Alexandra Abdelsayed is an Orange County native with over a decade of experience in both adult and pediatric emergency nursing. Her background includes both in-hospital emergency care and prehospital coordination as an MICN. She recently expanded her clinical focus to burn care, where she has been working for the past six months.

Dr. Anne Adema is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado and attending physician in the Children's Hospital Colorado emergency department. She is a Pediatric Pandemic Network Career Development Awardee for Disaster Research, and an award-winning innovator. Dr. Adema's research and device development focuses on leveraging technology to enhance everyday pediatric emergency care to better care for children in disasters and pandemics.

Brian spent 31 years in the fire service for Salt Lake City Fire, starting out as a Firefighter/ Paramedic. He worked his way through the ranks as a Lieutenant, Captain, EMS Chief, Response Chief, Deputy Chief, and Fire Chief until he retired in 2017. He went to work for the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch where he filled the role of the Associate Director of Medical and Quality Control. In 2019, he became the Director of Software Development and Quality Assurance, and then in 2021, he became the president of PDC and served in that position until 2025. He now serves as a Senior Subject Matter Expert for fire and medical and Dispatch Quality Assurance. Since 1991 he has also served in multiple roles for the IAED, including Chair of the Board of Accreditation, Chair of the EDQ Council of Standards, and a member of the Medical and Fire Council of Standards. Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Sciences – Education Emphasis, and continues to speak in the US and abroad on Dispatch and Public Safety topics.

Caroline Thomas Jacobs was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 3, 2026, as Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). She brings more than 20 years of experience in emergency management, public safety, and technology. Director Thomas Jacobs previously served at Cal OES from 2014 to 2019, including as Chief of Headquarters Response, where she led the State Operations Center during major disasters and helped develop the state’s initial Public Safety Power Shutoff protocols. Thomas Jacobs later served as Director of the Wildfire Safety Division at the California Public Utilities Commission, where she established oversight of utility wildfire safety programs, and as the inaugural Director of the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. Thomas Jacobs’ background also includes roles with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative, and Apple Inc. Thomas Jacobs is recognized for advancing statewide coordination, strengthening disaster response, and building a more resilient California.

Catherine Vernon brings over 30 years of experience in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing and has been an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) for more than two decades. Throughout her career, she has held progressive leadership roles—from Staff RN to System Director—overseeing operations for 42 Emergency Departments across three states. In addition to her clinical leadership, Catherine is an Advanced Practice Provider specializing in Sports Medicine. Her diverse background includes eight years as a Flight Nurse and two years with a Sports Medicine practice, providing care for professional athletes from the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers. Catherine currently serves as the Operations Director at the Todd Cancer Institute in Long Beach, California. She is a regular speaker for the ENA and recently presented on bias at the 2022 Annual Conference in Denver. She also serves as Secretary of the ENA’s East Bay Chapter.

Meet your Trust Officer, Claudia Carr. Claudia completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at El Paso and earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, from Western State College of Law in Irvine, California. She spent several years in private practice, guiding clients through estate planning, as well as trust and probate administration. Claudia is also the proud wife of an LAFD firefighter and has a deep personal connection to the fire family. With her legal background and passion for service, she is committed to improving the financial lives of our fire family and supporting members in achieving their financial and estate planning goals.

Cory Miller is the Vice President of Business Services at Firefighters First Credit Union, where he leads business lending, credit risk, and member experience efforts supporting firefighters nationwide. He brings 19 years of experience in credit union commercial lending and joined the organization in April 2025. Cory holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Westmont College and a Master of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary. He is passionate about helping firefighters navigate investment property ownership and prepare for commercial loan qualification. Through his work, Cory educates prospective borrowers on key factors such as income stability, cash flow, credit structure, leverage, and liquidity—helping them avoid common pitfalls and pursue opportunities with confidence and clarity.

Danelle is a California Certified Prevention Specialist with over 35 years of experience advancing prevention, behavioral health, and family-centered initiatives. She serves as Executive Director of the Fire Family Foundation, leading programs that support mental wellness and resilience among fire families. As the wife of a career firefighter and mother of three, Danelle brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, helping shape meaningful support tailored to fire service life. She has developed nationally recognized, award-winning prevention programs and led statewide initiatives focused on early intervention and family stability. Through her leadership, the Foundation continues to expand innovative, culturally competent programs that strengthen connection, reduce stigma, and promote long-term well-being.

David Page, MS, NRP, is the director of the Prehospital Care Research Forum at UCLA and Director of EMS Education for EMS Corps. He serves as the chair of the International Paramedic Registry. He has over 40 years of EMS street experience and loves to innovate, learn, improve and advance EMS with science.

Captain Eric Ballard began his career with Murrieta Fire & Rescue in 2000 and has been actively involved in training throughout his career. He specializes in realistic, scenario-based training with an emphasis on stress inoculation to mirror real-world conditions. He has been a member of the Riverside County’s Tactical Response to Violent Incidents Workgroup since 2012 and has been involved since its inception. Murrieta was the first city in the county to implement an active shooter policy and response procedures. Eric strongly believes effective active shooter response depends on early, disciplined collaboration between fire, law enforcement, EMS, and hospital partners. He also spent ten years as the lead tactical paramedic with Southwest Cities SWAT team.

Gary Denham has more than 30 years of experience in EMS, beginning his career in 1993 and advancing through field operations, education, and leadership roles. He currently serves as the Disaster Coordinator for AMR Riverside County, Assistant ERT Coordinator, and a member of the GMR Pacific Region Incident Management Team. His experience includes multiple national disaster deployments and long-standing involvement in regional active shooter preparedness. Gary is committed to strengthening coordinated EMS operations and disaster response across Riverside County and beyond.

Gigi Rodriguez, RN, BSN, CPEN, MICN brings more than 38 years of Emergency Medicine experience and currently serves as Manager of Pediatric Urgent Care at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. She has dedicated her career to advancing pediatric emergency care through clinical excellence, program development, and interprofessional collaboration. Throughout her tenure at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Gigi has held several key leadership roles, including Manager of the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator, and Clinical Educator. She has been instrumental in developing and strengthening pediatric emergency services, supporting operational growth, and promoting evidence-based practice. Gigi is passionate about mentoring nurses, residents, paramedics, and community partners in caring for pediatric patients, and is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, clear communication, and commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care.

