08/28/2026
**** UPDATED ****
🎤 **CALLING POTENTIAL SPEAKERS**
The Alberta First Responders Association is now beginning to build the speaker lineup for our **2027 AFRA Mental Health Conference**.
📅 **Saturday, March 6, 2027**
📍 **Wyndham Edmonton South**
THEME **BUILT TO RESPOND. PREPARED TO RECOVER.**
First responders are trained to respond to almost anything.
But what are we doing to prepare them for the psychological impact of the job?
Our 2027 conference will focus on the conversations surrounding trauma, cumulative exposure, prevention, early intervention, workplace culture and recovery.
We are looking for speakers, professionals, researchers, leaders and individuals with lived experience who may be able to contribute to one of four key conversations:
🔹 **Understanding Trauma & Cumulative Exposure**
How repeated exposure to difficult calls and critical incidents can affect those who respond.
🔹 **Preparation, Protection & Mental Fitness**
What can we do to better prepare first responders for the psychological demands of their careers and provide practical tools before someone reaches a breaking point?
🔹 **Leadership, Culture & Early Intervention**
How organizations, supervisors and leaders can help create healthier workplaces, recognize concerns earlier and support their people.
🔹 **Recovery, Hope & The Road Forward**
Powerful conversations about lived experience, recovery, support, rebuilding purpose and the message that no one should have to navigate the road alone.
We aren't necessarily looking for someone to fit into a pre-written presentation.
**We want to hear from people who have something meaningful to contribute to this conversation.**
If you are a speaker—or know someone who may be—who could create or adapt a presentation around one of these topics, we would love to connect.
Our conference program is anticipated to feature **approximately four primary speakers**, with sessions in the range of **60 minutes**, including the opportunity for presentation and audience discussion.
At this stage, we're simply looking to start the conversation and learn:
✔️ Which topic best fits your expertise or experience
✔️ What type of presentation you could create or adapt
✔️ Your preferred presentation format and timing
✔️ Your availability for **March 6, 2027**
✔️ Any speaking, travel or other requirements
**A completed presentation is not required at this stage.**
If you are interested—or if you know someone whose voice needs to be part of this conversation—please tag them below, share this post, or reach out to us directly.
Let's bring together the people, knowledge and experiences that can help us better prepare those who spend their lives responding when others need help.
**BUILT TO RESPOND.**
**PREPARED TO RECOVER.**
**AFRA 2027 Mental Health Conference**
📅 March 6, 2027
📍 Wyndham Edmonton South
[email protected] to submit your proposal.