Operational debrief of Canfield Mountain ambush incident near Coeur d'Alene Idaho, June 29th 2025.

Harvey Ballman has served with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office since 2011. He is currently assigned as a multi-purpose K9 handler, SWAT Assistant Team Leader and US Marshals Service Task Force Officer. Dep. Ballman has served in several specialized units at the Sheriff's Office, including SWAT, K9, the Criminal Interdiction Unit, Detectives, and the Firearms Training Unit. Deputy Ballman has been an ALERRT Instructor since 2015 and regularly instructs / maintains instructor certifications in firearms, tactical team operations, and active shooter response. Prior to Law Enforcement, Dep. Ballman served in the United States Marine Corps from 2005 to 2009 and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2009 to 2014. Dep. Ballman took initial command in the Canfield Mountain ambush and executed both the initial rescue, and recovery of wounded / killed fire personnel.

Nutrition for Cognitive Functioning

Dr. Nick Barringer is an O2X Nutrition Specialist. Nick currently researches and serves as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy. Previously while working at the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine he researched Warfighter nutritional requirements in differing environments to include deployed Special Operators. Prior to that, he taught performance nutrition at the Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Nutrition. Nick has presented at both national and international conferences on tactical athlete nutrition and performance and his research has appeared in multiple media outlets such as Science Daily and Men’s Journal. Nick received his undergraduate degree in dietetics from the University of Georgia, his master of science in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania and his doctorate in kinesiology from Texas A&M.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Colm Black is the Deputy Chief of Training for the Minneapolis Fire Department, where he has served for more than 25 years. Beginning his career as a firefighter in 2001, Colm was promoted to Fire Captain in 2008 and spent 13 years leading Rescue 1, Minneapolis's technical rescue company, before being appointed Deputy Chief of Training in 2024.

A graduate of the National Fire Academy, Fire and Emergency Services Training Program Management, Colm holds certifications in Firefighter I and II, EMT, and Hazardous Materials Operations, Technician, and Specialist. He is Emergency Operations Center trained and currently pursuing a degree in Fire Science. Known for his collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, and commitment to professional development, Colm is dedicated to advancing firefighter training and operational excellence.

One Common Operating Picture: How Texas DPS Deployed Mapping and Communication Tools to Meet HB33’s Interoperability Mandate for Active Shooter Response

Jared Bryant, is currently the Sergeant of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Emerging Technology Patrol Unit. He has been in the unit since August of 2024 and was a founding member of the unit, charged with covering Region 2 (Bryan, Houston, Lufkin and Beaumont area). He started with the department in 2016 where he began his career in Eagle Pass, later transferring to Huntsville, then to the unit as a corporal then Sergeant at the start of 2026. The ETPU is dedicated to testing and evaluating new technology before ultimately being deployed to the field, if found to be successful after trial and error. As the supervisor, he gathers the prospective data collected by the corporals after extensive testing, compiles an evaluation (with all corporals opinions) and submit the unit’s opinion through the chain of command for consideration.

When being ready is not enough! How to build, sustain and innovate a multi disciplinary response to active violence program.

Bio still to come.

Sustaining your ASHER program. Now that you built it, how do you keep it?

Dr. Ciottone is President Emeritus of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an Instructor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), and the Founding Director of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship in Disaster Medicine, where he has trained over 120 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom are now in leadership positions in the US and around the world.

Dr. Ciottone also serves as the Director of Medical Preparedness for the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University, a joint program of the HSPH and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and sits on the faculty committee for the Harvard University Scholars at Risk program. He is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the International Board of Disaster Medicine, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and has been a Visiting Professor at three international universities.

As a former member of the United States National Disaster Medical System, Dr. Ciottone was Commander of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Massachusetts-2 when it was one of the first federal teams deployed into Ground Zero responding to the 9/11 attacks. He was a Founding Member of the US Department of Homeland Security and has been a consultant to the White House Medical Unit for the past three administrations. Dr. Ciottone’s clinical and field experience includes 25 years as a practicing emergency physician and over 500 missions as a flight physician on an aeromedical helicopter service. He has conducted educational programs in more than 30 countries around the world and has served as a disaster response fellowship director for the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Dr. Ciottone has written over 150 scholarly works on Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management, including serving as founding Editor-in-Chief of his textbook Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine, now in its 3rd edition and considered the leading textbook in the field.

