2026 florida fire chaplains conference

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  Presenter

About Andrew

Division Chief Andrew “Drew” Armenis has served in the fire service since 2000 and currently serves with the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department in Jupiter, Florida. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of operational and leadership roles, with a focus on training, wellness, and servant leadership.

Drew is a certified Fire Chaplain with a calling to minister to first responders and their families during times of crisis and trauma. As a suicide survivor, he brings a depth of compassion, authenticity, and hope to his ministry. He is passionate about addressing moral injury, trauma, and suicide in the fire service and is committed to walking alongside those he serves with faith, care, and purpose.

Welcome Speaker

Fire Chief James Banta possesses a tenure spanning over 30 years within the Fire Service, underscored by his unwavering commitment to leadership and professional development. His journey began in 1992 when he embarked on his career as an EMT in an Ocala, FL emergency room. Shortly thereafter, he joined Ocala Fire Rescue as a Firefighter EMT, marking the initial stepping stone in his path.

In 1997, Chief Banta joined Marion County Fire Rescue, where he served as a Firefighter Paramedic. Stationed in MCFR's busiest battalion, he tackled the challenges of emergency response with skill and determination.

Throughout his career, Chief Banta has consistently demonstrated his leadership acumen. He ascended through the ranks, assuming vital roles as a Lieutenant and Captain. In the wake of the tragic events of 9/11, he displayed an unwavering commitment to public safety by joining the hazardous materials team and becoming a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) technician, positioning himself as a key figure in preparing for potential future threats. His leadership extended to overseeing special operations teams as a division chief. Chief Banta continues to immerse himself in all aspects of the fire service, most recently becoming a SWAT Paramedic and ensuring the establishment of a new partnership with the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Chief Banta's commitment to continuous learning and professional growth includes earning a bachelor's degree in fire service administration. He has also invested significantly in leadership training, equipping himself with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead his team effectively.

In 2013, Chief Banta's leadership qualities led to his promotion to Division Chief, where he took on the role of Shift Commander, managing over 150 personnel. In 2015, he continued his upward trajectory by earning the title of Deputy Chief, and then in December 2017, Chief Banta was selected to assume the pivotal role of Fire Chief, a position he has held with distinction ever since. Under his leadership, MCFR has embarked on a transformative journey characterized by groundbreaking initiatives. These initiatives encompass critical areas such as first responder mental health, cancer prevention, hiring, workload balance/reduction, and notably, leadership training. Chief Banta's commitment to nurturing and empowering the leadership potential within his team has become a hallmark of his tenure, ensuring the continued excellence of MCFR and the safety of the community it serves.

Welcome Speaker

 Division Chief Christopher Bator began his career in 1996 as a Firefighter Paramedic with the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Dept and in that time has risen to the rank of Division Chief assigned to the Safety and Health Division. Chief Bator also serves as a, Safety Officer, Instructor, and Chair of the Safety and Health Committee for the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Dept. Chief Bator has a AS degree in EMS and is a State of Florida Certified Paramedic, Live Fire Instructor, Instructor 2, Fire Officer 3, and Safety Officer. Captain Bator also received his Fire Officer Designation from the Center of Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Safety Program Operations and in his second year of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program. Chief Bator is a member of the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival section and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association. Chief Bator is also the recipient of Fire Officer of the Year in 2016 by the Broward County Fire Chiefs Association and Excellence Award by the City of Coral Springs in 2017.

Chief Bator is the President and co-founder of the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative (FFSHC) a non-profit organization committed to bringing Florida’s Fire Service and Firefighter Safety and Health advocates together throughout the State to work together for the Safety and Health of Florida’s Firefighters. The FFSHC provides training, education, communication, networking and sharing of resources to enhance Fire Department Safety and Health programs to reduce the risk of injury or exposure to Florida’s Firefighters.

  Presenter

 How do you reach firefighters who will never walk into your office? This session shares practical lessons from building a chaplaincy presence on TikTok, not as a gimmick, but as a genuine way to reduce stigma and create accessible pathways to support. Participants will learn how to identify where their people gather digitally, set healthy boundaries, create content that connects, and measure real impact. You don't need to be on TikTok. You just need to be willing to show up where your firefighters already are. 

About Chris

Chris Cottle is a Driver Engineer and Chaplain with the Palm Coast Fire Department, where he has served since 2002. With over 20 years in emergency services, he brings a unique perspective on the mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by first responders. He's passionate about reducing stigma and creating accessible pathways to support.

  Presenter

About Michael

Deputy Chief Michael DeStefano, Jupiter Fire Rescue Department, Town of Jupiter, Florida. 

Michael DeStefano is a certified Fire Chaplain as well as Pastor and has been in the fire service since 2004 working his way from firefighter/paramedic through the ranks to his current role Deputy Fire Chief of Administration. He has been married to his wife Jennifer for 20 years and has two daughters, 19 and 16 years old. Michael holds a Doctorate degree from Liberty University in Strategic Leadership and is the host of the Unbranded Leadership Podcast. 

Presenter

  Join us for a compelling session as Anthony shares how the steadfast support of the fire service brotherhood and meaningful friendships became a lifeline during a season of recovery. Discover how these powerful bonds helped transform adversity into opportunity and renewed strength. Hear the remarkable spiritual journey of someone who realized their story is far from over, and how life's challenges can become moments for the Lord to speak directly to our hearts. This talk will inspire you to reflect on your own journey and see adversity as a path to growth. Don’t miss the uplifting message on the transformative impact of a godly marriage. Learn how walking side by side with someone who shares your faith in Jesus can empower you to overcome obstacles and achieve extraordinary things—together.

