A. Rombod Rahimian, MD, MPH, is an Emergency Medicine physician and fellowship-trained Emergency Medical Services sub-specialist, blending clinical expertise with leadership roles across emergency medicine, EMS, public health, and medical education. He serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Huntington Beach Fire Department, Assistant Medical Director of the Los Angeles City Fire Department and Chief Medical Team Manager for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 1. A native of Orange County, California, he earned dual bachelor's degrees in Biological Sciences and Art History at UC Irvine, followed by Master of Public Health, Doctor of Medicine, and Emergency Medicine residency at the University of Arizona - Tucson, where he was Chief Resident. He completed his EMS fellowship with the Los Angeles City Fire Department and LA County + USC. Some of his interests include emergency airway management and resuscitation, mobile integrated health, medical education and innovation in Emergency Medicine & EMS.

Alex Hamilton is the Fire Chief of the Oxnard Fire Department in Ventura County and has over 15 years of experience in peer support and suicide prevention. He built his department’s peer support program and now assists other agencies nationwide in developing their own. A master instructor for the IAFF, Alex teaches peer support, suicide intervention, and sleep wellness for first responders. He has deployed after major national incidents including the Lahaina Wildfire, Surfside collapse, and El Paso shooting. Alex serves on the FIRESCOPE Behavioral Health Subcommittee and the California Fire Service Behavioral Health Taskforce.

Andrew is an attorney and partner at Wright, L’Estrange, & Ergastolo, a business litigation firm in San Diego, California. His practice focuses on antitrust, unfair competition, government contracting, and emergency medical services and ambulance law. Over the past 9 years, Andrew has represented or advised more than 50 county, city, and district fire agencies, fire agency associations, and other local government entities on emergency medical services and ambulance services litigation and transactional matters, and supporting the California Fire Service’s legislative and public policy advocacy.

Bijan Arab is currently an EMS Fellow with the Los Angeles County EMS Agency. He grew up in Northwest Indiana and San Diego and recently moved back to Southern California. He got his start in EMS in college when he joined the first response team at The Johns Hopkins University as an undergraduate. He then joined the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department in Baltimore County, MD where he functioned as a BLS and, eventually, ALS provider on the ambulance. After medical school he completed residency in Emergency Medicine at Corewell Health South in St. Joseph, MI. After residency he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his fellowship in EMS and Disaster Medicine.

Brian has worked in Emergency Services since 1980. He started as an Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency Dispatcher with Gold Cross Ambulance in Salt Lake City. He completed his paramedic training with the company in 1983. In 1986, he hired on with the Salt Lake City Fire Department. During his work as a firefighter/paramedic he served as a paramedic preceptor for Weber State University’s Paramedic Program and was involved in quality assurance for both field and dispatch personnel. In 1996 he was promoted to the rank of Captain where he would provide Quality Improvement practices for both the EMS providers and the 911 Bureau. During his tenure, the department was able to reduce the use of lights and sirens by over 50%. In 2006, Brian was promoted to the rank of Division Chief where he oversaw the Medical Services Division and served as the department’s Safety Officer. Brian was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of Support Services in 2009, and in May of 2014, he was appointed as the 21st Fire Chief for the Salt Lake City Fire Department. Brian also served as the EDQ Council of Standards Board Chair with the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) and is the past Chair for the IAED Board of Accreditation. He has a bachelor’s degree in allied health sciences - education emphasis. Brian retired as Fire Chief for the Salt Lake City Fire Department after thirty years in the fire service and took on the role of Associate Director of Medical and Quality Control Processes for the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. In that role, he ensured all dispatch protocols endorsed by the IAED would meet or exceed the standard practice for all Public Safety Disciplines. In addition, he oversees the Quality Management practices the IAED created and oversees. He is the past Chair of the Board of Accreditation and ED-Q Council of Standards. In 2021, he became the President of Priority Dispatch Corporation, and is the first person to serve in that role with both a background in Emergency Dispatch and public safety response and administration. Brian stepped down as the president in January of 2025 and now serves as a Senior Subject Matter Expert for Fire, Medical, and Quality Assurance topics for Priority Dispatch Corporation.

Chris Douglas – EMS career began in 1998 as EMT for a 911 transport provider in Orange County, California. Obtained the position of Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Corona Fire Department in 2002 and promoted to Fire Captain/Paramedic in 2014. While serving with the City of Corona became a member of FEMA California Task Force 6 as a Rescue and Medical specialist from 2003 to 2019. Since 2022 has served as an administrative captain assigned to EMS as well as a member of the departments TEMS team that supports the Corona Police Department Special Response Team.

Daniel Haight is the President and co-founder of Darkhorse Emergency Corp., a global leader in decision support software for Fire and EMS clients. Daniel started his public safety journey as the Director of the University of Alberta Centre for Excellence in Operations. While there, he spearheaded the foundational research that underpins many of the predictive EMS and Fire response models. The result was fifteen peer reviewed publications, two doctoral theses, and the founding of Darkhorse. Daniel keeps one foot in academia where he is an award-winning lecturer, but his passion is to empower emergency services leaders to reduce risk and save lives. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and other adventures with his wife and three teens.

Darrell Reid is the Vice President of Strategy at Darkhorse Emergency, with over 35 years of public service and entrepreneurial experience. Darrell has served as Chief Administrative Officer of Strathcona County, Fire Chief of Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, Deputy Fire Chief of Toronto Fire Services, CEO of Heart & Stroke Ontario, and Fire Chief of Strathcona County Emergency Services. He has also served on several Boards, including the Chair of the Heart & Stroke Foundation Board of BC & Yukon and the Board Director of EMS Global. Darrell worked through the fire service ranks and served as a flight paramedic with STARS air ambulance. He is the founder of Emergency Services Academy, a licensed Alberta private vocational college offering fire, emergency medical, and leadership training to students from across Canada. He holds an MBA from the University of Alberta, an Executive Fire Officer designation, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Community Preparedness and Disaster Management program. Darrell is recognized for building and leading high-performance organizations, establishing industry-leading staff engagement, and successfully incorporating analytics into emergency services decision-making. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, outdoor pursuits, sports and time with his wife and four kids.

