FiRSST

First Responder
Specialty Services and Training

FiRSST is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialized training aimed at ensuring that Emergency Responders and Public Safety Personnel are able to maintain their brain fitness and overcome the unique difficulties encountered on the job. Learn more about FiRSST >

View our training courses:

For First Responders For Mental Health Professionals

Specialty Training

Created FOR First Responders

Created BY a First Responder/Mental Health Professional

Additional Resources >

About First Responder Specialty Services and Training (FiRSST)

FiRSST is a non-profit aimed at providing training and speacialty services for:

Law Enforcement Professionals
Firefighters
Emergency Medical Services
Dispatchers
Military
Veterans
... and all who are exposed to critical incidents
on a daily basis

Our goal is to bring culturally complete training on Brain Fitness in the Line of Duty and treatment if one is injured while protecting others. FiRSST also aims to serve families including parents, spouses, and children of those who serve in these noble professions.

The Story of FiRSST

Dr. Robbie started FiRSST because she was an EMT/FF, is the great granddaughter and granddaughter of Police Sergeants and the daughter of a Fire Chief.
Dr. Robbie continues to work to grow the non profit thanks to her passion for supporting and caring for those who give their health and sometimes their lives to protect others.

Contributor: Dr. Robbie Adler-Tapia

Dr. Adler-Tapia is a licensed psychologist who was previously a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) before starting in nursing and moving on to becoming a psychologist. Currently, she is an Employee Assistance Provider for law enforcement, firefighters and Emergency Responders, and one of the Clinical Directors for ERAP – the Emergency Responders Assistance Program. She is the great-granddaughter and granddaughter of Law Enforcement Officers, and the daughter of a Volunteer Fire Chief.

Dr. Adler-Tapia was part of the Mental Health Team for the National Fallen Firefighters’, Taking Care of Our Own Program, and she was one of the Founders of PISTLE (Post Incident Stress and Trauma in Law Enforcement). She has presented at many conferences wonrldwide about her expertise and is involved in many volunteer comittees around her community.

Dr. Adler-Tapia has been married for 32 years to her best friend, Dr. Hugo Tapia who is a school psychologist and the couple have 6 adult children.

Learn more about first responders and mental health

Additional Resources

Resources

Books

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"One Badge, One Brain, One Life" | Robbie Adler-Tapia

Preventative Maintenance for Your Brain While in the Line of Duty. This book is for all Emergency Responders AND those who employ them.

Order via Email

"The Resilient 911 Professional" | Jim Marshall and Tracey Lorenza

This book is the first comprehensive guide ever written to empower dispatchers to achieve comprehensive wellness and peak performance. You'll read remarkable stories and gain rich information from experts in 9-1-1, psychology, medicine and organizational behavior.

Purchase

"Chasing the Dragon" | Hal Nevitt

Nevitt explains the exact events leading up to his life-altering encounter with cocaine, his experience in prison, and how it all affected his marriage. Discover the commonalities between people who become addicted to drugs and how he came to terms with his own personal demons.