Webinar - Disaster Response: How Fire Families Can Overcome the Challenge
Disaster Response: How Fire Families Can Overcome the Challenge
Free webinar for fire families throughout the county. Link will be sent one week before the webinar to those who register.
Guest Speaker
Rachelle Zemlok, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist from California and is a Strategic Wellness Director at Lexipol. Dr. Zemlok is a fire spouse and currently raising a young family. She is also the sister to three retired law enforcement officers. Prior to joining Lexipol, she founded First Responder Family Psychology which provides culturally competent therapy to first responders and their family members. She also educates firefighters and their spouses through social media, events, blogs, articles, videos, podcasts, and publications including her book, "The Firefighter Family Academy: A Guide to Educate and Prepare Spouses for the Career Ahead" and her podcast "Code 3 Families."
About the Series
This webinar is part of a year-long series, “Helping the Helpers: Supporting Firefighters and their Families as They Overcome the Challenges of Disaster Response.”
The series provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally relevant education, training, resources and support to increase knowledge, decrease stigma, and ultimately improve the wellbeing of firefighters and their families. The ultimate goal is to create a network of empowered individuals who can provide peer-to-peer support, resources, and skills that will help prevent mental health issues in the fire service and foster healthier relationships with families.
Other webinars in the series include -
Feb. 20, 2024 @ 7pm - “PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions” with James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM
Aug. 13, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Firefighters and Spouses: Maintaining a Healthy Relationship While in the Fire Service” with Maggie Hernandez, MA, AMFT
Nov. 19, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Parenting in Fire Families” with Tiffany Atalla, LMFT
Register for all at the above link.
The following fire spouses are advising us on the series, we appreciate their input and support -
Tamara Davis (Montecito FD)
Paige Hansen (Ventura County FD)
Cynthia Reyes (Guadalupe FD)
Amy Spence (Oxnard FD)
April Westbrook (Ventura City FD)
The series is made possible with a grant from Vanguard Charitable.
Webinar - Firefighters and Spouses: Maintaining a Healthy Relationship While in the Fire Service
Firefighters and Spouses: Maintaining a Healthy Relationship While in the Fire Service
Free webinar for fire families throughout the county. Link will be sent one week before the webinar to those who register.
Guest Speaker
Maggie Hernandez’s clinical expertise includes counseling first responders, military combat veterans, survivors of complex trauma, addiction, mass-casualty events (Borderline, Route 91, etc), and underserved communities.
As a trauma therapist and a “fire wife,” she understands the unique set of challenges faced by her first responder family and those who love and support them.
About the Series
This webinar is part of a year-long series, “Helping the Helpers: Supporting Firefighters and their Families as They Overcome the Challenges of Disaster Response.”
The series provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally relevant education, training, resources and support to increase knowledge, decrease stigma, and ultimately improve the wellbeing of firefighters and their families. The ultimate goal is to create a network of empowered individuals who can provide peer-to-peer support, resources, and skills that will help prevent mental health issues in the fire service and foster healthier relationships with families.
Other webinars in the series include -
Feb. 20, 2024 @ 7pm - “PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions” with James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM
Jun. 18, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Disaster Response: How Fire Families Can Overcome the Challenge” with Dr. Rachelle Zemlock, PsyD
Nov. 19, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Parenting in Fire Families” with Tiffany Atalla, LMFT
Register for all at the above link.
The following fire spouses are advising us on the series, we appreciate their input and support -
Tamara Davis (Montecito FD)
Paige Hansen (Ventura County FD)
Cynthia Reyes (Guadalupe FD)
Amy Spence (Oxnard FD)
April Westbrook (Ventura City FD)
The series is made possible with a grant from Vanguard Charitable.
Webinar - Parenting in Fire Families
Parenting in Fire Families
Free webinar for fire families throughout the county. Link will be sent one week before the webinar to those who register.
Guest Speaker
Tiffany Atalla (MFT #4788) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 17 years of professional experience. She is the Director of Clinical Development and Training at First Responder Wellness, and oversees this area for our family of companies, including Shift Wellness and The Counseling Team International. She is passionate about educating and helping First Responders and their families to improve their lives through wellness therapy and empirically based trauma treatment.
About the Series
This webinar is part of a year-long series, “Helping the Helpers: Supporting Firefighters and their Families as They Overcome the Challenges of Disaster Response.”
The series provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally relevant education, training, resources and support to increase knowledge, decrease stigma, and ultimately improve the wellbeing of firefighters and their families. The ultimate goal is to create a network of empowered individuals who can provide peer-to-peer support, resources, and skills that will help prevent mental health issues in the fire service and foster healthier relationships with families.