In 2016, Dr Ciottone was recognized by the Physician to the President for “Outstanding Achievement in Support of the White House Medical Unit and the President of the United States”. He is the 2018 recipient of the American College of Emergency Physicians Disaster Medical Sciences Award, and the 2020 recipient of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine Distinguished Service Award. In 2024 Dr Ciottone was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa for his work in Disaster Medicine from Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier in France.

PREPARE SWEAT RECOVER

Brian Christianson is an O2X Assistant Vice President, Municipal Sales, and a 16-year Army Veteran. He joined the Army in 1999 as a Combat Engineer where he completed two deployments to Kosovo, one in Iraq, and one in Afghanistan. In 2007, he changed career fields to a Civil Affairs Specialist. After completing the Civil Affairs Qualification Course, he was attached to Joint Special Operations Command working alongside Rangers and SEALs in Afghanistan and later attached to SOCSOUTH where he again was attached to a SEAL Team. His final deployment was in Iraq during the drawdown. Positions he held are as a Team Leader, Squad Leader, Route Clearance NCOIC, Civil Affairs NCO, Team Sergeant, Joint Plans and Operations NCO, and Master Gunner.

When he stopped deploying around the world, his career shifted to training future warfighters as a hand-to-hand and advanced weapons and tactics instructor. Once he left the military, he saw a need for service members to have better training in their overall health and performance and took steps to insert himself to give service members something that he wished he had earlier in his career.

He opened a CrossFit gym, CrossFit Hold Strong, in San Antonio, TX. At the same time, he completed my Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas State University. He has held numerous jobs in the health and wellness field since taking his uniform off. He has worked in the Nutrition Care Division and as Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Nutrition Health Educator for 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Fort Bliss, TX.

While at Fort Bliss, he completed his Masters in Exercise Science and Wellness: Fitness and Performance from Liberty University. His last role in the Army was with the Army Wellness Center as Health Educator in Fort Sill, OK. Most recently, he earned the Tactical Strength and Conditioning - Facilitator (TSAC-F) credential from the NSCA.

Sustaining your ASHER program. Now that you built it, how do you keep it?

Chief Farnsworth has severed in law enforcement for over 39 years. He was the Chief of Police in Hampden MA for 16 years where he served in various capacities including patrol supervisor, narcotics task force investigator, court liaison and school resource officer. He is also veteran of the United States Navy.

Chief Farnsworth was elected to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Executive board and has remained a member for 18 years. During this time, he has served on the Chiefs legislative Committee, the Training and Education Committee and finance committees. He was elected to serve has the President of the Chiefs of Police Association in 2020. During 2020 he spent significant time working on the Massachusetts response to the COVID pandemic with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. He also was the local police representative at  the Massachusetts Homeland Security Operations center during the period of unrest we faced in 2020. Chief Farnsworth is the recipient of the 2020 Police Chief of the year award for his leadership during this time.

Currently Chief Farnsworth supervises the Massachusetts Active Shooter/Hostile Event program, he is the law enforcement representative to the Criminal Justice Cross tracking program and works with both the Parole Board and Dept of Corrections on policy development.

"Not If, But When" - Strategies for Communicating the Unexpected

Steve Gregory is an award-winning investigative journalist in Los Angeles, CA. He is also a sought-after instructor in the public and private sectors throughout the United States. He is a subject matter expert in media relations and crisis communications.

In 2016, Steve was the first working journalist in California to become a certified POST instructor. In 2023, Steve earned level II instructor status.

Since 2007, Steve has been an adjunct instructor at the Los Angeles Police Department where he co-created the LAPD’s first media relations curriculum. He is a board member of the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California where he chairs the Media Access Committee – putting him in a position to work with both the media and first responders to strengthen relationships on both sides of the yellow tape.

Steve is also an adjunct instructor with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the CA Regional Training Center, and the National Public Safety Innovation Academy in Florida.

As a journalist, Steve has won just about every broadcast news award available. He is the recipient of more than 85 Golden Mike® Awards, a couple dozen Associated Press Awards, and 11 prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards. He has been nominated for an Emmy® Award was a finalist for a Webby, and the Marconi Award, the highest honor in radio.

Steve is a Special Correspondent with Audacy, the world’s second largest audio company. He has been on the front lines of some of the biggest stories including riots in Ferguson, MO, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the wildfires on the island of Maui, a 7.0 magnitude Earthquake in Anchorage, and the ongoing events along the US/Mexico border, including coverage of a jailed US Marine in Tijuana.He also hosts a critically-acclaimed podcast on unsolved crimes.