About Anthony

With 19 years of dedicated service to Marion County Fire Rescue, Anthony spent the last two years assigned to the Training Division as the Fire Training Captain. Previous roles include serving with Ladder 1 and dedicating 12 years as a cadre instructor within the Training Division. Anthony is honored to represent FOOLS International as their Southeast Representative.

Anthony has spent eight years as a cadre instructor at the Orlando Fire Conference, specializing in the Extrication site, and is an active cadre member of National Rescue Consultants, Mayday Mindset, and one of the original members of the Build Your Culture Cadre. Teaching experience extends to notable events such as the Ft Lauderdale Fire Expo, Great Lakes HOT, North Florida Fire Conference, Bearers of the Oath Conference, and Treasure Coast HOT, among others.

Specialties include Company Officer development, Truck company operations (forcible entry, search/vent-enter-isolate-search, vertical ventilation), RIT team dynamics, and vehicle extrication. Anthony has also been a featured guest on the Fit to Fight Fire podcast, Prepared to Fight Fire podcast, and Behind the Shield podcast.

If it involves hands-on, challenging training, you’ll find Anthony right in the thick of it. He is passionate about working alongside firefighters who are committed to advancing their skills and taking their performance to the next level.

Presenter

About Tracy

Tracy S. Hejmanowski is a licensed clinical psychologist with 24 years of expertise focused on occupational stress and trauma among first responders and military communities. She founded First Responder Project, a nonprofit that provides summits, peer trainings, and recalibration retreats for first responders and their loved ones.

Dr. Hejmanowski’s has worked with repatriated POW’s, Special Warfare Operations, law enforcement, fire/rescue, and their families. She served as an active duty and contracted Navy psychologist for 19 years and has run retreats for 13 years.

Dr. Hejmanowski has a clinical practice, provides advanced training for peer support teams, consults with several Sheriff’s Offices and the Air Force Ready Firefighter Program, speaks nationally and authors regularly. She is an IAFF-trained Red/Blue Line Rescue provider and is a designated National FOP Vetted Provider.

Presenter

About Dave

25 years of experience investing in marriages, families, and individuals, through coaching, chaplaincy, counseling, and teaching. Dave is called to invest in people like you. His passion is evident through the years of working with groups, teaching, counseling, public speaking and chaplaining. You will find Dave studying, watching videos, or practicing guiding others to better understand one another, communicate more effectively, build trust, enhance identity, and learn to love.

People who spend time with Dave will tell you he is caring, warm, understanding, and relationally/emotionally intelligent. He knows how to help you become your best self in order to function in your world at the highest level.

Dave’s training includes Bachelor’s degree from USF in Elementary Education, Master’s degree in Clinical Christian Counseling through the National Christian Counselors Association. Dave also is a certified Brain Health Coach through Amen Clinics. In addition, Dave is SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) certified, and a Level 2 Gottman Marriage therapist. Finally, Dave is trained in temperament analysis which helps others discover their inborn traits which reveal their spiritual genetics.

Interesting fact: Dave has played the drums for 35 years, has been skydiving twice, completed 6 marathons, is adopted, and has the best family in the world.

Presenter

About Alex

Alex Trinchet has dedicated over 35 years to public service, starting his career in the U.S. Army with 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment under U.S. Army Special Operations Command. A combat veteran, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Alex then transitioned to the fire service, first with City of Sunrise Fire Rescue than joining Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) in 2002, where he served as a Firefighter/Paramedic and later advanced to the rank of Lieutenant in both Operations and Fire Prevention. Currently, he serves as a Lieutenant, Lead Chaplain, and Licensed Mental Health Counselor for Miami Dade Fire Rescue.

Over the past 15 years, Alex has played a crucial role in advancing mental health within MDFR and South Florida, including different roles such as:

• Peer Support Team Member and Coordinator

• Department Chaplain and Lead Chaplain

• Mental Health Instructor (Peer Support, CISM, ASIST, etc.)

• Project Manager for mental health initiatives

• Clinical Director for MDFR Peer Support Team

Alex led the MDFR Peer Support Strike Team in response to the Parkland High School shooting (2018) and served as the Mental Wellness Branch Leader during the Champlain Towers South Collapse (2021), overseeing all mental health operations for on-site personnel and MDFR Fire Stations.

In addition to his fire service work, Alex has served in various leadership roles at a local church for over 30 years, though his primary focus remains on supporting first responders and the military community.

Alex has been married for over 25 years and is a proud father of two sons and a daughter.

Presenter

In this session, participants will hear about the future of suicide prevention training within the fire service by taking a look back at the history of this topic. Attendees will engage in discussion using actual case studies from departments impacted by a suicide death to discern healthy, helpful approaches to reduce death by suicide within the fire service and subsequently our nation. 

About Mary

An independent consultant, speaker, author, and trainer, Mary worked with St. Petersburg College’s Center for Public Safety Innovation and developed the College’s firefighter suicide prevention training. She is also a master trainer for the QPR Institute in Spokane, WA, and co-chaired the State of Florida’s First Responders Suicide Deterrence Task Force. She is the author of Suicide in Public Safety: The human dimension, published in 2015. As a lay minister, she has also facilitated suicide prevention and mental wellness trainings that integrate Biblical references and theological principles.
 

She and her husband, a retired police officer, live in Clearwater, FL, but celebrate their Wisconsin roots. They enjoy bragging about their grandchildren, golfing, and appreciating the fact that they are finally on the same schedule.