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Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol Training

Monday June 8 – Thursday June 11, 2026 Holyoke 

You see things most people never will. Over time, those calls add up.

This is WRHSAC’s second offering of ASAP Training in Western Massachusetts. During the first session, the class was attended primarily by law enforcement professionals. This round, we strongly encourage participation from firefighters, EMS providers, and dispatchers to ensure this resource is available across all disciplines.

This training prepares first responders to deliver the Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP) to their own peers. Participants will learn a structured, evidence-supported process to help colleagues safely process stressful and traumatic calls — without requiring them to talk through the details.

Whether you’re operating on the fireground, providing patient care, or handling calls from the communications center, cumulative stress affects every role. This training gives you a practical tool to bring back to your department.

Research shows participants experience about a 44% reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms.

What This Training Provides

✔ Certification to deliver ASAP to peers
✔ A structured 8-step protocol and facilitator guide
✔ Skills to lead 45–60 minute sessions
✔ Group and one-on-one delivery options
✔ A tool that can be used shortly after difficult calls

This course strengthens your department’s internal peer support capacity, across fire, EMS, dispatch, and law enforcement.

You Take Care of Everyone Else.

Learn How to Take Care of Each Other.

If you’re part of a peer support team — or want to build one — this training equips you with a proven, field-ready intervention designed specifically for emergency personnel across Western Massachusetts.

The training is free. Click here to apply. You will be notified of acceptance. 

Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Training

Springfield and Greenfield Sessions

NAEMT’s Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) course, is a comprehensive 16-hour, evidence-based training designed to prepare EMS practitioners, prehospital providers, first responders, and allied personnel to effectively assess and manage traumatic injuries in civilian tactical and high-risk environments.

WRHSAC is conducting two sessions of this 2-day training.

  • The first in Springfield on Saturday and Sunday, February 14 & 15, 2026. 9am to 5pm.
  • The second in Easthampton on Wednesday and Thursday, March 4 & 5, 2026. 8am to 4pm
  • Training Update January 9, 2026 – Both sessions and the waitlist are full. Thank you for your interest in the training. 

This course equips participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to deliver life-saving care during dynamic incidents such as active shooter events, mass casualty situations, and other tactical emergencies.

What You’ll Learn:

  • A structured approach to trauma care using the three phases of tactical careDirect Threat (Hot Zone), Indirect Threat (Warm Zone), and Evacuation (Cold Zone).

  • Techniques for hemorrhage control and immediate action drills including tourniquet application.

  • Application of the MARCH assessment for rapid evaluation and intervention.

  • Airway management, including surgical airway control and needle decompression.

  • Strategies for caring for responders and patients in hostile or unstable environments.

  • Pediatric trauma care, casualty movement techniques, and real-world patient simulations culminating in a mass-casualty/active shooter event scenario.

Course Benefits:

  • Accredited by CAPCE for 16 hours of continuing education.

  • Recognized by the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT).

  • Endorsed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and aligned with current Co-TECC guidelines.

Whether you are an EMS clinician, firefighter, law enforcement officer, or other emergency responder, this course strengthens your ability to act confidently and competently when every second counts.

Step Up & Lead

Two-Day Leadership Development Training

Strong leadership saves lives, strengthens crews, and shapes the culture of every firehouse. Whether you’re a seasoned officer, newly promoted, or thinking about stepping into a leadership role someday, this two-day program will give you the tools, confidence, and mindset to lead with clarity and purpose.

WRHSAC, in partnership with Belchertown Fire Department,  is proud to offer Step Up and Lead / Leadership Development Training, an interactive program designed specifically for firefighters and company officers at all stages of their leadership journey.

Step Up & Lead
Leadership and Team Building

Wednesday and Thursday, December 17 & 18, 2025
Belchertown, 9;00am to 5:00pm Daily

This training is free. Registration is required (see below).

 

The “Leadership and Team Building” program includes the following key components:

  • Mentoring and Succession Planning
  • Critiquing Others – How to Do It Right
  • Effective Delegating – Dividing Tasks to Multiply Success
  • Preventing Freelancing – Top 5 Causes and How to Avoid Them
  • Dealing with Subordinate Issues – Identifying Insubordination and Handling Difficult People
  • Conflict Resolution – The Three Common Approaches (and Which One Works)
  • Post Incident Analysis – How to Do It and Why It’s Important
  • Building Morale – 8 Tips to Increase Team Morale
  • Team Building Exercises
  • Why Teams Fail and How to Build Trust

About the Instructor: Chief Frank Viscuso

Chief Frank Viscuso (Ret.), bestselling author of Step Up and Lead and internationally recognized fire service speaker, brings energy, humor, and hard-earned insight to every seminar. He has trained thousands of firefighters across the U.S., Canada, and Europe and was named the George D. Post Fire Instructor of the Year (2025). His workshops are known for being practical, motivating, and immediately applicable in the firehouse and on the fireground.

Join us for this valuable and exciting learning opportunity.

Update. December 12, 2025 – Registration is closed for this training. Thank you for your interest. 

