Command Staff

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.

wade.johnson@hcmed.org

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.

thomas.mayfield@hcmed.org

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.

amber.brown@hcmed.org

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.

michael.levake@hcmed.org

I began my career in EMS in 1995, working as an EMT (Health EAST and North Memorial), while attending paramedic school.  In 1997, I was hired as a full-time paramedic at North Memorial Medical Transportation and worked the street until 2001.  While my time at North Memorial was rewarding and memorable, I was always intrigued by the “Hennepin aura” and the “Hennepin Way” of doing business.  In 2001, I made the decision to experience the “Hennepin Way”, rather than view it from a distance, and worked as a paramedic on the street until 2008 before being promoted to Operations Supervisor.  In 2010, I was also charged with managing all areas of fleet operations, which was the beginning of Hennepin’s change in strategy in regards to ambulance design.  Since 2010, our ambulances have gone through transformational change with an emphasis on safety, not only for the patient, but also our staff.  This remains a high priority for us and we seek to continue to reshape the future.  2018 was a time of organizational structure change for Hennepin EMS, which resulted in moving to the position of Deputy Chief of Operations (Manager), which encompasses managing the Operations division of Hennepin EMS, including Fleet Operations. 

chad.dotzler@hcmed.org

Serving Since 2002, paramedic, educator, Deputy Chief of Staff, committee member for FTO Task Force, Excellence Council, and Health, Safety and Wellness Committee.

Dedicated to creating a healthy work environment for staff, committed to training our recruits as competent members of the HEMS team, and devoted to ensuring our staff have access to resources.

erin.hedge@hcmed.org