NAEMT Committees

In accordance with NAEMT’s Bylaws, the NAEMT Board of Directors establishes committees to assist the Board in carrying out the mission of NAEMT. The President of NAEMT is authorized to make appointments to committees. Most committee assignments are made by the NAEMT President at the beginning of his/her two-year term and are reviewed annually.

In accepting a committee appointment, members are committing themselves to fulfilling the following responsibilities:

To fully participate in the work of the committee, including attendance at meetings and conference calls of the committee.
To familiarize themselves with the subject matter being considered by the committee, including any NAEMT policies or positions that may relate to the work of the committee.
To respect the variety of viewpoints and perspectives presented by each of the committee members.
To fully support the decisions of the committee, even when they differ from personal opinion.

The Board of Directors has established the following committees to assist the Board in carrying out the mission of NAEMT. For a description of each committee and a listing of committee members, click on the name of each committee listed below. Members interested in serving on an NAEMT committee should complete the committee interest form.

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NAEMT Committees

Advocacy Committee (standing)
This committee shall advise the Board on pending federal legislation and regulation that could impact the practice of emergency and mobile healthcare, and develop and implement strategies in support of the association’s legislative priorities. Responsibilities include:
- Recommending to the Board federal legislative and regulatory initiatives to support or oppose.
- Working in cooperation with other organizations, as appropriate, to promote passage of specific EMS legislation or regulation.
- Developing and implementing strategies to increase nationwide participation in EMS on the Hill Day.
- Recommending to the Board the key legislative issues to be addressed at EMS on the Hill Day.
- Overseeing a national network of state advocacy coordinators to support grassroots EMS advocacy.
- Preparing position statements and comments on proposed legislation or regulation for review and approval by the Board.
- Growing NAEMT’s political action committee (PAC) fund by:
  - Developing and executing a strategy to grow the fund; and
  - Determining how contributions to the fund will be recognized.
- Approving recommendations for financial contributions to federal legislators.
Chair: Chris Way
Vice Chair, PAC Chair: Steven Kroll
Committee Members: David Blevins, Sean Britton, Juan Cardona, Tim Dienst, Gustavo Flores, MD, Brian Maloney, Dennis Nolan, Gary Peterson, Abigail Rich, Patrick Rogers, Bill Salmeron, Ryan Schladitz, Deborah Von Seggern-Johnson, Brian Webb, and Jason White.
Affiliate Advisory Council (standing)

This council shall provide advice and guidance to the Board on issues of concern to the EMS community and on ways that NAEMT can strengthen and expand its support to EMS practitioners. Council members shall be regularly updated on NAEMT activities.