Chief Harris Henbest began his career in 1996 and is currently the District Chief for BSO Fire Rescue overseeing Industrial and Marine Fire Response at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and also a member of the City of Miami Fire Department, USAR Florida Task Force 2 since 1999, currently serving as a Search Team Coordinator and FEMA Incident Support Team as a Division/Group Supervisor. His deployments include Haiti Earthquake, the Champlain Towers Collapse in Surfside, Florida, swift water rescues, and flood responses in Asheville, North Carolina, and Kerrville, Texas. He also responded to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shooting in 2017 and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.

Dr. Joelle Donofrio-Odmann, DO, FAAP, FACEP, FAEMSP knows that some calls don’t end when you clear the scene. As the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for San Diego Fire-Rescue and Medical Director of EMS at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, she has spent her career at the intersection of pediatric emergency medicine and prehospital care—the exact place where providers encounter the calls that follow them home. The pediatric cardiac arrest. The child who doesn’t make it. The run that becomes a marathon. In this talk, Dr. Donofrio-Odmann steps out from behind the medical director’s role and speaks plainly—about her own experiences, about the firefighters and paramedics of SDFD she has walked alongside, and about what the days, weeks, months, and years after a traumatic call can actually look like. She addresses the silence that often surrounds this topic in fire and EMS culture, the ways that unprocessed grief and stress quietly accumulate, and—most importantly—the concrete, evidence-informed skills that responders can build to care for themselves before, during, and after the calls that shake them. After graduating cum laude from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Donofrio-Odmann completed her pediatric residency at USC and Los Angeles County Medical Center, a three-year pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Harbor-UCLA, and an EMS fellowship at UC San Diego. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research focuses on pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and prehospital systems—the calls that carry the highest emotional weight for the providers who run them. She is the co-host of the Prehospital Emergency Care Podcast (NAEMSP) and the Pediatric EMS Podcast. This is a talk she has needed to give for a long time.

Kevin Paschall, PA-C, is the Program Manager for the Resource Access Program with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. His work focuses on integrating advanced practice providers into EMS and developing community-based care models for patients with complex medical, mental health, and substance use needs. He has worked across mobile medicine, EMS, and community health to improve care coordination and reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization.

Kim Zaky is a dedicated nursing professional with over twenty years of experience covering pediatric emergency, trauma, and burn care. Prior to moving to UCI Health to manage the Adult and Pediatric Burn Program, Kim opened a Base Station dedicated to running pediatric calls in Orange County. Her expertise spans clinical practice, program development, and education, with a strong focus on improving pediatric pre-hospital care and secondary pediatric transfers through pediatric readiness. Kim has presented at national and regional conferences on topics like child maltreatment screening, trauma transport readiness, and innovative EMS education strategies. Her publications focus on pediatric trauma and emergency care. Kim holds multiple national certifications, including Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN), and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN). She is an active member of the American Burn Association and the Emergency Nurses Association and serves as an instructor for TNCC and ENPC courses.

Kwesi Millington is a University Graduate (BComm) and former police officer for Canada’s National Police Force, the RCMP. His story, known nationally and covered in a documentary movie by the Canadian Broadcast Company (CBC), included years of public scrutiny and struggle. Having overcome adversity, anxiety and depression, Kwesi uses that ability as a platform to become a voice for resilience and positive mental health. He speaks to schools and high-stress organizations about the power of resilience, self-esteem, and building confidence to overcome anxiety, challenges, and change.

Liz Augusta, RN, MSN, LNCC, CPHRM is a Clinical Risk Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services; the second largest municipal health system in the nation. She has worked with the Department’s Risk Management and Patient Safety program for over 20 years since completing her training as a paralegal and Legal Nurse Consultant. Currently, she works with the Department’s central Clinical Risk Management program overseeing 4 hospitals and 22 health centers. Under this role she assists in managing the Department’s claims and event reporting system, manages the Department’s CANDOR communication and resolution program, and chairs several systemwide committees related to hospital accreditation, clinical risk management, and early resolution of claims. Prior to her arrival to Health Services Administration, Liz was an Administrative Nurse on Duty, Emergency Department Charge Nurse, and an ED/Trauma Nurse at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, one of the Department’s two Level-1 trauma centers. Liz is a frequent speaker, both locally and nationally, on several patient safety and risk management topics, with a special interest in the patient experience in the provision of healthcare and its relationship to safety and quality. She imparts a unique perspective in her speaking engagements as both a nurse and consumer advocate for health care services.

Lonny Olson began his fire service career in 1995 as a Volunteer Firefighter in Riverside County, assigned to Menifee Fire Station. In 1996, Lonny was employed by the USFS as a Seasonal Firefighter. In June 1998, he was hired as a firefighter for CAL FIRE Riverside Unit. In 2004, he was promoted to Fire Apparatus Engineer Paramedic. In September 2009, Lonny advanced to Fire Captain, working in the Perris Emergency Command Center and later transferring to the Elsinore Station. In September 2018, he was promoted to Battalion Chief of the Lake Elsinore Battalion. By December 2019, he transitioned to the Battalion Chief position at the Perris Emergency Command Center. In October 2021, Lonny became the Southwest Division Chief, overseeing the Los Piños Fire Center and the cities of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, and Menifee. Most recently, in August 2024, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, responsible for Western Operations and the Prevention Bureau. Throughout his career, Lonny has contributed to numerous programs, including the implementation of the fire paramedic program for the City of Lake Elsinore. He has served as a paramedic preceptor and instructor and was the program coordinator during the rollout of the Emergency Medical Dispatch program for the Riverside Unit. Lonny is currently a member of the C-400 extended to major incident training cadre and serves as an Incident Commander Trainee on CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2.

Lourdes Betancourt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 15 years of experience in trauma-informed care. She specializes in treating individuals affected by trauma, including those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, physical assault, and workplace-related injuries. Lourdes is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Flash techniques, and various other trauma modalities. Currently, she serves as a key provider at Boomerang Healthcare, where she contributes to the Trauma Rehabilitation Program and the Traumatic Brain Injury Program. Lourdes is dedicated to delivering high-quality mental health services within rehabilitation programs tailored for individuals recovering from work-related injuries. Her commitment to a multidisciplinary approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive support aimed at restoring hope and enhancing their overall health and quality of life.

