angela Martin changed their profile photo

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:00:28 -0800

Angela Martin joined the group Career Opportunities

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:40:07 -0800

Angela Martin joined the group Fire Service Operations

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:40:03 -0800

Dr. Kristen Wheldon and Tim Dietz are now connected

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:13:50 -0800

Justin Kepple updated their profile

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:52:53 -0800

Justin Kepple changed their profile photo

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:49:42 -0800

Justin Kepple changed their profile photo

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:49:13 -0800

Robert Avsec posted an update: Saw this over on LinkedIn today from Michelle DeCoux […]

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:09:57 -0800

Saw this over on LinkedIn today from Michelle DeCoux Hampton RN, PhD, Editor in Chief, Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

“Key contributing factors to nurse suicide include chronic occupational stress, compassion fatigue, workplace bullying, moral distress, and limited autonomy, all compounded by a pervasive stigma around…

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