Unseen Advocates: The Vital Role of First Responders in Domestic Violence Advocacy

Course Description:

This specialized training is designed for 911 dispatchers, Fire and EMS personnel, and

law enforcement officers to strengthen their response to domestic violence incidents.

The course emphasizes understanding the complex dynamics of domestic violence,

maintaining scene safety, recognizing indicators of strangulation, and applying trauma-

informed practices. Attendees will gain practical tools for effective intervention, explore

strategies to enhance interagency collaboration, and become familiar with key local and

national support resources.

Course Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics, patterns, and impact

of domestic violence on individuals and families.

• Equip first responders including 911 dispatchers, Fire/EMS, and law enforcement

with practical skills for ensuring scene safety, assessing risk, and engaging in

effective communication with victims and involved parties.

• Promote the use of trauma-informed approaches, with emphasis on recognizing

and responding to signs of strangulation and other high-risk indicators.

• Examine the short and long-term effects of physical and psychological trauma on

the brain, behavior, and memory to improve responder interactions and

support.

• Strengthen the ability to identify subtle indicators of victimization and provide

victim-centered, culturally responsive care.

• Provide guidance on connecting individuals to appropriate local and national

domestic violence resources.

• Enhance interagency coordination and encourage collaborative response

strategies across disciplines.

• Facilitate critical discussions that support peer learning, reflective practice, and

the development of consistent, community-specific response plans.

Additionally, this course is highly relevant for ER and hospital staff, equipping them with

the knowledge to recognize signs of strangulation, properly document injuries, and

coordinate with forensic and advocacy teams. This ensures a seamless transfer of care

and consistent, trauma-informed support for the victim throughout their medical

evaluation, treatment, and any necessary follow-up services.

About Your Instructor Jim Schmidt

Jim is a nationally certified fire officer and instructor originally from Long Island, NY, with over 25 years of experience in fire service, EMS, dispatch, hazmat, technical rescue, and leadership roles. Jim’s family faced unimaginable loss when their daughter, Gabby Petito, was murdered by her partner. Since then, his family has dedicated their lives to advocating for missing persons and survivors of domestic violence. Jim now focuses on bridging gaps in prevention and bringing domestic violence training to first responders, because together, we can be the change.

Who is Gabby Petito Foundation?

Gabby, just 22 years old, went missing while on a cross-country road trip that included visits to many of our national parks in 2021. After an intensive search it was discovered that Gabby’s life was tragically cut short by the person who promised to protect and love her. In the wake of Gabby's murder, Gabby Petito Foundation was born. Our Foundation is rooted in the belief that we all have an inherent responsibility to make a meaningful difference in our communities. We are honored to be assisting organizations that provide immediate tangible help to survivors of domestic violence, and we are proud to work with organizations that assist with locating missing persons. With a variety of big ideas and goals, it is our hope to be at the forefront of positive and pro-active change with awareness, prevention strategies, and education.

We are proud of our efforts and could not have done this work without ongoing support we have received from around the world which is appreciated more than people could ever understand. Together, we can make a difference, save lives, bring missing loved ones home, and hopefully prevent tragedies like Gabby's from happening to anyone else.

We wish to turn our personal tragedy into a positive. It is our hope that Gabby’s foundation will bring these important issues into the forefront of the public eye to the benefit of all our communities.