Steve has lectured at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism on the campus of Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, Biola University, Vanguard University, and Pepperdine University.

He is called upon to advise on media protocols for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). Steve has assisted the US State Department as part of a program to educate foreign journalists on working in a democracy with a free press.

Operational debrief of Canfield Mountain ambush incident near Coeur d'Alene Idaho, June 29th 2025.

Erik Hedlund has served with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office since 2008. During his time with the Sheriff’s Office, Erik has served as a Field Training Officer and Supervisor, a member of the Criminal Interdiction Team, a Detective Sergeant with the Special Investigations Unit (Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force), a US Marshal Task Force member and a Crowd Control Team member. He is currently a Lieutenant within the Patrol Division, where he also oversees the K9 Unit, Recreation Safety Division and School Resource Officer Team. He regularly Instructs at the North Idaho POST Academy, where he has taught Building Search, Traffic Stops, Officer Survival and Active Shooter Response, among other topics. He is a POST Certified High Liability Instructor and a FLETC certified Use of Force Instructor. Erik has also been an Active Shooter Response Instructor through ALERRT since 2015, teaching Deputies within the Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies Active Shooter Response Tactics. He also presents Active Shooter Response and Critical Incident Response plans to local businesses and members of the community. Erik has been a member of the Kootenai County Joint Agency SWAT Team since 2012, where he currently serves as a Team Commander. He was serving in this role as a Tactical Commander during the Canfield Mountain Active Shooter Incident, occurring in June of 2025.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Joni Hodne is the Director of the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center. She began her public safety career in 2009 as a 911 call taker and advanced through roles as dispatcher, supervisor, and manager, experiences that shaped her operational expertise and deep appreciation for the demanding work of emergency communications professionals.

The daughter of a law enforcement officer, Joni brings a lifelong understanding of public safety to her leadership. That early exposure continues to influence her values today, reinforcing her commitment to strong partnerships between emergency communications, responding agencies, and the communities they serve.

In her current role, Joni oversees strategic direction, operational excellence, staff wellbeing and continuous system improvement for one of Minnesota’s busiest emergency communication hubs with over 600,000 calls a year coming into the dispatch center. She brings a blend of hands-on experience, strategic vision, and a deep passion for public service to every aspect of her work.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Insp. Kelly is currently working in his 12th year for the Minneapolis Police Department. He was born and raised in St. Francis, MN. He earned his B.A. in Criminal Justice with honors and M.A. in Criminal Justice Leadership from Concordia University. He has also completed the FBI-LEEDA supervisor, command and executive leadership courses.

Insp. Kelly is a recent graduate of the D.C. Police Leadership Academy. Military education includes Basic, Advanced, Senior, and Master Leadership courses. As an officer, he worked primarily in 4th precinct. He was assigned to middlewatch, daywatch, and the Neighborhood Directed Patrol. During this time, he was an FTO and assisted the MPD Training Unit train officers in emergency medical care.

Currently serving in the Minnesota Army National Guard, he has dedicated the last 18 years as a 68W Combat Medic. He currently serves as a Platoon Sergeant at the 834th Aircraft Support Battalion in Arden Hills, MN. Recognized by the Army as a subject matter expert, his military career has been focused on education and training. He has trained over 1,000 Soldiers in life saving medical care including being sent to multiple allied nations as an advisor/instructor. In 2025 he was recognized and awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit for his contributions to the United States Army Medical Department, an award reserved to those who have significantly contributed to the advancement of the Army Medical Department.

While service to the citizens of Minneapolis has been his priority, Insp. Kelly also served as a Paramedic, working in rural EMS from 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to 2025. As an advanced emergency medical provider, he uses this training and skillset to save the lives of Minneapolis residents and treat any officer injured in the line of duty. In 2021, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to 3rd Precinct. During his time in 3rd precinct, he supervised both dogwatch and daywatch shifts. He developed a reputation for being a proactive supervisor that would consistently be out on calls with his cops always willing to help them succeed.

Insp. Kelly’s recent role was as the 5th precinct daywatch Patrol Lieutenant supervising both daywatch and the directed patrol unit. He is honored to have the opportunity to serve as a mentor, leader, and advisor for sergeants, lieutenants, and officers. Insp. Kelly was recently recognized by the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police with the Meritorious Service Award.

