​Northern Nevada EMS Consortium

supporting northern nevada 

EMS Systems

A Non-profit organization

We believe events like last year’s gathering at the Ruby 360 Lodge allowed us to bring together community leaders, local and state officials, and mental health professionals to build stronger networks, share knowledge, and drive policy-focused conversations. This year, we’re shifting our focus. After listening closely to the needs in our region, we’ve recognized a critical and immediate gap: our first responders are struggling, and they need support now more than ever.

With outreach to our local fire, police, EMS, and other first responder agencies in rural Northern Nevada, we’ve seen a clear and overwhelming need for focused mental health and resiliency training tailored specifically for first responders in rural Northern Nevada.

We’ve reimagined and expanded the event into the Ruby Mountain Resiliency Training—a full-day, in-person experience designed to give our first responders practical tools to manage trauma, stress, burnout, and other behavioral health challenges that are far too common in their line of work.

Goals:

Reduce Risk of PTSD, Depression & Suicide
According to the IAFF, first responders experience PTSD and depression at rates five times higher than the general public. This training will provide tools to identify early signs, build coping strategies, and foster resilience to reduce these risks.

Combat Stigma Around Mental Health
Culturally competent training helps shift harmful mindsets that prevent first responders from seeking help. By normalizing conversations around behavioral health, the training helps reduce stigma and increase early intervention.

Improve Job Performance & Safety
Resilient first responders make better decisions under pressure, communicate more effectively, and handle critical incidents with more focus—all of which leads to improved outcomes for the people they serve and their fellow team members.

Foster Peer Support Networks
The training encourages connection through group discussion and shared experiences, which can lead to the formation of peer support teams—something we all strongly promotes as a critical support system within departments.

Lower Rates of Substance Abuse
Many responders turn to alcohol or other substances to cope. This training includes proactive wellness strategies (like exercise, nutrition, and spiritual support) that offer healthier outlets and long-term solutions.

Support Family & Personal Life Stability
Stress doesn’t stay on the job—it spills into marriages, parenting, and home life. Resilience training helps responders manage stress before it becomes overwhelming, supporting healthier relationships and family dynamics.

Connect Responders to Resources
Participants will leave with more than just training—they’ll gain access to ongoing mental health resources, referrals, and tools that align with backed initiatives like peer support, behavioral health treatment centers, and 24/7 hotlines.

Build a Culture of Mental Wellness in Departments
When a department invests in resiliency training, it signals to all members that mental health matters. This can lead to lasting cultural change within the organization—something the stresses is essential for long-term well-being.

 With the support of experts and partners, we are delivering critical resiliency training rooted in science and best practices.