David Loomis is assigned as the Fire Captain for the Ontario Fire Department. He previously served as the EMS Captain for the EMS Bureau. David has worked for the Ontario Fire Department for 10 years and has over 15 years of experience in the fire service. He currently serves as the Team Leader of both the Background Team and Fire Control Team for the Ontario Fire Department. He has held the rank of Firefighter, Firefighter Paramedic, Fire Engineer, and Training Captain. David Received his AS degree from Crafton Hills College. He is an alumnus of Victor Valley Community College Paramedic Academy. David has been the president of EMS Officers for San Bernardino County since 2023. He represents the Ontario Fire Department on multiple committees within San Bernardino County and serves as the chair for the Opioid Task Force for San Bernardino County Chiefs. In recognition of his outstanding efforts in fentanyl and overdose prevention, Dave was honored with the Community Service Award in 2023 from the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Dave’s leadership and dedication make him a vital asset to his team and the community he serves. David has served on FIRESCOPE under the EMS Subcommittee since 2022 and is currently the Chairperson.

With over 30 years of Fire and EMS experience, Battalion Chief Dino J. Beltz has dedicated his professional career to serving and protecting others. As a father of a son with Level 3 Autism and Intellectual Delay, it became obvious that there was a gap between First Responder Community in how we serve those with Special Needs. After over a decade of exposure and interaction with Special Needs parents, teachers, therapists, and doctors, he created this course to bridge that gap and help First Responders expand on their existing skill set.

Doug Van Iwaarden is Dylan’s father and a 25-year veteran of the Orange County Fire Authority. Doug rose through the ranks working as a firefighter/paramedic, engineer, and finally as a Fire Captain for the past eight years. As a member of the OCFA, Doug has served in many specialized fields such as Academy Instructor, Live Fire Cadre, Technical Rescuer, Helicopter Crew Chief, and Canine Handler on FEMA California Task Force 5 to name a few. Through the many teaching and instructing opportunities, Doug has had the opportunity to convey timeless truths to firefighters of all ages in the fire service. Through this event, Doug continues to highlight lessons that he hopes changes all our outlook in this dangerous profession.

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 Academy of Emergency Dispatch (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.

Greg Womack is the Manager of Fire Service Relations (Western Region) for the American Wood Council (AWC), where he leads the organization’s fire service engagement initiatives and oversees programs related to wildland-urban interface and construction fire safety. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the fire service, Greg retired as the Division Chief of Operations at the Boise Fire Department and currently serves as the Fire Chief for the Whitney Fire District. His extensive experience has equipped him with deep expertise in fire operations, safety protocols, and leadership within the fire service community. Greg has also been a dedicated advocate for firefighters, holding leadership roles in Boise Firefighters Local 149 and the Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho for over two decades. His outstanding contributions to the profession have been recognized with prestigious honors, including Firefighter of the Year and the International Association of Fire Fighters Leadership Award. In his role at AWC, Greg is committed to fire service engagement, strengthening existing and building new relationships with fire service leaders and departments at the national, regional, and local levels. His efforts ensure that fire service professionals have a well-informed understanding of wood construction and fire safety. Additionally, he serves as a credible and trusted resource to fire service leadership, code officials, and industry professionals on the proper application of fire safety methodologies in codes and standards for wood product use and acceptance, ensuring alignment with industry recommendations.

Dr. Jake Toy is the Medical Director for EMS Data Systems and Quality Improvement. He is Clinical Faculty in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Harbor-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine. He also serves as EMS Faculty for the EMS/Disaster Medicine Fellowship in the Harbor-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine. After completing his EMS Fellowship, which included pursuit of a masters degree in Health Policy and Management in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Dr. Toy joined the Los Angeles County EMS Agency where he seeks to advance prehospital care, address care inequities, and incorporate emerging technology into our regional EMS care system through data-driven and evidence-based approaches. Dr. Toy’s research interests focus on the evaluation and improvement of our regional systems of care for time-critical emergencies including out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, stroke, and traumatic injury, as well as understanding how we can utilize and implement emerging software and technologies to support our EMS clinicians. Dr. Toy also regularly instructs at the J. Michael Criley Paramedic Training Institute at the Los Angeles County EMS Agency.

Jenica Maldonado serves as General and Special Counsel to cities, counties, fire districts, and special districts and private sector employers across California. She is expert at navigating the often-complex practical and political landscape that surrounds resolution of her clients’ legal challenges. Her practice includes government and employment law advice and counseling, labor relations and negotiations, workplace investigations, litigation, arbitration, and training. Her areas of expertise include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability accommodation, leaves of absence, whistleblower retaliation, First Amendment, due process, rights specific to fire and peace officers, and labor law issues. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Maldonado served as a Deputy City Attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney's Office and in private practice at other nationally-recognized law firms. During law school, Ms. Maldonado externed for California Supreme Court Justice Joyce Kennard. The Daily Journal, one of California's largest legal periodicals, recognized Ms. Maldonado as a Top Labor & Employment Attorney in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Dr. McPherson is the Deputy Director of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. He has deep expertise in DNA/RNA sequencing and cancer genomics through his involvement in sequencing the first reference human genome (Human Genome Project) and other large-scale tumor sequencing collaborations including as a founding member of the International Cancer Genome Consortium. His work focuses on understanding the driving forces behind cancer development and how to best treat cancers once they develop. A current funded project aims to use this expertise to examine the tumor initiating factors in tumors arising in firefighters.

Dr. Joshua Bobko is the Medical Director for the Orange County Fire Authority and is a nationally recognized EMS physician and leading authority on operational and tactical medicine. Over the last 15 years, he has served in a variety of roles including medical director, medical team manager, and operational medic on high-risk missions for both local and federal agencies. Dr. Bobko has advised on several EMS and law enforcement commissions and is a voting member of the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care and member of the Stop The Bleed Education Consortium. Awarded the “Innovators in EMS” Award by the Journal of EMS, Dr. Bobko is a well-known speaker and EMS advocate whose research and policy work has influenced legislation and training programs adopted by EMS, law enforcement and federal agencies across more than 25 countries. He is a trusted voice in emerging threat response focused on advancing the pre-hospital care in Orange County and improving education for pre-hospital clinicians.

