Speakers

Matt Ashmore

EMS Program Manager
Session(s):
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead (Part 2) *must attend both parts  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm

Matt has been in emergency services for 30 years. He has spent time as a paid-on-call firefighter and EMT for Eveleth, MN; a firefighter/EMT for West Des Moines Fire; a Battalion Chief/Paramedic for Hibbing Fire; and a brief stint as Chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District. Currently, he works for Essentia Health EMS Education, an instructor for Minnesota North’s Paramedic program and is the NAEMT Training Coordinator for Minnesota.

Danyelle Fenner

Hospitalist, East Market Sepsis Medical Director
Session(s):
Suspect Sepsis, Save Lives  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Dr. Danyelle Fenner is a family medicine trained physician who attended medical school at the University of Minnesota in the twin cities and completed residency at St. Mary's Family Medicine Residency in Grand Junction, CO. She has been with Essentia for over 5 years, initially working in Ely in both outpatient and inpatient care then subsequently with the hospitalist and patient flow teams in Duluth since 2021. She joined the sepsis team as the east market sepsis medical director in 2025.

Monte Fronk

Emergency Manager

Monte "Awan" Fronk is a 35 year Tribal Public Safety responder and spent his entire career for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe one of the 11 federally recognized in Minnesota. During his career his duties of Tribal Emergency Management broadened into Tribal Community Risk Reduction with implementing culturally competent services and programs to serve all the Tribal Districts and Urban Area of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. This included many partnerships to meet the unfunded needs of Tribal members. Monte is a certified Tribal Emergency Manager, FF I/II, Haz Mat Operations, Fire Instructor I/II, Fire Officer I/II, Public Educator I, YFPI Specialist, MN/Nat Reg EMT. A graduate of the National Fire Academy, EMI and CDP. He holds a Masters degree in Public Safety Executive Leadership

Mike Gau

Master
Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 21  |  1:00 pm
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 22  |  8:00 am

Mike is a Certified Master Instructor with over 20 yrs. experience at Tae Kwon Do. Hapkido Instructor, Women's Self Defense, Itasca Comm Col. Mother/Teen Self Defense, United States Marine Corps Recruit Special Training. Representing Northland Tae Kwon Do

Lucas Goodin

Owner/Director
Session(s):
EMT Refresher (Day 1 of 2)  |  Jan 21  |  8:00 am
EMT Refresher (Day 2 of 2)  |  Jan 22  |  8:00 am
Friday (1/23/26) Hands on Approach to Trauma Care (All Day Class)  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am
Hands on Approach to Trauma Care (Continued)  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am
Hands on Approach to Trauma Care (Continued)  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Hands on Approach to Trauma Care (Continued)  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm
Labor and Delivery, This is Not What I Signed Up For  |  Jan 24  |  10:15 am
Out of the Fire  |  Jan 24  |  3:00 pm
Differences Shouldn't Divide Us They Should Unite Us  |  Jan 25  |  8:00 am
Hyperthermia Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, Heat Emergencies  |  Jan 25  |  9:30 am
Crisis K9s-The Future of Mental Health in EMS  |  Jan 25  |  10:45 am

Lucas Goodin, NRP, CC-P, FF, has over 25 years experience as a Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director working in the prehospital setting along with 20 years in the hospital setting in both the Emergency Department and as the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness. He has worked all over the world teaching and providing advanced care in austere environments.