Other webinars in the series include -
Feb. 20, 2024 @ 7pm - “PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions” with James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM
Jun. 18, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Disaster Response: How Fire Families Can Overcome the Challenge” with Dr. Rachelle Zemlock, PsyD
Aug. 13, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Firefighters and Spouses: Maintaining a Healthy Relationship While in the Fire Service” with Maggie Hernandez, MA, AMFT
Register for all at the above link.
The following fire spouses are advising us on the series, we appreciate their input and support -
Tamara Davis (Montecito FD)
Paige Hansen (Ventura County FD)
Cynthia Reyes (Guadalupe FD)
Amy Spence (Oxnard FD)
April Westbrook (Ventura City FD)
The series is made possible with a grant from Vanguard Charitable.
Webinar - PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions
PTSD in the Fire Service: Signs and Solutions
Free webinar for fire families throughout the county. Link will be sent one week before the webinar to those who register.
Guest Speaker
James Boomhower, MS(c), FP-C, NR-P, C- NPT, CCISM has been involved in EMS for over 20 years in a variety of health systems.
He currently functions in the role of Critical Care Transport Specialist-Paramedic/ Lead Peer Support Director with Boston Medflight of Bedford, Massachusetts
His desire to bring mental health awareness to the EMS arena has spurred him to create the Stay Fit 4 Duty platform as well as work to implement a peer support program in his workplace. James promotes recognition, management and acceptance of acute stress in EMS providers throughout the world as a graduate intern of clinical psychology.
About the Series
This webinar is part of a year-long series, “Helping the Helpers: Supporting Firefighters and their Families as They Overcome the Challenges of Disaster Response.”
The series provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally relevant education, training, resources and support to increase knowledge, decrease stigma, and ultimately improve the wellbeing of firefighters and their families. The ultimate goal is to create a network of empowered individuals who can provide peer-to-peer support, resources, and skills that will help prevent mental health issues in the fire service and foster healthier relationships with families.
Other webinars in the series include -
Jun. 18, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Disaster Response: How Fire Families Can Overcome the Challenge” with Dr. Rachelle Zemlock
Aug. 13, 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Firefighters and Spouses: Maintaining a Healthy Relationship While in the Fire Service” with Maggie Hernandez, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Nov. 19 - 2024 @ 7pm Pacific - “Parenting in Fire Families” with Tiffany Atalla, LMFT
Register for all at the above link.
The following fire spouses are advising us on the series, we appreciate their input and support -
Tamara Davis (Montecito FD)
Paige Hansen (Ventura County FD)
Cynthia Reyes (Guadalupe FD)
Amy Spence (Oxnard FD)
April Westbrook (Ventura City FD)
The series is made possible with a grant from Vanguard Charitable.
Understanding First Responder Resilience on the Job and at Home
The Ventura City Fire Auxiliary and Ventura Fire Foundation are hosting an evening with Shaun Cozzens on the topic of "Understanding First Responder Resilience on the Job and at Home."
Thursday, August 24
6 - 9 pm
Clocktower Inn, 181 E. Santa Clara St, Ventura City
Our guest speaker is Shaun Cozzens, a fourth generation law enforcement professional, husband, and father of two. Shaun is currently a Deputy Sheriff with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, and previsouly served in the Santa Barbara Police Department. Shaun also started the Four Generations Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial support to the families of First Responders in times of need.
Dinner will be provided.
RSVP by August 17th.
This is an adults only event and solely for Ventura area firefighters and/or their spouses/significant others.
This event is free of charge, but we would appreciate a donation to support the Foundation's programs. You can add a donation to your registration.
Wills and Trusts - Estate Planning for Firefighter Families
An estate plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Proper estate planning not only puts you in charge of your finances, but also spares your loved ones of the expense, delay and frustration associated with managing your affairs when you pass away or become disabled. Join us for a virtual Estate Planning seminar, hosted by the Ventura Fire Foundation and presented by Schneiders and Associates Attorneys Roy Schneider and Jessica Villar. They will discuss Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, and much more.
2023 Firefighters' Ball
Join us as we honor Ventura City Firefighters, and raise funds to support mental wellness programming for firefighters and their families.
April 21, 2023
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
5:00 pm Cocktails (cash bar)
6:00 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Awards Ceremony
8:00 pm DJ and Casino Games (craps, roulette, black jack, Texas hold’em) - bring cash/card to purchase chips and win entries into raffle.
10:15 pm Raffle
The Ball is a closed event for active and retired Ventura City firefighters and their families. Limited tickets are also available for Ventura City department heads, Ventura City police officers, and Ball sponsors.
RSVP required to attend the Ball. Each Ventura City active and retired firefighter is eligible to receive two (2) free tickets to the Ball. Additional tickets can be purchased for $50 (adult) and $25 (under 21).