Kelley Long: Kelley started her nursing career in the Emergency Department at a Level II Trauma Center in Arizona in 2001. She moved to California in 2014 where she continued working in both bedside and leadership roles in the Emergency Department and Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She decided to leave the bedside in 2022 when she joined the City of Corona Fire Department as their EMS Nurse Educator. She and her husband, also a Corona Firefighter, share 5 children and live in San Clemente, CA.

Kevin joined the California Professional Firefighters with over 20 years of experience in public policy and nonprofit government affairs. His experience spans working in the California State Legislature, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, serving as the Director of Government Affairs for the Sacramento Metro Chamber before joining the Office of Councilmember Angelique Ashby as her Chief of Staff, where he was responsible for developing policy and advocacy strategies. This experience makes him well-versed in municipal political processes and procedures, community relations practices, budgeting, public finance, problem-solving, and project management. Kevin is responsible for EMS policy, firefighter health, and safety and is an integral partner on the California Fire Service Behavioral Health Task Force, a joint labor-management initiative committed to making emotional wellness and post-traumatic stress injuries a health and safety priority in the fire service. Kevin lives in West Sacramento with his fiancé Angela, with Draper (cat) and Wyatt (pup). He enjoys cycling, reading, and cooking in his spare time.

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.

A combat decorated Air Force fighter pilot, squadron commander, & peak performance expert, Bo has over 6,400 hours of flight time, including 42 Combat Air Patrol sorties in Iraq. He holds an MBA with an emphasis on Executive Leadership, and currently flies internationally with a major US airline, where he was selected as First Officer of the Year.

Dr. Manish Shah is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has dedicated his career to improving pediatric prehospital care on local, statewide, national, and international levels through research, education, and advocacy. Dr. Shah serves on the Executive Committee of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), and he is the principal investigator for the Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in EMS (PediDOSE) clinical trial and co-investigator for the Pediatric Prehospital Airway Resuscitation Trial (Pedi-PART). In this session, Dr. Shah will use tape reviews to discuss pediatric management of common or high stakes clinical conditions in EMS. He will differentiate existing evidence to support treatment options for these conditions, summarize ongoing multi-center pediatric prehospital research studies, and identify hot topics in pediatric EMS requiring further evidence generation to guide management.

Nathan Cooke is a Deputy Chief with the Chino Valley Fire District and is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director of CONFIRE, a regional Joint Powers Authority providing Emergency Communications, EMS, MIS, and GIS services to 15 fire agencies in San Bernardino County. Nathan has a master’s degree in Public Administration, with an emphasis in Emergency Management. He is also a graduate of the California Special Districts Association Leadership Academy and is the Area Director representing the California Fire Chiefs Association for San Bernardino and Mono Counties. Nathan recently participated on the State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Strategic Planning Advisory Committee and is also a member the California Fire Service Behavioral Health Task Force. He currently serves on the San Bernardino County Emergency Medical Advisory Committee, the Response, Treatment, and Transport Committee, and the San Bernadino County SB43 Task Force. He holds both national and state certificates as an Executive Fire Chief and is a certified facilitator for the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute. Nathan’s journey in public service began in San Bernardino County where he served as a field training officer with a private ambulance company. That initial season in public service has led to a lifelong journey of serving others. Nathan has served as a Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief, Captain, Engineer, Firefighter, Paramedic, reserve Police Officer, and SWAT Paramedic for numerous agencies throughout southern California. Director Cooke is passionate about putting others before self.

Nick Russell serves as the Vice President of Operations at Watch Duty, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing real-time public safety information from verified sources. With a deep passion for unlocking individual potential, Nick is committed to fostering team environments where everyone thrives. His leadership philosophy centers on recognizing and leveraging the unique qualities of each team member to enhance collective performance and drive success. Nick firmly believes in the power of collaboration and embraces the mantra, "Together Everyone Achieves More" (TEAM). He actively seeks out diverse opinions and ideas, knowing that innovation stems from the diversity of thought. His approach to leadership is simple but effective: plan the work and work the plan. This focus ensures that teams stay on track while adapting to any challenges that arise. Under Nick’s leadership, Watch Duty's operations are guided by a strong sense of unity and support. He is dedicated to building teams that learn from one another, grow stronger together, and consistently achieve their goals. Nick's belief in teamwork and determination drives the organization to tackle challenges head-on and emerge victorious, united in purpose.

Battalion Chief Noelle Bahnmiller, EMT-P, started her career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter at Mt. Laguna Fire in 2003. Noelle has been employed by CAL FIRE since 2006, beginning as a seasonal firefighter, and working through the ranks until 2020 when she was promoted to Battalion Chief in Behavioral Health and Wellness, as the Addiction and Substance Abuse Program Coordinator (ASAP.) Most of her Cal Fire career was in the San Benito-Monterey Unit. She has also worked as a bookseller, writer, machinist, Emergency/Trauma Technician, Paramedic, Trauma Research Assistant at UCSD’s School of Medicine, and American Heart Association CPR/ACLS/PALS Instructor. She has done coursework in Philosophy at New York University, and general education at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, Modesto and Columbia Colleges. Noelle has a Certificate of Achievement in Paramedic Education from Palomar College. Her hobbies include orienteering, motorcycling, tactical crochet, gardening, and reading books.

Dr. Ali is a lead clinical psychologist 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.

Dr. Katzer is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. He grew up in New Jersey and Virginia before heading to California for undergrad at UC Berkeley. There he skied as much as possible at Lake Tahoe, usually Kirkwood. He traveled east again for Medical School at Temple University in Philadelphia and then emergency medicine residency at Washington Hospital Center in DC before heading back west permanently for an EMS fellowship at UC Irvine followed by a faculty position. He established the wilderness medicine interest group at the medical school. He is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. He practices traditional EMS as the medical director for the Anaheim City Fire and Rescue and event/sports medicine as the lead emergency physician for the Anaheim Ducks. For nine years he has worked in the field in the area of Wilderness EMS on the San Bernardino County Sheriff Air rescue team, where he is on duty three days a month, performing hoist rescues and delivering medical care to patients in the desert and mountain environments. He still skies annually with his daughters and wife at Mammoth Mountain and mountain bikes essentially whenever possible in the local Orange County California, terrain.

