With each passing year, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become more prevalent with first responders. Join CIS experts as they address this issue and many other public-safety-related topics during the Annual Public Safety Conference, Aug. 9-11 at Salishan Coastal Lodge (Gleneden Beach). Registration for this event is FREE for those members with CIS general liability coverage. 

The three-day conference will highlight many issues, including employment-law trends, trauma training, and social media best practices for command staff and public information officers (PIOS). In addition to the high-quality training, attendees will receive 15 DPPST credits, and valuable networking opportunities with public-safety leaders from across the state.

Additional agenda items include:

Wednesday, Aug. 9

Early morning Golf Tournament (networking opportunity)

Tactical Trauma Training (Parts 1 and 2)

You Are Never Alone — A Personal Story of Survival, Courage, and Vulnerability

In part one of this session, Jared Nesary, a retired officer from Yakima Police Department, shares his personal battle with PTSD and what healing looks like after residential treatment. His courage to ask for help, in his words, saved his life and career. “You are never alone” is a personal story of survival, courage, and vulnerability. Jared survived PTSD and won his life back.  

Understanding PTSD/PTSI and How it Affects Us All

In part two of this session, Matt Quackenbush, LCSW, shares the latest research and techniques in Neuroscience, Traumatology, and Psychology. Discover the basics of the neurobiology of trauma, how it changes the physical structure of the brain, and the way the body responds to threats and stress. Quackenbush shares cutting-edge treatments from the field of Traumatology and easy-to-use techniques to change the way one’s brain and body respond to threats and stress.

Thursday, Aug. 10

Civil Litigation Trends

In recent years there’s been an explosion of public-safety-related litigation. CIS’ Supervising Litigation Attorney Dave Lewis shares an update about important federal cases — along with an overview of Oregon-specific law-enforcement cases and their outcomes. 

Employment Law Trends

CIS’ Deputy General Counsel Tamara Russell shares recent changes in employment law that are important to public safety employers. Attendees will learn how new case law and arbitration decisions will impact their organizations, and how to use those cases/decisions to avoid legal pitfalls in the workplace.

Public Safety Wellness Best Practices Panel

Learn more about comprehensive and innovative wellness practices from several member agencies. Panelists will explore issues surrounding funding, organizational acceptance, and research, among other topics.

Improve Employee Commitment by Building Trust 

Public-safety leaders learn practical trust-building strategies to help employees transition from compliance to commitment. Discover the techniques that help improve employee morale, accountability, and performance. By the end of the 4-hour session, attendees will have professional strategies on how to effectively engage with employees to build trust, provide continuous accurate feedback, show appropriate appreciation, and help create a work environment where motivation can thrive.

Friday, Aug. 11

Strategic Social Media Practices for Command Staff & PIOS

The most successful law enforcement agencies are using public messaging proactively — long before any crisis strikes — to build positive relationships with their communities. Designed for leaders who oversee the public message, this fast-paced presentation takes attendees through social media strategies to tell their agency’s story and with interacting traditional media to amplify their message.  

Topics include: 

  • Understanding Legal Considerations for Government Social Media 
  • Recognizing Good News Stories That Resonate 
  • Proven Social Media Strategies 
  • Navigating Negativity 
  • Building Mutually Beneficial Relationships with the Media 

Telling good news stories helps the organization and the community. Learn how to do that intentionally from an Emmy-award-winning former Washington, DC, area reporter, who also served as a PIO for two of the nation’s largest police departments.

Travel and overnight expenses are the responsibility of each attendee. CIS has negotiated a discounted group rate at the Salishan Coast Lodge of $289 plus tax, per night. Guest reservations and room charges are the sole responsibility of the attendee. Hotel reservation instructions will be provided once registration for the event is live.

For more information about the Public Safety Conference, visit cisoregon.org/publicsafety.

Contributed by: Bill LaMarche | CIS Public and Member Relations Manager

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