FLOWOOD, Miss. — More than 600 law enforcement officers, firefighters, prosecutors and other first responders are expected to gather tonight for the fourth annual Mississippi Public Safety Summit, organizers said.
The summit runs May 19-22 at Sheraton Flowood The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center and is hosted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Organizers said the event has grown steadily since its launch in 2023, when about 300 public safety professionals attended the inaugural summit. Attendance has doubled, drawing personnel from agencies and departments across Mississippi.
Tonight’s keynote speaker is Travis Howze, a former U.S. Marine, police officer and firefighter who travels internationally to speak about mental wellness, resiliency and trauma recovery for first responders and their families, organizers said. Howze created a program called “Post Traumatic Purpose,” which he developed after struggling with post-traumatic stress tied to traumatic experiences during his military and emergency services career, according to his biography.
His presentation is expected to address mental health challenges facing first responders, the importance of transparency and resiliency, and available resources for emergency personnel and their families. The four-day summit also will feature panel discussions, training sessions, the Governor’s First Responders Awards and a golf tournament. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