Matthew has 30+ years in the Fire Service with 26 years being with Sac Metro and Local 522. Through the years, he has held multiple elected positions within 522 and served on Local 522’s Executive Board for the past 5 years. Matthew has given significant focus to identifying unique revenue or funding opportunities and worked to secure funding through general obligation bonds and inter government transfers to help ensure that organizations throughout CPF can offer the highest level of service to their communities while maintaining the best working conditions for the men and women to protect them

Meridith Jensen is a public safety professional with over 18 years of experience specializing in quality assurance and emergency dispatch protocol software. As an EDQ and Software Protocol Expert with Priority Dispatch, her work focuses on empowering dispatchers, optimizing protocols, and enhancing operational excellence. Honored to collaborate with such dedicated professionals, Meridith is driven by the mission to ensure dispatchers are equipped, confident, and supported to serve their communities at the highest level.

Michael started his career in emergency medicine over 30 years ago when he became an EMT in New York State. A stint as an Army Medic led him to enter nursing school and seek out the ER. From the beginning of his nursing career, Michael has been providing education to his colleagues. From ACLS, to CEN, to ENPC, ENTEP and more, he continues to add to his base of knowledge in order to be a better resource to the nurses he serves. Michael calls himself a lifelong learner and is currently working on his 5th degree, a Doctor of Nursing Education from THE Ohio State University. In his current role, he serves as the NPD Specialist for Emergency Services at a community hospital in central California. In his spare time, he likes to volunteer his time and expertise to local sporting events serving on the medical teams. He is also a huge AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego), and an active member of his church. He recently married the woman of his dreams in 2025 and they live in California with their rescue pup, “Sadie”.

With over 20 years in the fire service, Chief Pearson has successfully completed the ultimate career quest: moving from the tactical intensity of being a SWAT medic to the high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping world of administrative investigations and Workers’ Comp paperwork. Currently serving as a Fire Division Chief and President of the CalChiefs EMS Section, he has mastered the rare ability to look entirely unbothered while managing a large-scale emergency incident and a regional committee meeting in the same afternoon. Working up through the ranks through nearly every title imaginable, from Battalion Chief to Lead Negotiator, proving he can handle both a structural fire and a union contract without breaking a sweat. Having helped develop everything from an ALS lifeguard program to a new County EMS system, he is essentially the department’s Swiss Army knife—if that knife also had to attend mandatory compliance training and oversee recruitment. After two decades on the front lines, he has enough stories to fill a book, though most of those stories probably end with "and then I had to write a ‘Dear Chief’ letter."

Patricia Eickholt, RN, BSN, PHN, CEN, MICN is a Quality Improvement Nurse with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District, bringing over 30 years of nursing experience in emergency, critical care, and prehospital settings. Her background includes extensive work in the ER, ICU, and critical care transport, as well as serving as a prehospital liaison and EMS nurse specialist. Patricia is also a dedicated educator, instructing BLS, ACLS, and Handtevy courses, and mentoring new healthcare professionals. She is passionate about improving patient outcomes through education, collaboration, and system-wide quality improvement.

Paul J. Wisniewski, D.O. is a board-certified general and critical care surgeon with extensive leadership experience in trauma systems development, surgical critical care, and military-civilian medical collaboration. He completed his General Surgery residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California, and a Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Florida. Dr. Wisniewski has served in key leadership positions throughout his career, including Trauma Director and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Director at Desert Regional Medical Center, and Director for the Navy Trauma Training Center in partnership with USC+LAC. A veteran of the United States Navy and decorated combat surgeon, Dr. Wisniewski deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, and Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he provided advanced trauma care in austere environments. Currently, Dr. Wisniewski serves as President and CEO of Cutting Edge Surgical Medical Group and Trauma Medical Director at St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California. He continues to advance trauma care through education, evidence-based practice, and system efficiency, focusing on improving outcomes in both military and civilian trauma populations.

Rachel Cierpich is a Staff Training Instructor with San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program for Law Enforcement and Community Partners. Rachel’s career with DBH began in 2012 as a Peer & Family Advocate with the Public Information Office/Community Outreach and Education Program and the Patients’ Rights Office. In her current role as a Staff Training Instructor, Rachel collaborates with various San Bernardino County first responder agencies and community partners to develop, coordinate, and deliver customized behavioral health trainings and informational presentations. As a certified San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Academy Instructor and a certified CIT Coordinator through CIT International, Rachel works to ensure that first responders and community partners are well-prepared to successfully support and respond to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Ray Ramirez is a retired Fire Chief with extensive experience in California’s prehospital emergency care system. Ray has completed A.S. degrees in Fire Technology & Emergency Medical Services, a B.S. degree in Business & Management from the University of Redlands, and a Juris Doctor degree in Law from the University of La Verne College of Law. Ray has been a licensed California Attorney-at-Law since July 2008. Ray has extensive experience in the regulatory rulemaking process for EMS systems regulation relating to the EMS Act of 1980.

Robin began her nursing career on 1991 at Olive View Medical Center in the Emergency Department. For the past 23 years she worked in the ED at four other hospitals. In 1999 she was hired by Ventura County Fire Department as an Emergency Medical Dispatch QI nurse/trainer and was asked to develop a QI program for the first responders. In 2003 she was given the responsibility of becoming the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) for her department. As a new DICO, the sheer mass of regulations, laws and policies for officers was overwhelming. In order to make sense of all this, the DICO course was developed by Susan Hayward from Burbank FD and Robin and was first presented at Cfed 2012. The response was positive from those attending, so the course is being offered again by popular demand.

Samuel Crenshaw is a Fire Captain with the Sonoma County Fire District and a Helicopter Rescue Paramedic with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. With nearly two decades of experience spanning structural firefighting, advanced life support, wilderness medicine, and technical rescue, he has served in roles from frontline paramedic to leadership positions within local, state, and federal agencies. Previously, he worked with the National Park Service in Yosemite and Lake Mead, where he combined emergency response with program development, training, and interagency coordination. Beyond fire and EMS, Samuel has held leadership roles in education, including as a Teach For America Director and award-winning high school teacher. He holds master’s degrees from Brown University and the University of Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree with highest honors from UC Berkeley. Recognized with multiple awards for both lifesaving care and leadership, he continues to blend operational excellence with mentorship, training, and service to community.

Sandy Griffin, RN, serves as the EMS Administrator for the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District, where she oversees EMS operations, education programs, and system-wide quality improvement initiatives. With more than 30 years of experience in emergency medicine, including decades as an emergency department nurse and trauma specialist, she brings extensive clinical and leadership expertise to the fire-based EMS system. Sandy has a strong background in education and training, serving as a program director for EMT and paramedic education, instructor for ACLS, PALS, and BLS, and continuing education director for the CFED Conference. She is also actively involved in peer support, incident management, and community health initiatives, with a passion for improving patient outcomes and supporting provider wellness.