Mobilizing Social Theory to Improve Police Response During and After High-Risk Events

David Klinger is Professor Emeritus of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a former police officer. His research focuses on policing, including use of force, officer-involved shootings, and SWAT operations, and he is a recipient of the American Society of Criminology’s Ruth Cavan Young Scholar Award.

Multi-Jurisdiction Active Shooter Response: Lessons Learned from the DeKalb County CDC Incident

Almedin Kulo is a Special Operations Chief with DeKalb County Fire Rescue, bringing over 22 years of experience in fire service and emergency response. He has progressed through every operational rank and now oversees 14 specialized teams, including hazardous materials, technical rescue, and urban search and rescue.

Chief Kulo is a Georgia POST-certified officer and currently serves as a SWAT Tactical Medic with DeKalb County, with over 15 years of experience supporting high-risk law enforcement operations. He has also assisted Georgia State Patrol and FBI Atlanta SWAT teams as a tactical medic, supporting numerous federal, state, and local operations.

He led the development and implementation of an active shooter response training program, training more than 4,000 police and fire personnel over a three-year period.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency management and Homeland Security and an associate degree in Fire Administration. A three-time STAR Award recipient and former Capt

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Amber Lage serves as the Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the Minneapolis Fire Department and has proudly dedicated more than 27 years to the organization. She currently sits on the MnFIRE Board as vice president, where she advocates for firefighter wellness and works to strengthen the future of the fire service in Minnesota by ensuring firefighters have the resources they need to protect their health.

Amber previously completed two terms on the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, representing professional firefighters. While her expertise lies in EMS, Amber is deeply committed to supporting the health, safety, and overall well-being of firefighters.

When being ready is not enough! How to build, sustain and innovate a multi disciplinary response to active violence program.

Ofer Lichtman is a firefighter-paramedic and operational medicine specialist with nearly 30 years of experience in emergency services spanning both Israel’s emergency medical system and Southern California. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of operational and leadership roles focused on active violence response, terrorism preparedness, tactical emergency medical support, and multidisciplinary public safety collaboration. Lichtman currently serves with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District, where he has played a key role in the development, implementation, and advancement of his agency’s response-to-violence and hostile event response programs—one of the longest-standing programs of its kind in the United States. His work has focused on improving interoperability between law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, hospitals, and emergency management partners to create effective and sustainable operational response models. A nationally recognized instructor and subject matter expert, Lichtman has facilitated training programs for agencies across the country, specializing in operational medicine, rescue task force operations, active violence response, and multidisciplinary coordination. His passion centers on helping organizations build, sustain, and continuously improve collaborative response systems capable of meeting evolving threats and complex incidents. Lichtman has served for more than 12 years as a Guidelines Committee member for the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC), helping shape nationally recognized best practices for civilian high-threat and operational medicine environments. He also served as a contributing author and subject matter expert for NFPA 3000: Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program, helping establish national guidance for integrated active violence preparedness and response.

Recognized for his expertise in building and sustaining high-performing multidisciplinary response programs, Lichtman continues to work at the intersection of law enforcement, fire service, EMS, behavioral health, and emergency management. He currently serves as a firefighter-paramedic and K9 handler assigned to a pioneering multidisciplinary Crisis Response Team that brings together the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health to respond to behavioral health crises and other complex community emergencies.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Tyler Lupkes is an experienced paramedic and distinguished Battalion Chief of Special Operations at Hennepin EMS in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a career in emergency medical services (EMS) that began in 2005, Chief Lupkes has built a reputation for his expertise, leadership, and commitment to public safety. In his current role, Chief Lupkes is responsible for overseeing the coordination and execution of specialized emergency response operations. He leads a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring top-tier patient care and effective management of resources in high-pressure situations. His leadership and strategic oversight are critical to the success of Hennepin EMS special operations.

Chief Lupkes' career began as a paramedic, where he quickly demonstrated his exceptional skills and dedication. His journey through various roles has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of emergency medical services and operations management. Time served as a 911 dispatcher, fire fighter, and reserve law enforcement officer gives unique insight to multi-disciplinary priorities. His leadership is characterized by a deep technical knowledge and a strong focus on team collaboration and professional growth.

