AFRA 3rd Annual First Responders Appreciation Gala (18+) Public Welcome.

Alberta First Responders Association (AFRA) 2026 3rd Annual Event Overview

Join the Alberta First Responders Association on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, 2026 for a two-day event focused on crucial dialogue, specialized training, and community appreciation for all of Alberta’s First Responders.

FIRST RESPONDERS can get an additional 18% off by getting an AFRA membership. discount is included for your +1.

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Day 1: Collaboration, Policy, and Protocol (Friday, March 6)

Day one is dedicated to high-level collaboration and specialized ceremonial training, offering two concurrent events:

1. AFRA Round Table Symposium

This critical symposium brings together government agencies, charities, non-profits, and key First Responder stakeholders to collaboratively improve the implementation of practical and immediate mental health support and suicide prevention programs. The focus is facilitating meaningful dialogue that directly results in better, quicker solutions for the First Responder community.

• Key Focus: Working on the annual "Provincial Report Card" to guide effective community-wide solutions.
• Key Sessions: Review of 2025 Symposium Results, Health Plans & The First Responder (with Patty Stewart McCord), and Organizational Culture & The First Responder (with Josh Bowen).
• Cost: $75 (Cost recovery for food and refreshments)
• Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm (followed by a Social Mixer with Cash Bar)
• Estimated Attendance: 100

2. Honour Guard Training Workshop

Led by AFRA Sgt at Arms, Len Chartrand, this specialized workshop is open to all First Responders (military, RCMP, police, firefighters, paramedics, etc.). It is designed to equip members with the skills and knowledge to perform ceremonial duties with dignity, precision, and respect, focusing on honouring fallen colleagues and representing their departments at public events.

• Key Topics: Ceremonial Drill and Protocol, Public Appearances, and Events.
• Cost: $50 (Cost recovery for food and refreshments)
• Time: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm (followed by a Social Mixer with Cash Bar)
• Estimated Attendance: 100

Day 2: Practical Training and Community Appreciation (Saturday, March 7)

Day two focuses on empowering First Responders with practical mental health tools and culminates in our largest annual fundraising event.

1. Mental Health Training Conference & Trade Show

This training conference consists of three focused workshops and an overview session designed to empower First Responders and their Organizations to implement best practices for mental health support and suicide prevention. The priority is to provide practical takeaways that participants can implement immediately.

• Key Workshops: Self-Awareness Techniques & Strategies (presented by Dr. Megan McElheran, R.Psych.), Decompression Techniques & Strategies, and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).
• Cost: $50 (Cost recovery for food and refreshments)
• Time: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Estimated Attendance: 150

2. Appreciation Gala

Our annual Gala is the major event to acknowledge First Responders and raise funds and awareness for Alberta First Responder mental health support and suicide prevention programs.

• Highlights: Cocktails, Pipes Call to Dinner, Honouring the Fallen, Dinner, Speeches, and a Dance.
• Time: 5:30 pm – 1:00 am
• Tickets: $150
• Estimated Attendance: 500