Oregon Chaplains AcademY

We provide first Responder Chaplains professional training, based on excellence and credible resources.

We are excited to tell you that the next Basics Academy has been announced.

Mission Statement: Provide first responder Chaplains professional training, based in excellence and credible resources

Core Values:
Integrity– Following the highest ethical standards in our working relationships, practices and decision making
Excellence– Dedicated to the highest quality as an organization in providing defendable training in every aspect
Accountability– The OCA is accountable to its board of directors and Oregon’s first responder agencies in cooperation with the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
Communication– Speaking and listening openly, honestly and consistently to further our mission and build trust in our relationships
Respect– The Oregon Chaplains Academy strives to provide First Responder Chaplain training that is respectful of diversity and differences, including age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation, social status and religious beliefs and practices.

BASICS ACADEMY
ADVANCED ACADEMY
FACULTY
PAYMENT OPTIONS

Basics Academy

Building a solid foundation for chaplaincy

Oregon Chaplains Basics Academy will be held September 8-11, 2025 (checking into dorms on Sunday evening, Sept 7.) Classes, meals, and lodging are located at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training in Salem, Oregon. Classes are from 0800 to 1730, with a variety of speakers and topics each day (see flyer).

The quality of a foundation affects the strength and resiliency thereafter. Effective First Responder Chaplains master the basic building blocks of knowledge and skill. Experience and new tools can be added over time, but the basics provide the solid building blocks for knowing how to connect with First Responders, typical on-scene protocol, how to respond to crises, and what is needed to maintain your own health and resiliency.

The academy consists of four full days packed with information and skill-building (See the class schedule). Seasoned chaplains who have been in the trenches teach many of the class components. The evenings are free for rest, walking the trails, and talking with others, as well as asking the questions students are pondering. We are excited to draw on many of these instructors to help you be the best you can be as a chaplain!

All meals are provided in the dining hall with First Responder cadets. Sharing the campus with police and fire students provided great opportunity to observe and familiarize ourselves with First Responder culture. Learning extended beyond the classroom to the full DPSST environment. A certificate of completion is awarded to participants at the conclusion of the academy.

Cost: $449 – covered instruction, meals and lodging at DPSST.

Questions may be addressed to Kay Bruce at chaplainkaybruce@gmail.com or (360) 910-2701

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN. Our Payment page provides information to pay online or by mail.

Online Registration Is Now Open.
After registering, applicants received an automated acknowledgment from “Google Forms” with a subject that includes the word Registration and the name of the Academy.

Chaplains serving in the State of Oregon have priority. Applicants must submit the following:
○ Agency or professional chaplaincy organization endorsement letter
○ Proof of background check 
○ Ecclesiastical endorsement 

If you have a Google login, upload your documents here, email them oregonchapacad@gmail.com, or
Mail them to Public Safety Chaplaincy c/o Mary Zachary
1500 NW 167th Place Beaverton, OR 97006

Advanced Academy

Put this on your calendar: 3 days of great practical training!

We are offering the Advanced Academy on May 14, 15, 16 of 2025

This OCA Advanced Academy is designed for the First Responder Chaplain needing a break from the front lines and is desiring a “retreat” experience that allows them space to rest, reflect, fellowship with other Chaplains, and focus on soul care and spiritual wellness. The focus of this two and a half day retreat will be on “Enhancing Self-Awareness for First Responder Chaplains”.

This training will explore and enhance skills that allow Chaplains to see themselves and others with more clarity and understanding. Through presentation, discussion, group processing, and interactive play, participants will practice skills known to enhance connection with self and others. Chaplains will leave with a greater understanding of their impact on others and will take away new or improved skills for making better connections with those for whom they serve.

This 2025 OCA Advanced Academy is very excited to introduce our retreat Presenter and Facilitator, Dr Elsbeth Martingdale, PsyD.

Dr Martindale is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Portland, Oregon. She has over 35 years of experience helping individuals learn to examine and overcome their challenges in order to grow in wellness and live contentedly. Elsbeth is a creative designer of psychological teaching tools and has spoken to many groups about the value of making psychological wisdom accessible and practical. We want to welcome Dr Martindale to our growing list of OCA Faculty.

