Providing Gold Standard Care Every Day

Leadership


C. Robert May, Executive Director
Bob joined Lancaster EMS at the time of the organization's inception in early 1996 as Board Chair. Prior to this time, and during his Board Chair tenure, Bob was the Director of the Emergency Department and several other departments at Community Hospital of Lancaster (CHL). Bob originally started his employment at CHL in 1981 as a staff paramedic. In 1999 Bob left CHL and assumed the role as Executive Director for Lancaster EMS. Bob holds an MBA from Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. He earned his Bachelor's degree (Healthcare Administration) from Lebanon Valley College. Bob obtained his EMT-P1 from Ephrata Community Hospital in 1979; and his EMT-P2 from St. Joseph Hospital in 1980. Bob is an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College teaching undergraduate business and healthcare courses.

Richard M. Pearson, Director of Education
Rick comes to Lancaster EMS from Butler County Community College (BC3) where he was vested for six years as the Program Director and full time faculty member for the BC3 Paramedic Education Program. He received his Bachelors in Biology Degree in 2006 with a concentration in Psychology and Bioethics from the University of Pittsburgh. Rick earned his M.B.A. with a minor in Healthcare Systems Administration from Waynesburg University in 2008. Rick began his EMS career in 1991 as a volunteer EMT with West Mifflin EMS which later led him to attend Paramedic School at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Public Safety Institute. Rick worked for various ambulance services throughout Western PA (911 and transport) as well as EMSI a EMS Regional Council. He spent the majority of his active EMS career with the AK-PULSER Paramedic Response Team based out of Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, PA. Rick is not only a Pennsylvania Paramedic but also holds various certifications: PA EMS Instructor, AHA CPR/ACLS/PALS and PEARS Instructor, AMLS Affiliate Faculty as well as is a Nationally Certified EMS Educator (NCEE), he is also a certified Fire Officer 1, Fire Instructor 3 as well as a PA Non-Suppression Fire Instructor (candidate). Rick also is a certified EMS/FIRE Peer counselor with the Pittsburgh Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM). He is also active with NAEMSE, NAEMT and the BSA.

Carli Bechtold, PRHN, MSN, Director, Community Paramedic Programs
Carli joined Lancaster EMS as a PHRN in 2016. In 2017, she assumed the position of Community Paramedic. As the program grew she transferred into the role of Supervisor in 2019. She holds a MSN with an emphasis in Public Health from Grand Canyon University. Carli has 18 years of nursing experience and prior to her employment at Lancaster EMS, she served in a variety of community settings including prehospital, school, home health and corrections.

Frankie L. Saez, Community Paramedicine Supervisor
Frankie has been working as a full-time EMT at Lancaster EMS since 2019, having graduated from our EMT program. Prior to his career in EMS, Frankie worked as a supervisor at House of Pizza in Lancaster. During that time, he focused on advancing his career and exploring new opportunities in the medical field. Throughout Frankie’s career, he has been fortunate enough to have encountered many great mentors and leaders who have helped shape him into the EMT that he is today. Teaching valuable lessons about the importance of teamwork, dedication, hard work, and providing the best possible care to those in need. Frankie shares his gratefulness for the opportunities and experiences that have led him to where he is today. He wants to continue to grow in his career as an EMT Supervisor and hopes to serve as a mentor and leader to those around him, while also striving to provide the highest level of care to his patients.

Allison B. Connelly, Director of Marketing and Development
Alli first joined Lancaster EMS as a marketing intern back in 2021. Upon graduating from Millersville University in May 2023 with a BS in Media Arts Production and a minor in Graphic Communication Technology, she rejoined the company as the new Director of Marketing and Development. During her college years she studied under award-winning documentary filmmaker, Changfu Chang. She also had the privilege of working for another nonprofit, United Chinese Americans, as the English Media Team Lead and helped create and teach a documentary storytelling class in Howard County, MD aimed at uplifting multicultural youth. In conjunction with her role at Lancaster EMS, she also owns and operates a small photography business on the side, Gray Sky Portraits, based in Chester County, PA. In her free time, Alli enjoys reading, writing, taking pictures, going on nature walks and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

Andrew Gilger, Performance Improvement Officer
Andrew became an EMT in 1983 while serving in the US Army and completed Paramedic training at St. Joseph's Hospital Paramedic Institute in 1990. He began working as a Paramedic at St. Joseph's Hospital Medic One in late 1990. Andrew joined Lancaster EMS at its inception in 1996 and has served in many roles in the organization including Operations Director, Field Supervisor, Instructor and FTO. Andrew has also held management positions at the PA Bureau of EMS and most recently as Implementations Manager with Intermedix.

