Community Education for Fire Fighters & First Responders

Practicing yoga can be an effective tool to process and cope with trauma, chronic stress, and other behavioral health challenges. Attendees will learn from two leaders in the first responder and yoga communities on their experiences utilizing yoga as an approach for first responders coping with trauma. Attendees will gain insight and learn strategies on how to use the practice of yoga to assist in their own mental wellbeing. Amanda J. Weathers-Meyer is the Director of Wellness for St. George Fire Protection District, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her area of focus involves improving the mental fitness of firefighters through bodily movement, mindfulness, and facilitating a greater mind-body connection. Dr. Weathers-Meyer has conducted several studies with fire departments located throughout Louisiana. Her studies have investigated the effects of mindfulness-based physical activity on mental health outcomes in firefighters. She has also piloted mind-body tactical training programs for firefighters to promote psychological resilience and improved stress management. Her clinical work focuses on culturally competent counseling practices with fire service personnel. Dr. Weathers-Meyer holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise counseling, and a M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Louisiana State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Louisiana and a National Certified Counselor. Brandon Dreiman is a captain and 22-year veteran of the Indianapolis Fire Department, where he serves as the Coordinator of Firefighter Wellness & Support. He is an International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Peer Support & Resilience Master Instructor and serves on the IAFF’s Peer Support Response Team. Dreiman is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia clinician, a Certified Sleep Coach, a Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach, and a yoga teacher. He is the founder of Naptown Yogawalla. Prior to joining the fire service, he practiced law and served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in southern Indiana.