Aerial Apparatus Training

West Springfield and Pittsfield

The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) is hosting two sessions of Aerial Apparatus Positioning Training this November:

  • Thursday, November 13, 2025West Springfield, MA

  • Friday, November 14, 2025Pittsfield, MA

This specialized training is designed to enhance the tactical effectiveness and operational safety of fire departments utilizing aerial apparatus across Western Massachusetts.

Participants will begin with a classroom session focused on core principles of aerial operations, followed by hands-on exercises using aerial apparatus in realistic fireground scenarios. The course emphasizes a methodical, safety-driven, and policy-informed approach to apparatus placement at emergency incidents.

Key learning objectives include:

  • Understanding proper aerial apparatus placement across a variety of incident types

  • Conducting effective scene size-ups with an emphasis on aerial operations

  • Reviewing and demonstrating the operational capabilities and limitations of aerial devices

  • Applying occupancy-based tactics that prioritize life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation

This course provides valuable, practical experience for fire service personnel seeking to improve their aerial operations under real-world conditions.

The training is free. Application is required. Please complete the form below. You will be notified by email after your application has been reviewed.

UPDATE – Tuesday November 4  – Both sessions are full. You may signup for the waitlist by completing the form below.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Investigative Interviewing and Advanced Interrogation

8:00am to 3:00pm

WRHSAC, in partnership with Baystate Health, presents
The Reid Technique of Investigative Interviewing and Advanced Interrogation

This multi-day training is designed for law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors, intelligence personnel, and other multidisciplinary professionals involved in criminal or counterterrorism investigations. It will strengthen your ability to assess credibility, structure effective interviews, and conduct advanced interrogations. The course is essential for fostering interagency cooperation and improving regional coordination, especially in cases involving criminal activity or potential terrorist connections.

Two sessions will be offered: one in October and one in November. See below for specific dates and registration details.

Cost: Free
Registration: Required (link below).

In this course, you will learn how to:

  • Interpret verbal and non-verbal behavior to assess the credibility of statements.

  • Structure interviews with open-ended and investigative questions to develop a subject’s statement.

  • Use behavior-provoking questions during the interview process.

  • Persuade suspects to truthfully disclose their involvement in criminal activity.

  • Develop effective interrogation strategies and themes.

  • Apply alternative questioning techniques to elicit an initial admission of guilt.

  • Manage defiant suspects by overcoming objections and addressing fear of consequences.

We are offering two sessions of this training:

  • Tuesday, October 28 – Friday, October 31, 2025. Each day 8:00am to 3:00pm. Holyoke, MA.
  • Wednesday, November 12 – Friday, November 14, 2025. Each day 8:00am to 5:00pm, Holyoke, MA.

Please complete the form to register. 

Update November 6, 2025 – Both sessions are full. Thank you to all who were able to attend!

 

Leading Before, During and After the Crisis

8:00am to 2:00pm

Leading Before, During, and After the Crisis Lessons in Leadership from Chief Daniel Linskey

Tuesday, September 23, Chicopee, MA. 9am to 2pm. 

Chief Daniel Linskey, former Commissioner of the Boston Police Department, brings powerful lessons from a career that spanned street patrols, undercover operations, and top command, culminating in leading the response to the Boston Marathon bombing.

Drawing from decades of experience in law enforcement, the U.S. Marine Corps, and elite leadership training programs, Chief Linskey will share practical strategies for:

  • Leading teams with clarity and purpose in high-stakes situations

  • Preparing your organization for unthinkable challenges

  • Making critical decisions under pressure

  • Building resilience and unity during and after a crisis

This engaging presentation blends real-life stories with actionable takeaways you can apply immediately in your own role. Expect moments that will make you laugh, reflect, and be inspired, while adding proven tools to your own “File Cabinet of Leadership.”

This seminar is part of the Western Mass Fire Chiefs Association Leadership Training Series, designed to prepare emerging officers for leadership roles.

Coffee, pastries and light lunch will be provided compliments of Western Mass Fire Chiefs Association.

Thank you for your interest in this seminar. Registration is closed. 

Virtual meeting - login details below

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Monthly meeting of the Western Massachusetts Regional Interoperability Committee (WMRIC)

Join Zoom Meeting click here

Meeting ID: 881 6652 0784

Passcode: 216514

Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099

The agenda will be posted during the week prior to the meeting.

Virtual meeting - login details below

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Monthly meeting of the Western Massachusetts Regional Interoperability Committee (WMRIC)

Join Zoom Meeting click here

Meeting ID: 881 6652 0784

Passcode: 216514

Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099

The agenda will be posted during the week prior to the meeting.

Virtual meeting - login details below

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Monthly meeting of the Western Massachusetts Regional Interoperability Committee (WMRIC)

Join Zoom Meeting click here

Meeting ID: 881 6652 0784

Passcode: 216514

Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099

The agenda will be posted during the week prior to the meeting.

Virtual meeting - login details below

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Monthly meeting of the Western Massachusetts Regional Interoperability Committee (WMRIC)

Join Zoom Meeting click here

Meeting ID: 881 6652 0784

Passcode: 216514

Dial-in: 1-929-205-6099

The agenda will be posted during the week prior to the meeting.