Martin Halvorson

Emergency Management Director
Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 21  |  1:00 pm
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 22  |  8:00 am

Marlyn has been the Carlton County Emergency Management Director since June of 2020. Prior to that, he was a Deputy with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. During that time, he served as the Itasca County Emergency Manager for 10 years. He has 34 years in the public safety sector. In those 34 years of public safety, Marlyn served 10 years as a Paramedic and 20 years as a Firefighter. He continues to expand on his public safety knowledge and as a leader in the public safety community. His professional affiliations include the following: Board Member of the Arrowhead EMS 2016 -Present Vice-Chair of the Northeast Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Advisory 2018 - Present President of the Arrowhead Regional Association of Emergency Managers (AREMA) 2016-Present MN Certified Emergency Management Director 2012 - Present Paramedic 1988-1998 (Retired)

John Hansen

Farmer and Paramedic
Session(s):
4 Wheeler and Side by Side Trauma  |  Jan 24  |  1:30 pm
Anhydrous Ammonia and Other Farm Chemicals  |  Jan 24  |  3:00 pm

John grew up and continues to farm the family farm. Involved in EMS and fire for 30 years. Paramedic for the last 15 years. Teaching EMT classes for 28 years with Ag Emergencies his specialty. He raises corn, beans, hogs and cattle along with trucking livestock short and long distance.

Addison Hoffman

Medical Student at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Session(s):
Methods of Transport to Emergency Departments Due to Unintentional Drug Overdose or Withdrawal  |  Jan 24  |  1:30 pm

Addison is a medical student at the University of Minnesota Duluth Campus, previous experience as an EMT in rural and urban EMS and Emergency departments. Has plans to pursue Emergency Medicine with interests in EMS medical direction and Critical Care Medicine

Latimer Hoke

Advanced EMT
Session(s):
Supine Position: Mostly Just for Dead People  |  Jan 24  |  11:30 am
Dyspnea, Fear, or Both? Differentiating Breathing Problems from Hyperventilation  |  Jan 24  |  1:30 pm
How to Quit EMS  |  Jan 24  |  3:00 pm
Do It With the Lights Off: He We Over Use Lights and Sirens  |  Jan 25  |  8:00 am

Latimer has worked in rural EMS since 2009 in Vermont and Montana (and a bit in Canada). These experiences involve ambulance/first responder services, fire departments, emergency communications, ski patrol, and search and rescue. He has managed supply ordering, served as training officer, and written policies for multiple workplaces. In addition, Latimer holds a B.S. in Secondary English Education, a M.Ed. in Education Leadership, and Senior Alpine certification with the National Ski Patrol.

Joshua Honeyman

DO

Dr. Josh Honeyman is an ER physician in Fargo and is additionally division chair and the west market sepsis medical director for Essentia.

*Note Dr. Honeyman will add to this biography for the conference materials if our submission is selected, but I don't have his bio readily available at this time.*

Kirk Hughes

Education Director/Poison Specialist
Session(s):
Radiation 101  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Don't Munch on a Hunch  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm

Kirk Hughes is an RN working as a Certified Specialist in Poison Information and Education Director for the Minnesota Regional Poison Center since 2000 and has managed over 98,000 tox-related cases. He retired from the Fire Service after 27 years in July 2022. He has also worked as an Investigator for the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office and provided Expert Witness services for the Hennepin County Prosecutors office.

Andy Klitzke

Medical Countermeasure Planner
Session(s):
What's a CHEMPACK and Why First Responders Need to Know  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Andy Klitzke is the CHEMPACK program lead for the Medical Countermeasures Team at MN Department of Health (MDH). With 10+ years of experience in public health preparedness and healthcare emergency management, he touts strong relationships as the backbone of any preparedness activity. Prior to joining MDH in October 2023, Andy worked for the Northeast Healthcare Preparedness Coalition in Duluth, MN with a focus on supporting long-term care organizations, managing the regional cache of personal protective equipment, and developing a regional overdose fatality review program. In his spare time, Andy enjoys all things science-fiction and harvesting from his garden.

