Presents:
2026 First Responder Wellness Conference
First Responder Wellness Conference
***Cancelled***
2026 Conference Sponsors
Registration Fee:
Regular Ticket- $199.00
Retiree Ticket- $50.00
Significant Other- $50.00
Conference and Gala $239
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Attendance Options
Track A- General Conference Topics
Track B - Keynote Presentation with Basic Peer Support Training
Significant Others- Thursday Only Relationship Covered Topics​
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NEW ITEMS and HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR
-Basic Peer Support Training Option
-Free Massages for Attendees
-Free EMDR Sessions for Attendees
- Reduced Registration Fee for Significant Others
-Gala Combined with Conference!!!
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A limited number of scholarships are available for free attendance at the conference. Email contact@peersupportfoundation.org for more information.
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First Responder Wellness Conference
The conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines Iowa on September 19-19, 2025. The conference will include topics and information related to first responder wellness, trauma, and peer support.
Goal
The Peer Support Foundation is committed to proactively addressing the stressors that can occur throughout the lives of first responders and their families.
Who Should Attend?
The First Responder Wellness Conference attracts a large number of guests. Our 2023 Peer Support Conference had almost 300 attendees. The conference participants include:
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Administrators
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Chaplains
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Civilian Personnel
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Correction Officers
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EMS
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Fire Chiefs
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Fire Fighters
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First Responder Families
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First Responder Supporters
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Human Resources
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Law Enforcement Officers
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Mental Health Clinicians
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Peer Support Personnel
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Police Chiefs
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Sheriffs
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Training Specialists
Keynote Speaker
Chief Jeremy Sprague
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We are honored to announce that this year’s keynote address will be delivered by a leader who has dedicated his life and career to the frontline: Chief Jeremy Sprague.
Chief Sprague brings a profound depth of field experience to the stage, having spent 20 years with the Des Moines Police Department alongside 17 years of dedicated service in the fire service. Currently serving as the Chief of Police for the Marion Police Department and the President of the Peer Support Foundation. His deep commitment to public safety culture is backed by a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Emergency Management Administration, alongside his work as an adjunct instructor shaping the next generation of first responders.
Beyond the badges and credentials, Chief Sprague is a survivor, an advocate, and a trailblazer in first responder mental health and organizational resilience.
The Message: "Always Be Positive"
First responders are routinely called to navigate humanity’s darkest moments. The toll is undeniable, but as Chief Sprague will share, it doesn’t have to define the end of the story.
In this year's keynote, he brings his powerful "Always Be Positive" framework to our stage. Moving past basic "survival" and surface-level resilience, this presentation will dive deep into the life-changing concept of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
Through raw, authentic storytelling—drawing from his decades in the streets, leading through adversity, and finding renewal—Chief Sprague will challenge us to shift our perspective. You will walk away not just inspired, but equipped with a practical blueprint to transform trauma into profound personal and professional growth.
Get ready to discover how we can look past the smoke, rebuild from the fire, and truly learn to thrive on the frontline.
2026 First Responder Wellness Conference Schedule of Events
Conference Presentations
Local and National Experts in the First Responder Wellness Field
The following presenters and their topics are listed below.
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Always Be Positive
Chief Jeremy Sprague
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Resiliency/Coping
Andy Carrier
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Mental Health Counselor
Sheila Russell, LISW CADC
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
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Chaplain Karen Hurley
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Establishing
Financial Health
Joel Hall
Financial Planner
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Stepping out of Response
Mode
Jeremy Eginoire- Des Moines Fire
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Basic Peer Support
John Coulter
Retired Sheriff / Police Chief
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
"Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters"
Lorena & Scott Bergan
Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Peer Support Is Not Enough: Calling the First Responder Behavioral Health Field to a Higher Standard of Care
Bret Keys
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
TBD
Matt Jackson
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.
Sleep recovery for 1st responders
Leah O’Brien
Copilot said: Lorena & Scott Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes Presenting "Invisible Weight: What Responders Carry, What Families See, and Why Prevention Matters" Lorena and Scott share a powerful, prevention-focused perspective on responder wellness, drawing from lived experience, leadership insight, and their work with Kaitlin's Heart for Heroes. This session explores the impact of trauma on first responders and their families, the challenges of the "I'm fine" culture, and practical strategies for early intervention, peer support, and building trauma-informed wellness programs that strengthen both agencies and the people they serve.