SHIELD is an eight-hour training session that equips clinicians with critical knowledge, cultural fluency, and practical tools to ethically and effectively support first responders. The course emphasizes a trauma-informed, system-sensitive approach that respects the unique culture of first responder groups while addressing individual and systemic barriers to wellness. Through lecture, discussion, case study, and a first-responder panel, clinicians deepen their understanding of responder subcultures, peer support structures, and the realities of working with departments, unions, and multidisciplinary teams. Topics include clinical considerations for confidentiality and mandated reporting, navigating stigma, addressing substance abuse, and working with first-responder families. SHIELD training is led by Dr. Stacy Cecchet, a licensed and board-certified psychologist.
Download our SHIELD flyer for more information, including a registration link to upcoming training sessions.
Completed SHIELD trainings:
November 19, 2025 | Vancouver Police Department
January 9, 2026 | South County Fire
February 6, 2026 | Everett Police Department
April 28, 2026 | Seattle Fire Department Joint Training Facility
May 15, 2026 | Spokane Police Department
POISE is a 30-hour certificate program with an innovative skills-building curriculum designed for frontline responders who work on collaborative emergency, crisis response, and follow-up teams. The program, which includes a series of e-learning modules and live virtual workshops featuring real-world scenarios, culminates in a dynamic two-day advanced-skills practice course. The training outlines a Roadmap of Care, using highly effective evidence-based brief interventions, for the most vulnerable community members. In 2026, POISE will be offered to crisis response teams on an invitation-only basis. The 30-hour certificate program is designed for a five-month completion period and offers up to 30 hours of CE credit.
The Suicide Prevention Module, called Brief Screening for Suicide and Evidence-Based Approaches to Safety Planning for Crisis Responders, is on the Washington State Department of Health’s suicide prevention model list. The training meets the state’s suicide prevention requirement for licensure renewal and is only available as part of the POISE Crisis Responder Certificate program.
Download our POISE flyer for more information.
Read about the impact we’re making in our First Year Report on POISE training.
COAST is an eight-hour behavioral health training for Fire/EMS responders. Our state is a leader in promoting and requiring crisis-intervention training for police officers, but this is the first training designed specifically for Fire/EMS in Washington. The training’s focus is the Coast Roadmap, which charts an effective response to all types of behavioral health calls. The Roadmap is designed to help Fire/EMS providers hone the unique skills they bring to these calls, improve understanding of behavioral health signs and symptoms, and build awareness about the crisis-care continuum in our state. The training also includes self-care strategies that promote first responder well-being. Find more resources for firefighters and emergency medical services with this information sheet
Read about the impact we’re making in our First Year Report on COAST training.
CCIS Edge classes open for registration
The Washington State Health Care Authority is offering classes in CCIS Edge—an advanced approach to crisis de-escalation—for Washington state-based field responders including mobile crisis, co-response and alternative response teams. See the linked flyer for more information about the course and how to register.