Scott Wagness is an accomplished paramedic with more than 15 years of Fire and EMS experience. He currently works as an EMS Coordinator for the Solano County EMS Agency where he focuses on field provider education and improving patient outcomes. Scott is also the current Director at Large for EMS for the Trauma Professionals Association of California (TPAC) where he is working to bring hospital based trauma professionals and field providers together through education. Scott is recently retired from the San Francisco Fire Department where he served as a Tactical Paramedic, Field Training Officer, and Paramedic Preceptor. He is the creator of a medication dosing guide that has helped to improve pediatric medication dosing accuracy throughout San Francisco. During his time with SFFD he received multiple awards including the Raymond Lim Excellence in EMS Award for his work improving prehospital pediatric care. As an active participant in the California EMS for Children Technical Advisory Committee, Scott is now helping to shape prehospital pediatric care throughout the state. Recently recognized as an author and medical contributor in the 2026 Emergency First Aid Guidelines for California Schools, his work is helping to improve student safety and healthcare education in California schools.

Sean Stokes joined the City of Beverly Hills Fire Department in 2006 and currently serves as the Fire Department’s EMS Division Chief. Previously, he held management positions in Emergency & Trauma services at a local hospital and worked as a Financial Analyst for a national healthcare system. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University Long Beach, a Master’s Degree from University California Irvine and a Chief EMS Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Dr. Schlesinger is Director of Education & Innovation for the Los Angeles County EMS Agency, Program Director for the Harbor-UCLA/LA County EMS Fellowship, and faculty for the Harbor-UCLA Emergency Medicine residency program. In addition to her work within the L.A. County EMS system, Dr. Schlesinger is Medical Director for the Newport Beach Fire Department and a Medical Officer with the National Disaster Medical System.

Steven is a Registered Nurse and Paramedic with nearly 20 years of experience in various healthcare settings, including 911 EMS, Community Hospitals, Regional Trauma Centers, and Critical Access facilities. Currently serving as a Flight Nurse in the Bay Area, he also maintains his skills and versatility by working in hospital settings. Steven has actively volunteered with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), contributing chapters to both the 8th and 9th editions of the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC). He serves as a Chairperson for the California ENA Trauma Committee and is the Treasurer of the Bay Area Chapter of the ENA.

Theresa Chin is Associate professor of surgery within the Divisions of Emergency General Surgery and Trauma, Burns and Critical Care. She completed her medical School at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA and Residency at the University of Colorado, where she also received her Master’s in Public Health . She did a burn/trauma critical care fellowship at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. She serves on several committees including ACS Committee on Trauma, American Burn Association, and Association of Academic Global Surgery.

Victor C. Joe, MD, FACS, FCCP is a Board-certified General Surgeon with added qualifications in Surgical Critical Care. He is the Medical Director of the UC Irvine Regional Burn Center, and he is a practicing trauma, burn and general surgeon. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, where he was awarded the John E. Connelly Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. Dr. Joe is certified in ATLS and ABLS as both a provider and an instructor, and he has taught both courses throughout the country over the last eight years. Before joining UCI in March 2013, he was the Medical Director of the Hirschman Burn Center and Associate Director of Trauma at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he was awarded the “Golden Apple” teaching award for General Surgery. Dr. Joe’s research interests include burn resuscitation and outcomes; trauma management and outcomes; and critical care outcomes. His work has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals, and he has been an invited speaker at regional, national and international meetings and symposia. Dr. Joe is a member of numerous professional organizations including the Society of Critical Care Medicine; the American College of Surgeons; the American Burn Association; the American College of Chest Physicians; and the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.

Vince Roldan has been a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 23 years. He is currently a Fire Captain assigned as one of the department’s Peer Support Coordinators and serves as the department’s Lead Chaplain. Vince has been assigned as a Captain, Engineer, Firefighter Paramedic, and Firefighter throughout the County of Los Angeles. He has served as a chaplain for numerous families who have lost a loved one who was an active-duty firefighter including 4 families who lost their firefighter in the line-of-duty. Vince has served many families of both active duty and retired firefighters that have faced various crisis situations as both a chaplain and peer support team member. Vince enjoys sharing his knowledge that he has gained from classes in chaplaincy, peer support, critical incident stress management (CISM), and real-world experience. He has been happily married to his wife Maria for 30 years and is a father and grandfather.

Andrew is an attorney and partner at Wright, L’Estrange, & Ergastolo, a business litigation firm in San Diego, California. His litigation and counselling practice focuses on antitrust, unfair competition, contracting, and regulation for fire-based emergency medical services. Over the past decade, Andrew has represented or advised more than 50 county, city, and district fire agencies, fire agency associations, and other local government entities on EMS litigation and transactional matters, and supporting the California Fire Service’s legislative and public policy advocacy.

Bernie Molloy has been in the fire service for 25 years, working through every rank at the Lakeside Fire Protection District in San Diego County, where he spent over 22 years before becoming the Fire Chief of Murrieta Fire & Rescue in March of 2022. He has focused largely on EMS, training, and fire department operations throughout his career and is now actively working on advocating for fire-based EMS on the Emergency Medical Services Policy Advisory Committee. Chief Molloy maintains his Paramedic license, holds a master’s degree in emergency services management, is a CPSE-credentialed Chief Fire Officer, and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, where his research focused on EMS transport models in California and preparing and evacuating communities in advance of wildfires. Bernie has served in several professional capacities throughout his time as a Chief Officer. He was a member of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs EMS Section for six years, serving as president from 2017-2021. Once moving to the Fire Chief role in Murrieta, Chief Molloy took on the position of Secretary for the Riverside County Fire Chiefs Association and moved to the President role in January of 2024. Chief Molloy has also been an active member of Cal Chiefs since 2016, serving as the EMS Section President, the Southern Division Director, the President-Elect, and now the president for Cal Chiefs.

