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2026 First Responder Wellness Conference
Wednesday, September 2
 

9:00am EDT

Dropping the Shield
Wednesday September 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
Dropping the Shield is a presentation focused on first responder mental health and the importance of proactive practices that support long-term wellness. Through my personal experiences in the fire service and the realities of trauma inside and outside the yellow tape, the message challenges the culture of silence and encourages responders and their families to drop the emotional shield we often...
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Speakers
avatar for Kenny Mitchell, Jr.

Kenny Mitchell, Jr.

Founder, Operation Yellow Tape

Wednesday September 2, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
  Keynote

10:30am EDT

Break
Wednesday September 2, 2026 10:30am - 10:45am EDT
N/A

Wednesday September 2, 2026 10:30am - 10:45am EDT
N/A
  Other

10:45am EDT

Beyond the Uniform With the LT’s Daughter: Strengthening First Responder Families and How the Job Can Affect Your Kids
Wednesday September 2, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
This session explores the often-overlooked experiences of kids growing up in law enforcement homes, and how family wellness directly impacts officer wellness and career longevity. This educational, story-driven presentation is designed for f irst responders and their families, drawing from Katherine Boyle’s personal experience as the daughter of a retired police lieutenant and her professional...
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Speakers
avatar for Katherine Boyle

Katherine Boyle

Founder, Beyond the Uniform

Wednesday September 2, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
  Keynote

11:30am EDT

Lunch (provided)
Wednesday September 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom EF

Wednesday September 2, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom EF
  Other

12:30pm EDT

Behind the Badge, Behind the Walls: How Family Systems Impact Responder Health
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
104-105
This session explores how the patterns and dynamics within our families shape the way responders handle stress and stay grounded. Using the eight concepts of Bowen Theory, we will look at why certain reactions and roles show up in responder households and how those patterns influence well-being both at home and at work. The focus is on helping responders understand their own family system so they...
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Speakers
avatar for Kristina Moore

Kristina Moore

Senior Behavioral Health Coordinator, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue

Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
104-105
  Breakout

12:30pm EDT

Building Your Legacy Beyond the Uniform
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
This interactive workshop builds on the presentation “Beyond the Uniform With the LT’s Daughter” by guiding participants through Katherine Boyle’s BTU Framework: Community, Intentionality, and Personal Values. Designed for first responders, this session creates space for conversation and practical application. Participants will examine who they surround themselves with, how they show up in...
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Speakers
avatar for Katherine Boyle

Katherine Boyle

Founder, Beyond the Uniform

Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
  Breakout

12:30pm EDT

Exploring Recent Trends in Peer Support
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
106-107
In this session, the facilitator and participants will discuss the recent evolution of Public Safety Peer Support. Various types of organized peer support have been practiced for nearly 50 years, and while there has been steady systems growth and updated protocol, many practices have not kept pace, and change is in order. Session topics will include a review of peer support models in use in...
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Speakers
avatar for Kit Cummings

Kit Cummings

Law Enforcement Peer Support Specialist, Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program

Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
106-107
  Breakout

12:30pm EDT

The Weight We Carry: Through the Lens of a Survivor; Trauma, Grief, Resilience and Wellness for Those Who Serve
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
108-109
Your shift will never be the same. Mine wasn’t either. First responders are equipped to respond to crisis after crisis, but are we equipped to handle the ongoing and cumulative effects of trauma, grief, loss, and survivor’s guilt? These jobs and our desire to serve others often cause us to carry an invisible weight. We try to do this on our own because we believe it’s expected of us. We...
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Speakers
avatar for Scharnelle Hamlin

Scharnelle Hamlin

Homicide Support Group Coordinator, Virginia Victim Assistance Network
Wednesday September 2, 2026 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
108-109
  Breakout

2:00pm EDT

Break
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
  Other

2:30pm EDT

Back on Track: CommonHealth’s Guide to a Healthy Back
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
106-107
If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It is estimated that more than 16 million adults experience chronic back pain. Most back problems are not the result of a single injury but rather result from months or years of poor posture, improper body mechanics, tight or weak muscles, and a lack of overall fitness....
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Speakers
MG

Marylouise Gerden

CommonHealth Wellness Consultant, Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
CD

Cynthia Duncan

CommonHealth Wellness Consultant, Virginia Department of Human Resource Management
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
106-107
  Breakout

2:30pm EDT

Behind the Badge, Behind the Walls: How Family Systems Impact Responder Health
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
104-105
This session explores how the patterns and dynamics within our families shape the way responders handle stress and stay grounded. Using the eight concepts of Bowen Theory, we will look at why certain reactions and roles show up in responder households and how those patterns influence well-being both at home and at work. The focus is on helping responders understand their own family system so they...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Kristina Moore

Kristina Moore

Senior Behavioral Health Coordinator, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue

Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
104-105
  Breakout

2:30pm EDT

Financial Wellness for First Responders
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
108-109
Join us for an in-depth session tailored to law enforcement officers, covering key financial strategies for retirement, wealth management, and more. Attendees will gain essential financial knowledge to help them manage their money with confidence. They will learn practical steps to prepare for a secure retirement, along with clear strategies for navigating taxes, income planning, and building...
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Speakers
MT

Matthew Tuttle

Business Development Associate, Financial Growth Partners
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
108-109
  Breakout

2:30pm EDT

Unhurried: The Art of Slowing
Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
Life is busy. We’re constantly going from one thing to the next, especially as first responders. Do you wish you had more time to enjoy the things that matter most to you? If so, you are not alone. In this workshop, we will explore the concept of “hurry sickness” and how it affects our health, work performance, relationships, and spirituality. You will walk away with practical tips and...
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Speakers
avatar for Mary Ghali

Mary Ghali

Speaker, NOTA Fitness

Wednesday September 2, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
  Breakout
 

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Wednesday, September 2
Thursday, September 3
Friday, September 4
104-105
106-107
108-109
Grand Ballroom (ABCD)
Grand Ballroom EF
N/A
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