John Kreuser

State Emergency Response Teams
Session(s):
Your Worst Day is Our Every Day  |  Jan 24  |  3:00 pm

John Kreuser Bio

John Kreuser is the State Emergency Response Teams Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) within the State Fire Marshal Division. With over 10 years of experience at DPS—initially with the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division before transitioning to the State Fire Marshal Division—John plays a pivotal role in educating responders across the state on oil transportation, hazardous materials, safety protocols, and the capabilities of State Emergency Response Teams during emergencies. Additionally, he provides expert technical advice as an on-call member of these teams.
John holds multiple certifications in fire safety, hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), emergency medical services (EMS), and emergency management, demonstrating his broad expertise. Since joining DPS, he has completed numerous specialized training courses and actively participated in conferences focused on public safety.
His dedication to public safety began in 2001, when he volunteered as a firefighter with the Zimmerman Fire Department. Over the years, John served as fire chief in Randall, Minnesota, for more than nine years. His experience also includes roles as an aircraft rescue firefighter at Camp Ripley, an EMT with Mayo Ambulance, and a smoke chaser for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. John remains an active member of the Zimmerman Fire Department.
With more than 23 years of experience in the field, John is passionate about training first responders, including firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement, emergency managers, public officials, and private organizations. He is also a faculty member of the American Heart Association, where he instructs courses in basic life support, EMS, hazardous materials, and fire safety.
John has been a frequent speaker at numerous statewide conferences and events, including the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Conference, the Minnesota State Fire Department Association Conference, Health Coalition meetings, Minnesota Police and Sheriffs Association Conferences, the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers, as well as local, state, and federal agency meetings and exercises.

Matthew Lange

Paramedic and EMS Education Coordinator
Session(s):
BLS Crash Course Cardiology  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm

Growing up in Madelia MN, I have always had a strong need to help others. I attended Ridgewater College for Law Enforcement. During that time I was employed by the City Of Willmar Police Department as a Community Service Officer. After a fire devastated my hometown in 2016, I moved back to the area to call Truman MN Home. Here, I joined the Truman Fire Department, received my firefighter 1 & 2, education and certification, and obtained my Emergency Medical Responder. I would go on to obtain my NREMT through South Central College and join the Truman Ambulance Service. During the fall of 2018 I accepted a full-time career with Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service in Fairmont MN. I would obtain my Paramedic Certification through the School of EMS in Sioux Falls SD and served in a paramedic role with Mayo Clinic Ambulance until late 2024. Currently I serve the community of Redwood Falls MN as a paramedic with CentraCare EMS. I am the EMS Education Coordinator and Instructor with SASCS in Minnesota Lake and an Instructor for the South-Central EMS Region. I sit as an advisor on the South-Central EMS Regional Board as a representative for Martin County Fire and EMS.

I currently reside in Truman MN with my significant other Lakyn, who also serves on the Truman Ambulance Service. I am the father of Three boys that are active in sports and outdoor activities. I have a real passion for Fire, EMS, EMS education, practice, community education and outreach. I am still serving the local community of Truman as a Firefighter and Paramedic for the Truman Ambulance as a volunteer member and the Assistant Director of Operations and Training Officer.

Stephanie Leather

Operations Manager
Session(s):
The Lost Lesson: EMS Guide to Mental Illness  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Strive for Fives or Whatever: Patient Engagement  |  Jan 24  |  1:30 pm
Silent Killer Positivity and Other Toxins  |  Jan 24  |  3:00 pm

Stephanie Leather has over a decade of experience as an EMT in both a voluntary and paid capacity; working with local and state agencies to provide services in New Jersey.

She has also worked in Level I and II trauma centers and regional emergency departments. Her Masters in Counseling with a concentration in Trauma studies combined with her experience in EMS provides a uniquely specific background. She is building her training and education while she finishes her MBA in Healthcare Economics and Management in October 2025. Currently, she oversees a national health psychology practice as the Operations Manager for providing clinical hypnosis to treat medical conditions not otherwise responsive to medical intervention.

She also holds a Psychiatric Screener certification in New Jersey and has experience in both hospital based and community crisis systems in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This experience provides a mastery level of understanding of suicide risk assessments and interventions, as well as lending itself greatly to keeping her training relevant to current emergency medical providers.

