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Marie Ridgeway MSW, LICSW, RYT is a Master’s-level mental health clinician with a specialty in treating stress injuries (PTS) and the secondary challenges that commonly occur (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, substance abuse, relationship challenges). Marie has advanced training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). She and her staff of occupationally competent clinicians currently work with over 40 public safety agencies in Minnesota. Marie has worked in the field for over 16 years. She completed her master’s degree in 2010 and has been providing clinical supervision for the Minnesota Board of Social Work since 2018. She was a training specialist for the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, at numerous annual first responder conferences, and has worked individually with thousands of law enforcement officers across the state since 2017. Marie brings knowledge and skills from her diverse work experience that includes child protection and psychiatric crisis team response. Marie is honored to be providing specialized occupationally competent care, wellness programming, POST training, and Crisis Negotiation Team clinical consultation to those in public safety who serve our communities. To learn more, please visit www.marieridgeway.com or email information@marieridgeway.com.

Josh Himes, PhD, is a firefighter/paramedic at Center Township Volunteer Fire Department. Prior to joining the fire department, he was a professional boxer and former All Americas champion. He works full-time in health and safety for McCarl’s. He recently earned his PhD in health education.

Lt. Bernard Hoffman is a medical lieutenant with the Tolland Fire Department in Tolland, Connecticut.

Lt Hoffman has volunteered for the Town of Tolland Fire Department for 13 years and is a medical operations officer supporting the Town’s EMS operations as a state-certified EMT, CPR instructor and EMS mentor for pre-med students from the University of Connecticut.

Michael Montgomery is a 20-year veteran of the Marysville (Ohio) Division of Fire as a firefighter/paramedic. He holds numerous technical certifications, including Public Safety Diver, Rope Rescue Technician, Swift Water Rescue Technician, and the organization’s head of Community Paramedicine. Additionally, Montgomery is licensed as a registered nurse with over 15 years of experience in orthopedics, emergency and flight. He is a preceptor and educator for The Paramedic Education Program at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He holds undergraduate degrees from The University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University and Excelsior College.

Robert Walker is the regional EMS education specialist for the Emergency Health Services Federation, the regional EMS council serving eight counties in South Central Pennsylvania. He currently leads the Rural EMS Education Initiative, delivering initial and continuing education to underserved areas of the region, and oversees the mobile EMS simulation program. Additionally, he is the ToxMedic program coordinator at HazMat 2, Lancaster County’s Hazardous Material Team, and the student advisor to Franklin and Marshall College’s EMS program. He is a frequent presenter at EMS conferences. He holds a BS in Emergency Medical Services Administration from Columbia Southern University and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic, board-certified Community Paramedic, and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator.

Jason Fuller is a former battalion chief for a municipal fire department in Southeastern North Carolina. Surpassing 15 years of service in the fire and EMS professions, Jason is an experienced instructor and provider. Jason seeks to use his passion for the field of EMS to impact change in agencies across the nation as a public safety consultant. He accomplishes this by helping fire and EMS departments communicate with their communities and stakeholders, while encouraging growth in our field’s educational standards. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.

Melodie Kolmetz, MPAS, PA-C, EMT-P, CP-C, is a physician assistant and paramedic in the Rochester, New York area. She has been an EMS provider for over 30 years and a PA for over 25 years. She attended the Rochester Institute of Technology PA program where she received her BS in Physician Assistant Studies, Monroe Community College where she received an AAS in Paramedicine, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she received a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies with a Concentration in Education. She is currently a doctoral student in the Curriculum, Instruction and Science of Learning Program at the University at Buffalo. She works as a physician assistant in geriatrics and occupational health and as adjunct faculty in Emergency Medical Services at Monroe Community College. She serves as a New York State Certified Instructor Coordinator and EMS Regional Faculty Member.

Ahmad Taha is a Nationally Registered Paramedic and Certified Athletic Trainer. He started his career at Boston EMS in 2016, transitioning to the Sharon Fire Department in 2021. At both agencies, Ahmad has been heavily involved in creating and maintaining a Health and Wellness program that is second to none and inclusive to all. His experience in training bodybuilding and weight loss clients has translated smoothly to first responders, helping them implement proper body mechanics and strategies for injury prevention and longevity in their careers.

Chris Briggs is an accomplished EMS professional with over 20 years of experience. Currently serving as the deputy director for the Parker County Hospital District’s EMS Division, Chris has made significant contributions to the administration and operation of the district’s EMS services. Chris holds a Master’s degree in EMS from Creighton University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Chris is a respected leader in his field, with a passion for delivering high-quality care and improving operational efficiency. In addition to his work in EMS, Chris also serves as a police officer at the Weatherford Police Department, demonstrating his continued dedication to public service. His unique perspective and creative problem-solving have earned him a well-deserved reputation for excellence.

Nicolas Smith is division chief-clinical, for the Montgomery County Hospital District. He is a Houston native who began his EMS career in 2013. He has experience in various aspects of EMS including as a 911 dispatcher, communications training officer, paramedic field training officer and assistant operations chief. Chief Smith holds two Bachelor’s degrees: double science major at Texas A&M and a bachelor’s in computer science. He is currently working on a master’s degree in data science at Eastern University. Chief Smith has a passion for the clinical aspect of EMS and using data to enhance the care MCHD provides the community.