MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Public Information Officer, PIOMarkBrady@gmail.com

The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) is proud to recognize James Small, Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager, as a recipient of the 2025 Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award.

Small is already putting the $10,000 award to work through his special project, Conflict Resolution for Emergency Responders. The program will premiere in conjunction with the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health at the Wisconsin Peer Support and Wellness Conference. This newly developed training initiative is designed to strengthen the well-being and resilience of Wisconsin’s emergency response workforce.

The Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Program was launched by YLD in 2024 to support innovative leadership and training initiatives within the fire and emergency services community. The program provides financial assistance to individuals and organizations whose projects advance professional development and organizational excellence.

“The Yvorra Foundation is pleased to support James Small and the development of this important peer support and wellness initiative through the Brunacini Special Projects Award,” said Michael Hildebrand, President of the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation. “The culmination of his work will benefit the entire public safety community, including responders, their families, and their co-workers.”

James Small is a nationally recognized public safety executive, educator, and systems-change leader with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, fire, and EMS. He previously served more than a decade as a municipal Public Safety Chief Executive, leading integrated departments and transforming underperforming agencies into high-performing, community-centered systems.

His leadership has earned numerous honors, including:

• 2023 Wisconsin State Career Fire Chief of the Year

• National Innovation Award from the National Office of State Offices of Rural Health

• Recognition by Police Magazine as an Innovative Law Enforcement Leader

Small currently serves as Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager for the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. In that role, he leads statewide initiatives to improve ambulance reliability, workforce sustainability, and responder well-being. He also serves as a part-time Firefighter/Paramedic with Western Lakes Fire District and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Development, researching workplace culture and responder well-being.

Throughout his career, Small has focused on strategic change management, trauma-informed policy development, and inclusive leadership training. He has authored peer-reviewed articles, presented nationally, and served in multiple gubernatorial and legislative appointments, including the Wisconsin EMS Board, Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board, and the Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee on Fire and EMS Volunteers.

Each year, YLD recognizes emerging and developing leaders in fire, EMS, hazmat, emergency management and homeland security. In 2025, YLD awarded 10 scholarships totaling $52,000.

The application period for YLD scholarships runs from Aug. 1 through Oct. 30. More information is available at YLD.org.

Conference Details

The Wisconsin Peer Support and Wellness Conference will be held:

Monday, March 2, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Kalahari Resort Convention Center
1305 Kalahari Drive
Baraboo, Wisconsin

Approximately 60 emergency responders from across Wisconsin will participate in the premiere of Conflict Resolution for Emergency Responders.

This eight-hour program was created through a partnership between the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health and Resolution Center, Inc., a nonprofit mediation and conflict resolution organization based in Oshkosh. Development of the program was partially supported by the Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation’s Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award.

About the Program

Emergency responders face extraordinary pressures in their profession. However, research indicates that many of the most persistent stressors stem not from emergency calls themselves, but from internal workplace conflict, strained communication, and organizational culture challenges.

These stressors are significant contributors to burnout, chronic stress, and post-traumatic stress injury.

The Conflict Resolution for Emergency Responders program equips participants with practical tools to:

• Navigate workplace conflict constructively

• Improve communication

• Strengthen peer relationships

• Enhance psychological safety

• Build resilience both on and off duty

Media Opportunities

Media are invited to attend and document the program. Opportunities include:

• Interviews with program developers, instructors, and participants

• Access to classroom activities and demonstrations

• Context on Wisconsin’s EMS workforce challenges

• Coverage of additional sessions, including “How to Love Our Cops” presentations

Media coordination and interview requests can be arranged through:

James Small
Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager
Wisconsin Office of Rural Health
Email: small5@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-265-8221