This year, the planning committee has chosen an island theme in honor of fallen Firefighter Matt Clapsaddle, who loved the water. Dress in your favorite tropical outfit. Firefighters - wear your dress uniform and bring clothes to change into after the awards ceremony.
SPONSORS
Captain Level
Rincon Property Management
Engineer Level
Adventist Health Simi Valley
Bulldog Liquidators - Camarillo
California Oaks Property Management
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
DuPont Personal Protection
Firefighters First Credit Union
Jaguar Land Rover Ventura
Shift Wellness / Sage Retreat
Ventura County Credit Union
Firefighter Level
AMR Ventura County
Flying Embers
Mission Bank
Performance Wellness and Injury Prevention
Pinnacle Training Systems
Schneiders & Associates
South Coast Fire Equipment
Ventura Toyota
Sponsor the Ball and Support Firefighters
Spousal Peer Support
Join other fire wives and significant others for a one day course to learn how to provide family based peer support. Participants will acquire supportive skills designed to help them assist their fellow fire families who are experiencing a variety of life-crisis situations, and may who feel most comfortable talking to someone that has "been there", understands the fire service family life, and stands with them as a family on the frontline.
Course is free of charge, thanks to a generous grant from the Fire Family Foundation. Light snacks and lunch will be provided.
VFD Meet & Greet
All Ventura Fire Department families are invited to hangout at MadeWest. Hosted by the association auxilary, the Meet & Greet is an opportunity for our families to connect. The auxiulliary plans to host one Meet & Greet per quarter, scheduled so each shift has an opportunity to attend off-duty.
Food trucks are usually on site. Madewest is donating 10% of all sales to the Ventura Fire Foundation!
Spouses' Night
Thriving Through the Challenges of Being a Firefighter Spouse
A Night for Ventura Area Firefighter Spouses
The Ventura Fire Foundation is hosting a night out... just for the spouses!
We will be having a guest speaker - Ashley Iverson, the widow of Cal Fire Firefighter Cory Iverson, who was killed in the line of duty in December 2017 while fighting the Thomas fire. Ashley, the founder and Executive Director of the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness, will be joining us to discuss how to not only survive, but rather, thrive through the challenges of fire life and beyond.
Ashley will be joined with IFAA Yoga Therapist and Somatic Quantum Healing Hypnosis specialist, Rebekah Wolf, to lead the end of the evening with some gentle movement, deep relaxation and healing sound bath.
Food and Drinks will be provided.
This is an adults only event and solely for the spouses.
Hope to see you all there!
Note: if you previously RSVP’d via evite, no need to re-do it, we have you.
Makeovers for Hope
Makeovers for Hope
Please join Jennifer Clapsaddle for a Mary Kay virtual fundraiser on September 29th at 7pm. "Makeovers for Hope" will help support first responders and provide service gear for Hope, the Ventura Fire Departments very own comfort therapy dog. Jennifer has committed to donate 20% of all sales to the Foundation’s Hope Fund, to help get Hope the gear she needs to continue her service providing comfort and rehabilitation to Ventura County First Responders who have struggled with PTSD.
Message Jennifer Clapsaddle via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.clapsaddle) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/onfire4mk/) to reserve your spot and make arrangements to pick up a makeover kit.
Ventura City Fire Beach Day
Bring a picnic lunch for your family and join the Ventura City Auxilliary for a fun day at the beach!
2022 Ventura City Firefighter's Ball presented by Flying Embers
Join us for the 2022 Ventura City Firefighter’s Ball presented by Flying Embers.
The Ball is our first group activity since the start of COVID-19, and will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with friends old and new,
Active Ventura City Fire Department staff are eligible for two (2) free tickets, which include dinner. Additional tickets, or tickets for retired VCF firefighters, may be purchased for $50. Everyone who attends must claim/purchase tickets by clicking the button below.
One you claim/purchase your tickets, you will receive an email confirmation. Please bring a copy of the email confirmation (on your phone is fine) with you to the Ball.
Firefighter’s Ball Schedule of Events
3:00 pm
Swearing-in and Promotions (no ticket necessary)
5:00 pm
Cocktail Hour (starting with the Cocktail Hour, you must have a ticket)
6:00 pm
Dinner
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Awards Ceremony and Celebration
Alcohol will be available for purchase at the Ball. Please make arrangements for a safe drive home.
Sponsors (through 5/25)
Thank you to all our sponsors, your support for firefireghter families is deeply appreciated!
Auxiliary Meeting
Click the image to register for the Ventura Fire Foundation Auxiliary meeting on Thursday, February 24 at 4pm.
All spouses of Ventura area firefighters are encouraged to attend.