Staying Alive and Maximizing Performance During High-Stress Events

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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Course Description:

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce the “Staying Alive and Maximizing Performance During High-Stress Events” training. 

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders can encounter stressful situations during their daily duties at any time and location. Among the most stressful situations officers encounter are life-threatening events that unfold in seconds.

Unfortunately, stress can often impair their ability to perform at their best. Some stress responses are instinctive biological reactions, while external factors influence others. Understanding and managing these stress responses is crucial to maximizing performance during critical incidents.

Topics to be covered: 

• Understanding the different types of stress 

• Recognizing the symptoms of stress 

• How stress directly affects decision-making

• Methods to minimize or counter the effects of stress to improve performance 

• Human factors that lead to poor decision-making and increased risk 

• Strategies to enhance situational awareness

• Predicting future events to avoid negative outcomes 

• Training methods to reduce stress and its negative effects 

• Daily activities that can negatively affect performance

Who should attend:

This training is open to all first responder groups, including but not limited to, law enforcement, fire/EMS, EMTs, dispatchers and corrections. Additionally, retired first responders as well as civilian peer support and mental health clinicians who are culturally competent in first responder wellness are encouraged to attend. 

Partial In-service Credit:

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) for Virginia law enforcement officers will be available for this course.  

Travel, Lodging, and Meals:

Participants are responsible for their transportation and lodging arrangements and expenses.

Training Time and Details:

• Check-in will begin at 7:45 am

• The course will be held from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Cost and Registration:

There is no cost to attend this training, however pre-registration is required.  

Please note that the DCJS registration system cannot sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. The DCJS-assigned course director is responsible for reviewing the roster and making a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.