First Responders’ Bridge Retreat – First Responders' Bridge

Speaker - "We Are In This Together"

Dave Gerold - Columbus Fire Dept (Ret)

Dave Joined Columbus Division of Fire in 1999, serving as a firefighter and paramedic in the University District, Short North, and Downtown neighborhoods. He was awarded Paramedic of the Year for 2015. Promoted to Lieutenant in 2017, Dave served as an Engine Officer, EMS Supervisor, and Peer Support Coordinator. Dave helped establish The Public Safety Wellness Center, A leading edge facility combining peers, clinicians, and chaplains into one building. Dave retired as The Members Support Unit Supervisor in 2024 with 25 years of service. He now has time for his favorite activities: traveling, hiking, kayaking, SCUBA, and physical fitness.

Speaker - "Trauma and Its Effect on First Responders"

Jo Terry - President, The Chip Terry Fund

Jo Terry is a recently retired licensed physical therapist who owned her own outpatient physical therapy clinic for over 20 years. She was married to Assistant Chief Alan "Chip" Terry (ret), from the City of Covington Fire Department for 31 years who completed suicide in 2017 after being misdiagnosed. Since his death in 2017, Jo has spent her time working with first responders and their families affected by PTS and teaching the class she developed called Trauma and its Effect on First Responders and their Family, telling Chip's story and the effects of suicide on those left behind. Jo is the president of The Chip Terry Fund for First Responders which she and her children established to provide first responders and their families with educational, financial, and emotional support. The Chip Terry Fund has assisted over 100 individuals with access to inpatient and outpatient services locally and nationally. In 2022, she was hired by the City of Covington Fire Department to become their Wellness Coordinator, to address the multitude of factors influencing mental and physical wellness for the department members. Jo is the mother of 6 children and in her spare time she enjoys working on her farm, hiking, exercising, and traveling with her family.

Speaker- "Empty Your Bucket, Fill Your Toolbox"

Lisa Callander - Director, City of Columbus EAP

Lisa has been with the City of Columbus EAP since 1989, providing program administration, clinical services, consultations, trainings and administering the City EAP. She has extensive experience in working with First Responder's, and in the area of critical incident stress response. She serves as a member of the Mid-Ohio and Columbus Fire CISM teams, and is the Mental Health Advisor for the Columbus Police Peer Assistance Team (PAT)

Speaker- "A Fighting Chance"

Ashley Ferris - Police Officer Lakewood, CO Police Dept (ret)

Ashley Ferris was a law enforcement officer with the Lakewood Police Department in Lakewood, CO from January of 2018 to June of 2023. Before becoming an LEO, Ashley was an All Source Intelligence Analyst with the United States Army.

After becoming an LEO, Ferris was appointed to several leadership, mentoring, and instructing positions. In her work as an LEO, she excelled most in speaking with individuals experiencing mental health related crises due to her own personal experience with depression. Ferris lives and loves to serve the community, her organization, and her friends and peers. She now lives this purpose through her role as a facilitator, instructional designer, and her work as a public speaker

Ferris has received more than 15 awards since being hired as a law enforcement officer, most of which were a result of the December 27, 2021 incident. Those awards include a Purple Heart, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022 by the National Police Hall of Fame, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022 and Valor Award, and the International Footprint Association 2022 Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2022.

Since 2024, Ferris has presented to over 6,000 first responder professionals which is only the beginning of AFC’s journey.

Ferris looks to continue and expand her service by sharing her story and lessons learned with law enforcement officers and all first responder agencies around the country.

Voluntary iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation

Voluntary meditation in the righthand side of the ballroom. This is a completely voluntary session. You are more than welcome to bring a mat and/or pillow with you

iRest Yoga Nidra is a practice of conscious sleep that helps you ease into deep states of relaxation that support falling asleep and obtaining restful sleep. 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra can be as restful as 2-4 hours of sleep, because of the ability to reduce sleep debt, which researchers believe is related to the brainwave changes that occur during the practice.

Additional benefits:

Improved mood
Increased resilience
Stress reduction
Enhanced concentration
Increased alertness

**Voluntary Chapel Service**

There will be uplifting music and Bridge Chaplain Joe Lorenz will discuss how faith plays an important role in the lives of first responders and their families.

Joe Lorenz – Columbus, OH Fire Department**

Joe has served with the Columbus Division of Fire as a firefighter, chaplain and peer since he joined in 2013. Having also served in over 25 years of pastoral ministry and foreign missions in 20 nations, Joe has provided leadership training, and pastoral care and counsel to individuals, families, and to members of the military and first responders, which has contributed to the development of the Columbus Fire Chaplain Team. Joe also serves as a chaplain for the First Responders' Bridge.

