Join Us December 3 For A First Responders Peer Recovery Event

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Greenbranch Recovery will host New Year, New You – First Responders Edition, a peer‑recovery and wellness event for first responders and allied professionals. The event, part of the Firstbranch initiative, is focused on mental health, wellness and addiction treatment for first responders. It takes place at the Mainland P.B.A. Local #77 building at 6712 Washington Avenue, Suite 104, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. Registration is required and seating is limited.

Wellness Before Crisis

Typical peer support events focus heavily on individuals with formal diagnoses such as PTSD, trauma, or addiction. However, many first responders experience daily stressors and still feel out of place in these spaces if they do not have a formal diagnosis. This insight has motivated Greenbranch Recovery to broaden the conversation. First responders should not need a label to seek someone to talk to or to learn healthy coping skills. This event emphasizes that preparing ahead of a crisis is key to resilience and emotional well-being. Prevention education and reducing the stigma around self-help and wellness can go a long way. Greenbranch Recovery’s Firstbranch addiction treatment program for first responders is designed to honor that mission.

Event Schedule & Format

10:00 AM – Networking and light lunch begins
10:30 AM – Presentations by expert speakers begin
12:00 PM – Closing remarks

The discussion will explore topics such as PTSD, trauma, stress, healthy lifestyles, effective prevention education and treatment through awareness and peer support. Attendees will include public officials, chiefs of police, resiliency team members, first responders in police, fire, EMT, dispatch, corrections, probation, parole, and employee assistance professionals (EAPs).

Featured Speakers

Sean Riggin – Chief Riggin began his government service in 1994 with the United States Army, entered law enforcement in 1998 and became Chief of Police in 2015, focusing on community partnerships. He also served as Fire Director for Pleasantville and played key roles in disaster response including Hurricane Irma and COVID‑19 efforts. After retiring in 2022 he founded Bluestone Services, a crisis‑leadership consultancy, and currently serves as Director of Public Safety for Atlantic City, NJ while spending time with his wife and two children.

Fredrick Spano – Chief Spano joined the Egg Harbor Township Police Department in 1998 and rose through the ranks, becoming captain in 2019 after service as lieutenant and graduation from the FBI National Academy. With 28 years of experience he has commanded the Operations Bureau, K‑9, traffic safety and SWAT, worked in field training and criminal investigations, holds a master’s degree in administrative science and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and volunteers with the Margate Terrapin Rescue and flag placement ceremonies at the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery.

Lou Strugala (Rev.) – Pastor Lou founded Church By The Bay in Galloway, New Jersey with a vision to take God’s love outside the walls and into the community. He is a street pastor who provides thousands of meals to shut‑ins, clothing for the homeless and support throughout southern New Jersey and beyond. He also serves as chaplain for multiple police departments including the New Jersey State Police.

Michael Parmenter – Mike served over 26 years in the New Jersey State Police before retiring in 2008, where he held roles including Detective in the Auto Theft and Major Crime Units and Lieutenant in the Employee Relations Unit. He is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds certifications as a Police Training Commission Instructor, Employee Assistance Professional and has training in Critical Incident Stress Management. After retirement he worked in first responder addiction‑treatment and served as a First Responder Coordinator for the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Lynn Recchuiti – Lynn has devoted her career to building physical and mental resilience. She began as a college athlete and established herself as a Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach for over 30 years. She transitioned from law enforcement as a police officer and detective, to education as a public‑school teacher and ultimately became Chief Instructor for the Atlantic County Police Academy. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work, working as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Intern and is passionate about empowering recovery through a team‑centered approach at Greenbranch Recovery and Wellness. She is also the proud mother of four accomplished children.

Why Attend & Who Should Come

This event is designed for first responders and allied professionals who seek a thoughtful, stigma‑free space to engage in wellness, peer support and proactive resilience. Whether you are police, fire, EMT, dispatch, corrections, probation, or part of an EAP, this event welcomes you. By attending you will gain access to peer‑focused discussion, healthy lifestyle strategies, prevention education and connections within the local first responder community.

Registration & Important Notes

Seating is limited. Registered attendees will receive an email confirming their registration and will be notified if a venue change becomes necessary based on attendance. The venue as of now is Mainland P.B.A. Local #77, 6712 Washington Avenue, Suite 104, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. If attendance requires a larger space we will send updated venue information via email. To register, please contact Greenbranch Recovery at 609‑622‑5101, or register online. 

About Greenbranch Recovery & Firstbranch

Greenbranch Recovery provides respectful, evidence-based addiction treatment to individuals and families across South Jersey. We are committed to restoring hope and supporting long-term recovery. Located in Egg Harbor Township, Greenbranch delivers compassionate and personalized care for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges. Our clinical team helps individuals and families reclaim their lives with dignity through community-centered support and proven treatment.

The specialized addiction treatment program for first responders, Firstbranch, is grounded in understanding the unique stressors faced by law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections and dispatch professionals. Firstbranch supports wellness, resilience, peer connection and pathways to healing beyond crisis.