Steven Berry Woodland Park, Colorado

Many EMS providers have seen a cartoon of Steve Berry’s at one time or another. Steve has published nine versions of I’m Not an Ambulance Driver since his EMS career began more than 20 years ago. He writes a monthly column for JEMS magazine along with cartoon illustrations for both JEMS and FireRescue. A part-time paramedic with the Broadmoore Fire Protection District and AMR of Colorado Springs, Steve seeks world peace along with frequent flyer mileage.

Andrew BeVirt Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Andrew BeVirt is a 15-year veteran with the Milwaukee Fire Department. After serving as an adjunct instructor for high-rise training and as a Battalion trainer, he is currently serving as a lead training instructor at the Milwaukee Fire Academy. Lt. BeVirt is both a State Certified Fire Instructor and Fire Officer. Andy also has five years with the Dive Rescue Team, including additional certifications in ice diving and swift-water rescue.

Ken Bouvier New Orleans, Louisiana

Ken Bouvier has been involved in EMS since 1974.Ken is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, the Immediate Past President of NAEMT, and is the Administrative Liaison for New Orleans EMS. In 1989 he was the recipient of the NAEMT of the Year Award. Ken is on the advisory board of EMS Magazine and has written many articles for fire service and EMS publications. He is known nationally and internationally for his lectures and is a popular presenter at many EMS conferences.

Michael Brink Madison Heights, Michigan

Michael Brink has 18 years of service with the Madison Heights Fire Department and is the department’s Technical Rescue and Hazardous Materials coordinator. Michael has been instructing technical rescue for more than 16 years. He holds the position of Chief Operations Officer and Training Director for the Safety and Technical Rescue Association. He is also the Task Force Leader and Technical Rescue Specialist with the Michigan Technical Rescue Operations Team.

Dan Carlascio Joliet, Illinois

Dan Carlascio is known for his success as an educator and public speaker. Dan is an advocate for EMS who speaks from a lifetime of accomplishments. During his 28-year career in EMS he has functioned as a street paramedic and flight-paramedic, and has been responsible for Loyola University Medical Center’s paramedic program. Dan is currently the clinical implementation manager for Philips Medical Systems.

Brad Davis Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Brad Davis started his career with the Milwaukee Fire Department in 1996. He was promoted to the position of Lieutenant in 2003. After serving as an adjunct instructor for high-rise training and inter-battalion training, he was assigned and is currently serving as the lead instructor at the Bureau of Instruction and Training. He is a member of the Heavy Urban Rescue Team and is also a fireboat pilot. Brad has served for 21 years as a senior officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

Gerald Dworkin Harrisville, New Hampshire

Gerald Dworkin serves as the Technical Consultant for Aquatics Safety and Water Rescue and is responsible for educational program development, conduct of training programs, and technical consulting. Gerry has an extensive background in Public Safety, Rescue field operations, and public education, specializing in aquatics safety, water rescue, ice rescue, and EMS. Gerry Dworkin is an expert educator sought after by conferences throughout the United States.

Christopher Ebright Delta, Ohio

Chris is the Lead Instructor with the College of Medicine, Division of EMS Education at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. He has been providing medical education for more than 12 years and has experience in the field that ranges from primary EMS response to critical care transportation. Chris is a faculty member of Owens Community College and is an affiliate faculty member of the annual Ohio state fire school.

John Elder Burleson, Texas

John Elder currently serves as a Primary Paramedic and Field Training Officer for MedStar Ambulance based in Ft. Worth, Texas. John’s EMS career of more than 20 years has included rural, urban, and flight environments. John has served on state committees on the future of EMS education and has authored various EMS articles. John’s passion for raising the bar in EMS education has made him a popular presenter at conferences throughout the United States.

Dr. Janet Eng Lansing, Michigan

Janet Eng, D.O., is a board certified emergency physician and medical toxicologist in Lansing, Michigan. She has been part of the teaching faculty and served as the Associate Program Director for the MSU Emergency Medicine Residency. Dr. Eng completed her fellowship in Medical Toxicology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Eng has lectured nationally, covering a variety of emergency medicine and medical toxicology topics.

Leif Erickson Racine, Wisconsin

Leif Erickson is a 22-year student of EMS and healthcare. His experience includes roles in the private and public EMS setting, critical care transport, STEMI program development, education, hospital administration and healthcare management. Leif currently serves as a flight paramedic with Flight For Life, Milwaukee Wisconsin, and is an EMS Instructor with Madison Area Technical College, Madison, Wisconsin.

James Gatteno Detroit, Michigan

James Gatteno has 12 years with the Detroit Fire Department EMS Division and is on the department’s Hazardous Materials Team. James has been instructing technical rescue for eight years, and holds the position of Rescue Training Coordinator for the Safety and Technical Rescue Association. He is also a member of the Michigan Technical Rescue Operations Team where he holds the position of Rescue Manager and Technical Rescue Specialist.

Erik Gaull Washington, D.C.

Erik Gaull is the Senior Program Director with G&H International Services, Inc., in Washington, D.C. His work experience includes senior positions in government at the local, state, and federal levels. Erik is a Certified Emergency Manager® and has been involved in all aspects of emergency services. Erik is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine.

Jeff Johnson Tualatin, Oregon

Jeff Johnson is Fire Chief of Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Oregon’s largest fire district, serving nine cities and 430,000 people. Jeff’s love of the fire service, combined with humor and a business perspective, creates an educational, fun and informative presentation. Chief Johnson’s trademark is bringing practical ideas and concepts that work today, while preparing you for the future. Chief Johnson has lectured or consulted in 44 states.