Robin began her nursing career in 1991 at Olive View Medical Center in the Emergency Department. For the past 25 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.

Scott Wagness is an accomplished paramedic with more than 15 years of professional EMS and fire service experience. He currently works as an EMS Coordinator for the Solano County EMS Agency where he focuses on improving pediatric care within his EMS system and throughout the state of California. As an active participant in the California EMS for Children Technical Advisory Committee, Scott is part of workgroups that help shape prehospital pediatric care in California. Representing California EMS for Children he has previously spoken on topics such as how to reduce pediatric medication errors. Scott is recently retired from the San Francisco Fire Department where he served as a tactical paramedic and field training officer. During his time with SFFD he received multiple awards including the Raymond Lim Excellence in EMS award for his work improving prehospital pediatric care. He is also the creator of a pediatric medication dosing guide that has helped to improve pediatric medication dosing accuracy throughout San Francisco.

Shiloh Godshall is a Registered Nurse (RN) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a specialization in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). She has dedicated her expertise to the frontline of healthcare, particularly in the realm of trauma resuscitation and emergency medicine. She currently works as a trauma nurse team lead at a level 2 trauma center in north County San Diego. She currently works as a trauma nurse team lead at a level 2 trauma center in north County San Diego. Shiloh possesses a wealth of experience in handling high-stakes medical emergencies with precision and compassion. She plays a vital role in critical trauma cases, providing critical care and leadership in moments of crisis. Beyond her clinical endeavors, Shiloh is deeply committed to addressing the often-overlooked mental health aspect of trauma, particularly within the first responder, ER provider, and care giver community. Her profound understanding of the psychological ramifications of trauma has led her to delve into the complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its impact on those who serve on the front lines. Her dedication to this cause extends beyond the confines of the hospital, as she actively engages in community outreach and education initiatives. Shiloh is honored to share her knowledge and experiences at the upcoming conference, where she will delve into the critical topic of PTSD in the first responder, ER provider and caregiver community. Through her presentation, she aims to shed light on this pressing issue, offering insights and strategies to support those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Captain, LA County Fire Department

Dr. Steven Froehlich opened his private practice in West Los Angeles in 1976. The focus of his practice has been to assist individuals, couples and families. In addition, Dr. Steve has had the opportunity to serve many individuals from the Law Enforcement and Fire Service communities. He began with the Beverly Hills Police Department, serving as a member and clinical supervisor for their Peer Support Team. Later he was trained by the Los Angele Police Department in Crisis Negotiations and was added to the Beverly Hills Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team. Subsequently, Steve was recruited as a Mental Health Professional to assist the FBI in their Los Angeles Field Office. He provided training and ongoing consultation for the Peer Support Team as well as assisting post Critical Incidents and with individuals as needed. In 1995, Steve was brought onto the Critical Incident Stress Management Team with the Los Angeles County Fire Department where he served until 2017. This team is designed to mitigate the impact of critical incidents for fire service personnel. The team is utilized within the County of Los Angeles, as needed, but is also deployed in out of County incidents such as Hurricane Katrina, in Arizona after the tragic loss of the nineteen Hotshots who were fighting the wildfires outside of Prescott, Arizona and then to Douglas County Oregon after the mass shootings at Umpqua Community College. Then, in May 2017, Dr. Steve was asked to join the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City as their full time Director of Behavioral Health. Finally, April 12, 2021, Dr. Steve was able to come back as Director of Behavioral Health and Lead Clinician for Firefighters, Local 1014 and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Collaboratively, working with local 1014 and LACoFD, the Peer Support Team and Dr Steve are laser focused on bringing the very best Behavioral Health Services to all Fire Department employees.

Steven Story is an Engineer and Paramedic with the San Bernardino County Fire Department, where he has proudly served for 19 years. In addition to his operational duties, Steven has spent the past 3 years as a K9 handler with the department’s Peer Support Team, playing a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of his fellow first responders.

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.

Tim Phalen is an internationally recognized educator who has delivered more than 4,000 ECG and STEMI interpretation workshops to over 150,000 healthcare professionals across more than a dozen countries. He is the author of four widely used ECG textbooks and a frequent speaker at major conferences including EMS Today, EMS World Expo, the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) annual meeting, and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ NTI. Tim’s teaching is grounded in practicality, with a focus on giving paramedics and nurses the tools they need to make faster, more accurate decisions in identifying and managing STEMI.

Tonya Loret is a registered nurse with a background in emergency and correctional healthcare. She graduated with her associate degree in nursing from Riverside City College in 2013 and later earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University San Marcos. Since 2021, she has worked with the Ontario Fire Department as an EMS nurse, where she provides training, assists with quality improvement initiatives, and supports infection control efforts. Prior to that, she served as a nurse for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, gaining valuable experience in correctional health.

Vince Roldan has been a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for nearly 22 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 16 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 other 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 nearly 29 years and is a father and grandfather.

Aaron Meyer, M.D. is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Diego. He supervises trainees at a federally qualified health center, sees patients via telepsychiatry in Imperial County and works with the City of San Diego as their first Behavioral Health Officer. As Behavioral Health Officer, Dr. Meyer assists with evaluating and treating vulnerable individuals who frequently utilize emergency services. His advocacy interests include increasing access to care for those with cognitive disorders and substance use disorders.

Retired District Chief from Gainesville Fire Rescue (FL) where we used both EMD and EFD. I'm a Protocol Expert for both disciplines and currently am a Deputy Chief in the Implementations department for PDC, managing half of our global project managers

Ann Marie Council is a Senior Deputy City Attorney at the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. After serving as a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, she now serves as legal counsel for City Departments seeking access to care for vulnerable individuals endlessly cycling through the streets, hospitals and jails. This is done under the umbrella of San Diego’s LIFT Program (Lifesaving Interventions for Treatment), which uses a medical-social-legal partnership to address these challenging issues. When no less restrictive options are available, legal intervention can include initiating CARE Act or conservatorship proceedings. Ann Marie has a degree in Sociology from UC San Diego and a law degree from California Western School of Law. Her experience includes criminal prosecution and collaborative court, gun violence restraining order, CARE Act, conservatorship, social security, and special education law.

