2024 GPSTC Public Safety Conference

November 6:
7:00AM – Conference Packets available outside Auditorium
9:00AM – Conference Opening begins in Auditorium
10:00AM – Training Sessions Start

November 7 – 8:
8:00-5:00 – Training Sessions

Register for a Session Today!

2024 GPSTC Public Safety Conference
November 6 – 8, 2024
GPSTC Main Forsyth Campus
FREE for all attendees

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center, its staff, and instructors are excited to announce the 2024 GPSTC Public Safety Conference hosted at our main campus on November 6 – 8, 2024.

This conference is geared toward all personnel involved in keeping Georgia communities safe. A variety of courses will be offered for all public safety disciplines. Topic areas will include:

  • Marksmanship
  • Tactics
  • Use of Force
  • Driver Training
  • Retail Organized Crime
  • Various Fire Service Topics
  • Communications
  • Resiliency
  • Instructor Presentation Skills
    …and more!

SPECIAL NOTES:

Before registering for the conference, we encourage you to confirm that your student profile contact information is up-to-date to ensure you receive future communication. Students will have the ability to self-register for the individual classes being offered at the conference, via the links below. This will allow you to attend one, two, or three days, based on your own availability.

There will only be a limited number of seats per offering. Each class will be filled on a first-come basis, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will only be permitted on a limited basis, not to exceed class maximums; priority will be given to those students who have been “Accepted” via pre-registration. Act quickly, so that you don’t miss the opportunity to attend your preferred selections!

Firearms courses will have ammunition provided in 9mm, .40 and .45 calibers.

 

 

LODGING:

While standard lodging eligibility will apply, private rooms will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, and will be very limited. 


MEALS:

Meal tickets will NOT be available for purchase for this event.

Topic Descriptions & Registration:

November 6 – Wednesday

Georgia Juvenile Street Gang Crisis and the Correlation of Street Gangs and Human Trafficking (4 hours)

Georgia is facing a crisis, and no neighborhood is immune to this crisis. Criminal street gang violence is a threat to every school campus and community throughout Georgia. Not only do violent street gangs pose a danger to every citizen in Georgia, but they also fund their criminal enterprises from proceeds of drug trafficking and human trafficking. Join us as we explore social media and past criminal cases and shed light on Georgia’s juvenile street gang crisis and the human trafficking enterprises in Georgia.

Reasonable vs Necessary: Objectiveness of Use of Force (2 hours)

Societal and political influences to employ stricter requirements for use of force have been detrimental to law enforcement officers. This course will discuss the attempts to change how officer-involved use of force is evaluated, and how to combat that influence so that the reasonableness standard remains in the forefront of use of force. The initial premise of objective reasonableness and how it pertains to use of force will be addressed, and then transition into the political agendas that have attempted, and sometimes, successfully removed the reasonableness standard from current use of force analyses.

What’s the Number to 911 – Communications and the Community (2 hours)

While emergency communications personnel are the people behind the phone, they need to get out in the community to educate people about their services, their procedures, and the proper use of 911. This workshop will focus on messaging for different audiences, and will explore the positive messages that can help citizens use the services of emergency communications for efficiently and effectively.

Multi-Generational Leadership in the Fire Service (2 hours)

Today there are five generations that fill firehouses across the United States. Career, Combination, and
Volunteer departments alike are experiencing the challenges of this unique environment of leading various generational levels. Controversy and the perceptions of generational conflict are topics that leaders will most likely face within their crew or shift. Conflict management, modern leadership techniques, along with a leadership framework derived from military leaders will be introduced as tools for the tool box for fire service leaders at all levels.

Pride, Purpose, and Mission (2 hours)

This conference presentation will address the foundations that can help chief officers maintain focus throughout their career, despite the continuously changing fire service. Three foundations will be identified, defined, and correlated to the ability to defeat the common challenge of losing focus, which many chief officers will face at some point in their career.

Set the Tone (2 hours)

The common belief in most organizations is that morale, character, or even organizational influence
rests on the shoulders of the Executive Staff. What if that were not true? What if it were the responsibility of someone else? Leadership (an overused term) begins with establishment of a sound foundation amongst people. Aspiring leaders (and those considered to be “leaders”) must acknowledge there has to be a moment when one must “Set the Tone.”

Retail Organized Crime (2 hours)

Organized Retail Crime has a substantial effect on Georgia, with retailers incurring an estimated yearly loss of $1.6 billion. This type of crime not only affects retail losses but also employment and tax revenue. Members from both the public and private sectors within the Georgia Retailers Organized Crime Alliance (GROC) will discuss the consequences of ORC and detail GROC’s efforts since 2012 to address it. Discover how you and your organization can contribute to reducing retail crime and improving safety in Georgia.