At a mere 46, I’m a happily married firefighter/paramedic with 26 years on the job, two lovely daughters who keep me humble, and a not-so-secret mission to take over the rope rescue world—one training course at a time. I’ve spent the last 16 years as a tactical SWAT medic, and for the past 4 years I’ve been the owner/operator of Prevail Rescue Solutions, bringing lightweight, rapid vertical mobility and practical casualty management to teams that want real-world performance, not just check-the-box certifications. Along the way, I’ve contributed to FIRESCOPE and NWCG REMS working groups, served on State Fire Training rewrite committees, spoken at educational conferences across the nation, and helped drive program development at the state level—because if we’re going to do this job, we might as well do it smarter, safer, and with a little grit baked in.

I have over 23 years of experience in the medical field, beginning my career as an EMT working in the emergency department. I have been a registered nurse for 18 years, with diverse experience in the ER, ICU, and home health settings. For the past 6.5 years, I have served as the EMS Coordinator for the Santa Monica Fire Department. During that time, our EMS division has experienced significant growth, expanding from a two-person team to a multidisciplinary program that now includes five dedicated EMS staff, as well as a Care Coordinator, APU, and AO programs. I have been fortunate to play a role in this evolution, helping to develop programs that support our fire personnel, improve patient care, and strengthen collaboration with our hospital and community partners.

With more than 29 years of experience in the fire service, Chris Greene retired in June 2023 as a Captain and Energy Response Team Supervising Officer for the Seattle Fire Department. He played a pivotal role in establishing the joint energy hazard response specialty team for Seattle Fire and Seattle City Light, taking responsibility for developing protocols and best practices for responding to incidents involving energy hazards. The Energy Response Team, the first of its kind, is tasked with handling emergencies related to substations, switchgear, manholes/vaults, transformers, batteries, photovoltaic systems, both overhead and underground electrical hazards, and DC traction mass transportation infrastructure. Additionally, he oversaw all energy-related training and standard operating procedures for the department. Captain Greene’s exceptional contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the “Seattle Fire Officer of the Year” in 2017 for his work with Seattle City Light in creating the Energy Hazard program, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Energy Work in 2024. He is a nationally respected speaker on energy emergencies as they pertain to the National Fire Service and serves as creator and author of the Fire Engineering Magazine’s “Energy Hazards Column.” Through Energy Hazard Training, Greene provides specialized instruction to Fire Service professionals and Energy workers nationwide.

Dr. Kazan began his medical career as an EMT at UCLA in 1994, later earning his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School and completing his residency at UCLA and Olive View-UCLA. Since becoming the Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 2015, he has received the California ACEP EMS Achievement Award and the EMS Authority Distinguished Service Medal, with many of his initiatives earning local, state, and national recognition. Dr. Kazan is also an attending emergency physician at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center and an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. His professional interests include education, process improvement, and workplace culture.

Fire Chief Dan Munsey leads the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, one of the largest and most complex fire agencies in the United States. Appointed in 2019, he oversees emergency services across more than 20,000 square miles, encompassing mountains, valleys, and deserts. Much of this region is highly susceptible to catastrophic wildfire, making his leadership critical to the protection of communities, natural resources, and infrastructure. Chief Munsey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and professional designations including Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and Executive Fire Officer (EFO) from the National Fire Academy. He is an active leader in state and national fire service organizations, serving as President of the Cali-fornia Metro Fire Chiefs, Co-Chair of FIRESCOPE, Board Member of the Western Fire Chiefs Associa-tion, Past Chairperson of the California Fire Chiefs Operations Section, and Immediate Past Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Technology Council. Through his leadership in San Bernardino County, California, and on the national stage, Chief Munsey continues to advance innovative strategies, interagency coordination, public policy, and the integration of technology to better protect people and communities.

David became an EMT in 1987 and a paramedic in 1989. By Y2K, having run thousands of 911 calls, he moved on as a national EMS consultant and Director of Operations for Maryland’s largest ambulance provider. In 2008, having earned his California Law License, David opened his own EMS Defense Law practice, where he defends EMTs, paramedics, and nurses when their licenses are facing discipline. He is a nationally known speaker on the topic of EMS Law & Defense and the author of the Amazon Best Seller: “Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers: The law and other really important stuff EMS providers never learned in school."

David Picone is President of the Health & Safety Leadership Alliance and a retired Battalion Chief who formalized one of the most comprehensive Health & Safety Office models in public safety. He authored 34 integrated policies aligning prevention, behavioral health, cancer mitigation, and coordinated recovery. Over a decade of workforce growth, injury rate per FTE declined from 32 to 24 percent while annual claim counts remained stable. He now advances this integrated framework nationally across public safety disciplines.

Officer Sackett began his law enforcement career in January of 2018 at the Redondo Beach Police Department. During his tenure at the Redondo Beach Police Department, Officer Sackett served in numerous full-time and auxiliary roles which included SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics), Maritime Enforcement Unit, Regional Gang Task Force, Firearms Instructor, Chemical Agents Instructor, Academy Instructor, and Honor Guard. In May of 2023, Officer Sackett was sworn in as a Murrieta Police Officer. During his tenure at the Murrieta Police Department, Officer Sackett has worked in numerous roles including patrol operations and as a Field Training Officer. Officer Sackett currently serves as a member of the Community Policing Team, and holds auxiliary roles as a firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, and as a member of the Murrieta PD Honor Guard. Officer Sackett is a certified academy instructor (P.O.S.T.) and has instructed at numerous basic police academies and P.O.S.T. approved advanced officer training courses across Riverside County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County.

Gary Galasso has over 37 years of fire service and field paramedic experience. He retired from the San Jose Fire Department, California, as a Deputy Fire Chief, concluding 26 years of career fire service. Gary has been a member of the International Emergency Dispatch Academy (IAED) College of Fellows and has served as the IAED Fire Council of Standards Chair since 2004. He is currently a Medical and Fire Protocol Expert with the Implementations Division of Priority Dispatch Corporation.

Gina Mitchell, BSN, CEN, is an Emergency Department Nurse Manager at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital, where she leads a team of 150 staff in a high-acuity, fast-paced environment. With over 20 years of emergency nursing experience, Gina has built her career on advancing patient care, improving operational performance, and developing frontline leaders. Gina is recognized for driving measurable outcomes and sustainable change. She successfully reduced Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) rates from 10% to less than 1.5% through workflow redesign and staff engagement. She also led initiatives to standardize psychiatric care in the Emergency Department, improving consistency and safety for a vulnerable patient population. Her leadership has been recognized with the DAISY Nurse Leader Award (2024), and her department was honored as an ENA Lantern Award Recipient (2025), reflecting excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. An active member of the Emergency Nurses Association, Gina is deeply committed to mentoring nurses into leadership roles and fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and resilience. She is also actively involved in EMS collaboration, quality improvement initiatives, and community-based programs throughout Sonoma County.