Kay Bruce (PSC Director of Chaplain Wellness) formerly served as the Chair and Director of the MA Counseling Programs at Western Seminary. Kay reports that “students were required to take an in-depth view of themselves so that they could effectively serve others. One of the key experiences frequently occurred under the facilitation of Dr. Elsbeth Martindale where she continues to lead. The feedback from students consistently highlights the transformative experience gained as well as the very practical tools Dr. Martindale provides.”

Elsbeth makes learning fun with her upbeat, practical approaches. You will leave with new skills to use when interacting with others. Seeing yourself as others see you, can be daunting, but you will find the exercises to be safe and very fruitful if you are a willing participant. I encourage you to come and grow in the knowledge of how God created you to serve as a chaplain. Plus, the worship time, fellowship, and relaxation are always vitamins to the soul

*An evaluation from a previous Dr. Martindale presentation said “I really enjoyed your presentation today. You are incredibly creative and I appreciated your willingness to share your ideas with all of us. Many presenters are good at identifying the problem, but few give good suggestions/skills about how to solve them…you did!”

Besides growing our Self-Awareness, and Understanding, we will have time to read, worship together, take naps or hike the trails at Camp Tilikum. We will also be blessed by rich fellowship around wonderfully prepared meals and evenings visiting around the campfire

Training will be targeted to active First Responder Chaplains who have been serving as a Chaplain for 2 years and have completed the OCA Basic Academy or introductory Chaplain training.

Location: Camp Tilikum Retreat Center – 15321 NE North Valley Road, Newberg OR 97132 [map]

Click here to register,
Online Registration Closes April 28.

Applicants receive an automated acknowledgment from “Google Forms” with a subject that includes the words “OCA Advanced Academy Registration”.

Cost: $475.00 Please click here to pay online, and enter Advanced Academy in the memo section – – or see our Payment page for info on how to pay online or by mail.

Number of Attendees: 30 Chaplains. Registration will be on a first come, first serve basis.

Chaplains serving in the State of Oregon always have priority. Applicants must submit the following:
○ Agency Endorsement Letter 
○ Certification of completion from: Oregon Basics Academy, Federation of Fire Chaplains (FFC) Essentials, or International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) Basic credential. Others will be considered on an individual basis

FACULTY

  • Steve Chadwick

    Chaplain with Portland Police Bureau 13 years, member of Public Safety Chaplaincy for 6 years, regional Vice President for Responder Life Ministries for over 14 years.

  • Nadine Dody MA, MFT, LPC

    Her practice, Cline Falls Counseling, in Redmond, Oregon. She has been working with and helping first responders for over fifteen years. She is part of the Oregon State Police Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT), and volunteers for the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR). She has taught several classes for the Portland Police Bureau Peer Support Team, the Navigators First Responder Ministry, and spoken about marriage, along with her husband, for Responder Life and the Northwest Peer Support Conference. She is married to a retired Portland Police Sergeant. They have been married for over 35 years and have two daughters ages 32, and 21.

  • Dr. Trey Doty

    Until he was hired as the Well-Being & Resilience Officer at the FBI, Trey served as President & CEO of Responder Life, a nonprofit serving first responders and equipping them to thrive. He previously served as Chaplain for the FBI-Portland Division as well as the Oregon State Police Critical Incident Response Team. He is a Leadership Coach for Portland Seminary at George Fox University and volunteers as a Chaplain for West Coast Post Trauma Retreat. Trey received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology/Social Work from George Fox University and his Master of Divinity from Portland Seminary, and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology. His other post-graduate studies include a Certificate of Nonprofit Development from Portland State University, a Certificate of Leader Development, National Security Seminar from the US Army War College, and a 12-month post-graduate residency in Clinical Pastoral Education with Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Medical Center, a level-one trauma center in Portland, Oregon. He is a recorded (ordained) minister in the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Churches.

  • George Escalante

    Former Department of Corrections Crisis Negotiator and Peer Support team member with a demonstrated history of working in the public and private sectors. Lead Chaplain for Salem Police Department, Fire Department, and 911 Dispatch. Training Specialist and Life Coach. Skilled in nonprofit organizations, mentoring, coaching, counseling, event management, and volunteer management. Certified to teach a variety of curricula relevant to First Responder Chaplains including QPR Suicide Intervention Gatekeeper Training and Stress First Aid..

