This is the repository for presentations delivered at FSPA Conferences.
2023 Conference--Atlanta, Georgia
The 6th Annual Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) Conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 5-6, 2023.
Presentations Delivered
Developing Psychological Wellness Programs in the Fire Service. Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Rodrick “Rod” Smith and Dr. Carla Sutton Moore, PhD, LPC, FSPA Board Member.
Developing a Behavioral Health Access Program for Firefighters and Their Families. Brandy Carlson-Moore, MSW.
Give Me 5: The Domains of Fire Service Psychology. Battalion Chief (Ret.) Robert Avsec and Dr. Anne Bisek, Psy.D., FSPA Board Member
Fire Service Mental Health and Wellness in a Small, Rural State: Filling Gaps and Overcoming Barriers. Dr. Nicole Sawyer, Psy.D., and Ms. Sue Brown.
Saving Ourselves…a Systems Approach. Battalion Chief (Ret.) James Peal, Atlanta Fire Rescue.
The Unique Stressors of Fire Prevention Personnel. Fire Marshal Vince Anderson, Redlands (Calif.) Fire Department.
Origin and Development of the Peer Support Program in the Cincinnati Fire Department. Dr. Erica Birkley, Ph.D., and Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Elliott, Cincinatti (Ohio) Fire Department.
Using the A.M.E.S. (Assemble, Measure, Execute, Systematic Use) Organizational Health Assessment to Assess Public Safety Provider Behavioral Health. Michael Anthony Schlenk, Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Student
Understanding What Motivates Firefighters to Work and Challenges to That Motivation. Dr. Gustė Gramaglia, Psychotherapist, Lithuania
The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Firefighters. Dr. Abby Morris.
An Overview of Trauma Risk Management (TRiM). Dr. Kristin Wheldon, Psy.D., FSPA Board Chair
2024 Conference--Washington, D.C.
The 7th Annual Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) Conference was held October 3-4, 2024, in Washington, D.C
Keynote Address.
Dr. Jennifer O’Leary Tait, Psy.D., Chair of the American Psychological Association Division 18 Police and Public Safety Section.
Presentations
Enhancing Mental Health Literacy of Emergency Responders through E-Learning. Dr. Swee Giang Khoo, Singapore.
Preemployment Psychological Evaluations of Firefighter Candidates: Adapting the California POST Screening Dimensions. Dr. Ryan Roberts, Ph.D.
Peer Support and Clinical Support: Fire Service Working with a Clinician and Developing Mental Health Programs. Dr. Gina Dunckel, Psy.D.
Then & Now: The rapidly changing landscape of gender norms and the hidden impact on trauma. Dr. Nicole Sawyer, Psy.D.
Neck Up Check Ups: Preventing Suicide Through Prevention. Ms. Alison Fienning, MSW
Psychological Fitness for Duty Evaluations in the Fire Service. Dr. Lew Schlosser, Ph.D.
Identifying and Addressing Operational Stress in First Responders and Their Families: Evidence from Two Psychoeducation and Support Programs. Dr. Megan McElheran, Ph.D., Canada
Does the Personality Count? Firefighters’ Personality Traits Relationship with Leadership Styles, Work Motivation and General Wellbeing. Dr. Gustė Gramaglia, Psy.D., Lithuania
Fatigue Management for Emergency Responders. Dr. Mellena Nichols, Ph.D.
Human Factors Applied to Firefighter Traumatic Occupational Death on the Fire Ground, Needed Tools. Dr. Burton Clark, Ed.M.
State of the Industry Roundtable. Panel discussion/roundtable session led by Dr. Kristen Wheldon, Psy.D.
2025 Conference--Pearland, Texas
The 8th Annual Fire Service Psychology Association (FSPA) Conference was held October 9-10, 2025, in Pearland, Texas
Keynote Speaker
Eduardo “Eddy” Liceaga, Firefighter/EMT-B with the Pearland (Tex.) Fire Department.
Presentations
Effective Psychological Fitness for Duty Evaluations in Fire Services. Dr. Daniel R. Altman, Ph.D.
Effective Psychological Pre-Employment Evaluations in Fire Services. Dr. Daniel R. Altman, Ph.D.
Fire Service Seatbelt Use: A 20-Year Case Study. Dr. Burton A. Clark, Ed. D., EFO (Co-presenting with Chief Jason Mays, Amarillo (Tex.) Fire Department)
Stress Reduction for Mental Health Practitioners Serving Firefighters. Dr. Ben Bernstein, Ph.D
Human Factors in the Dutch Fire Service: Changing the Culture to Normalize Mental Resilience. Captain Jasper Brouwer, Psychologist, The Netherlands
Re-Humanizing the Heroes: Recognizing and Confronting the Dehumanization of First Responders. Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, Ph. D and Firefighter Allen Lude
The Slow Burn: Understanding the Morbidity of Suicidality. Dr. Catherine Harris, Psy. D.
Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Training Among First Responders. Dr. Kristen Wheldon, Psy. D, and Fire Captain Heather Buren, San Franciso (Calif.) Fire Department
Intro to AI for the Fire Service and Mental Health Professionals. Greg Menvielle, Co-Founder and CEO, Okaya
2026 Conference--Portland, Oregon
Will be updated following the conference in October 2026.