Jane is an accomplished Emergency Department nurse with more than 12 years of experience delivering care in high-acuity, fast-paced clinical settings. She serves as a Charge Nurse and Staff Nurse IV, where she provides operational leadership, supports team performance, and ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. Her practice is rooted in evidence-based principles, with a strong focus on driving improvements in patient outcomes and fostering clinical excellence at the bedside. As the Emergency Department Educator, Jane is dedicated to advancing nursing practice through engaging, learner-centered education. Jane is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) and a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), reflecting her ongoing commitment to professional development, education, and excellence in emergency nursing.

Kaushik Mukherjee is currently an Associate Professor of Surgery, Division Chief for Acute Care Surgery, and the Trauma Medical Director for the ACS verified adult level 1 trauma center at Loma Linda University Health, a tertiary care facility located in the southwest corner of San Bernardino County with an overall referral area comprising 40,000 square miles and 4 million humans. He has been at LLUH since the completion of his surgical training at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville TN. His clinical and research interests include optimizing resuscitation, trauma quality improvement, and the application of advanced technology to the trauma and emergency surgery patient.

Dr. Kevin T. Murphy began his career as a radiation oncologist specializing in tumors of the central nervous system, or brain and spinal cord. He was a pioneer and thought leader in the field of frameless stereotactic radiosurgery in both pediatrics and adults. Dr. Murphy has since developed PrTMS® therapy, a low-amplitude approach to rTMS therapy that is continually customized to each patient’s unique brain function. PrTMS® is designed to restore synchronicity to the brainwaves and, in turn, eliminate symptoms at the source. The original development of PrTMS® was driven by the quest for a noninvasive, e ective therapy to combat two causes very close to Dr. Murphy’s heart: the cognitive decline, or “chemobrain”, induced by radiation and chemotherapy, and the second, to help alleviate his son’s autism. Since then, PrTMS® has been used to treat countless di erent neurocognitive and neural disorders or deficits as well as has garnered praise from active duty and military Veterans, and professional athletes seeking peak human performance. Dr. Murphy is a proud Veteran of the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Ranger during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Kristin Thompson, RN, serves as the EMS Division Chief for the Newport Beach Fire Department, bringing over 16 years of fire-based EMS leadership and more than 30 years of clinical nursing experience. She has been an EMS Commissioner since 2021 and has served in a leadership role within the EMS Section as Secretary/Vice Branch Director since 2013. Kristin has extensive experience in EMS education, program development, and system-wide quality improvement, and is actively involved in advancing statewide EMS leadership, behavioral health, and fire service wellness initiatives.

Lindsay Moore is a trusted General Counsel with more than 18 years of experience advising public agencies on complex legal, operational, and governance matters. Her practice focuses on the fire service, with deep expertise supporting EMS through strategic legal guidance, policy development, compliance, labor and employment matters, contracts, and Joint Powers Authority governance. Known for being more than outside counsel, Lindsay serves as an integrated part of every agency team she supports—providing practical, responsive, and solutions-oriented advice that helps agencies navigate evolving regulatory, operational, and workforce challenges. She brings a collaborative approach to leadership, helping fire, EMS and emergency dispatch agencies, strengthen governance, manage risk, and advance mission-critical public safety services. Lindsay’s experience spans policy implementation, HR and personnel matters, interagency agreements, operational compliance, and organizational strategy, making her a valued advisor to public agencies committed to delivering high-quality emergency medical and fire protection services.

Elizabeth “Liz” Basnett joined the Emergency Medical Services Authority as Acting Director on November 2021 and was appointed by the Governor to serve as the Director of EMSA in August 2023. In addition to her acting appointment, Liz maintained her current position as an Assistant Secretary with the California Health and Human Services Agency, a role assumed on June 1, 2020. Liz was responsible for the coordination of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery across the Agency working with all 12 departments and five offices within the umbrella of the Cal HHS. Liz previously served an Independent Contractor/Senior Managing Associate for a consulting firm. In this role she served as Operations Chief to lead the implementation of recovery for the 2018 California Wildfires for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. From 2017 to 2018 Liz was the Chief of Planning and Preparedness for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency where she led and directed the Planning and Preparedness. From 2016 to 2017 Liz was the Disaster Preparedness Program Manager for the New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services where she served as planner re-writer of the New York State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, standard operating guides and hazard specific annexes in order to move from function annex-based plan into emergency support functions joint communication center at all times. From 2012 to 2016 Liz was the Deputy Director of Emergency Management for the Callaway County Emergency Management Agency where she administered emergency operations for the county. Liz earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Missouri Columbia and Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management from Georgetown University.

Lori is a registered nurse with 26 years of experience in emergency, trauma, and prehospital care in Riverside County. She currently serves as the Prehospital Liaison Nurse Coordinator at RUHS, working closely with the base hospital, REMSA, and regional EMS partners. Her background includes extensive trauma and emergency department experience, leadership in disaster preparedness and quality improvement, and serving as an ATCN Program Director at RUHS. Lori is board-certified in emergency nursing and is passionate about education, collaboration, and strengthening system-wide emergency response.

Mark Allen Hartwig is a seasoned public safety executive and Fire Chief with more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience directing large, complex fire, EMS, rescue, and emergency management organizations across California. Widely respected as a strategic and collaborative leader, he has built a reputation for modernizing service delivery, strengthening operational performance, and advancing innovative public safety solutions at both the local and state levels. Most recently having served as Fire Chief and Fire Warden for the Santa Barbara County Fire District, Hartwig lead an organization responsible for protecting more than 250,000 residents across 2,500 square miles. He oversaw more than 400 personnel and a nearly $100 million operating budget, while directing the Office of the Fire Marshal and advancing community risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and system-wide performance improvements including a countywide regional fire/rescue/EMS dispatch center. Prior to this role, Hartwig served as Fire Chief and Fire Warden for the San Bernardino County Fire District, where he led one of the largest fire jurisdictions in the country—covering over 19,000 square miles and serving more than one million residents. There, he managed over 1,000 personnel and a budget exceeding $200 million, while overseeing fire operations, EMS, hazardous materials, emergency management, and regulatory programs. Earlier in his career, Hartwig held key leadership positions with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, including Deputy Fire Chief and Battalion Chief. In these roles, he directed operations, training, fleet, and preparedness programs, while developing workforce capabilities and enhancing organizational readiness. Beyond his operational leadership, Hartwig has played a significant role in shaping public safety policy and governance statewide. He has served as President of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the California Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, and as a Commissioner on the California EMS Commission. He has also contributed to FIRESCOPE and multiple academic and community advisory boards, supporting the advancement of fire service leadership, paramedic education, and system innovation. Hartwig holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, along with multiple degrees in emergency medical care, fire administration, and zoology. He is a licensed paramedic and holds numerous advanced certifications in incident command, rescue systems, and hazardous materials response. Known for his integrity, strategic vision, and commitment to service, Hartwig continues to influence the evolution of fire and EMS systems through leadership, collaboration, and a relentless focus on delivering the right care at the right time for the communities he serves. Mark is now the managing partner of Dawson Street Solutions and the chief operating officer at Webb Investments.