Andrew G. Weitzel, Information Technology Supervisor
Andrew joined Lancaster EMS in April 2010 as the Information Technology Supervisor. Prior to joining Lancaster EMS, Andrew worked as a software engineer and a network analyst. Andrew has a Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems from DeVry University.

Joanne Weidman, Chief Financial Officer
Joanne is a life-long resident of Lancaster County. She is a Penn Manor High School graduate and holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Management from Lebanon Valley College. Prior to coming to Lancaster EMS, Joanne held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Linden Hall, Lititz, for over seven years. Before that Joanne worked for over ten years at a Lancaster County CPA firm auditing nonprofit organizations, school districts and employee benefit program. Joanne and her husband, Carl, live in Millersville, PA.

Jerry Schramm, Director of Operations
Jerry began his EMS career in 1997 as an EMT, working for for-profit ambulance services in the Philadelphia area, before becoming a paramedic in 1999 and joining the Philadelphia Fire Department. After six years with the Philadelphia Fire Department as a Fire Service Paramedic, Jerry relocated his family from Philadelphia to Lancaster County. Jerry joined Lancaster EMS in 2006 as a staff paramedic, promoting to Captain in 2009, and to the Director of Operations position in 2015. Jerry is a graduate of Elizabethtown College with a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Healthcare Administration.

Teresa M. Mullhausen, Benefits Coordinator
Tess began her "career" in 1980 as a volunteer with Rheems Fire Dept Ambulance. She then worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in the Emergency Deptartment for nine years as a registrar, unit clerk and Clerical Supervisor. Tess joined the Lancaster EMS team in July 1997 as Receptionist; processing payroll and performing other odds & ends for the Company. As the organization grew, so did her responsibilities. In 1999 Tess became responsible for employee benefits along with many other human resource duties. In May of 2010 she received the certification of Professional of Human Resources (PHR) awarded by the HR Certification Institute in conjunction with Villanova University.

Tina M. D'Imperio, Scheduling and Special Events Coordinator
Tina became an EMT in 1990 where she volunteered with the Strasburg Community Ambulance Association (SCAA) for three years. In 1993, Tina was hired by SCAA as the first paid provider for the organization. Tina also performed other duties for SCAA which included accounts receivable and accounts payable duties. When SCAA merged with Lancaster EMS she continued to work as an EMT doing transports, wheelchair van transports and on the BLS units. She took on the role of Scheduling Coordinator for Lancaster EMS in 2004 and Special Events Coordinator in 2012.

Douglas L. Eash, Logistics Officer
Doug accepted the position of Logistics Officer with Lancaster EMS in May 2022. He began his emergency service career in 1979, joining his volunteer fire department in Johnstown. He obtained his EMT in 1983 and relocated to York in 1985. Retiring from active fire service in June 2022, Doug served in many operational and administrative roles up to Deputy Fire Chief, Municipal EMS and Training Coordinator. He is a graduate of Harrisburg Area Community College Educational Methodology Program. Doug obtained certification as a PA State Fire Academy Suppression Instructor in 2000 and continues teaching predominantly in Lancaster County. In 2018, he retired as an Operations Supervisor with the York County 911 Center following 20 years of service. During his 911 career, Doug obtained certification as a Registered Public Safety Leader. His EMS career also included 16 years as an EMT with Adams Regional EMS in Adams County. He continues part time with First Capital EMS in York on MICU 5-21 at the Grantley Station. Doug also holds certifications as a Traffic Management Instructor with the American Traffic Safety Services Association; Fire Department Incident Safety Officer; Emergency Management Planning; Public Fire Service Educator and EVOC/EVDT Instructor. Doug serves annually as a Family Escort with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. During his non-working hours, Doug is active in his church choir and enjoys family time including camping and antiquing. He is a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan and an avid York Revolution fan.