In addition to his role at Hennepin EMS, Chief Lupkes serves as the elected Chair of the Minnesota Metro Region EMS System Emergency Preparedness Committee. In this capacity, he plays a pivotal role in shaping regional emergency preparedness strategies, fostering collaboration among various EMS agencies, and enhancing the overall readiness of the system. He is also a certified Emergency Manager, which underscores his proficiency in emergency preparedness and response. His credentials and experience make him a key figure in managing complex emergencies and developing effective preparedness plans.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Tyler Lupkes is passionate about advancing emergency response practices and promoting a culture of excellence within his team. His unwavering commitment to public safety and his influential role in both local and regional emergency preparedness have earned him recognition as a respected leader and advocate in the field.

ALERRT Research

Hunter Martaindale currently serves as ALERRT’s Director of Research, and he is also an Associate Research Professor within the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Texas State University. Within these roles, Hunter oversees ALERRT’s research efforts including the active attack data, grant writing, program evaluations, and studies to better understand police performance.

Multi-Jurisdiction Active Shooter Response: Lessons Learned from the DeKalb County CDC Incident

Steve Rapier is a seasoned Law Enforcement officer who has served the DeKalb County Police Department in Decatur, GA, since 2007. He currently serves as the Assistant S.W.A.T. Team Commander and has been a S.W.A.T. operator since 2010, serving on both the Entry and Sniper Teams before serving as the Entry Team Leader for over five years. In addition to his operational duties, Steve is a dedicated law enforcement instructor. He teaches a wide range of specialized courses, including Firearms, Active Shooter Response, Defensive Tactics, Tactical Combat Shooting, Rappelling, Taser, and ASP. Through his instructional work, he plays an important role in preparing officers for high-risk environments and critical incident response. Steve has been a member of NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) since 2014 and continues to share his experience by teaching a range of tactical courses throughout the Southeast.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Lt Josh Rick is the supervisor of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Training Unit for Professional Development. He has over 22 years of combined experience in the United States Marine Corps and MPD. He is the lead curriculum designer and instructor for the department’s Patrol Operations training program, which includes a strong emphasis on Active Attack response. For over 10 years Lt Rick has regularly designed and conducted department wide in service and pre-service academy training on Active Attack and High Risk Call Response. He routinely coordinates and leads large scale Active Attack Joint Training Exercises comprised of MPD Patrol and Tactical personnel, other metro law enforcement agencies, Minneapolis Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center.

Lt Rick is frequently requested to consult with civilian businesses, churches, schools, and other governmental organizations to provide recommendations on best practices for active attack preparation. He has received numerous awards for this training over the years and was nominated as the International Association of Chiefs of Police 2024 Instructor of the Year. Lt Rick has been with MPD since 2009 serving in 911 Response, Directed Patrol Specialty Units, SWAT, and the Training Division.

Lt Rick has been an ALERRT Adjunct Instructor since 2022 and is a decorated United States Marine Corps officer serving in combat operations overseas.

One Common Operating Picture: How Texas DPS Deployed Mapping and Communication Tools to Meet HB33’s Interoperability Mandate for Active Shooter Response

JD Rodriguez III is a seasoned public safety professional currently serving as the Highway Patrol Sergeant in Cotulla, Texas, a position he has held since January 2017. He was commissioned as a Texas Peace Officer in 2005 and graduated from the DPS Academy in March 2009 (Class B-08). He currently holds a Master Peace Officer License and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

Throughout his career, Sergeant Rodriguez has remained committed to proactive enforcement, officer development, and building strong partnerships across local, state, and federal agencies. He has worked diligently to foster community relationships while promoting effective teamwork and collaboration among public safety partners.

Sergeant Rodriguez has been involved in numerous major critical incidents and large-scale deployments, including hurricane response operations, mass casualty incidents, natural disasters, floods, wildfires, and Operation Lone Star. His experience in high-pressure environments has strengthened his ability to lead, coordinate, and adapt during complex and rapidly evolving situations.

In addition to his operational responsibilities, he is a certified TCOLE Instructor and ALERRT Instructor, where he plays an active role in training and preparing first responders for real-world challenges.

One Common Operating Picture: How Texas DPS Deployed Mapping and Communication Tools to Meet HB33’s Interoperability Mandate for Active Shooter Response

Brandon Saenz is currently a Corporal with the Texas Department of Public Safety Emerging Technology Patrol Unit. He has been in the unit since July of 2025 after the profound success and expansion of the unit. He started with the Department in 2017 where he began his career in Midland, later transferring to El Paso and then to the ETPU covering Region 4 (Midland to El Paso). ETPU is dedicated to testing technology before being deployed to the field. Through multiple trials and errors, we have discovered what has worked and what has not worked for the everyday trooper. After evaluating what works, the ETPU implements a rollout plan to effectively and efficiently deploy programs throughout the state.