Bill Adams is co-founder of Emergency Services Advisors with retired Sonoma County Fire District Fire Chief and Cal Chiefs past President Mark Heine. ESA provides strategic consulting for emergency services agencies, including liaison for facilities construction projects, regional consolidations, and organizational training. Bill has more than 30 years of General Counsel experience advising public and private sector decision makers on strategic planning and innovative policy implementation. A graduate of Northwestern University and 26-year Marine veteran, he attended University of Oregon School of Law and National Defense University. Bill represents numerous fire agencies throughout California, serves as Special Counsel to the California Fire Chiefs Association and Fire District Association of California, and is a frequent speaker on fire service consolidations and leadership team development.

Catherine Vernon has been involved in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing for three decades and a member of the Emergency Nurses Association for greater than 20 years. She has worked in Emergency Departments as a Staff RN, Manager, Director and System Director over 42 Emergency Departments in three states. She is also an Advanced Practice Provider specializing in Sports Medicine. Past roles also include 8 years as a Flight Nurse and 2 years working for a Sports Medicine practice covering SF Giants and 49er player care. She is currently an Operations Director for the Todd Cancer Institute in Long Beach California. Catherine lectures for ENA and recently spoke on Bias at the annual Denver Conference in 2022. She is the Secretary of the East Bay Chapter of ENA

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.

Darius Luttropp is the recently retired Deputy Chief of Operations of the San Francisco Fire Department. With 27 years of service to the City, Darius served in the busiest neighborhoods as a firefighter, fire officer and Battalion Chief. In his capacity as Training Captain and later as Deputy Chief, Darius worked as liaison with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority, elected officials, and autonomous vehicle operators to strengthen and improve first responder and autonomous vehicle interactions.

Darren Judd joined Priority Dispatch full-time after 32 years in Public Safety and Private EMS. During his career, he managed a communications center and implemented and maintained the agency's first CAD system. Darren also worked with a team to bring his agency to be Accredited by IAED, along with developing the System Status Management plans for the entire service area and providing the training needed to keep the Communications Center successful and operational. Darren Judd is a Protocol Expert with Priority Dispatch Corporation and a member of IAED’s College of Fellows. Darren has been affiliated with Priority Dispatch since 2004 where he has been involved with the development of Specialty Protocols, such as the “Caller in Crisis” (P41) and the Suite of Protocols surrounding facility-type calls, Darren is involved with training and currently works with agencies and assists with the implementation of Protocols around the world.

Recently retired Battalion Chief Picone is the SDFD Health & Safety Officer and San Diego County Health & Safety Section Chair. Since starting in his position as Health & Safety Officer at SDFD, he has expanded the peer support and chaplaincy programs to add more volunteers and improve training opportunities. He also initiated the concept of including employees’ spouses as peer support volunteers. He is credited with implementing several other initiatives, including: - The Family Support Network and the Chaplain Crisis Canine Program. A joint wellness resource website for SDFD and SD Police Department personnel. - Collaboration between the City’s Risk Management Department and private behavioral health facilities to serve first responders. - Assisting other local first responder agencies with their behavioral wellness programs, cancer prevention methods and injury prevention programs. - Creating the Injury and Illness Prevention Program which includes more than 20 specific policies for the safety (physical and behavioral) of the SDFD workforce. These policies also address physical injury prevention among many other employee safety topics. Chief Picone is passionate about assisting First-Responders in all forms of crisis, i.e., behavioral, physical, cancer, etc. He received the 2020 Chief Sandy Davis Safety Officer of the Year award from the IAFC and FDSOA. Chief Picone is a veteran of SDFD with over 30 years of fire service. He volunteers at his local church as a musician and works with his wife, Judy, to mentor other couples.

Dorita Ann Sondereker, RN, BSN, MSN, CEN, CFRN, CMTE, TCRN is a seasoned nursing leader with over 40 years of experience across emergency, trauma, and critical care transport services. As the former Administrative Director of Emergency Services at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas during the Route 91 Festival Massacre, she oversaw Nevada’s largest ER, managing over 177,000 visits annually. Her background includes leadership roles with HCA facilities, Mercy Air, and now as CNO at San Diego Psychiatric Hospital, while continuing to serve as a critical transport nurse with AMR. A decorated nurse and recent MSN graduate, Dorita is known for her commitment to compassionate leadership and clinical excellence. Outside of work, she and her husband raise thoroughbred racehorses, and she enjoys golf, paddle boarding, and riding her quarter horse, Conquista Boom.

Dylan Van Iwaarden started working towards a career in the fire service with a private ambulance company and then transitioned to the Long Beach Fire Department as an Ambulance Operator. He continued his career path with the Tahoe and Angeles National Forest as a wildland firefighter on a type 3 engine before accepting a job with Orange County Fire Authority on their hand crew. Since the devastating Silverado burnover, Dylan has been overcoming incredible obstacles in his fight to return to the OCFA. With burns to over 65% of his body, Dylan has had to endure over 52 separate surgeries to date, with many more to come. In his path to recovery Dylan utilizes his experience to inspire both the firefighters on the ground and the leaders who run incidents to learn the lessons that he is still working through today.

Glenn Leland is an experienced EMS strategist with over 40 years in the industry. He has held key leadership roles, including CEO of TransCare, Chief Growth Officer at Priority Ambulance, and Senior Vice President at American Medical Response. Glenn is known for his expertise in EMS system design, business development, and strategic planning, with projects around the world. He started his career as a paramedic and later taught at Stanford University. Glenn holds an MBA in Strategy from Northwestern University and has taught healthcare strategy at the University of Maryland. Passionate about developing future leaders, he led the Priority Ambulance Leadership Foundation program and will teach EMS management at Cal Fire Chiefs starting in 2024.