John McClellan

Freeway Operations Supervisor
Session(s):
Highway Safety for Emergency Responders  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am

John McClellan is the Freeway Operations Supervisor at MNDOT’s Regional Transportation Management Center (RTMC). John has worked for the DOT since 2002. John’s group is responsible for monitoring 1,400 Minnesota freeway traffic cameras; locating incidents, deploying overhead signs, coordinating response with State Patrol and dispatching the Freeway Incident Response Safety Team (FIRST). John is a regular presenter to first responders on highway safety and emergency traffic control.

Todd Messer

Fire Inspector
Session(s):
Humor in EMS, the Good and the Bad  |  Jan 25  |  9:30 am
Back to the Core: Advancing Professionalism in Fire and EMS  |  Jan 25  |  10:45 am

I have over 34 years of dedicated service in Fire and Emergency Medical Services, I have had the privilege of serving in nearly every operational and leadership role within the fire department. Throughout my career, I have been committed to mentoring and developing firefighters and fire officers, always striving to cultivate the best version of a leader in each individual.

My passion for training and leadership development has extended across all levels of the organization, ensuring that personnel are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to perform at their highest potential. In addition to my fire service experience, I have also devoted over 30 years to public safety communications, further deepening my understanding of emergency operations and coordination.
Mental health awareness, particularly within public safety, is a cause I advocate strongly for. After being diagnosed with PTSD in 2021, I became even more committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes mental wellness, peer support, and resilience among first responders.

Richard Mullvain

STEMI Program Manager & Clinical Pharmacist
Session(s):
STEMI…Staying Current, Staying Focused and Saving Lives  |  Jan 23  |  10:15 am

Richard is a clinical pharmacist specialized in Cardiology, and is the STEMI Program Manager for Essentia Health, in Duluth, MN. He has worked at Essentia for 33 years. Richard is a well known educator in the Northland, and was the Co-Chair of the AHA Minnesota Mission Lifeline Project. He has 19 publications related to heart attack care. He also has a fishing problem, and started the Duluth Area Fishing League 27 years ago.

Scott Peterson

Ower
Session(s):
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 21  |  1:00 pm
Self-Defense for EMS Personnel  |  Jan 22  |  8:00 am

Scott has been involved in martial arts for 33 years, have conducted numerous self-defense courses, was previously certified as a PPCT (pressure point control tactics) instructor, and has instructed classes for marine recruits.

Brenda Schafer Pellinen

Eldercare Development Partnership Program Coordinator
Session(s):
Beyond the Call: Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers in Community  |  Jan 21  |  1:30 pm

N/A

David Smith

Community Paramedic
Session(s):
Catching a Fall: Prevention, Response and the Role of Community Paramedicine  |  Jan 25  |  8:00 am

I started my EMS journey in the US Army as a medic. After 8 years, 2 deployments and several moves I exited the military and went to paramedic school. I worked at several agencies across Minnesota, covering both rural and urban areas. I am currently the community paramedic for Essentia Health in the Brainerd Lakes Area. When I'm not bridging medical gaps or decreasing hospital readmissions, I'm spending time with my family and enjoying the outdoors.

Martin Sullivan

Educator
Session(s):
EMS Alphabet Soup  |  Jan 25  |  9:30 am

N/A

Marvin Sullivan

Educator
Session(s):
EMS Alphabet Soup  |  Jan 25  |  9:30 am

N/A

Shane Troumbly

Fire Fighter/First Responder
Session(s):
Millimeters Any Direction  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm

Member of the Trout Lake Fire Department for 11+ years. This presentation would include some of our members and possibly North Memorial (Ambulance and Air)

Dex Tuttle

Injury Prevention Program Manager
Session(s):
Car Seat 101 for First Responders  |  Jan 23  |  11:30 am

Dex spent 10 years in higher education as a student affairs administrator planning events, hosting conferences, and advocating for the diverse needs of the students. Looking for a change, he became and EMT in 2011 and began work as an Emergency Room Technician at a busy Level 1 trauma center. Combining these unique experiences, he found his way to Children’s Minnesota where he is currently the Injury Prevention Program Manager. He holds a Masters of Education from Penn State University and a BA in Computer Science from NDSU. He’s been a Child Passenger Safety Technician for since 2013 and a CPST instructor since 2014. He also teaches the Safe Travel for All Children course on strategies for safety transporting children who can’t be safely and comfortably transported in a retail-available car seat. He’s regularly consulted on complicated patients in the hospital and in the community and has developed resources aimed at addressing cultural gaps and language barriers.