Bill Justice Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Bill Justice is a frequent educator at regional, national and international conferences. Bill’s user-friendly approach to emergency management topics provides a relaxed and interactive educational atmosphere for all participants. His background has spanned a 32-year career in fire rescue and EMS. He is currently the State of Oklahoma PHTLS Coordinator and holds instructor certifications in ACLS, PHTLS, PALS/PEPP, dive rescue, hyperbaric medicine, and tactical EMS (TEMS). Bill is the newest addition to the Devon Energy Business Continuity Program Group and serves as the Healthcare Manager for domestic and international health issues.

Pete Lazzara Chicago, Illinois

Pete is a 27-year veteran in EMS and is currently an Ambulance Commander with the Chicago Fire Department. Pete brings years of high school teaching experience to his presentations. He presently is an adjunct instructor with numerous institutions, including Loyola University Medical Center. Pete served for six years as EMS coordinator at Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago. He also has several years of critical care transport experience as a flight medic with the LifeStar Aeromedical Program. Pete is a nationally recognized speaker and annually presents at EMS conferences nationwide.

Chris LeBaudour Windsor, California

Chris LeBaudour is a passionate instructor who specializes in experiential scenario-based education. Chris believes in developing the whole person and not just the skills required to be a good field practitioner. He brings real life experience together with an off the wall sense of humor to create a fun learning environment. Chris is a prolific writer and has several major EMS publications on the market. He is a faculty member in the Department of Public Safety, EMS Division at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. Chris is also the Director of Communications for REACH Air Medical Services, a large helicopter and airplane air ambulance provider in the northwest.

Brian Litza Madison, Wisconsin

Brian Litza is the Section Chief for the State of Wisconsin EMS Section, Bureau of Local Public Health Practice. He has performed in various capacities in both private and public sector EMS since 1983. Brian has served as a volunteer firefighter, EMS educator, program coordinator, supervisor, and critical care paramedic during his 26-year career in emergency services.

Bill Miller Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bill Miller’s experience in emergency services spans more than 30 years and ranges from volunteer EMT in rural Pennsylvania to assistant chief of Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Training Academy. Upon leaving Pittsburgh EMS after nearly 15 years, Bill was employed by the Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh as EMS Education Specialist. In 2004, Bill graduated from Drexel University’s Hahnemann Physician Assistant program. Upon graduation he returned to Pittsburgh to practice medicine as a PA in an emergency department.

Dwight Polk Baltimore, Maryland

Dwight is the Paramedic Program Director at the University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD, and is a familiar face at conferences around the country. In addition to being a fulltime educator, Dwight is a volunteer paramedic and published author. Dwight has written for JEMS magazine and has a Master’s Degree in Occupational Social Work. Dwight is a Crisis Counselor for the Grassroots Crisis Center and two Critical Incident Stress Management teams in the Baltimore region.

John O’Leary St. Louis, Missouri

John’s life is proof of the power of the human spirit. As a nine-year-old, he was burned on 100% of his body and given less than a one percent chance of survival. Against these odds, John overcame great challenges to achieve wonderful success in life. John works as a chaplain at a children’s hospital and began a not-for-profit organization created to spawn volunteer opportunities throughout the community. In 2007, John was named the St. Louis University Distinguished Young Alumni Recipient, and is one of two 2006-2007 Keep Going Hall of Fame inductees (the other is Cal Ripken, Jr.).

Rick Patrick York, Pennsylvania

Chief Rick Patrick is the Director of the Medical First Responder Coordination Division for the Office of Health Affairs – Medical Readiness, U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. Rick is a nationally known leader, educator, lecturer, author, speaker, and consultant in emergency services. He has over 30 year’s of diverse experience in Emergency Services. Chief Patrick has had the privilege to travel throughout the United States and abroad consulting, educating and speaking on a variety of emergency medical, fire, rescue, business, industrial and public safety topics.

Dale Reisen Fort Myers, Florida

Dale Reisen has been involved in emergency services since 1983. He currently holds the position of Battalion Chief in Operations for Estero Fire Rescue in Fort Myers, Florida. He is also employed as a fire and explosion investigator for EFI Global. Dale has received numerous honors, including the State of Florida Governor’s Commendation Award for his work during State emergencies while he was deployed in 1995 and 1998 by the State of Florida Emergency Management, Division of Emergency Operations. He has written numerous articles for various publications and has served as a lecturer and trainer for seminars and conferences on many topics.

Barry Szymanski Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Barry Szymanski is a private Wisconsin lawyer and emergency services consultant. Barry represents many EMS and fire departments, both volunteer and paid, government, for-profit and not-for-profit. He serves as the lawyer for the Wisconsin EMS Association. Barry often functions as a consultant on legal and ethical topics relating to operations and on policies and procedures, and as an arbitrator and mediator in disputes.

Dan Vaccaro Kenosha, Wisconsin

Dan Vaccaro, owner of Diver Dan’s Scuba Center, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has been diving for nearly all his life. Dan is a PADI instructor with 22 specialties, and is an American Red Cross instructor in CPR, First Aid, AED, WSI and Lifeguarding. Dan is the divemaster for the Scout Leaders Rescue Squad Dive Team, and has served the role of divemaster for the Kenosha County Underwater Rescue and Recovery Association for more than 30 years.

Troy Webster Florence, Kentucky

Troy has been active in the fire service for over 18 years, serving both in paid and volunteer capacities. Troy currently serves as a Captain with the Florence Fire/EMS Department in Florence, Kentucky. Additionally, Troy is a field instructor for Kentucky State Fire/Rescue Training, where he teaches numerous fire/rescue programs throughout the Commonwealth. Troy has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University.