Non-Profit Status
First Responders Resiliency, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization created For First Responders, By First Responders, dedicated to the psychological and physical well-being of those who serve, or have served, in the industry.
Our IRS tax-exempt EIN is 82-4439334.
Resiliency instructors provide education and skills vital to our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. You will leave the training with new tools and techniques that will not only enhance your professional performance – but may even save your life.
Meet Our Team of Instructors
Susan Farren
Founder/Executive
Director
Retired Paramedic
Susan Farren is the founder of First Responders Resiliency Inc. A graduate of the Stanford paramedic program, Susan has served her entire career in the industry of pre-hospital care. Serving in both the private and public sectors as a paramedic, supervisor, operations manager, peer counselor, clinical manager, EMS educator and consultant throughout the greater Bay Area.
After being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016, Susan had to come to grips with the physical, emotional and mental impact the career had taken on her – and the Resiliency Training Program was born.
After her treatment and recovery, Susan dove into the research and subsequent data discovered involving the mental and physical impacts the industry had taken on her. Armed with that knowledge she pulled together a team of experts from every division of the industry who are working as a team to change the lives of First Responders.
A regularly sought after inspirational speaker and the published author of The Fireman’s Wife, A Memoir. Her second book, Firestorm, A Survivor’s Story is due for release in 2019
Ron Shull
Director of Operations
Retired Fire Engineer
Ron Shull has served 31 years with the Santa Rosa Fire Dept., retiring in 2014 from his position as a fire engineer from the department’s busiest station, Station 1. Shull additionally served on the department’s Union Executive Board as well as pioneered their wellness and fitness program. In 2012, he was voted by his peers as Firefighter of the Year.
Gary McCalla
Resiliency Instructor
Emergency Medicine Specialist
Dr. Gary McCalla has more than 30 years of experience as a residency-trained, board-certified Emergency Medical Specialist. During his time serving as an ER Physician at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, McCalla was trained as the Medical Director for both REACH Helicopters and American Medical Response, Inc. (AMR) in Santa Rosa, CA. Along with his experience in emergency medicine, he gained extensive knowledge in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. As proven, Gary shows himself to be an incredible contribution to the evolution of the mental well-being of health care providers.
Eric Strom
Director of Training and Logistics
Vallejo Fire Captain (ret.)
Eric Strom is our Director of Training & Logistics. Strom has a 31-year career as an award-winning Firefighter/Paramedic. He has served as Captain for the Town of Corte Madera and City of Vallejo, was a member of Solano County Urban Search and Rescue team, and Chair of the Vallejo Fire Department’s Health and Safety Committee. In 2017 Eric received the Hero’s Award from Congressman Mike Thompson for his work in the department’s safety program and for actions taken during the 2017 Sonoma County Tubbs Fire.
Tod Ceruti
Resiliency Instructor
Retired U.S. Navy
Tod Ceruti is a military veteran, certified Fire Flex, Veteran Warrior, and Prison Instructor who teaches a unique form of physical resilience to civilians and prisoners alike. Ceruti’s experience as a military vet, combined with his own incredible journey into physical wellness, is a life-altering benefit to anyone who learns from him.
Cathy Wayne
Resiliency Instructor
Retired Captain/Field Commander
Cathy Wayne began her career as a First Responder in 1980, working her way up from being an EMT to Paramedic with Acme Western Ambulance in Oakland, CA. Wayne then joined the California Highway Patrol in 1984 where she spent the next 27+ years working in various assignments throughout the Bay Area. She has worked in Road Patrol, Commercial Operations, K-9 Narcotics Interdiction, and Dispatch Communications in Oakland, Vallejo, Martinez, Dublin, Sunol and San Jose, CA. Wayne was eventually promoted to several ranks over the years and ended her successful career as a Captain/Field Commander of the San Jose Area in 2011.
Dr. Jen Riegle
Resiliency Instructor
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Jen Riegle is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, with a degree from Bastyr University, one of the leading institutions in natural medical care and research. Riegle carries advanced certifications and training in environmental medicine, women’s health, infertility, biofeedback, and traditional medicine practices. She combines her knowledge and skills as a diagnostician in the western and traditional medicine worlds with a deep compassion and intuition, in order to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing for her patients. Dr. Riegle utilizes conventional treatment methods, as well as healing modalities such as herbal medicine, functional and physical medicines..
Bailey Farren
Resiliency Instructor
Founder of Perimeter Platform
Bailey heads the team as Chief Executive Officer, directing sales, fundraising, and team operations. Coming from a family of first responders, she was inspired to develop Perimeter after experiencing the Tubbs Fire in her hometown of Santa Rosa. She brings over six years of technology sales experience to the team and extensive knowledge of data-driven business models.
Nick Loffree
Resiliency Instructor
Senior Qi'Gong Instructor
Nick Loffree is a Senior Instructor and Teacher Trainer for the internationally recognized school Holden QiGong, and is a movement arts teacher at the incredible 1440 Multiversity. He has studied Neuroscience, Buddhist/Yogic conceptions of the mind, Nutritional Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Nick now teaches weekly movement classes around the Santa Cruz community when he isn't traveling to teach at corporate events, retreats, and festivals; moreover, he also teaches Qigong as PTSD therapy to police, firefighters, and military personnel.