Chair: Tim Dienst
Vice Chair: Karen Larsen
Candidacy and Elections Committee (standing)
This committee shall ensure compliance with all provisions in the NAEMT Bylaws and operational policy concerning the candidacy and election process for directors and officers, and vet the selected recipients for the national awards, including EMT, paramedic, educator, military medic, medical director, pediatric EMS and safety in EMS. Responsibilities include:
- For elections:
  - verifying the accuracy of all candidacy statements and supporting documents submitted to NAEMT as part of the candidacy process, including certification and endorsements.
  - providing the final slate of verified candidates to the Executive Director, with a copy to the President, no later than 3 weeks prior to the commencement of voting.
  - monitoring responses to questions posed by the committee. If the committee identifies any false or misleading information presented by a candidate, the committee chair shall notify the candidate and request a retraction of the information in question.
- For national awards:
  - vetting the nominations of the selected recipients;
  - providing the final slate of verified award recipients to the Executive Director, with a copy to the President, no later than two (2) weeks following the close of nominations.
- Investigating any reported issues regarding a candidate/nominee or the candidacy/nomination process. A report on the results of the committee’s investigation shall be provided to the Board for action, as needed.
Chair: Dennis Wilham
Members: Rod Barrett, Kenneth Bouvier, John Fitzsimmons, and Don Lundy
Education Committee (standing)
This committee shall provide advice and guidance to the Board on all aspects of NAEMT’s education program, including:
- Reviewing all policies governing NAEMT’s education programs, and recommending modifications, as needed, to support the achievement of NAEMT’s education mission;
- Overseeing the promulgation of NAEMT education courses including the global network of regional and national education coordinators;
- Reviewing and suggesting appropriate action to address course site or faculty issues, as needed;
- Monitoring requirements and trends in EMS education, certification, re-certification, and standards to ensure that NAEMT education is in compliance with all requirements and meets the continuing education needs of EMS practitioners;
- Recommending the development of new courses or course content, as needed;
- Developing tools and resources to support NAEMT instructors; and
- Overseeing applications or renewals of education program accreditation, including CAPCE.
Chair: Rick Ellis
Vice Chair: Troy Tuke
Members: Justin Arnone, Ken Dalessandro, Sean Davenport, Michael Kaduce, Karen Larsen, Dave Page, Joanne Piccininni, Armin Reisinger, Cory Richter, Jeri Wheatley and John Zartman.
Education Program Committees (special)
Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC), and Prehospital Trauma (PHT): These committees shall:
- Work in cooperation with NAEMT HQ and NAEMT’s publishing partner to develop course materials in accordance with established agreements;
- Determine qualifications for instructors to teach the course;
- Provide advice and guidance to course faculty, as requested.
- Assist with course promulgation, as requested.
- Develop and/or review clinical position statements, as requested.
EMS Disaster Preparedness Committee (standing)
This committee shall advise the Board on ways to strengthen the role of EMS in our nation’s emergency preparedness strategy and response activities. Responsibilities include:
- Identifying national gaps in EMS preparedness protocols and training for response to natural and man-made disasters, mass casualty incidents, and medical countermeasures, and recommending measures to address these gaps;
- Identifying ways to improve integration of EMS in disaster preparedness planning, communications/interoperability;
- Identifying funding sources to support agency preparedness activities; and
- Increasing understanding among emergency management and public health leaders of the role of EMS in national preparedness.
Chair: David Blevins
Vice Chair: Brian Stennett
Members: Shane Bellard, Bruce Evans, Chris Hadis, Jake Johnson, Jonathan Jones, Donovan Kutsenda, Bryan Nelson, Brian Schaeffer, Anthony Scott, Shawn Tatham, William Tatum, Dana Woodard and Joan Zonatti.
EMS Economics Committee (standing)
This committee shall advise the Board on strategies and actions to increase the economic strength and resiliency of EMS through both revenue enhancements and operational efficiencies. Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing, analyzing and providing comment to proposed changes in federal and state legislation and/or regulation impacting EMS funding.
- Developing and implementing strategies to advocate for increased EMS funding.
- Identifying and disseminating strategies for EMS agencies to implement new services and roles to enhance financial resiliency.
- Researching and educating EMS agencies on opportunities for operational efficiencies.
- Reviewing and developing comments to proposed industry standards and quality measures.
Chair: Matt Zavadsky
Vice Chair: Jon Washko
Members: Regina Crawford, Justin Duncan, Steven Kroll, Dennis Rowe, Matthew Streger, and Jason White
Liaisons: Dylan J. Ferguson, NASEMSO; Jim Finger, AAA; Jerry Overton, IAED; Division Chief Kevin Joles, IAFC; Jimmy Pierson, AIMHI; Kyle Rice, NASEMSE; David Tan, MD, NAEMSP; and Caleb Ward, MB BChir, MPH, FAAP, AAP
Technical Advisor: Garrett Abrahamson, Public Consulting Group (PCG); Doug Kupas, MD
EMS Lighthouse Leadership (special)
This committee shall implement a program to identify, develop and mentor the next generation of EMS leaders. Responsibilities shall include:
- Developing and refining the program structure;
- Recruiting, selecting, preparing and monitoring mentors;
- Recruiting, selecting, and preparing mentees to participate in the program;
- Providing leadership development workshops for mentees; and
- Tracking the progress of all mentees.
Evaluating the mentorships on an annual basis.
Chair: David Edgar
Members: Juan Cardona, Chris Cebollero, Rom Duckworth, Baxter Larmon, Macara Trusty, Shannon Watson, Melinda Wilson and Steve Wirth.
EMS Workforce Committee (standing)
This committee shall advise the Board on issues that impact the ability of our nation’s EMS workforce to provide quality emergency and mobile healthcare, and recommend actions the association could take to address these issues. Areas of consideration to include:
- EMS patient and practitioner safety
- EMS practitioner wellness and resiliency
- EMS recruitment and retention
- EMS workforce data collection
- EMS career development
- EMS certification and licensure
- Rural EMS
Chair: Garrett Hedeen
Vice Char: Matthew Philbrick
Members: Joseph Coley, Aaron Florin, Julius Jackson, Henry Lewis, Nicholas Mutter, Bryan Nelson, Gary Peterson, Darnell Robinson, Brian Schaeffer, Shannon Watson, Melinda Wilson and John Zartman.
Executive Committee (standing)
This committee, consisting of the President, President-elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past President, shall support the work of the President in his/her role as the Chief Executive Officer of the association by:
- Reviewing the contract and annual evaluation of the Executive Director;
- Reviewing personnel issues brought to the attention of the President by the Executive Director;
- Reviewing proposed changes to staff policies;
- Reviewing proposed strategic agreements with other organizations;
- Identifying active members who may possess the knowledge, skills, interest and motivation to serve in leadership positions within the association.
- Providing mentoring and guidance to these members to help them develop their leadership capabilities; and
- Recommending to the President qualified members to serve on committees, and as liaisons.
Chair: Susan Bailey
Members: Chris Way, Rob Luckritz, Troy Tuke, and Bruce Evans
Finance Committee (standing)
This committee shall assist the Board of Directors in managing the funds of the association. Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing the budget developed by the staff and the Treasurer to ensure that it is balanced, is in compliance with the financial policies of the association, and addresses its mission and strategic goals;
- Reviewing all insurance coverage held by the association to ensure that the association and its leaders are adequately protected;
- Reviewing the association’s investments to ensure that such investments are in compliance with the investment policies of the association and are working to achieve its investment objectives; and
- Recommending changes and/or additions to the association’s financial policies, as needed.
Chair: Rob Luckritz
Members: Dave Edgar, Melissa McNally, Dennis Rowe, Chris Way and Matt Zavadsky
Membership Committee (standing)
This committee shall assist the Board of Directors in membership recruitment and retention. Responsibilities include:
- Working with the staff to develop an outreach strategy to increase the number of active members.
- Reviewing the results of outreach campaigns, and recommending modifications to strategies as needed.
- Reviewing the current package of member benefits and services on a regular basis and recommend additions or changes, as needed.
- Reviewing the association’s membership statistics on a regular basis and note any significant changes or trends.
- Overseeing a national network of state membership coordinators to support NAEMT membership growth within states.
Chair: Melissa McNally
Vice Chair: Les Powell
Members: Maria Beermann-Foat (South Central), Becky Benelli (Gulf Coast), Tiara Green (Southeast Coast), Joseph Hurlburt (Midwest), Scott McCain (Midwest), Kevin Miller (Great Plains), Keito Ortiz (Northeast), Jason Scheiderer (Midwest), Howard Schwartz (East Central), William Tatum (Southeast Coast), Eric Van Dusen (Great Plains) and John Zartman (Midwest).
Military Relations Council (standing)
This Council shall serve as a forum to sustain and strengthen relationships between civilian EMS and the U.S. armed services. Activities will include:
- Serving as a bridge between military and civilian EMS.
- Providing information to the U.S. Department of Defense and each of the branches of the U.S. Armed Services about civilian EMS, and the benefits NAEMT can provide military medics and the U.S. Armed Services.
- Identifying ways that NAEMT can assist EMS practitioners transitioning from the military to civilian service.
- Identifying ways NAEMT can educate civilian EMS services, state EMS offices, the federal government and congressional elected officials about military medic and their roles, responsibilities, training, and transition issues.
- Identifying ways NAEMT can increase the number of NAEMT members from the military.
Chair: Michael Williamson
Members: Maj. Joshua Corsa, Chris Dent, Warren Dorlac, MD, FACS, Thelma (Chris) Garvey, James Geracci, MD, Craig Hall, Chris Heppel, Jeffrey Maler, Jeremy Miller, SFC Benjamin Proctor, Erik Svedja and Capt. Ben Walrath, MD.
Liaison Members: SMSgt Edward Crowe (US Air Force), Brian Ferguson (US Navy), HMC John Ingraham (US Navy), MSG Dan McGarrah (SOMA), Ray Mollers (NREMT), Harold Montgomery (Co-TCCC), SSC Chris Siler (US Army), MSgt David Stone (US Air Force), and HMCM Justin "Willie" Wilson (DHA-JTS)
Military Medical Advisor: Frank Butler, MD