Florida's F1RST

04/08/2026

🚨 We still have spots available for our upcoming Interstate Criminal Interdiction course! 🚔

Interdiction efforts play a critical role in safeguarding communities. With this course, participants learn proactive strategies to detect and disrupt the trafficking of illicit materials along major highways. Taught by active-duty interdiction veterans, this training addresses the realities of the road from those who have experienced it firsthand and know the best tactics for seizing harmful contraband and making arrests.

Participants will gain valuable insight into:
• Case-based learning from real interdiction operations
• Effective roadside interview techniques
• Vehicle search methods and concealment detection
• K9 integration and deployment

Impactful, real-world training like this equips personnel with the tools needed to stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics.

🔗 Learn more and register at: https://www.floridasfirst.org/event-details/interstate-criminal-interdiction

04/02/2026

🔎 "It's not a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN." 🔦

This message was one of the key lessons taught by experts at Forensic Foundations during their Mass Casualty Preparedness for Crime Scene course. F1RST was honored to host this vital training aimed at preparing crime scene units, including forensic investigators and detectives, with best practices and procedures for responding to mass casualty incidents.

Over the course of three days, participants from various agencies received classroom instruction and hands-on exercises, culminating in a mass casualty exercise. The training heavily emphasized collaboration techniques to effectively pool, coordinate, and control resources from multiple agencies.

In critical incidents, training like this equips crime scene units with the knowledge and skills needed to respond safely and efficiently. F1RST offers a wide range of emergency training for first responders throughout the year. Check out our upcoming events and sign up at:
🔗 https://www.floridasfirst.org/event-list

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

Here at Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, & Tactics (F1RST), we strive to offer comprehensive training programs and research initiatives that enhance the skills and capabilities of public safety professionals. This month, we’re highlighting the following courses with open registrations:

🧑‍🏫 MASS CASUALTY PREPAREDNESS FOR CRIME SCENES | MAR. 25-27
This course teaches attendees how to pool, coordinate, and control the response and resources of multiple agencies (including a mock exercise).

⚠️ HAZMAT TECHNICIAN HYBRID | MAR. 29-MAY 22
This course combines online instruction and hands-on field training to prepare students for hazardous scenarios, including identifying incident types, atmospheric monitoring, and more.

🔍 FLUSAR CONFINED SPACE | APR. 20-24
This course trains rescuers in all aspects of a confined space emergency. Meets OSHA standard 1910.146 and NFPA 1006 Chapter 5, 7.1, and 7.2.

🕵 URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE MEDICAL TEAM SPECIALIST | APR. 22-25
This course equips professionals with advanced medical care training for victims and team members—including K9s—in austere all-hazard environments during a disaster.

🚔 INTERSTATE CRIMINAL INTERDICTION | APR. 29-30
A course that provides a deep dive into the realities of modern interdiction, built entirely on real-world seizures and arrests made by active-duty interdiction veterans.

📸 AERIAL CRASH AND CRIME SCENE VIDEOGRAPHY | MAY 4-5
This course teaches attendees how to master drone and hands-on videography to develop courtroom-ready, DA-approved media deliverables.

Interested in attending one of our state-of-the-art courses? Head to https://www.floridasfirst.org/event-list and register today!

02/27/2026

F1RST is looking for new training locations across Pasco County!

We’re searching for opportunities to expand our research and training initiatives through access to new locations. Training in new, realistic environments provides hands-on, real-world experience that empowers public safety personnel to be prepared in any situation they may encounter.

If you own or manage properties, such as businesses (after hours), vacant buildings, construction sites, open fields, heavily wooded areas, open lots, or large facilities/warehouses, we’d love to connect! Please reach out to our Sr. K9 Training Analyst Bridget Coyman at +1 (727) 633-1602 or [email protected].

02/03/2026

In honor of National Missing Persons Day, F1RST wants to highlight our efforts to bridge the gap between law enforcement and academia, an investment into tools and methodologies that help in these cases.

According to the FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC), approximately 533,936 missing persons records were entered into the NCIC database in 2024, with 93,447 cases remaining active. The need for advanced research and innovation isn’t a want for the future—it’s a need for today.

F1RST is proud to house several areas of advancement, including Unmanned Systems and K9, that provide law enforcement professionals with the training and research necessary to enhance recovery efforts. With ever-changing technologies and new systems, we strive to find solutions and bring justice home.

02/03/2026

Here at F1RST, we’re proud to advance public safety by utilizing cutting-edge technology, tactics, and forensic science. We offer a wide variety of trainings in areas including unmanned systems, K9, human performance, leadership, cyber, forensics, and more!

Interested in attending one of our state-of-the-art courses? Head to www.floridasfirst.org/event-list and register today!