Introduction to Battery Hazards and Response (3 hours)

This course is an in-service training course designed to introduce responders to the hazards of batteries
and the effect it has on emergency response to lithium-ion battery emergencies.

Effective Communication During Active Threat (4 hours)

This course covers the importance of protocols in emergency communications centers to handle active threats. Students learn rapid response and effective operation strategies for situations like active shooters, bombings, or domestic terrorist incidents. It emphasizes coordinating dispatchers, law enforcement, and emergency services for timely and efficient resource deployment. The focus is on developing and implementing protocols that prioritize public safety, minimize casualties, and maintain operational integrity under high-stress conditions. Media examples illustrate the importance of clear protocols in saving lives and managing crises effectively while remembering essential aftercare for the well-being of first responders.

Introduction to Vascular Neck Restraints (4 hours)

This class will explain the safety, legality, effectiveness, and history of a technique that is re-emerging as a useful tool to law enforcement. Statistics show that the longer a struggle continues, the more likely that the officer or the subject will be injured. The VNR allows officers of all sizes the ability to safely subdue a resisting subject quickly and safely.

Introduction to Single Officer Breaching and Clearing (4 hours)

This 4 hour course is designed to give officers baseline knowledge, skills and techniques for breaching and building clearing. Officers will have an understanding on how to utilize the SET breaching kit and various building clearing techniques. Officers will be shown best practices in how to perform these techniques solo.

You are the New Fire Department Training Officer. Now What? (4 hours)

Transitioning from being a Fire Instructor to the Fire Department Training Officer requires the individual to assume numerous new responsibilities and duties. This class presents the challenges in this transition and the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will assist the Fire Department Training Officer make this transition successfully. Topics presented will include class and course development process, mandatory training requirements, state and federal rules and regulations, and internal and external customer relations. The class will include lecture, whole class and small group discussions.

Vehicle Extractions (4 hours)

This block is designed to provide students with information regarding the legal aspects of use of force, as well as proper techniques, when performing various types of vehicle extractions. Techniques will address both compliant and non-compliant subjects.

November 7 – Thursday

Water Mapping (8 hours)

The course is built upon the fire research conducted to date by analyzing how firefighting tactics, specifically different fire suppression tools, and tactics, affect the thermal exposure and survivability of both firefighters and building occupants and affect fire behavior in structures. More specifically, the focus on how water is applied during fire suppression with varying approaches and how water stream applications affect the modern fire environment during interior fighting operations. This course has both lecture and hands-on skills.

Initial Size-up and Operational Strategy and Tactics (3 hours)

This course is designed to assist the first responding firefighter in understanding the emergency operations functions and responsibilities while responding to an emergency scene. This program provides students with vital information for the initial response that includes, firefighter safety, in route considerations, initial incident size-up, and basic emergency operational functions. This course will include computer simulated incident scenarios with discussion.

    Introduction to Child Abuse Investigations (4 hours)

    This course will provide an introductory overview regarding child physical and sexual abuse investigations. Training topics include dynamics of child sexual abuse, child neglect, abusive injuries investigations, and child sexual abuse material.

    Introduction to Single Officer Breaching and Clearing (4 hours)

    This course is designed to give officers baseline knowledge, skills and techniques for breaching and building clearing. Officers will have an understanding on how to utilize the SET breaching kit and various building clearing techniques. Officers will be shown best practices in how to perform these techniques solo.

    The Holidays are Coming (Part 1) (4 hours)

    The holidays can a happy and joyful time, but can also lead to stress and depression. This four-hour presentation will discuss ways to avoid these situations and lead to happier holidays. Topics include stress management, financial wellness, mindfulness, and controlling depression.

    SUV Operator’s Familiarization for Law Enforcement (4 hours)

    This course is a familiarization for operating a LE SUV. Participants will operate a SUV on the urban course, simulating an emergency run accounting for tight turns, emergency braking, steering, throttle control, and due regard.

    Tactical Engagements While Moving (4 hours)

    This course is designed to expose officers to a rapidly evolving situation. The scenarios include movement, obstacles, “shoot/no-shoot” targets and steel targets. After exposure, the officer should be better prepared for a situation that would involve an active shooter. This tactical course is designed to help bridge the gap between “flat range” drills and real world drills.

    Vehicle Extractions (4 hours)

    This block is designed to provide students with information regarding the legal aspects of use of force, as well as proper techniques, when performing various types of vehicle extractions. Techniques will address both compliant and non-compliant subjects.

    Effective Radio Communications (3 hours)

    This presentation discusses public safety radio communications for police/fire/EMS to radio or dispatch and vice versa. It describes radio etiquette, proper transmissions and broadcast techniques, FCC guidelines, and more.