Heather Theaux, RN, MS, CEN, TCRN, is an accomplished health care leader with over 21 years of clinical experience specializing in nursing, emergency services, trauma programs, behavioral health management, and hospital leadership. Currently, she is the Director of Emergency Services/Trauma/Stroke/Behavioral Health at NorthBay Medical Center and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Solano County in California. Heather is also a published author and active contributor to professional organizations.

Jason Loya has 25 years in the fire service. He’s a retired Deputy Fire Chief with over 23 years with the Palm Springs Fire Department. This has provided him with a well-rounded, first-hand experience in the area of first responder behavioral health and wellness. He has been involved in Peer Support for over 20 years, participating in numerous department diffusings, debriefings, and has dedicated countless hours assisting others one-on-one. He developed his department’s Peer Support Program and served as its Coordinator for over 10 years. Additionally, Jason created the department’s Peer Support K9 Program. He has been K9 Ranger’s handler since 2022 (@pausewithranger on IG). Jason leads recovery meetings, guided meditations, and transformational life coaching sessions for first responders and military. He coaches and mentors Save A Warrior Alumni and went through the program in 2020, Cohort 0117. He serves as a volunteer Chaplain with California Fire Chaplains Association and Federation of Fire Chaplains. As a compassionate and dedicated peer support professional, Jason has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by first responders and military. He is committed to creating a safe, confidential space for individuals in crisis, offering empathetic listening, guidance, and connection to resources that promote mental wellness, resilience, and recovery.

Jennifer Johnson is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in workers' compensation, occupational medicine, managed care, and multi-state regulatory frameworks. As the Vice President of Organizational Development at Institutes of Health, she plays a critical role in driving strategic partnerships and key initiatives related to quality care delivery. She focuses on fostering innovation, transparent high-value stewardship, and operational efficiencies for all stakeholders involved. Jennifer is widely recognized for her expertise, innovation, and ability to optimize results within the workers' compensation care delivery ecosystem, related performance-based networks, and tied state regulations and Labor Codes. She relies on evidence and data-driven decision-making, utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure collective success and enhance client-centric management. This approach includes her skill in cultivating strong collaborative relationships with key industry stakeholders and influencers, ranging from Fortune 500 companies and public agencies (with a specialization in first responder agencies) to boutique customized programs. Her efforts ensure impactful, measurable, and sustained quality-care outcomes that align with industry gold standards of care and tracked patient satisfaction.

Dr. Jonathan Warren is an Emergency Medicine physician and Ultrasound/EMS Fellow at UCLA Health and the Los Angeles County EMS Agency with a passion for medical education, prehospital care, and ultrasound research. He completed his residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident and led numerous initiatives in emergency ultrasound and EMS education. Dr. Warren has been actively involved in curriculum development, resident training, and research, particularly in point-of-care ultrasound and its integration into prehospital and critical care settings. His research interests focus on prehospital ultrasound, transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac arrest, and innovative ultrasound training techniques. Dr. Warren is also the editor for the Art of Emergency Medicine, blending his medical expertise with creativity to enhance the well-being of emergency providers.

Katherine Rose-Brownell is a Trust Officer with Firefighters First Credit Union in partnership with Members Trust Company. Katherine is an attorney with more than 20 years of experience in estate planning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Texas. Katherine continued on to obtain her Juris Doctorate from Baylor University Law School in Texas. Katherine's former law practice consisted primarily of estate planning, probate, and estate administration. Based on her background and experience, Katherine is committed to educating firefighters and their families about trust and estate planning. Katherine works in partnership with Members Trust Company to manage member relationships with professional trust and investment administration. Trust services are provided by Members Trust Company, a federal thrift regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Katherine Rose-Brownell, Firefighters First Credit Union and Members Trust Company cannot provide any legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult your attorney and/or accountant. FFCU Trust Services offered through Members® Trust Company, a federal thrift regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Trust products are not credit union deposits, are not insured by the NCUA or any other federal government agency, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union, Members® Trust Company or any affiliated entity, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal. Any opinions expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the position of Members Trust Company.

Kelley McCoy is an Analyst and Services Coordinator with CAL FIRE’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Program. She provides critical crisis response, peer support, and training for employees and their families, ensuring their well-being during times of stress and trauma. Her experience in Critical Incident Stress Management, Addiction Intervention, and Employee Assistance Programs has been instrumental in supporting first responders, non-uniformed personnel, and families at CAL FIRE. Kelley is from a family of veterans and first responders and is a person in long-term recovery. She brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work. Her lived experience, combined with professional expertise, allows her to connect with individuals in crisis and guide organizations in implementing effective wellness initiatives.

Kevine studied business at CSU Northridge and has been working in the insurance industry since 2007 and joined FIS at its inception in 2010. Kevine spends a lot of time talking with our members and families to help better understand their unique insurance needs. Her focus is on helping our members get the best coverage for the best rate. She is licensed in AZ, CA, CO, NV, OH, TN, TX, UT, WA and WI.

Kurt Richards, MS, PA-C, is a highly experienced physician assistant specializing in acute burn and reconstructive surgery at UCI Regional Burn Center in Southern California. He has decades of experience in complex surgical procedures, critical care management, and clinical practice policies. With a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, he holds multiple certifications, including NCCPA Surgical Board Certification and ABLS National Faculty status. Beyond his clinical work, Kurt has contributed to medical education through numerous presentations and published research in burn care and reconstructive treatment. He has also served as a medical consultant for television productions, lending his expertise to ensure accurate portrayals of medical scenarios.

With 10 years of pediatric emergency and trauma nursing experience, Makenzie Ferguson has served as a bedside nurse, educator, and now as the Interim Trauma Program Manager at CHOC Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about improving pediatric trauma care through community outreach, implementing injury prevention interventions, and building strong community partnerships. Makenzie is dedicated to providing education to nurses and pre-hospital providers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident and comfortable caring for pediatric patients.

Mark Heine ("Hine") is a 40 veteran of the fire service. He retired from the Sonoma County Fire District in March of this year after serving in the fire service in Marin and Sonoma counties and as a Fire Chief for 12 years. SCFD provides first responder and transport ALS services to more than 90,000 people over 435 square miles of Sonoma County including urban, suburban, and rural areas. In 2024, SCFD's bid to become the new EOA ambulance provider was successful thus expanding their EMS footprint in Sonoma County. SCFD was formed out of the successful consolidation of seven independent fire districts through four LAFCO processes. Mark is the founder of Emergency Services Advisors and is a recognized expert in fire service consolidations, organizational leadership, and EMS.