Ty Weigman

Partner Engagement Manager
Session(s):
Advanced Stroke Life Support – Prehospital Provider Course  |  Jan 22  |  8:00 am
Advanced Stroke Life Support – In-Hospital Provider Course  |  Jan 22  |  1:00 pm
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead  |  Jan 23  |  1:30 pm
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead (Part 2) *must attend both parts  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm

Ty has more than 20 years in EMS. He spent the first part of his career in Grand Forks as a paramedic for the hospital and SWAT team. After that he moved to Hibbing, MN where he worked as a firefighter/paramedic. Currently, he works for Lifelink III, starting as a flight paramedic and worked his way up to Partner Engagement Manager. He also currently works for Essentia EMS as a casual paramedic, and teaches EMS as well. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and numerous certificates in EMS.

Allen Wolfe

Senior Director of Education
Session(s):
Airway First-Tackling Challenging Facial Trauma Case Studies  |  Jan 23  |  3:30 pm
Airway First-Tackling Challenging Facial Trauma Case Studies  |  Jan 24  |  10:15 am

Allen Wolfe is the Senior Director of Clinical Education at LifeLink III in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has 40 years experience in Critical Care. He was the Clinical Specialist MedSTAR the renowned trauma resusciation unit at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. He is the author of multiple research articles and books. He is the co-editor of the Principle and Practice textbook, the industry's biggest-selling publication for air medical providers. He is the leading expert in prehospital management of LVADs in the US.

Brad Zinniel

EMS Educator/Owner
Session(s):
BLS SIM Challenge - Brad Zinniel (All Day Class)  |  Jan 24  |  10:15 am
CPAP for Prehospital Providers  |  Jan 25  |  8:00 am
EMS Alphabet Soup  |  Jan 25  |  9:30 am

Brad received his EMT certifi cation in 1991 as a volunteer for the Sleepy Eye Ambulance. In 1995, Brad graduated from the Intensive Care Paramedic Program at South Central College. Brad then worked as a paramedic for North Memorial Ambulance for 22 years. Currently, Brad is an NRP for Ridgeview Ambulance. Brad has performed many roles in his over 30 years as an EMS provider. He has been involved with local and statewide EMS issues. As a paramedic he was an FTO and site coordinator. His passion is education and QA Specialist. Over the years he has had the pleasure of being an educator with South Central College and North Memorial Ambulance. In 1998, Brad started his own EMS training center, Medical & Safety Resources. He is currently an educator for MSR, South Central Mn EMS, and Ridgeview Ambulance. His goal as an educator is to promote high quality, compassionate care.

joan somes

educator; safer senior driver grant manager
Session(s):
Is It a "Stroke Code" or a "Stroke Zebra"  |  Jan 24  |  10:15 am
Using Your Four-Plus One-Senses to Assess A Patient  |  Jan 24  |  11:30 am

Joan Somes; PhD, RN-BC, CEN, CPEN, FAEN,NRP worked as an emergency dept. nurse and dept. educator for 40 years in a suburban and then a metro hospital. During that time she also worked as a paramedic for a suburban ALS service (9 years) and as an EMS educator. Joan continues to teach for Regions hospital EMS, manages an older driver safety grant for MN DPS/OTS, consults and does stroke site visits for MDH, and owns her own teaching company. Joan is the chair of the MN Emergency Nurses Association Quality, Safety, and Injury Prevention Committee. She is also as the geriatric section editor of the Journal of Emergency Nursing and has been published numerous time.