The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has partnered with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and NENA to develop a course for EMDR therapists specifically focused on 9-1-1 professionals. EMDRIA is a professional association that promotes, fosters and preserves the highest standard of excellence and integrity in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
This partnership will enable public safety communications professionals to more easily find qualified EMDR therapists who have experience with the unique challenges of the 9-1-1 community. The 9-1-1 Cultural Awareness training features stories of 9-1-1 professionals, the challenges they face and the culture and norms that are an inherent part of this community.
“Public safety telecommunicators face unique and intense stressors that can significantly impact our mental and emotional wellbeing,” said Jack Varnado, president, APCO International. “As 9-1-1 professionals it’s critical that our healthcare providers understand those unique stressors. This partnership will ensure that public safety telecommunicators receive the tailored help they deserve – none of us should be alone or ashamed of needing this support.”
“Culturally competent clinicians are critical when serving public safety telecommunicators, to ensure our members who are seeking help don’t have to explain the basic stressors they face every day as they complete their no-fail mission in their communities,” Stephen Martini, immediate past president of APCO International said. “This partnership is an exciting way to prepare these helpers to support our first first responders.”
“We are thrilled to work with APCO and NENA to make sure 9-1-1 professionals have access to trained and qualified EMDR therapists. We know this is a population in need, and we want to make sure EMDRIA members are prepared to help address that need as part of their professional practice work,” said Michael Bowers, executive director, EMDRIA.
EMDRIA members who complete the course will be identified in the EMDRIA Find An EMDR Therapist® Directory as having achieved training in cultural awareness for 9-1-1 professionals.
Visit www.emdria.org/course/emdr-informed-care-for-911-professionals/ to learn more about the course and www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/ to find an EMDR therapist with 9-1-1 experience.
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
