First responder In-Person Training

Dirigo Safety is among the leading providers of first responder classes and training in New England. We understand that first responders play a crucial role in ensuring public safety and providing support during emergencies. That’s why we are committed to providing quality training that helps first responders excel in their jobs and perform at their best. Our unique combination of in-person, on-demand and on-line classes are designed to meet the specific needs of EMS personnel, firefighters, and dispatchers.

Our First Responder Classes

These in-person first responder classes are available as our class schedule allows. If you would like to request a class on a topic you’re interested in, please let us know!

First-Line Supervisors

Being a first-line supervisor is a challenging and rewarding role, but it can also be complex and difficult. The First-Line Supervisors course is designed to help new sergeants, shift leaders, and crew chiefs understand their responsibilities and how to avoid common pitfalls in the first-line supervision capacity. During the one-day course, students will learn the following key concepts:

  • How to transition from doing the job to supervising staff who do the job
  • Understanding who you are, who your people are, and what the job entails
  • Prioritizing core essential job functions
  • Identifying an adaptive vs. technical solution to common problems
  • Understanding different leadership styles and which one is best for you
  • The importance of discipline and when it’s necessary
  • The difference between morale and motivation
  • The concept of vicarious liability
  • The course will also provide students with an overview of performance management and set them on the right path to supervise their team effectively.
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Stress Management for HEROES

This class aims to help law enforcement officers manage the stress that comes with their job. Topics include the anatomy and physiology of stress, its effects on health and relationships, practical stress management skills, and long-term strategies to increase resilience. This class can also be customized for first responders.

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Performance Evaluation & Management

This is a course that teaches supervisors how to effectively manage employee performance. The course covers topics such as effective communication, performance improvement planning, use of performance management tools, and progressive steps of discipline. The course is designed to enhance employee effectiveness and is taught by instructor Adam Gormely, who has over 26 years of law enforcement experience. By the end of the course, students will understand the importance of proper performance management and the consequences of poor or no performance management.

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Conducting Pre-Employment Background Investigations

This course will provide attendees with the knowledge and skills to market and recruit candidates, conduct thorough and legally sustainable background investigations, and document the investigative findings in a comprehensive report. Topics covered include interviewing techniques, legal aspects of hiring practices, and assisting the polygraph examiner and psychologist in their assessments.

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Tall Cop Says Stop

You can’t stop what you don’t know.
Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends, he has specialized in underage drinking and drug enforcement for more than 15 years.

Since 2009, Officer Galloway has won four national awards and one international award for his work. In addition to his numerous talks at conferences and other events, he has personally trained more than 105,000 people nationwide.

Officer Galloway’s many years of experience have taught him one thing above all else. In his words, “You can’t stop what you don’t know™.”

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Internal Affairs: Process and Investigations

To promote public confidence and to protect officers from being victimized, a police accountability system must implement the checks and balances that were designed to avoid unjust results in personnel matters, as well as those best practices that are followed in every investigation that may have serious consequences. This interactive class will examine the entire spectrum of conducting internal affairs investigations in the context of police accountability principles—including from the perspectives of the officer who is a subject of a complaint, the union delegate, the officer’s attorney, the internal affairs investigator, the reviewing official, the deciding official, and the governmental oversight authorities who are responsible for validating that the disposition is evidence-based and fair-minded.

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Law Enforcement and Behavioral Health Training

This training is designed to support law enforcement with the most effective response to those exhibiting mental health, substance use, trauma and challenging behaviors. Topics include but are not limited to identifying potential related issues, most effective de-escalation skills, assessing risk, identifying least restrictive stabilization for individuals’ safety, officer safety and community safety.

These trainings are designed to be most applicable to the law enforcement perspective, appreciating and building from the unique experience of law enforcement expertise.

Each training module also includes a wellness component as well, for taking care of ourselves and each other.

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Public Safety Employment Law – Avoiding the Landmines

Do you find employment issues taking more and more of your time? That is true for many managers these days and that is why this class was created. This class focuses on important employment laws you need to know and will provide you with valuable information and tools you can use to effectively handle employment matters, increase employee morale, and avoid those liability landmines when it comes to personnel management. We hope you will come away from this class armed with practical knowledge and tips to address even the most difficult workplace situation.

Understand your expectations as a supervisor which will help you avoid the liability landmines.

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Police/Media

This course is focused for new and existing Police Officers, Supervisors, and Department Public Information Officers to deliver effective public information. The course helps promote legal police transparency and how to improve existing police/media relations. A live interview with a reporter to ask them candid questions and to learn more about the media is featured as well as a chance to participate in a simulated press conference.

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Vehicle Operation Liability Awareness for Law Enforcement

Vehicle operation is one of the most common yet dangerous things an officer does. Unfortunately, police liability resulting from vehicle operation is not uncommon. This class is an awareness training for officers and law enforcement agencies that is designed to increase their understanding of the liability and legal concerns arising out of and around vehicle use in police operation. This is an area where officers can help control their exposure to risk by better understanding the dangers.

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Public Access to Public Records – Law Enforcement and Maine’s Freedom of Access Act

This training is intended to provide the resources necessary to achieve a basic working understanding of the Freedom of Access Act and the statutes that restrict public access to certain records and information. The training is designed to assure compliance with our legal obligation of transparency while protecting the legitimate privacy interests of individuals and the integrity of investigations. Achieving this balance is particularly difficult when processing FOAA requests for law enforcement records where the laws governing access to such records are inherently discretionary and subjective.

This training will provide the tools needed to accomplish the appropriate analysis of what is public and what is confidential. Brian MacMaster, the instructor for this training, is very well-versed in the laws governing public access to law enforcement records. He is a principal architect of sound law enforcement policy and practices and is recognized as highly skilled in the practical application of legal standards applicable to law enforcement agencies and officers in the execution of their duties.

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Dirigo Safety, LLC, No Show Policy

Dirigo Safety, LLC understands that there are times when you must miss your scheduled training class due to emergencies, work schedule conflicts, or personal reasons. However, when you do not call or email us to cancel your participation in our training class, you may be preventing other officers from being able to sign up. If you do not contact us before the start of the class, you will be charged.

You may call us at (207) 200-1112 or email Ashley.Bedard@DirigoSafety.com