Annunciation Church Active Attack Lessons Learned

Amy Sizer has served the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center (MECC) since 2004 as a Minneapolis Police and Fire dispatcher, bringing more than two decades of expertise in high-pressure, multi-agency incident response. An INTD-certified Incident Tactical Dispatcher, she has completed extensive specialized training, including FEMA incident management coursework, ARMER radio operations, and advanced MCC 7500E console communications. Throughout her career, Amy has supported major public events, coordinated responses to complex emergencies, and contributed to large-scale operational efforts across the city. Known for her calm presence, clear communication, and strong decision-making under pressure, she represents MECC with professionalism, leadership, technical proficiency, and a deep commitment to community service.

One Common Operating Picture: How Texas DPS Deployed Mapping and Communication Tools to Meet HB33’s Interoperability Mandate for Active Shooter Response

Kip Staton is currently a Corporal with the Texas Department of Public Safety Emerging Technology Patrol Unit. He has been in the unit since August of 2024 and was a founding member of the unit. He started with the department in 2018 where he began his career in Alpine, later transferring to Tyler then to the ETPU covering Region 1 (Dallas to Texarkana). ETPU is dedicated to testing technology before being deployed to the field. Through multiple trials and errors, the unit has discovered what has worked and what has not worked for the everyday trooper. After evaluating what works, the ETPU implements a rollout plan to effectively and efficiently deploy programs throughout the state.

One Common Operating Picture: How Texas DPS Deployed Mapping and Communication Tools to Meet HB33’s Interoperability Mandate for Active Shooter Response

Captain James Taylor has served in the Texas Highway Patrol for 16 years. Throughout his career he has served in Odessa, Denton, Laredo, Bowie and is currently stationed in Austin at THP Headquarters. He currently oversees the Texas Highway Patrol’s Highway Safety Operations Center, which is charged with collecting and analyzing public safety data and is the business lead on multiple Department IT Projects and implementations. He has been heavily involved in the Department’s shift to agile and adaptable interoperability tools. He has been a part of numerous disaster deployments high profile events, from the West fertilizer plant explosion to the Kerr County Flooding in 2025.

Mobilizing Social Theory to Improve Police Response During and After High-Risk Events

Sandy Wall is a retired Master Peace Officer and 28-year Houston Police veteran, including 22 years on SWAT. A former Safariland Group Director of Training, he is now CEO of Less Lethal Options, LLC, as well as an author, inventor, and internationally recognized trainer and expert witness.

When Critical Training Fails: The First Five Minutes That Determine Whether Learning Happens

Antonio Zarzoza, “Instructor Z,” is an internationally recognized law enforcement trainer, instructional designer, and sought-after speaker with over two decades of combined law enforcement experience. He is the founder and lead instructor of Instructor Z & Associates International, operating alongside a network of like-minded, highly respected trainers who collectively serve local, state, and federal law enforcement professionals across the United States and internationally.

Antonio specializes in instructor development, training design, and impactful delivery, equipping trainers with the tools to move beyond traditional methods and create transformational learning experiences that translate into real-world performance. He has delivered training nationwide and abroad, including work with the U.S. Department of State, providing instruction in Mexico, Colombia, and other countries throughout Latin America.

Antonio is a Core Instructor with the Below 100 Training Initiative and holds both national and international instructor certifications through IADLEST. He is a published author whose work has appeared in leading law enforcement publications, including PoliceOne, Calibre Press, American Police Beat Magazine, and the ILEETA Journal. He is the author of two acclaimed books, including The Ultimate Police Trainer’s Playbook, selected as ILEETA Book of the Month in August 2025.

Beyond law enforcement, Antonio has successfully served as a training consultant and corporate trainer for major organizations including American Airlines, Costco, and Tesla, applying his expertise in instructional design and delivery to diverse professional environments.

He is also the developer of Z-Logic AI, an intelligent training system designed to generate structured, evidence-based training content aligned with best practices. Known for his practical, research-driven approach, Antonio is widely recognized for helping organizations improve training effectiveness, retention, and real-world application.