Megan Lautz is an award-winning Registered Dietitian specializing in first responders. Megan creates realistic nutrition strategies that lead to improved energy levels, better body composition, and reduced stress for first responders. Megan has worked full-time for departments of 1,600+ firefighters since 2017. Megan was the recipient of the ASPDA Trailblazer award, recognizing her work advancing dietetics in public safety. Megan owns RescueRD LLC, which provides custom nutrition programs for departments nationwide.

Michael Kaduce, MPS, NRP is the Director of the Falck Health Institute, where he leads national and international initiatives focused on EMS initial education, continuing education, and research. In this role, he oversees the development of innovative education programs designed to strengthen workforce readiness, clinical excellence, and evidence-based practice across prehospital systems. Michael previously served as the EMT Program Director at the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care within the David Geffen School of Medicine, where he led the largest EMT education program in the United States for six years. His work spans peer-reviewed publications, national research presentations, and authorship of the most widely used EMT and paramedic textbooks in the field. He serves as the West Coast Representative on the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Board of Directors and teaches NAEMT courses globally. Michael is also a Research Associate with the UCLA Prehospital Care Research Forum. Before transitioning into education and research leadership, Michael worked as a firefighter paramedic, grounding his career in frontline EMS practice.

Fire Captain, Vista Fire Rescue

Ofer Lichtman is a Fire Engineer/Paramedic with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department and has more than 20 years of experience in fire service, EMS, tactical response, technical rescue, and terrorism awareness training. He serves as a K9 Handler and COAST Team member and has held leadership roles with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, NFPA 3000, and the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC). Ofer is a nationally recognized speaker who has presented at conferences including JEMS, EMS World, Firehouse World, FEMA, ALERRT, and CFED West. He has helped develop large-scale active shooter preparedness and terrorism awareness programs, training more than 25,000 community members and city employees. He is also an EMS instructor specializing in ACLS, PALS, TECC, airway management, capnography, and CPAP education.

Patrick Nulty serves as the EMS Battalion Chief for the Santa Monica Fire Department, where he leads multiple innovative programs focused on community risk reduction, mobile integrated healthcare, and EMS system optimization. With over two decades of experience in fire and emergency medical services, Chief Nulty has been instrumental in developing collaborative models that address high 9-1-1 utilization, improve patient outcomes, and enhance operational efficiency. He is a passionate advocate for data-driven decision-making, cross-sector partnerships, and scalable solutions that meet the evolving needs of communities.

Pedro is a Financial Advisor with Firehouse Financial, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry. Since joining in 2014, he has focused on helping members navigate market volatility and build strategies aligned with their long-term financial goals. He specializes in retirement-focused planning, including DROP programs, Deferred Compensation Plans, and retirement rollovers, creating holistic strategies designed to reduce risk and protect assets. Pedro also provides second opinions on existing portfolios, offering guidance on tax-advantaged investing, college savings, estate planning, and intergenerational wealth transfer. Pedro studied Architecture and Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and is licensed in multiple states.

Dr. Ali is Director of the First Responder Institute and PTSD IOP at Institutes of Health, where he specializes in the treatment of complex PTSD. In addition to treating patients, he is engaged in the Institute's clinical transdisciplinary community, facilitating team meetings, program-related development, supervising pre-licensed clinicians, assessing proper diagnoses of patients, leading individual and group treatment and outdoor exposure planning. Dr. Ali is certified in the trauma modality Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Moreover, he is fully trained and utilizes other evidence-based trauma modalities, including Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Prior to IOH, Dr. Ali was a postdoctoral resident at the San Diego VA in the residential PTSD clinic, Aspire Center. Dr. Ali has extensive experience working in hospital settings focusing on PTSD, chronic pain and substance use. Dr. Ali has several publications, including co-authoring a book chapter on treating the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.

Chief Fish began his career in 1992 as a Volunteer Firefighter in Moreno Valley. Between 1995 and 2001, he worked as a State Dispatcher and Public Safety Communications Officer II in the Perris Emergency Command Center. In 2001, Chief Fish accepted a job as a Firefighter II Paramedic. For the following ten years, Chief Fish was promoted to Engineer Paramedic and Fire Captain Paramedic, working in the Coachella Valley, including the Cove Communities, La Quinta, and Mecca. In 2010 he accepted a transfer to the department's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Bureau. In 2015, Chief Fish was promoted to Battalion Chief with the CAL FIRE San Diego Unit as the Monte Vista ECC Chief. He returned to the Riverside Unit in 2017 as a Battalion Chief assigned to the Mountain Battalion. In February of 2019, Chief Fish accepted the Eastern Desert Division Chief position and returned to the Coachella Valley as the Fire Department Liaison for the Cities of Coachella, Indio, and La Quinta and the communities of Thermal, Mecca, and Blythe. He has served as the Deputy Chief of Eastern Operations for the past 5 years. In December 2025, Chief Fish was appointed the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire, Unit Chief. Chief Fish holds an associate degree in Fire Technology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Engineering Protection and Administration, and professional accreditation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO). He is a State Chief Fire Officer and still maintains his Paramedic license for the State of California. Chief Fish has been married for 22 years and has three children. His oldest son is an Engineer for the City of Jacksonville, Florida, his middle son is a Petty Officer Second Class in the United States Navy, and his youngest daughter attends college as a premed major. Chief Fish holds an associate degree in Fire Technology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Engineering Protection and Administration, and professional accreditation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO). He is a State Chief Fire Officer and still maintains his Paramedic license for the State of California. Chief Fish has been married for 22 years and has three children. His oldest son is an Engineer for the City of Jacksonville, Florida, his middle son is a Petty Officer Second Class in the United States Navy, and his youngest daughter attends college as a premed major.