  • Kenton Johnson

    Kenton Johnson – Clackamas Fire Chaplain since 2013, Kenton helps first responders and trauma survivors find God given strength in their darkest moments. Deployed to multiple wildfires, Line of Duty Death responsibilities, active shooter events and natural disasters, he also serves as a chaplain to Mt Wave Search & Rescue, Oregon Fire District Directors Association and SBC Disaster Relief. He also served as a 911 dispatch chaplain for 7 years. With over 100 hours of CISM training from ICISF, Kenton is a Master Chaplain and Level III Instructor with the Federation of Fire Chaplains. Among his proudest moments are being asked to serve as Chaplain, being asked to serve as an officer with the Clackamas Volunteer Firefighter Association and his Support Volunteer of the Year awards, but above them all was marrying Rachel in 1987.

  • Dr. Kenneth Logan, Psy.D.

    Kenneth works specifically in the fields of interpersonal Neurobiology, Attachment Theory and Practical Therapy. A professor of clinical psychology at George Fox University’s Graduate School of Clinical Psychology since 2019, he previously was a professor of counseling at Western Seminary in Portland where he also served as the Executive Director for the seminary’s clinical training site.
    Dr. Logan specializes in treating anxiety, stress, and trauma, with a clinical emphasis in working with first responders, military personnel, and ministry leaders.

  • Rev. Paul Lyda, MDiv

    Chaplain Lyda serves as the Senior Chaplain for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). Paul is an ordained Lutheran minister, rostered in good standing with the Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Chaplain Lyda enjoys collaborating with other public safety agencies, faith-based communities, businesses, and government/NGO groups to support and expand culturally competent, trauma-informed care for anyone experiencing traumatic stress, loss, and grief. Paul offers pastoral care to all agency employees and their families, while also supervising staff and volunteer chaplains providing religious services for adults in custody (AIC) at the Washington County Jail or assisting patrol deputies with critical incidents involving the public. During his time with the WCSO, Paul has participated with trainings in the areas of Mental Health First Aid, Officer Wellness, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and Mindfulness-Based Resiliency Training (MBRT). Paul has a passion for learning and is committed to supporting any skillful practice for effective traumatic incident response and grief recovery/resiliency.

  • Dr. Elsbeth Martingdale, PsyD

    Dr. Martingdale is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Portland, Oregon. She has over 35 years of experience helping individuals learn to examine and overcome their challenges in order to grow in wellness and live contentedly. Her parents were Baptist missionaries in Japan and she has a great understanding and appreciation of the importance of a spiritual foundation. for life. Although spiritual principles are not often directly discussed in her therapy sessions they are interwoven into the tools and strategies she uses to help her clients make the changes they wish to make in their lives. Elsbeth is a creative designer of psychological teaching tools and has spoken to many groups about the value of making psychological wisdom accessible and practical. Dr. Martingdale absolutely loves retreat work! She likes getting away from the daily hustle and bustle. She enjoys creating space to settle in and explore the inner world with the luxury of time and ease. She has been leading retreats for both clients and colleagues for over 20 years. She says “there is a magic that happens in these spaces”.

  • Jim McGuire

    Growing up in Tigard, Oregon, Chaplain McGuire pursued a career in medicine until he felt called into ministry. He began serving in Student Ministry at Village Baptist Church in 1979. In 1992 he became their Executive Pastor where he was ordained in 2007, and oversaw their staff and ministry plan until 2012. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in psychology, and has studied theology at Western Seminary, and counseling at Lewis and Clark. Jim has always been engaged in his community. He has been a spiritual mentor of police officers for years, and began pursuing the chaplaincy in 2009. In 2012, he felt God’s clear call to devote all of his ministry efforts to working with the Beaverton Police Department. Jim has been married to Susan since 1984. They have 3 adult children. In his free time, Jim enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time with good friends, and most of all – “Grampa Jim” enjoys spending time with his family.

  • Holly Migas

    A Chaplain with over 20 years of experience providing spiritual, emotional and wellness support while advising in high-stress environments. Proven ability to support first responders, law enforcement personnel, and community members, offering emotional and spiritual guidance during critical incidents. Skilled in crisis intervention, grief counseling, community outreach, triage, substance use support, and suicide intervention. She has served as a pastor, chaplain and is now the Executive Director of Responder Life.