02/02/2026

🚗 STAY AT THE SCENE 🚨

February is observed as Florida’s Hit and Run Awareness Month. Per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 702,162 vehicle accidents that occurred in the state of Florida, with 97,902 involving hit-and-run vehicle incidents—nearly 8% of total crashes! Anyone involved in a vehicle incident is reminded to act responsibly to protect the lives and property of our citizens.

This month, F1RST reminds citizens to when involved in a motor vehicle accident.

02/02/2026

Here at Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, & Tactics (F1RST), we strive to offer comprehensive training programs and research initiatives that enhance the skills and capabilities of public safety professionals. This month, we’re highlighting the following courses with open registrations:

💻 DIGITAL THREAT AWARENESS | FEB. 20
Comprehensive, single-day educational experience designed to raise foundational awareness of digital threats in modern operational and personal contexts

🩸 BASIC BLOODSTAIN ANALYSIS | FEB. 23-27
This course provides opportunities to learn the fundamentals of bloodstain pattern analysis. It consists of laboratory exercises and lectures that define the principles of bloodstain analysis in both theoretical and practical terms.

🔐 CRYPTO INVESTIGATIONS ACADEMY | MAR. 2-6
This course equips both new and experienced investigators with the essential skills to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes.

⛈️ CIT: FDLE #1420 CRISIS RESPONSE & MANAGEMENT | MAR. 9-13
An in-depth training to provide officers with education regarding mental illness and how to communicate with, and de-escalate, those in crisis.

🕵 UNDERSTANDING HOW BLOODSTAIN ANALYSIS AFFECTS AN INVESTIGATION | MAR. 16-17
A course that provides a cohesive understanding of the causes, effects, and implications of various bloodstains and patterns for both Crime Scene Technicians documenting the scene and Detectives investigating the crime.

🫆 MASS CASUALTY PREPAREDNESS FOR CSI | MAR. 25-27
This course teaches attendees how to pool, coordinate, and control the response and resources of multiple agencies (including a mock exercise).

Interested in attending one of our state-of-the-art courses? Head to www.floridasfirst.org/event-list and register today!

01/23/2026

💻 Crimes in Digital Times📱

F1RST is accepting registrations for our upcoming training: Digital Threat Awareness Course (DTAC).

This course is designed to help professionals strengthen their digital identity to prevent online targeting.

What you’ll learn:
• How your daily behaviors shape
your vulnerability in a connected environment.
• What the Ubiquitous Surveillance Ecosystem (USE) is and how it affects you.
• How to recognize and reduce your digital exposure.

This is more than just training—it’s an opportunity to advance safety for both you and your family.

Space is limited—reserve your seat today!
https://www.floridasfirst.org/event-details/digital-threat-awareness-course

12/08/2025

F1RST: Florida's Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics, an entity of the Pasco Sheriff's Office, successfully hosted a critical Drone Integration & Security Operations training event.

The specialized class was designed to facilitate a vital information exchange, ensuring a unified and consistent security posture among participating public safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) teams and FIFA security personnel. Bringing together over 50 public safety professionals, the event featured drone teams and stakeholders from nearly every U.S. World Cup host city, demonstrating a national commitment to proactive, early coordination.

The Focus:

· Unified Readiness: Aligning all participating drone teams regarding operational security protocols and FIFA expectations.

· World-Class Expertise: Attendees benefited immensely from a highly qualified cadre of instructors, including distinguished international experts from Belgium's PLOT and key operational leaders from FIFA26 Airspace Security, alongside nationally recognized SMEs from major U.S. public safety agencies.

· The Blueprint for Success: The clear message is that early coordination, strong communication and unified strategy are essential for this historic security operation.

Thank you to all the participants for your commitment to excellence, and to our invaluable sponsors: DRONERESPONDERS, DroneShield, AeroDefense and Dronetag.

Future of Airspace Security: The success of this collaboration underscores the importance of networking and shared knowledge as we move toward 2026. Stay tuned for details on future offerings to help your team prepare!

12/02/2025

📸 ADVANCED CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY🩸

F1RST is hosting an upcoming training: Advanced Crime Scene Photography presented by TRITECH FORENSICS and instructed by Matthew Steiner, MS, CSCSA.

This crime scene photography course is designed to equip students with the skills to accurately document complex and challenging crime-scene scenarios. Students will begin by learning essential lighting techniques and how to properly illuminate evidence in a variety of environments. The course provides in-depth, scene-specific instruction on photographing bloodstain patterns, shooting-scene evidence and other critical forensic details. In addition, students will gain hands-on experience with low-light photography, chemiluminescent documentation, and forensic light sources.

What you’ll learn:
• How to photograph bloodstain patterns.
• Learning essential lighting techniques.
• How to shoot scene evidence.

This course is for forensic personnel looking to enhance their crime scene photography skills while also navigating challenging crime scene situations. *This course has been approved for 40 IAI certification hours

Space is limited—reserve your seat today! To reserve a spot and/or find more information about the class, head to: https://lnkd.in/eNYWmmtH