The South Dakota Firefighters Association in conjunction with the Dakota Territory Fire Chaplains is offering the following class at the state fire school June 16 & 17 at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD: Stress Management for the Trauma Service Provider.

This important course is for all who work with traumatized people. Explore the “Stress Continuum,” the levels of stress including eustress (i.e., beneficial, motivating stress), traumatic stress, burnout, countertransference, compassion fatigue or secondary PTSD, and vicarious traumatization which may occur as a result of helping others. A discussion of coping strategies for those who work with traumatized children will also be offered. Individual self-report exercises and an experiential group support session will assist the participating trauma provider in assessing their own level of stress through sharing personal experiences with others. Stress management self care techniques will be presented, experienced and discussed.

Program Highlights:

•  The Stress Continuum
• Signs and Symptoms of excessive stress
• Stress as related to work as a trauma provider
• A variety of stress management techniques
• Stress management in relation to context
• Vicarious traumatization
• Compassion fatigue and burnout
• Stress resilience
• Achieve resilience and effective self care
• Motivating factors for the work we do
• Working with trauma survivors

1.3 General CEU's from University of Maryland, Baltimore, County Dept. of Emergency Services Professionals and Continuing Education.

Speakers

Ed Hatcher - Chaplain

Chaplain Edgar Hatcher is a retired Air Force chaplain with 42 years of pastoral experience, and 11 years of clinical experience. He is an approved instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and holds all ICISF Certificates of Specialized Training. He worked 5 years as a child therapist and school counselor with Lutheran Family and Children Services and is lifetime member of the National Organization for Victim Assistance. He currently works with fire, emergency medical, law enforcement and faith-based disaster response agencies promoting stress management, peer support, behavioral health, and disaster mental health. Academic: EdD Argosy University: Community Pastoral Counseling: focus on trauma, theodicy, moral and spiritual injury. MSHS: Capella University: Mental health counseling MDiv: Wartburg Theological Seminary BA: California Lutheran College: Political Science with minors in history, philosophy, and literature. Licensure/Certification: Licensed Professional Counselor Missouri National Certified Counselor Certified Play Therapist Certified EMDR Therapist Diplomate, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress Certified, Critical Incident Stress Management; University of Maryland - Baltimore County.

Rodney Veldhuizen - Chaplain

Chaplain Rodney Veldhuizen is a veteran of the Fire Service, having served with four different departments since 1984. He has served with departments in Eddyvillle, Iowa; Canton, and Yankton, SD and currently serves as the Chaplain of Custer Volunteer Fire Department. Chaplain Rod is also the Director of the Dakota Territory Fire Chaplains Association and a member of the Black Hills Fire Chaplain’s Association. Chaplain Rod holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Philosophy and Psychology, has earned a Master of Divinity, a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as a Dr. of Ministry. Chaplain Rod is an ordained Minister, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and holds Master Chaplain standing with the Federation of Fire Chaplains.

Registration Information: