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Meet the Founder

Susan Farren

Executive Director, Founder

Paramedic (Ret.)

Susan Farren is the Founder of First Responders Resiliency, Inc®., as well as a published author, educator, and speaker. After 30 years in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), for both public and private sectors as a Paramedic, Susan was diagnosed with what was initially thought to be terminal organ cancer.  After major surgery and recovery, Susan began researching the physical impacts of public safety. Her research led her to create a long overdue and much-needed proactive program providing physiological and psychological resiliency for those who put the lives of others before their own. Susan is dedicated to implementing every modality into her lifestyle and enjoys spending time with her five children. Susan teaches the following topics: The Nervous System, Psychology, Physical Resiliency, Emotions and Relationships, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Hemi-Synchronization, and Leadership.

Administrative Staff

Devyn Breslin

Operations Manager

Grayson Sjoholm

Executive Assistant

Kevin Smith

Director of Training and Logistics

Paramedic (ret.)
kevins@resiliency1st.org

Resiliency Instructors

Ronnie Shull

Primary Resiliency Instructor

Fire Engineer (Ret.)

Santa Rosa Fire Department

rons@resiliency1st.org

Eric Strom

Primary Resiliency Instructor

 Fire Captain (Ret.)

Vallejo Fire Department

erics@resiliency1st.org

Cathy Wayne

Primary Resiliency Instructor

Captain & Field Commander (Ret.)

California Highway Patrol

cathyw@resiliency1st.org

Dr. Gary McCalla

Resiliency Instructor

Emergency Room Doctor

garym@resiliency1st.org

Tod Ceruti

Tactical Resiliency Instructor

Veteran

The United States Navy 

todc@resiliency1st.org

Forrest Martin

Tactical Resiliency Instructor

Fire Captain

CAL FIRE

forrestm@resiliency1st.org

Family Instructors

Carie Levar

Director of Family Services

Veronica Stirnus

Family Services Instructor

Board of Directors

Susan Farren

Board President

Paramedic (Ret.)

Executive Director, Founder

Christine (Chris) Jacobs

Board Treasurer

Lieutenant (Ret.)

California Highway Patrol

Michael Raasch

Board Member

Police Chief, (Ret.)

Windsor Police Department

Bill Bullard

Board Member

Fire Chief

Graton Fire Protection District

Advisory Board

Dr. Gina Poe

Director of Brain Research, UCLA

Dr. Susanne Montgomery

Director, Loma Linda University

Jan Myers

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Dr. Donn Gaede

Clinical Professor, Loma Linda University

Jeff Stone

Marriage & Family Therapist

Dr. Tori Van Dyk

Professor, Loma Linda University

Dr. Ryan D'arcy

Neuroscientist, British Columbia

John Wojtowicz

Retired US Marshal

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