NEMSA News

Greetings! I am your current NEMSA President and requesting your vote for re-election. I have learned so much in the past 2 years as your president, and would love to continue to serve the membership.

We have implemented many changes in the past 2 years. Our NEMSA organization is truly a group who exists due to the hard work of all our members and especially our dedicated committee members. We have re-established long and short term goals, though Strategic Planning meetings held annually. All of our goals reflect the vision and mission of our organization.

A lot of energy has been placed into making sure our members know what NEMSA is and stands for. It is vitally important to create a recognizable image for NEMSA. Being financially sound in a time where less funding is available and still be able to offer our membership remarkable benefits is a continuous goal of mine. NEMSA’s future depends on responsible leadership and I feel with my help we can preserve what the previously leaders have built and develop innovative designs to move into the future of NEMSA and EMS.

I have over 20 years experience in EMS as a provider and 16 years in various leadership roles across the state, regional and national levels. My true love is mentorship, we need to provide a map to those who will follow in our footsteps to maintain tradition and accept the ever changing world of medicine and education.

Thank You!
Debbie Von Seggern-Johnson
 
 

I would like to introduce myself. I am Dave Huey, and I have had the great honor of serving as your Second Vice President for last 4 years. I am running for re-election and would enjoy serving NEMSA for another two years as your Second Vice President. I have been involved with EMS for over 32 years. I retired after 26 years as a medic in the military. I am currently the Assistant Chief for Carter Lake Fire and Rescue. I had the privilege of serving as NIS President for 4 years and am currently the Vice President of NAAP. I believe in NEMSA and want to do all that I can to make it a better organization dedicated to the empowerment of EMS providers in Nebraska. I am also an active EMS and Fire Instructor in Nebraska and Iowa. I feel that my knowledge, experience, and leadership abilities in the EMS field would continue to benefit the members of NEMSA. I encourage everyone to vote.
 
 

My name is Karolyn McElroy, I am incumbent for the NEMSA Treasurer position. I live in Lyons, NE with my husband Larry. We have two sons who are married, and one Granddaughter. I have served as Treasurer for 3 years. Locally I have been a Lyons Vol. Fire & Rescue Dept. member for 19 years, 17 of those years as Rescue Captain. I have really enjoyed my EMS opportunities. I have learned SO much about the EMS world and continue to learn everyday. Thanks to each and every one of you for all that you do!!!
 
 

Chad Bluschke
Chad has been a Paramedic/Firefighter for over 20 years with the Grand Island Fire Department, where he is also a Hazardous Materials Technician. Prior to that, he worked on an ambulance in Hastings. He has been involved in EMS for over 25 years and has been an EMS Instructor for more than 15 years. In his career he has belonged to the Grand Island Rural Fire Department, private ambulances along with his current position on the Grand Island Fire Department. He has been recently appointed to the position of Regional Faculty for PALS with the American Heart Association. Along with being an EMS Instructor, he is an instructor for the Center for Preparedness Education.

My name is Dick Smithson and I am running for the position of Board Member at Large. My full time job is Police Officer with the Central City Police Department. I started as an EMT in 1992 with the Clarks Rescue Squad. I currently serve on the Wood River Fire and Rescue Department. In my EMS career, I have held every position from member to service director. My goal is to achieve a Paramedic license. I am a CPR Instructor, EMS Instructor, PEPP Course Coordinator/Instructor, and sit on the Region 2 Trauma Board.

I have been a NEMSA member since its creation in 1998 and serve on the Winter Conference Committee. I was honored to receive the NEMSA EMT of the Year Award in 2004. I am a firm supporter of NEMSA and believe that through a strong organization, we can continue to improve the EMS system throughout Nebraska.

I believe strongly in EMS and providing the best patient care possible. With new changes coming this year to the EMS Regulations and Protocols, this would be a great opportunity for NEMSA to take the lead in communicating these to their members. We also need to work on keeping federal and state funding available to our EMS system. I have seen NEMSA as a positive influence with the State Legislature and as a Board Member, I would encourage that NEMSA stays on that course. It would be my honor to work for you in this position. Thank you for your vote.