Speaker- "The Asher Model"

Chief Neil Gang - (Ret)- Pinole, CA Police Dept

Chief Neil H. Gang served in law enforcement for over 35 years where he retired as the Chief of Police for the Pinole, California Police Department. He served as the Chairperson of the California Police Chiefs Association Organizational Wellness and Resiliency Committee and the Co-chair of the IACP Officer Safety & Wellness Committee. Chief Gang is the author of the Asher Model-7 Point Approach to a Culture of Wellness and the host of the 6th Pillar Podcast. He is a POST-Wellness Instructor and was named Public Safety Hero of the Year by the House of Representatives in 2020. His innovative work as a law enforcement leader has been featured in several national Police magazines. He is a graduate of the prestigious Northwestern School of Police Staff Command, where he was the president of the class and the recipient of the Franklin M. Kremel Award for excellence in the field of leadership.

Speaker- "Stigma: The Biggest Mistake We Make As First Responders"

Preston Moore- Mental Health and Wellness Advocate

With over two decades of experience, Preston is a passionate advocate for mental wellness and addiction education. He collaborates with organizations, first responders, and schools to reduce stigma and increase participation in services like coaching, counseling, and support groups. Preston provides trainings for the Columbus Police Department’s new officer program, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, and the Ohio Department of Corrections. His keynotes address the mental and emotional challenges first responders face and highlight ways to encourage early intervention, family recovery and support, as well as help individuals create meaningful change. Preston is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University and lives in Columbus Ohio with his wife Sarah and son Austin. His TED Talk, How Social Support Can Fight Mental Health and Addiction Stigma, is available on YouTube.

Entertainment

Nancy Norton- Comedian

Nancy Norton is an Award-Winning Standup Comedian, Former Registered Nurse who now heals with humor. Hilarious & High Energy, Intuitive & Interactive. Sometimes just Super Dorky Keynote Speaker on the “The Power of Humor” Dry Bar Comedy Special just released, “Super Dork” Comedy Album “4^th of 3” Nancy Norton receives 5 STAR REVIEWS from clients, clubs and event planners by reading her audience, being fully present, connecting and bringing the right kind of funny for the crowd.

HONORS AND AWARDS:

2021 BEST OF THE SHOW with Jay Leno

Burbank Comedy Festival 2019

CHAMPION - 40^th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition

2018 WINNER Boston Comedy Festival - FIRST WOMAN TO EVER WIN IT!

2016 GRAND SLAM CHAMPION STORYTELLER of Truth Be Told

Norton tours nationally headlining clubs, festivals, conferences and events doing Standup Comedy and Keynote Speaking. Nancy has also toured internationally on several USO tours entertaining the troops in Europe, Asia, Iceland and the Pacific. Nancy draws material from everyday life experiences and growing up in a big Ozark family, working as a nurse, being a single mom, spending months in Nepal adopting her son and yes, there are a few airplane jokes. Universal truths and authentic experiences make Nancy’s humor accessible. Norton is a regular Headliner at the famous A-rated Comedy Club, Comedy Works in Denver.

Comedy specials, albums and more:

“Nancy Norton, Super Dork” produced by Dry Bar Comedy, Comedy Album, “4^th of 3” produced by BSeen Media, available wherever music is sold, A&E’s"Evening at the Improv" now available on Amazon Prime Video, Nickmom Night Out on Nickelodeon, one-person show, "The Yellowish-Green Girl" on PBS.

Snacks and beverages provided.

Speaker - "Post-Retreat Planning - Living Relentlessly"

Stan Partlow - Retired Commander Columbus Police Dept. Special Agent FBI & Vice President & Chief Security Officer - American Electric Power

Stan Partlow joined AEP in October 2005. Stan recently retired as the Vice President and Chief Security Officer and had responsibility for Cyber Security, Physical Security and Aviation. During his AEP career, Stan has also had responsibility for the AEP motor vehicle fleet, the enterprise procurement function and business continuity.

Prior to joining AEP, Stan served the Law Enforcement community for over 25 years. Stan served the Columbus Division of Police for over 21 years and retired as the Commander of the Detective Bureau. Prior to that Stan served in numerous roles in Patrol, Narcotics, Professional Standards and Training during his tenure as an Officer, Sergeant and Lieutenant.

Stan served as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1984-1988 where he was responsible for conducting a variety of criminal investigations. In his law enforcement career, Stan has supervised dignitary protection details, and has been a member of the protection staff of two Columbus Mayors. He has been a SWAT team member for the Charlotte Division FBI Team, and a member of the Columbus Division of Police Underwater Search and Recovery Team. Stan also served as a Hostage Negotiator for the Columbus Division of Police.

Stan is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Leadership College. Stan holds the designation of Certified Law Enforcement Executive from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police. Stan completed the FBI Domestic Security Executive Academy. Stan earned the Certified Protection Professional certification from ASIS, a worldwide security organization. Stan completed the AEP/OSU Leadership Program and the Executive Level Targeted Development program.

Stan holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Capital University School of Law (1995), a Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University (1990), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Bowling Green State University (1980).

Stan is a member of the Board of Trustees of Franklin University and he serves on the Board of Directors of The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Stan is a founder of the Columbus Police Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors for First Responders' Bridge an organization dedicated to mental healing for first responders.