  • Joel Peterson

    Chaplain Peterson has been serving Cornelius Fire Department and Gaston Rural Fire District for over a decade, and also has been serving as a community chaplain with Washington County Sheriff’s Office since 2014. He has attained Master Fire Chaplain status with the Federation of Fire Chaplains, whom he represents as the NW Regional Director. Joel has a B.A. from Northwest Christian University in Pastoral Ministries. He also attended Boise Bible College and the National Fire Academy where he studied Interpersonal Dynamics in the Fire Service.

  • Tracy Sandor

    MA MFT, LPC, a counselor in private practice in SW Portland, specializes in serving trauma survivors and first responders. Tracy teaches as adjunct faculty for the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University and for their Trauma Response Institute. She is a volunteer clinician for the First Responder Support Network, serving at their West Coast Post-Trauma Retreats in Oregon and California. FRSN’s mission is to provide educational treatment programs to promote recovery from stress and critical incidents experienced by first responders and their families. An avid learner and voracious reader, Tracy pursues ongoing training, education, and life experiences that enrich and support her ability to help others heal, returning to the lives they led prior to their traumatic experiences.

  • Jason Sery

    Sergeant in the Beaverton Police Department with a career of over 25 years in law enforcement. Author of the book entitled “More Than a Cop.” He completed a Master’s degree in Trauma and Crisis Response Counseling.Sgt. Sery currently serves on the Board for Public Safety Chaplaincy.

  • Richard S. Shaw, DMFT, LMFT, LMHC

    Licensed Therapist, Professor, Author, Speaker. Healing, forgiveness, freedom, empowerment and hope await us on the other side of Shame. a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Oregon, he has been providing Professional Counseling Services for more than 25 years. In that same timeframe, he also has been serving as an Associate Professor for over 25 years in the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University.

  • Kevin Smith

    Chaplain Smith is a trusted member of the Gladstone Police Department providing spiritual encouragement and counsel as requested. He assists with death notifications, domestic violence situations, injury or fatality accidents, suicide, welfare checks and other potentially stressful incidents. Additionally, Kevin is a vital member of the police department’s peer support program. He also served for twelve years as a chaplain for the Gladstone Fire Department until July 2022. Kevin serves full time as the Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Southeast in Milwaukie, Oregon..

  • Mike Vermace

    A full time Chaplain for Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Chaplain Vermace also serves as a chaplain for Oregon City Police Department, Lake Oswego Police Department, and Clackamas Fire. He has made an impact on many first responders even outside of his agency as he has worked with them at accidents, fires and other tragedies, and by simply by serving the community in a wide variety of public service and training events. Because his experience and expertise has been so recognized in Clackamas County, he also serves on the board of directors for the Clackamas County Peace Officer’s Benevolent Foundation which provides aid to so many with deep needs in the community he serves. Mike is in love with his wife Tricia and is a great dad to their sons.

  • Chris Wade

    Chris has over 20 years of public safety experience working in both fire and law enforcement as a firefighter/EMT, police officer, and as a chaplain. In 2015 he graduated from Multnomah Seminary in Portland, Oregon with his M.Div in Chaplaincy with a focus on public safety chaplaincy. He is also an instructor and Master Fire Chaplain with the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and served in a leadership position with the South Carolina Public Safety Chaplains Association from 2017 to 2021. Currently Chris serves as Crisis Intervention Officer/Chaplain for the City of Hillsboro Fire & Rescue and Hillsboro Police, with a heart to see public safety chaplains equipped to serve and to see first responders find healing when times are tough.

Payment OPTIONS

Pay online with your ATM, credit card or checking account info,

PAY ONLINE HERE

You will notice a “Cover Fees” option as well – this is strictly voluntary, and allows you to cover the transaction fee rather than passing it along to OCA. You do not need to select that option but may if you’d like.
When paying online, please ignore the Login/Sign Up link on that page. After submitting your payment, you will receive an automated receipt by email that says ” Thanks for giving using Tithe.ly” with the Public Safety Chaplaincy logo in the email. Please check your Spam filter if you do not see that within minutes after completing the transaction.

Pay with a check if you prefer. You may send a check to:
      Public Safety Chaplaincy
      c/o Mary Zachary
      1500 NW 167th Place
      Beaverton, OR 9700

Make the check out to Public Safety Chaplaincy and please include Oregon Chaplains Academy in the memo line.

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