    Volunteer Tactical Ventilation (3 hours)

    This course is for volunteer in-service training. It is designed to instruct the volunteer firefighter in the effective and safe methods of tactical ventilation.

    An Inspector’s Guide to Fireworks (4 hours)

    This workshop will cover required information concerning fireworks and the Fire Inspector’s role in applying the newly adopted laws and regulations in Georgia for shows and commercial sales.

    Youth in Crisis: The Correlation Between Trauma and Mental Health (4 hours)

    This course will cover youth trauma and mental health. Training topics include how the teen brain works, recognizing disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders in youth, and the effects of adverse childhood experiences.

    The Holidays are Coming (Part 2) (4 hours)

    Why wait until New Years to make those resolutions? Learn how to start developing physical resiliency now to carry you through the holiday times. Topics include the importance of physical health in resiliency, tips on healthy eating, and gratitude as a form of resiliency.

      November 8 – Friday

      Water Mapping (8 hours)

      The course is built upon the fire research conducted to date by analyzing how firefighting tactics, specifically different fire suppression tools, and tactics, affect the thermal exposure and survivability of both firefighters and building occupants and affect fire behavior in structures. More specifically, the focus on how water is applied during fire suppression with varying approaches and how water stream applications affect the modern fire environment during interior fighting operations. This course has both lecture and hands-on skills.

      Volunteer Fire Suppression – Passenger Vehicle with Live Fire (3 hours)

      This course is for in-service training. It is an innovatively designed, realistic training program to instruct the firefighter in the effective techniques for suppressing a passenger vehicle fire. The live fire evolutions will utilize the grant funded (AFG) Georgia Fire Academy, Volunteer Initiative Program live fire car prop.

      Facing the Screens (4 hours)

      This title has both a literal meaning of the numerous monitors of communications personnel to do our jobs, but also the screens caused by stigma that can interfere with the mental health of these public safety workers. Combining work that has been done on The 4 A’s of Stress (avoid, alter, adopt, or accept) with prior work focusing on the unique stressors in Communications, this presentation will combine those elements seamlessly. Included in this presentation will be a panel of 911 professionals who will answer prepared questions as well as accept any questions from participants.

      Tactical Engagements While Moving (4 hours)

      This course is designed to expose officers to a rapidly evolving situation. The scenarios include movement, obstacles, “shoot/no shoot” targets and steel targets. After exposure, the officer should be better prepared for a situation that would involve an active shooter. This tactical course is designed to help bridge the gap between “flat range” drills and real world drills.

      Introduction to Vascular Neck Restraints (4 hours)

      The Vascular Neck Restraints class will explain the safety, legality, effectiveness, and history of a technique that is re-emerging as a useful tool to law enforcement. Statistics show that the longer a struggle continues, the more likely that the officer or the subject will be injured. The VNR allows officers of all sizes the ability to safely subdue a resisting subject quickly and safely.

      Presentation is Everything! Making Your Class PowerPoint Less (4 hours)

      This class presents instructors and training officers with a method of making their classes more interactive so that the participants walk away with more information and less confusion. Understanding how the human brain processes, stores, and recalls information helps course developers and instructors use the tools of instruction more effectively to the benefit of the learner. The class will include lecture, whole class and small group discussions.

        SUV Operator’s Familiarization for Law Enforcement (4 hours)

        This course is a familiarization for operating a LE SUV. Participants will operate a SUV on the urban course, simulating an emergency run accounting for tight turns, emergency braking, steering, throttle control, and due regard.

        Youth in Crisis: The Correlation between Trauma and Mental Health (4 hours)

        This course will cover youth trauma and mental health. Training topics include how the teen brain works, recognizing disabilities and emotional/behavioral disorders in youth, and the effects of adverse childhood experiences.

        Reasonable vs Necessary: Objectiveness of Use of Force (2 hours)

        Societal and political influences to employ stricter requirements for use of force have been detrimental to law enforcement officers. This course will discuss the attempts to change how officer-involved use of force is evaluated, and how to combat that influence so that the reasonableness standard remains in the forefront of use of force. The initial premise of objective reasonableness and how it pertains to use of force will be addressed, and then transition into the political agendas that have attempted, and sometimes, successfully removed the reasonableness standard from current use of force analyses.

        Introduction to Fire Dynamics (3 hours)

        This course is an in-service training course designed to introduce firefighters in the recognition of the different characteristics of fire behavior and how firefighting operations can influence fire dynamics.

        Introduction to Child Abuse Investigations (4 hours)

        This course will provide an introductory overview regarding child physical and sexual abuse investigations. Training topics include dynamics of child sexual abuse, child neglect, abusive injuries investigations, and child sexual abuse material.

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