My name is Victorian Simmons, and I serve as the public information officer for the Apex Fire and Police departments. I'm honored to be a recipient of the Yvora Leadership Foundation's Chief Alan Brunaini Special Projects Award, which supports leadership development and innovative projects that strengthen the fire and public safety profession.
Receiving this scholarship directly supports my doctoral dissertation and allows me to turn that research into something meaningful and practical. It gives me the ability to create a final book written specifically for department leadership, first responders and their families that focuses on communication patterns influenced by trauma exposure. By translating research into accessible real world guidance, this opportunity helps strengthen how we lead, communicate, and support our people. Ultimately, it allows the Apex Fire and police departments and the broader first responder community to better understand trauma, improve communication, and build healthier, more resilient organizations.
