Office: (469) 503-1566
Cell: (469) 955-1522
Email: FFC.chaplain@gmail.com
Address: P.O. Box 567748, Dallas, Texas 75356

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2025 Pre-Conference Training Offerings

Please Note:

Pre-Conference classes are one day or two days. Scroll down to view the available programs. 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, the class may be cancelled. Affected students will be able to choose another available class or adjust their registration.

Special Instructions for Canadians

Please register and indicate that you are from Canada. We will send you the information to pay with Canadian dollars.

Two Day Classes

Two-Day Class: Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy

Instructor: 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 want to learn what fire chaplaincy is all about.

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.

Schedule

Dates:
Saturday–Sunday
October 18–19, 2025

Time:
08:30–17:00

Two-Day Class: CISM – Advanced Assisting Individuals in Crisis

Instructor: Dr. Ed Hatcher

Course Description:
Most psychological crisis intervention is done one person to one person. These interactions may be face-to-face, telephonic, email, or text. The SAFER-R model serves as a procedural guide for conducting these individual interventions.

This course builds on the basic Assisting Individuals in Crisis course. Using the SAFER-R model, participants explore advanced triage, grief, suicide intervention, follow-up and referral challenges, and self-care. The course includes video evaluations of intervention scenarios.

Prerequisite: Assisting Individuals in Crisis

Learning Objectives:

  • Natures & definitions of psychological crisis and intervention
  • Definition and role of CISM in a continuum of care
  • Empathic communication techniques
  • Practice of psychological triage
  • SAFER-Revised intervention model in suicide scenarios
  • SAFER-Revised intervention model in follow-up scenarios
  • Risks of iatrogenic harm and how to reduce them
  • Importance of self-care

Schedule

Dates:
Saturday–Sunday
October 18–19, 2025

Time:
08:30–17:00

One Day Classes

FFC Instructor Workshop

Open to FFC Members who hold an Advanced Studies Certificate.

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

Requirements:

  • Current Member in Good Standing
  • Minimum of 5 consecutive years of FFC membership
  • Received the FFC Advanced Studies Certificate

Approval Required:
Contact either of the following to participate:

Keith Smith: kwsmith46@sbcglobal.net
Jimmie Duncan: ffc.chaplain@gmail.com

Schedule

Date:
Friday, October 17, 2025

Time:
08:30–17:00

Eligibility:
Advanced Studies Certificate required
Approval from

One-Day Class: The Working Mind First Responders

This program offers resilience and mental health training for First Responders. Originally developed for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), it has now been adapted to support fire service professionals and chaplains.

The class focuses on two main areas:

  • Career Training: Tools to help First Responders build and maintain personal resiliency over the course of their careers.
  • Pre-Incident and Post-Incident Training: Practical frameworks and tools to develop resiliency when responding to critical incidents.

Schedule

Date:
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Time:
08:30–17:00

Instructor:
Greg Hochhalter

One-Day Class: Making the Death Notification

This is an advanced class developed by the Federation of Fire Chaplains to equip chaplains with the skills and sensitivity required to deliver death notifications with professionalism, care, and compassion.

Chaplains will explore procedures, emotional impact, and appropriate responses during this difficult duty, ensuring they are fully prepared to support families and agencies alike.

Schedule

Date:
Sunday, October 19, 2025

Time:
08:30–17:00

Instructor:
Keith Smith
FFC Institutes Director

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