2025 Pre-Conference Training Offerings

Please Note

Pre-Conference classes are one day or two days. You may only select one, two-day class or you can choose one or both of the one day classes.

There is not a Spouse Program during the Pre-Conference

If a minimum of 10 students in a class is not reached by September 15, 2025, we will be forced to cancel the class, and the student will have the option of attending any available class or amending their registration.

TWO DAY CLASSES

Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy

Saturday-Sunday (October 18-19), 2025, 0830-1700

Instructors: Dr. Gordon Kouwenberg


Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy is a two-day course designed as a “Survey of Fire Chaplaincy”. It is appropriate for new chaplains, experienced chaplains, and those who just want to learn what fire chaplaincy is all about. The course topics include: Foundations, Personhood of the Chaplain, Beginning a Fire Chaplaincy Program, Ministry to Firefighters Assisting those in Crisis, Chaplain Code of Conduct and Ethics, the Chaplain’s Response, On-Scene Operations, Incident Management, Stress Management, Firefighter Injury and Line of Duty Death, and Fire Service Funerals                                              

 Includes FFC Essentials Manual.


CISM: Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis


Saturday-Sunday (October 18-19), 2025, 0830-1700

Instructor: Dr. Ed Hatcher

Course Description:

Most psychological crisis intervention is done one person to one person, rather than in groups. These interactions may be face-to-face (in person or electronically), telephonic, via email, or even via text messaging. The SAFER-R model of individual psychological crisis intervention was developed to serve as a simple protocol or procedural guide to aid in conducting such individual psychological crisis interventions.

This two day course builds upon, and is the logical continuation of, the basic ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS course. Using the SAFER-R framework as a platform, participants are introduced to scenario based variations of the model. Topics such as advanced psychological triage, grief, suicide intervention, challenges in follow up and referral, and self-care are addressed. In addition, participants are asked to evaluate pre-recorded video examples of crisis intervention using the SAFER-R model.

*Prerequisite: Assisting Individuals in Crisis

Learning Objectives:

  • Natures & definitions of a psychological crisis and psychological crisis intervention
  • Nature and definition of critical incident stress management and its role as a continuum of care
  • Empathic communication techniques
  • Practice of psychological triage
  • SAFER-Revised model of individual psychological crisis intervention in s suicide scenario
  • SAFER-Revised model of individual psychological crisis intervention in a “follow-up” or referral scenario
  • Risks of iatrogenic “harm” associated with psychological crisis intervention and will further discuss how to reduce those risks
  • Self-Care


ONE DAY CLASSES


Working Minds

Saturday (October 18, 2025) ONLY


Instructor: 

This program offers resilience and mental health training. Originally developed for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It has now been developed into a class for First Responders. It focuses on two areas:

Career training that provides tools for the First Responder to help them develop personal resiliency for the duration of their careers. 

Pre-Incident and Post-Incident training to provide the building blocks and tools necessary to develop resiliency as they encounter critical incidents.


Making the Death Notification

Sunday (October 19, 2025) ONLY

Instructor: Keith Smith, FFC Institutes Director

This is an Advanced Class developed by the Federation of fire Chaplains to equip Chaplains with the task of Death Notifications.

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FFC Instructor Workshop

(FOR MEMBERS WITH AN ADVANCED STUDIES CERTIFICATE ONLY)


Friday October 17, 2025, 0830-1700

Requires Approval by Institutes Director Keith Smith or Executive Director Jimmie Duncan to participate.

Keith Smith: kwsmith46@sbcglobal.net

Jimmie Duncan: FFC.chaplain@gmail.com

Requirements:

  • Current Member in "Good Standing" 
  • Have been a Member in FFC for a minimum of 5 consecutive years.
  • Have received the FFC Advanced Studies Certificate

This one-day workshop is for those interested in becoming FFC Instructors and is required every five years for current instructors. 

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