Hi, I'm Dr. Donnie
Instructor - Speaker - Researcher - Founder
Known as the Professor of Work-Life Balance for Public Safety, Dr. Donnie Hutchinson has taken his research and passion to a new level. As founder and CEO of the First Responder Center for Balance & Well-Being, Dr. Donnie and a Team of Advisors are leading the charge in Proactive Behavioral Health. Dr. Donnie formulated the Learn–Practice–Lead (LPL) model in his work to provide learners with a lifelong formula to gain new knowledge, put it into practice, and lead others through teaching.
The Fire Service Says...
Preventive and Proactive Approach
The IAFC specifies in their Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative that a comprehensive behavioral health program should focus on prevention and a proactive approach. The focus should be on recognizing, managing, and reducing the effects of stress on firefighters’ emotional and physical health. They also recommend supporting and including family members through educational materials. They specifically state that firefighters who are committed to their own behavioral health, well-being, and healthy family relationships increase their resiliency.
Meet Some of the Board of Advisors
Todd LeDuc
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
CSO, Executive Assistant Chief (Ret) Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue, Board of Director for the International Association of Fire Chief’s Safety, Health & Survival Section. In June of 2019, Chief LeDuc joined Life Scan Wellness Centers as their Chief Strategy Officer and now serves as Deputy CEO. Life Scan Wellness Centers is the Na
CSO, Executive Assistant Chief (Ret) Broward County Sheriff Fire Rescue, Board of Director for the International Association of Fire Chief’s Safety, Health & Survival Section. In June of 2019, Chief LeDuc joined Life Scan Wellness Centers as their Chief Strategy Officer and now serves as Deputy CEO. Life Scan Wellness Centers is the Nations largest provider of comprehensive annual public safety physicals. Chief LeDuc serves as a Technical Committee member on NFPA 1592 Occupation Health of First Responders.
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach is an Associate Scientist and Deputy Director at the Center for
Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, part of NDRI-USA. She has extensive
experience working with the fire service on a number of federally funded studies
including as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a recent FEMA-funded study examining
perceptions of
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach is an Associate Scientist and Deputy Director at the Center for
Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, part of NDRI-USA. She has extensive
experience working with the fire service on a number of federally funded studies
including as the Principal Investigator (PI) on a recent FEMA-funded study examining
perceptions of protective strategies for COVID-19. She is also working on two studies
examining the health of women firefighters. Dr. Hollerbach has an interest in firefighter
health in general given her background as a former firefighter, and, specifically, the
translation and dissemination of health research.
Chuck DeSmith
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Chuck DeSmith
Currently a Deputy Fire Chief with 34 years of experience serving the Greater Renton
Community with emergency care. I specialize in supporting our Emergency Medical Service
(EMS), Community Health Support, and Organizational Safety and Wellness for the Renton Regional Fire Authority. I have a MA in Organizational Leadership and a BS in Fi
Currently a Deputy Fire Chief with 34 years of experience serving the Greater Renton
Community with emergency care. I specialize in supporting our Emergency Medical Service
(EMS), Community Health Support, and Organizational Safety and Wellness for the Renton Regional Fire Authority. I have a MA in Organizational Leadership and a BS in Fire Science and support being a life-time learner. member of numerous committees in King County with EMS (Region 3 Trauma Council, Zone 3 Integrated Health Lead, KC Wellness Committee, Zone 3 Ops Chiefs and EMS Advisory
Committee, KC Mobile Integrated Health and BLS working groups).
Eric Valliere
Dr. Brittany Hollerbach
Chuck DeSmith
Eric currently holds the rank of Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Services, managing Operations, EMS, and Safety at the Scottsdale Fire Department. Assistant Fire Chief Valliere has been serving on the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Board since 2013 and currently serves as the Chair. Chief Valliere is the Co-Cha
Eric currently holds the rank of Assistant Fire Chief over Emergency Services, managing Operations, EMS, and Safety at the Scottsdale Fire Department. Assistant Fire Chief Valliere has been serving on the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Board since 2013 and currently serves as the Chair. Chief Valliere is the Co-Chair of the regional Valley Safety Officers (VSO) committee, the Co-Chair of the Regional Operations Consistency Committee (ROCC), the Lead AZ State Advocate for the NFFF’s EGH program, and a member of the IAFC Safety Health & Survival Section.
Meet Our Trusted Sponsor
WORKBOOK SPONSOR
WHA Insurance is committed to being a pillar of support for the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to safeguard our communities. Our sponsorship aims to facilitate access to Dr. Hutchinson's comprehensive resources, including workshops, webinars, and Balance Boost. In collaboration with Dr. Donnie Hutchinson, WHA is eager to contribute to your overall well-being..
Dr. Hutchinson's Proactive Behavioral Health programs have proven effective in addressing the unique challenges faced by first responders.