Team Highlights

Credits: American flag at sunset photo by Laura Thompson

TEAM HOLIDAY PARTY

On December 15th, 2024 FCTRT held it’s holiday party. The team honored Linda’s many years of service as a clinical director with patches from some of the departments we have served.

TEAM MEMBERS SUPPORT WESTPORT FUNDRAISER TO PROVIDE AEDs

FIRST ANNUAL FCTRT TEAM WELLNESS DAY

In August 2024, FCTRT’s Clinical Directors decided to practice what we preach regarding the importance of self-care by offering a Wellness Day for team members.

FCTRT WAS AWARDED A GRANT FROM THE NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY FUND

FCTRT was so honored to have our work acknowledged by NCCF with a grant to help fund our expansion to cover more of Connecticut with our services for first responders.

FCTRT PROVIDED FIRST RESPONDER CLINICAL COMPETENCY TRAINING FOR OUR TEAM

Presentations from Law Enforcement, Dispatch, EMS, and Fire were given by local public safety personnel to our team to keep our knowledge and skills strong.

EMS & FIRE PRO EXPO 2024

FCTRT was pleased to participate for a second year at the EMS/Fire Pro Expo. Not only was FCTRT an exhibitor but we were thrilled to be selected to present. Stacy Raymond, PsyD and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT-B spoke on duty induced trauma in public saftey. In addition our own Bonnie Rumilly received the EMS Supporter of the Year Award in recognition of her commitment to EMS at the hospital, regional and state level. And Deputy Chief Malcolm Dean of Stamford EMS was awarded the Leadership in EMS Award. We are proud to say that Chief Dean is one of FCTRT’s valued Community Advisors.

FCTRT HOSTED DR ROBBIE ADLER-TAPIA

In October of 2024 FCTRT held two trainings, one for first responders and a second for therapist who want to work with public safety workers. By popular demand we had Dr Robbie Adler-Tapia return and offer a “part II” of the trainings she provided in 2023.

Dr Robbie’s first responder training

Dr Robbie’s therapist training

NAUGATUCK DONATES TO FCTRT IN MEMORY OF BABY CAMILLA

On December 15th, 2023 FCTRT received a donation from the Naugatuck community. In 2022 FCTRT collaborated to hold several Critical Incident Debriefings for the First Responders who answered a terrible call – the death of 11 month old Camilla. A year later the town held a remembrance vigil and Camilla’s, mother Skye asked that businesses and residents donate to an organization that supported the mental health of First Responders. We are honored to have been the chosen recipient.

In addition to the donors pictured above were: • Future Scholars Child Care Center, • Jesse Camilles, Larry Erickson, Patty Dietelbaum, • 562 Rubber Avenue LLC,Richard Adamaitis, • Cutting Edge Shirts & Signs donated the big check

FCTRT’S FIRST BENEFIT

FCTRT held it’s first benefit, An Evening with First Responders: Beyond the Call on October 12, 2023 at Waveny House in New Canaan, CT. Over 100 people attended to hear keynote speaker Todd Blyleven speak about his experience as a civilian helping people during the 2017 Las Vegas concert shooting. Todd then moderated a panel of local first responders sharing about their work, duty induced stress and recovery from that work trauma.

EMS & FIRE PRO EXPO 2023

FCTRT participated as an Exhibitor for the first time at EMS & Fire Pro Expo. This is just the beginning of our efforts to expand to cover more of the state of Connecticut.

FCTRT DONATED A VEST IN MEMORY OF MICHELE LUCAS, LCSW

FCTRT lost one of our valued team members, Michele Lucas, in 2023. We honored her memory by donating a bullet proof vest to the City of Danbury Police Department. Many people don’t know that law enforcement officers often have to buy their own vests.

Pictured are members of the DPD, Pat Lucas, Michele’s husband and FCTRT members Linda Rost, LCSW, Paige Stetson, LCSW & Dr. Stacy Raymond, PhD

ONE BADGE – ONE BRAIN – ONE LIFE: Brain Health Fitness for Emergency Responders

FCTRT hosted Dr. Robbie Adler Tapia, PhD (Dr. Robbie) for two trainings. March 28 – 29, 2023 she taught frontline workers health, wellness, resilience and suicide prevention in the line of duty.

HAUNTED: EMDR for First Responders & Professionals in the Trenches

Dr. Robbie trained Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR) Therapists in the unique needs of first responders and the best practices for EMDR trauma treatment with this group. March 30 – 31, 2023

LT. ANDY FREDERICKS, FDNY MEMORIAL SEMINAR & EXHIBITS

FCTRT was an exhibitor at this great event. The seminar presented by Captain Mike Gagliano (Seattle FD, Retired) and Anne Gagliano (in the center) was “The Challenges of Firefighter Marriage.” What a great presentation on an important topic. February 4, 2023

CAFFEINE & CARBURETORS OCTOBER 2022

Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee welcomed FCTRT at their fabulous car show.

FCTRT TEAM MEMBERS DONATED TO SUPPORT UKRAINIANS

Tragically, pregnant women in Ukraine are often having premature deliveries due to the stress of the war. FCTRT members donated from their personal funds diapers, clothing in preemie sizes, and over-the-counter medical supplies. We partnered with SAUGATUCK Sweets of Fairfield and Westport who will send our contribution, as well as others they have gathered. April 24, 2022

CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT (CISM)

Dr. Deb Silveria trained 16 of FCTRT’s members in CISM. This gives us greater resources from within our team to assist first responder organizations when the unthinkable happens such as the loss of one of their own or an especially difficult or tragic call. Sadly we have used these skills three times in the month following our training. March 24 and 25, 2022

PEER SUPPORT TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

FCTRT brought expert trainer and psychologist Dr. Deb Silveria to train first responders in peer support. We had 40 participants from 11 departments step up to learn how to help their colleagues. EMS, law enforcement, and fire were all represented. March 22 and 23, 2022

SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDER MORALE

FCTRT Board VP, Linda Rost seen here after delivering food to Norwalk Hospital’s ED. January 19, 2022

K9 FIRST RESPONDERS

FCTRT Joined with K9 First Responders to offer support to Norwalk FD after the loss of beloved firefighter Ralph Geter. Gizmo and his person Jen Adams are just one of the K9 teams who came in support. October 11, 2021

FCTRT RECEIVES HONOR

FCTRT was the Recipient of the “Every Community” Honor at the 8th Annual Recovery Celebration for our Partnership with Mountainside Substance Disorder Treatment Center. Clinical Directors Dr. Karen Alter-Reid, Linda Rost, LCSW and Michael Crouch, LCSW accepted the award. September 29, 2021

FOOD AND SUPPLY DRIVE FOR FAMILIES EVACUATED FROM AFGHANISTAN

In collaboration with Wilton Presbyterian Church and the Interfaith Action Committee. FCTRT held a successful drive collecting food, toiletries, school supplies and cash donations. FCTRT board members Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT-B, Linda Rost, LCSW, Susan Marcus, LCSW and Stephania Sigurson, Afghan Navy Intelligence Veteran. September 25, 2021

TENNIS CT SUPPORTS FCTRT

Tennis CT presented FCTRT, Inc with a donation. Susan Marcus FCTRT’s Board President accepts the donation from Senior Tennis Pro Clive Ullyett. January 2021

TRUMBULL POLICE

FCTRT trained the Trumbull PD how to identify, manage and get help for duty induced stress. Pizza’s provided by Fairfield County Bank®. December 2020

MUFFIN MOTORCADE

Delivering yummy support to First Responders during the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic – Thank you Fairfield County Bank® for your donation toward this effort.