Dr. Bosson is the Medical Director for the Los Angeles County EMS Agency. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and faculty and EMS fellowship director in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA. She is board certified in EMS Medicine and is actively involved in EMS research, education, and policy development. Her research is focused on regional systems of care for time-critical emergencies. She regularly instructs at the J. Michael Criley Paramedic Training Institute. Dr. Bosson is also a certified Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Medical Team Manager. She deployed with CA-TF2/USA2 to the Nepal, Mexico City and Turkey earthquakes.

Niki Stepanian, M.A. is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Bachelor’s of Art degree in English from the University of LaVerne and Master’s of Art degree in Psychology from Chapman University. She specializes in first responders and in addition to her private practice, she currently works as a clinician with Los Angeles County Fire Department Peer Support Team. As the wife of a deputy fire chief, she is aware of the unique challenges the profession has on relationships and family. She specializes in working with various forms of trauma and is Certified in EMDR, CISM, and is a Certified Trauma Therapist. Niki provides on-call CISM to public safety departments in response to critical incidents, and has worked at the federal, state, county and local level for fire agencies who have experienced a critical incident. She also works with agencies on large scale incidents such as the recent Eaton fire, CalFire’s helicopter crash, the Dixie and Caldor fires, and the Las Vegas Route 91 shooting. Niki also works with departments to create and facilitate mental wellness trainings and helps to develop and assist peer support teams.

Pedro brings nearly two decades of financial services experience to his role as a Financial Advisor, leveraging deep expertise in DROP programs, Deferred Compensation Plans, and Retirement Rollovers to create comprehensive financial strategies. He focuses on reducing risk and protecting assets, tailoring holistic plans to meet the unique goals of each client. Pedro is a trusted resource for second opinions on existing portfolios, offering insight into tax-advantaged investment strategies, college savings, estate planning, and intergenerational wealth transfers. He studied Architecture and Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley, and has been in the financial services industry since 2006. Since joining Firehouse Financial in 2014, Pedro has helped members navigate complex financial landscapes with clarity and confidence. Pedro is a registered Financial Advisor through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. (CFS). He holds FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and is securities licensed in AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, KS, MI, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, OR, PA, UT, and WA. He also holds insurance licenses in CA and KS.

Ray McQueen is a devoted husband to his wife, Chelsea, and a proud father to their three daughters: Sophia (7), Amelia (4), and Olivia (4). He has been a committed member of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) community since 2006, beginning his career with the San Diego Fire Department (SDFD) before joining the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) in 2013. Over the course of his career, Ray has held various roles, including Firefighter (FF), Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM), Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE), Captain, and Battalion Chief (BC), with a special focus on EMS operations and leadership. Ray’s work has spanned several cities within the OCFA jurisdiction, where he has contributed to emergency medical response on various apparatus and in numerous specialty programs, including the Hazardous Materials Response Team. His exceptional dedication to EMS earned him the title of Battalion 9 Firefighter of the Year in 2017 (as an Engineer on Engine 75) and in 2021 (as a Captain on Engine 71). He was also honored as Battalion 4 Firefighter of the Year in 2019 (as a Captain on Engine 39) and Battalion 5 Firefighter of the Year in 2014 (as a FF/PM on Truck 4). Beyond his operational role, Ray has played a crucial part in training and mentoring within the OCFA. He has served as a Lead Instructor for the Recruit Academy, FAE Academy, and Fire Captain Academy, shaping the next generation of EMS professionals. Currently, Ray is a Battalion Chief overseeing Emergency Medical Services for OCFA, where he ensures that all personnel are equipped with the skills needed to provide exceptional pre-hospital care in emergencies. In addition to his EMS oversight role, he also serves as the ARFF Program Manager and Assistant Program Manager for the Hazmat Program. Ray’s specialized expertise includes being a Hazmat Specialist - WMD, an ARFF Firefighter, and an ARFF FAE. He is also actively involved in the Outreach and Recruitment Team, ensuring that OCFA continues to attract top talent. In his personal life, Ray is passionate about spending time with his family and is deeply committed to the ongoing development of OCFA’s newest firefighters, FAEs, and prospective company officers. With a career rooted in service and leadership, Ray remains dedicated to advancing EMS within the community and fostering the growth of those who serve with him.

Chief Rezende has been with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for 18 years. He is currently the Battalion Chief assigned as the regional Alternative Energy Emergency Response coordinator. Rob has been an active member of the hazmat team in all ranks since 2008. Rob has two (2) master’s degrees from San Diego State University. He has deployed as a Hazmat Specialist on many natural disaster responses on behalf of FEMA US&R and most recently as a lithium-ion battery expert to support the EPA at the Maui Fires. Chief Rezende has been tasked by San Diego Fire-Rescue to spearhead the fire department’s preparedness in managing lithium-ion battery emergencies. He is also a member of the EPA’s Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force and FIRESCOPE’s Lithium-Ion Battery Subcommittee. He sits on several industry panels for battery safety.

Scott Ross is a retired Fire Captain with over 32 years in the fire service with Los Angeles County Fire Department. He finished his career as a highly respected Peer Support Coordinator for LACoFD with over 23 years of experience in the Peer Support field, specializing in the development, implementation, and advocacy of peer support programs within his department that serves over 3400 Firefighters,700 Lifeguards and over 1000 civilians. With a deep commitment to supporting individuals facing mental health and personal challenges, Scott Ross has become a leading figure in the field, serving as a trainer, consultant, presenter, and advocate for peer support initiatives nationwide. Scott Ross is a Master Instructor for Peer support training programs with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), where he has had an integral part in training first responders and emergency personnel to provide vital support to their peers. Scott’s expertise in training and educating individuals in high-stress, high-risk environments has been instrumental in ensuring that first responders are equipped with the tools and skills to manage their own well-being as well as provide support to other first responders. Scott Ross can be activated and deployed by the IAFF at any time as a Peer Support Lead and is dedicated to serving wherever needed to assist during a department’s time of need. In addition to managing and leading one of the largest first responder peer support teams in the nation, he has also responded directly to various critical incident responses including: ・Line of Duty Deaths ( LODD ) and Firefighter suicides throughout the western states, including: Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, California and Hawaii. Scott Ross also serves as the Vice President of the Public Safety Peer Support Association ( PSPSA) and is a past Vice President of the Behavioral Health Working Group of Firescope in California. Whether through providing consultation, delivering impactful presentations, or working directly with peer support teams, Scott Ross continues to champion the power of Peer to Peer support to foster connection, understanding and healing.