Dr. Romeo Ignacio is currently a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and a pediatric surgeon at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego (RCHSD). He also serves as the Trauma Medical Director, Section Chief of Pediatric Surgery, and the Director of the Clinical Research Program for the Division of Pediatric Surgery at RCHSD. Prior to his civilian career, he served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years. During that time, he has had numerous leadership positions including Department Head of Surgery, Division Head of Pediatric Surgery and Program Director of General Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego. He has been involved and led numerous humanitarian missions and disaster relief training exercises in Southeast Asia and South America. He retired as Captain in 2018. He serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Journal of Surgical Research, and Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports. He is currently the Pediatric liaison to the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, on the executive board for the Pediatric Trauma Society and been involved in several trauma organizations. His current interests or healthcare disparities in pediatric trauma, targeted injury prevention and improvements trauma algorithms.

Dr. Saw is in her 22nd year as a pediatric anesthesiologist at Rady Children’s Health San Diego and clinical faculty at the University of California San Diego. She serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Airway and Safety Training Program, where she oversees operating room pediatric airway training for more than 200 non-anesthesia providers, including NICU, PICU, Surgical ICU, Emergency Medicine, and Hospital medicine physicians, NICU and PICU Children’s Hospital Emergency Transport teams, and San Diego County paramedics and firefighters. Dr. Saw’s work focuses on practical airway education, helping hospital and prehospital providers recognize pediatric airway compromise early and deliver effective ventilation in high-stakes emergencies. Dr. Saw is passionate about translating pediatric airway physiology into simple, actionable techniques that improve patient safety for children in both hospital and prehospital settings. Dr. Saw completed her anesthesiology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and pediatric and pediatric cardiac anesthesiology fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is an active volunteer in pediatric medical missions and is Co-Chair of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Global Committee.

Sara Broncho-Morning, RN is an experienced registered nurse and EMS professional with over three decades of progressive leadership across emergency medicine, pre-hospital care, and medical education, currently serving as an aesthetic injector and RN while continuing long-standing roles as an EMS educator and adjunct faculty instructor. Holding a Master of Science in Nursing Education, Sara demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence through detailed documentation, quality-focused practice, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. Sara’s career spans emergency room nursing, pre-hospital liaison roles, and entry level to supervisory positions in private ambulance services, complemented by extensive teaching experience in EMT and MICN programs. Sara currently works for San Bernardino County Fire Department, Hospitality Medical Aesthetics, Crafton Hills College (Adjunct Faculty) and Fort Irwin Fire Department and specializes in the art of moulage for CFED.

Sean Burrows serves as the EMS and Health & Safety Director for CPF and is a retired Fire Captain/Paramedic with the Alameda County Fire Department. With a strong background in leadership and labor representation, he previously served as President of IAFF Local 55 for 12 years, advocating on behalf of Alameda County firefighters. Sean brings extensive experience in EMS operations, firefighter safety, and organizational leadership, with a continued focus on advancing health, safety, and wellness initiatives within the fire service.

Dr. Shelby Moreira, Psy.D. is a bilingual (English/Spanish) licensed psychologist with expertise in diagnostic, neuro, and forensic assessment as well as individual psychotherapy treating adults and children with varying mental health disorders as well as traumatic brain injuries and neurocognitive disorders. Dr. Moreira excels in areas of Psychotherapy with individuals with brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain as well as diagnostic and forensic assessment, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, positive and humanistic psychological approaches, as well as trauma focused treatment modalities including Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. Prior to joining Institutes of Health Dr. Moreira worked as a trauma therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital and also worked as a Clinical Psychologist in the California State Prison System where she primarily focused on forensic, diagnostic, cognitive, and neuro assessment as well clinical work with severely mentally ill patients. Dr. Moreira continues to focus her clinical skills on treating patients experiencing PTSD, emotional distress and chronic pain following a traumatic brain injury and greatly values an interdisciplinary, integrative, and holistic approach to whole-person wellness and restoration of functional capacities.

Captain Steve Blackburn has served with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 22 years and has been an active member of the Peer Support Team since 2013. For the past three years, he has taken on the role of Peer Support Coordinator, providing guidance and support to fellow firefighters across the department. Captain Blackburn has been involved in numerous critical incidents, including the Sierra, Broadway, Eaton, and Tarapacá incidents, as well as responding to over a dozen line-of-duty and active-duty deaths. Born and raised in Santa Clarita, he now lives in the Temecula area with his wife, Kim, and their four children (ages 17, 15, 10, and 8). For self-care, he enjoys camping, beach trips, hiking, and all things sports related.

Dr. Saquib is a highly accomplished burn surgeon and educator, currently serving as Burn Medical Director at UCI Health, which is an ABA verified Adult and Pediatric Regional Burn Center. Previously, he held the same role at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was also an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Saquib completed specialized burn surgery and critical care fellowships at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Florida, respectively. He is an active member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. Passionate about education and advocacy, he has been recognized for his leadership, teaching, and community outreach efforts.

Captain Tim Beeler has served with the City of Riverside Fire Department for 27 years and has been a paramedic for 34 years. He is the lead active shooter instructor for Riverside Fire and has been a member of Riverside County’s Tactical Response to Violent Incidents work group since 2012. Tim has completed advanced tactical medical training, including certification as a Tactical Medical Specialist, and currently serves as a PHTLS, TECC, JAC, and ALERRT active shooter instructor.

Victoria Hall began her career with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health in 2005. Ms. Hall is committed to the health and wellness of her community as shown through her many years as a dedicated advocate for recovery and resiliency through education and compassion. As a Mental Health Education Consultant currently assigned to Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Program for Law Enforcement and Community Partners, Ms. Hall has assisted in the delivery of trainings reaching thousands to provide education and information on ways to recognize a behavioral health crisis, communicate appropriately, de-escalate, and connect community residents and their families to appropriate resources. Ms. Hall is a certified San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Academy Instructor, a certified CIT Coordinator through CIT International, and holds additional certifications as a Mental Health First Aid Trainer, LEAP© Instructor and Trauma Informed Instructor through SAMHSA.

Clinical Pharmacist/Clinical Toxicologist/Critical Care Flight Paramedic/Director of Basic Sciences Education, Northwell Health