2025 Annual Conference: Closing Symposium

Saturday, October 18th, 8:00 - 10:30 am

The Unspoken Realities: The Unknown Impacts of Navigating a Line of Duty Death
Chief BJ Jungmann, Burnsville

Panel: Gregg Lindberg, Burnsville City Manager; Tanya Schwartz, Burnsville Police Chief; Terry Ritchie, Burnsville Assistant Chief; Neal Dwyer, Burnsville Assistant Chief; Doug Nelson, Burnsville Assistant Chief (Ret.); Jonathan Bundt, Mental Health Professional; Mike Mondor, Maplewood Fire Chief; Andrew Slama, Edina Fire Chief

Session Description

On February 18, 2024, the City of Burnsville, Minnesota, faced an unthinkable tragedy: two police officers and a firefighter/paramedic lost their lives during a high-risk police standoff. In this powerful and deeply personal session, members of the Burnsville Fire Department will share firsthand lessons learned from the immediate response, crisis management, and long-term recovery efforts that followed.

This panel will explore the often-overlooked realities of line-of-duty deaths, offering critical insights into how departments—both large and small—can prepare for the unimaginable. Topics will include interagency coordination, mental health support, leadership under pressure, communication strategies, and the logistical and emotional challenges of navigating a loss in service.

Whether you are a department leader, emergency responder, or city administrator, this session will provide valuable tools, perspectives, and resources to help you build resilience, support your team, and lead with strength through the most difficult of times.