Fire Captain / Paramedic, Alameda County Fire Department 30 years in the fire service Current member of the CA Commission on EMS Former Chair of EMS Commission

Stacey Miller has been in financial services, retail banking for over 30 years. She has experience in a multitude of business units including branch networks, call center, consumer lending, collections, and back-office operations. Stacey joined Firefighters First Credit Union in 2015, helping to grow the branch channel in California. In 2018 she took on the role of Director of Business Development focusing on growing our national footprint throughout the United States. As the Vice President, National Relationships, Stacey has built relationships with IAFF, District, State and Local leadership throughout the U.S., focusing on the benefits of Firefighters First Credit Union to not only the Associations but the firefighters and their family members as well.

Steve Herzberg is a Deputy Chief with the Sonoma County Fire District. His primary focus is on Strategic Initiatives and Advocacy. Before joining SCFD, he was the Assistant Chief of the Bodega Bay Fire Protection District. In that role, he helped pioneer the County’s consolidation movement. Ultimately, he helped secure the funding from the County that enabled the annexation of BBFPD into SCFD. During this time, he served two terms on the Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and was looked to as a subject matter expert on the consolidation of Fire/EMS districts. He was the Project Manager, and primary author, of SCFD’s bid proposal that won the competition to staff the ambulance service in an Exclusive Operating Area in Sonoma County. The proposal outscored the one submitted by the previous, private provider, and brought on a successful paradigm shift in the provision of emergency medical responses. Steve spends summers in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where he is a member of 2 volunteer Fire/EMS agencies — both of which provided BLS response/transport EMS services. Over the past 5 years, he worked, successfully, to consolidate 4 Northwoods towns into one, fully funded, staffed ambulance district. The Northwoods EMS District deploys two, 24/7, staffed ALS ambulances supplemented by a robust volunteer response group. He now serves on the new consolidated District’s board of Directors and is the Operations Liaison and PIO for the District.

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 the Bay Area Chapter of the ENA.

Steven Wells was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in Orange, California, where he graduated from El Modena High School. His journey in the fire service began as a City of Orange Fire Explorer before attending and graduating from the Rio Hondo Fire Academy (Class 50, 1999). He later completed the Moreno Valley College Paramedic Program (Class 4, 2003). Steven gained experience working for Care Ambulance and as a Fire Apprentice with the City of Brea Fire Department before joining the Corona Fire Department (CFD) in 2005. Over the years, he has advanced to the rank of Fire Captain Paramedic and serves as the CQI Coordinator for the department. In addition to his role at CFD, Steven is an instructor at Moreno Valley College, where he teaches in both the EMT and Paramedic programs, helping to train and mentor future emergency medical professionals. Beyond his operational and instructional duties, Steven is actively involved in several key initiatives, including the Fire Explorers program, the EMS Technical Advisory Group, the Training Committee, and the Operations Working Group. His latest efforts include contributions to Virtual Reality Training and Artificial Intelligence development within the fire service. Steven lives in Corona, California, with his wife, Lisa, and their two children, Allen (9) and Mckenna (8).

Deputy Chief Ted Peterson brings 45 years of fire service experience, having served in Napa, Solano, and Marin Counties. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential, which he used for 25 years as an instructor at Napa Valley College and College of Marin. Before joining the Southern Marin Fire Protection District in February, Chief Peterson served as Battalion Chief for the Novato Fire Protection District, overseeing EMS operations for 16 years. He currently serves on multiple local, state, and national committees and leads a federal taskforce that has secured over $400 million in healthcare-related funding for the California fire service. Chief Peterson lives in Napa with his wife, Janice, a talented artist.

Todd Allen is a professional with over 30 years in emergency services and telecommunications. Currently, he is an Implementation Project Manager and Master Instructor at Priority Dispatch Corporation since 2006, specializing in the Academy’s protocols, emergency dispatch training, and quality assurance. His career began as a Paramedic in Las Vegas, NV, advancing to Field Training Officer and QA/QI Manager before entering Emergency Medical Dispatch in 1998. He has also served as 911 Assistant Manager for the City of Roswell Police, Deputy Director for Charleston County EMS, and Communications/IT Director for Charleston County 911. Todd’s expertise includes managing emergency dispatch centers, developing training programs, and overseeing IT functions in emergency services. He has been recognized for his contributions, including achieving multiple accreditations and creating innovative training programs and software applications. His commitment to excellence has significantly impacted the organizations he has served.

21 years with the Ontario Fire Department as a Firefighter Paramedic. Also serve as a Backgrounds Investigator for the department, High Threat Response Team Coordinator, Stop the Bleed Team Instructor and Spark of Love Toy Drive Coordinator. For the last 15 years I have also been cross sworn with the Ontario Police Department serving as a reserve police officer assisting our SWAT team as an Operator and Tactical Paramedic. I’m currently assigned to the city of Ontario’s COAST Team supporting our fire department and police department with reducing calls for service regarding mental health. I am committed to ensuring the safety of our community. I love spending time with my family (wife Andi and boys Diego, Alex and Paco) hunting, surfing and fishing.

Zita Konik currently serves as the Medical Director for Alameda County EMS Agency in California, which supports EMS care to 1.8 million people, and previously was the Napa County EMS Medical Director and Novato Fire Protection District Medical Director. She attended medical school at UCSF and emergency residency at Stanford University. She is board certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine services. She currently is the President of the Emergency Medical Directors Association of California and Vice-President of the California chapter of the National Association of EMS physicians.