VFRS-TELE701 Telecommunicators Focus - 3 Day Event
Lead Instructor: Toby Akers
Location: Christiansburg Rescue, 190 Depot Street Christiansburg, VA 24073
Date: June 18, June 19, and June 20, 2026 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Telecommunicator Track Agenda
Thursday – June 18, 2026
Theme: Foundations, Wellness, and Emerging Threats
• 08:00–08:20 | Opening Session & Morning Motivation – Valerie D’Intino & Toby Akers
• 08:20–08:30 | Break
• 08:30–09:30 | New Employees Are Friends, Not Food – Shannon White
• 09:30–09:45 | Break
• 09:45–11:45 | The 911 Chaplain’s Corner: Caring Without Collapsing – Brandi Powell
• 11:45–13:00 | Lunch
• 13:00–14:00 | The Role of DWR as First Responders – Daniel Rabago
• 14:00–14:15 | Break
• 14:15–15:45 | Rescuers Behind the Headset: Combatting Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes Against Children – Kayla Stultz
• 15:45–16:00 | Break
• 16:00–17:00 | Building Resilient PSAPs Using NG911 Technology – VDEM Staff
Friday – June 19, 2026
Theme: Leadership, Technology, and Culture
• 08:00–09:00 | Customer Service: Who C.A.R.E.S.? – Dru Clarke
• 09:00–09:10 | Break
• 09:10–10:10 | Triggers, Trauma, and Telecommunicators – Brandi Powell
• 10:10–10:20 | Break
• 10:20–11:20 | Virginia Relay & 911 Professionals – Felecia Smith
• 11:20–11:30 | Break
• 11:30–12:30 | AI, the New Guy on the Team – JaCorey Glaude
• 12:30–13:30 | Lunch
• 13:30–14:30 | Leading in Crisis: A 911 Director’s Perspective – Karima Holmes
• 14:30–14:40 | Break
• 14:40–15:40 | Culture at the Speed of Trust – Dru Clarke
• 15:40–15:50 | Break
• 16:00–17:00 | How to Lose a 911 Trainee in 10 Ways – Samantha Hawkins
Saturday – June 20, 2026
Theme: Crisis Response, Leadership, and Resilience
• 08:00–09:00 | CIT & MARCUS Alert Overview – Joey Thacker
• 09:00–09:10 | Break
• 09:10–11:10 | Leading While Under the Headset – Shannon White
• 11:10–11:25 | Break
• 11:25–12:25 | Tactical Communications – Melissa Lounsbury
• 12:25–13:30 | Lunch
• 13:30–14:30 | A.R.M.O.U.R. – Tiffany Grier
• 14:30–14:40 | Break
• 14:40–15:40 | Trauma Tapping: Change Your Energy – Shannon White
• 15:40–15:50 | Break
• 16:00–17:00 | Hatching Resilience: Building a COOP for Dispatch Success – Jesse Merritt