Duty Officers


Amanda Mutterspaugh, Platoon 1 Captain
Amanda knew that she wanted to be an EMT since childhood when she was involved in a car accident. Immediately following high school, Amanda attended YTI Career Institute and obtained an Associate’s Degree which included her EMT certification. Through that program she was introduced to Lancaster EMS during clinical hours and was hired in 2006. During her employment with Lancaster EMS, Amanda has trained for and operated as a Wheelchair Van Attendant, Dispatcher, Field Training Officer, and Performance Improvement team member. Amanda obtained her Paramedic certification in 2015 through Lancaster EMS and PA College and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017. She strives to effectively communicate with and provide educational opportunities for her platoon. Outside of work, Amanda spends most of her time with her husband and three children running between soccer, softball, and football fields.

Dawn Ray, Platoon 2 Captain
Dawn joined Lancaster EMS at the organization's inception in 1996 through contracted services at East Lampeter Ambulance with the former Community Hospital of Lancaster. She started her EMS experience with the former Quarryville Ambulance in 1992 after completing a First Responder program. She immediately enrolled into an EMT program after realizing her desire to serve the community. Throughout her tenure at Lancaster EMS, Dawn has additionally been involved in scheduling, dispatching, and as a field training officer. In 2004, Dawn graduated from Reading Hospital and Medical Center's paramedic program. Dawn was promoted to Lieutenant in November 2015 and then to Captain in April 2017.

Nate Shorter, Platoon 1 Lieutenant
Nate has been in EMS since 2010. He enrolled in an EMT program in 2010 and joined Lancaster EMS as a volunteer right after graduation. He enjoyed his time volunteering so much that he decided to make EMS his career and became a full-time paid employee for Lancaster EMS. In 2014, Nate enrolled in the PA College of Health Science's paramedic program to continue expanding his skills and graduated as a paramedic in 2015. Now a paramedic with Lancaster EMS, Nate wished to continue furthering both his medical knowledge and leadership skills and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant. Besides his work as a lieutenant paramedic, Nate is also in charge of the Honor Guard, a member of the Special Operations team, a Field Training Offcer, a Preceptor, and does some teaching at the college where he learned his craft.

Kristen Bonacum, Platoon 2 Lieutenant

Robert L. Patterson III, Platoon A Captain
Robert became very passionate about EMS at an early age after watching the TV show 911, which was popular in the 1990s. The TV show influenced him to obtain his EMT certification even before graduating high school in 1999. Robert started his EMS career as a junior volunteer firefighter for the White Horse Fire Department, and was later hired by Lancaster EMS in 2001. Robert obtained his National Registry Paramedic certification in 2005, and obtained his Critical Care certification in 2008. Robert has served as Field Training Officer, Paramedic Preceptor, Instructor, Performance Improvement Lieutenant, and Platoon 2 Lieutenant throughout his tenure at Lancaster EMS. In addition to his Lancaster EMS responsibilities, he is also an AHA and ITLS instructor. Robert is very passionate about seeing employees succeed, developing a positive culture, providing a high level of care, looking through analytics to improve the EMS profession, MIEMSS trauma arrest protocol changes, and taking leadership classes while attracting new professionals to EMS.

David "DJ" Jackson, Jr., Platoon B Captain
DJ began his career in emergency services as a junior firefighter in 1997 with the Rawlinsville Fire Company, quickly became an EMT in 1998, and volunteered with Providence Ambulance. DJ held numerous fire related officer positions. DJ furthered his EMS education by becoming a Paramedic in 2003 at HACC’s Lancaster Campus. DJ continued his EMS career as a paramedic with Willow Street EMS, working primarily in Quarryville for 5 years before moving to Philadelphia and working at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. In 2012 he stepped into the world of organ transplant by working full time as a Transplant Coordinator with Gift of Life and then with Temple University Hospital. He continued that critical care career until moving back to Lancaster County and returning to Lancaster EMS in 2017 where he previously served as A Platoon’s Lieutenant. DJ was promoted to the Captain of B Platoon in March of 2024.

Vacant, Platoon A Lieutenant

Vacant, Platoon B Lieutenant

Office Staff

Lancaster EMS operates a communications center to dispatch non-emergency requests for service. These requests include wheelchair van and advanced/basic ambulance litter transports. Our communication center also assists our 911 operations with vehicle location and system status management.