Burnout and Career Survival for First Responders - June 2, 2026

How Full is Your Bucket?

Burnout and Career Survival for First Responders
Presented by Dr. Nicole L Sawyer

Tuesday, June 2nd, 1830 hours

The Cheshire Medical Center - North Conference Rooms 1 & 2

Class is Sponsored by SWNHDFMA and is FREE for attendees!

Open to all Emergency Responders and their significant others.  Continuing Education hours for EMS Personnel available.

Program Description: This is an honest (and sometimes harsh) discussion about the physiological and psychological impacts of a long-term public safety career. We will dive into the chemistry of stress and trauma, the bad habits that come from trying to cope, the impacts on our emotional self and family life, eating habits, drinking habits, poor sleep and personal accountability for all of the above.  This program is not about solutions, its about ownership and accountability for our wellbeing and communication and truth for our loved ones. 

Presenter Bio:

 Nicole L Sawyer, PsyD is a licensed clinical psychologist in New Hampshire. She has been in clinical practice since 2005 and works exclusively with public safety professionals and first responder agencies. Dr. Sawyer is the public safety training consultant for NHs Fire/EMS and Police Academies, she has served for more than 15 years as the supporting psychologist for the NH State Police Peer Support Unit, and she provides clinical support for various regional Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams serving both Fire and Police agencies. In addition to her role as an instructor for the NAMI Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program for first responders, she is the professional crisis intervention specialist for the multiple SWAT and Negotiation Units, responding alongside law enforcement to community incidents. Having reached international audiences with her straight-talking, candid trainings and workshops, Dr. Sawyer is best known for taking a direct approach to the psychological challenges faced by public safety professionals and first responders over the course of their careers. 


Please RSVP to Lt. Virginia Foote at vfoote@firemutualaid.com

Passing of a Legend

It is with regret that Southwestern NH District Fire Mutual Aid and The Fitzwilliam Fire Department, announce the passing of Retired Lt. of Fire Mutual Aid and Retired Chief of Fitzwilliam Fire Department, Edwin Mattson Jr.

Ed began his career at Fire Mutual Aid in 1966 retiring the first time in 1987, to then return part time to Mutual Aid in 1998, being promoted to Lt, a rank he held until his retirement in 2021. Totaling 44 years of dedicated service to Fire Mutual Aid and our dispatch communities.

Ed joined the Fitzwilliam Fire Department in 1958, served as Chief from 1967 to 1986 and from 2008 until his retirement in 2013. Ed remained active on the Fire Department as a senior member until his passing.

Ed also had over 50 Years of dedicated service as a Fire Warden in Cheshire County.

Ed was a friend to all and a mentor to many.

Services will be posted when available.

Training Opportunity

Simulation Training hosted by Tyler Boucher, Fitzwilliam Fire Department
Friday, December 19, 2025
1800-2000hrs
The Drillyard (156 Bowkerville Road, Fitzwilliam, NH)

 Topics presented:
What is simulation?
What types of simulation exist?
Implementing simulation on a limited budget.
Simulation training scars.
Logistics of simulation.
Do's and Don’ts for simulation.
How to bring high fidelity simulation to your home department.

Rescue INC/VEMSA will have their brand-new, high fidelity sim lab present for the event along with a sim instructor to display unit capabilities and provide a few short sim scenarios for willing participants. 

 Training is free and open to everyone. (There may be limited participation opportunities based on attendance and time.)