Overview
From daily ambulance responses, to paramedic course curriculum; from telephone pre-arrival instructions, to fleet & equipment maintenance; from Community Paramedic home visits, to marathon start/finish line coverage, the Hennepin EMS Command Staff are responsible for maintaining and growing all aspects of our enterprise.
Chief of Hennepin EMS
With the assistance of the EMS leadership team, Chief Martin Scheerer is responsible for all aspects of the EMS department, while directly overseeing the divisions of Operations and Education.
- Martin ScheererChief of Hennepin EMS
Biography currently not available.
- T. Ryan MayfieldAssistant Chief of EMS
T. Ryan Mayfield has been working across the country in emergency services since 1996. In addition to working as a field provider, he has worked in Education, Operations, QA/QI, EMS research, and management. He holds a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University in Information Systems and an M.S. from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in EMS Administration and Emergency Management.
Assistant Chief
The Assistant Chief directly oversees the divisions of Communications, Special Operations, and Community Programs.
Deputy Chief
Our Deputy Chief team oversees specific divisions of the department.
- Amber BrownDeputy Chief of Community Programs
I am Amber Brown, Deputy Chief of Community Programs. I started my paramedic career in EMS in 1998 and have been at Hennepin EMS since 2002. I worked as a paramedic on the ambulance until August 2013, when I joined the launch of our Community Paramedic program. I continued in the Paramedic/Community Paramedic role until 2015 when I was promoted to Deputy Chief. In my current role, I manage the Community Paramedic program and Community Outreach for Hennepin EMS. I am passionate about getting our patients the right service at the right time, to achieve the best possible outcome for the person’s overall health and to make an impact in all the communities we serve.
- Charles Sloan IIIDeputy Chief of Operations
I started my career in EMS in 1996 with a local ambulance service doing wheelchair and BLS transports. I then transitioned to a Dispatcher role, and eventually dispatched for 911, critical care, and helicopter transports. In 2000, I started working with a local air ambulance provider as an EMT, eventually working my way up to Flight Paramedic. Today I am enrolled at Bethel University and continue to work on my Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership. I started working for Hennepin EMS in 2015 and never looked back. I am proud to be associated with such an outstanding team of Leaders, Paramedics and Emergency Medical Dispatchers.
- Kerry DegenDeputy Chief of Education
- Wade JohnsonDeputy Chief of Communications
Born and raised on the West Side in St. Paul, I am very familiar with intercity life. I grew up in a Latin-American neighborhood. But growing up outside playing in the streets and dirt helped me to stay grounded…excuse the pun. I excelled at team sports and was fortunate enough to play college football at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. I now live in the North East Metro with my wife and our teenage twin girls.
I think the team sport concept has helped me adapt to 28 years in public safety. During my career here at Hennepin EMS, I have worked as dispatcher, paramedic, was elected Secretary of HCAPE which I served for almost 5 years and in 2011, I was promoted to Operations Supervisor, Deputy Chief of Operations and just recently, Deputy Chief of Communications. I want to think I have had a well-rounded career so far.
In my spare time you can find me in the outdoors. I am also the family’s historian in search of our heritage. I love reading and learning about history, particularly American History. I’m a busy father with teenage twins and playing chauffeur.
- Mike LeVakeDeputy Chief of Special Operations
I have been with Hennepin EMS since 1995, having served as a dispatcher 2 years and a paramedic on the street for 21 years, before being promoted to a command role in 2016. Prior to my career in EMS, I served 4 years in the US Navy, and was honorably discharged in 1991. I am honored to lead the Hennepin EMS Special Operations Team. This group of professionals is a nationally recognized leader in emergency response, disaster preparedness training, and special event operations. We look forward to working with you to create the safest, most comfortable guest experience for your event.
Battalion Chief
The battalion chief serves as the direct report from front-line staff and manages most daily functions of our various divisions.
- Andy JakackiBattalion Chief of Special Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Daniel KlawitterBattalion Chief of Communications
I have been at HCMC/Hennepin Healthcare almost 24 years. I have been an EMT for 20 plus years. I started in the security department and moved to EMS 14 years ago. I worked my first 11 years in EMS in a dispatcher role, the last 3 as a supervisor. I truly enjoy helping others, especially on their worst days. I try to view everyone I meet as a potential customer/VIP. I enjoy sports and the gym as well as spending time with family, friends, and my pets.
- Lori SchmidtBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Kent KoellnBattalion Chief of Operations
I started in EMS in 1990 as an EMT on the local ambulance in the small town I grew up in. My parents had served on the fire department and ambulance for many years prior and were Advanced Frist Aid instructors, so it seemed natural to start serving at a young age. Eventually the call of the big city (Hutchinson MN) lured me away. I took An EMT-I course and was hired part time at the Hutchinson Ambulance Service. I became a Paramedic in 1997 and took a full time position.
I was hired here at Hennepin EMS in 2002. During my time at Hennepin EMS I have held the position of HCAPE Chief Paramedic Steward and served on several different committees. I have held my current position as a Battalion Chief of Operations since March of 2018.
- Michael TrullingerBattalion Chief of Operations
Battalion Chief Mike Trullinger is a career paramedic and has served over 35 years in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field, the past 22 years with Hennepin EMS where he currently serves as a Battalion Chief of Operations and as the department’s Public Information Officer (PIO.) Mike is also a Retired Volunteer Fire Department Captain with 22 years of service.
- Kimberly StueveBattalion Chief of Operations
I took a first responder course in 1995 and never looked back. I knew right away that I wanted to be a Paramedic. I first worked for Gold Cross Ambulance in St. Cloud MN for 4 plus years. I got hired at HCMC in 2001. During my time at HCMC, I have served on the Crash Committee, Peer Review/QA committee, and as an Field Training Officer. I have held my position of Battalion Chief since January 2019.
- Kyle KoellnBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Tyler LupkesBattalion Chief of Special Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Matthew McDonnellBattalion Chief of Operations
Biography currently not available.
- Eric MartensBattalion Chief of Education
Battalion Chief of Education Eric Martens has most recently served as a Staff Captain/Paramedic Program Director of our HEMS Paramedic Program and has a long history in EMS:
Eric was born and raised in the Black Hills of South Dakota, graduating from Sturgis High School. Eric began volunteering with one of the local volunteer fire departments in 1994, and completed EMT school. He completed paramedic school in 1998, with the majority of his experience in a career fire-based EMS service. Before moving to Minnesota, Eric was the program director at a college-based program. Since then, he has continued with his education, eventually graduating with his master's degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota in 2013.