Rural & Ready
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Presenters
Jeff Kimble - East Palestine Train Derailment
Jeff Kimble is a Section Supervisor for the Superfund and Emergency Management Division, Emergency Response Branch of EPA Region 5. Jeff supervises the On-Scene Coordinators for EPA in Michigan. Prior to becoming a Section Supervisor, Jeff spent 22 years as an On-Scene Coordinator for EPA Region 5 stationed in lower Michigan. Prior to joining EPA, Jeff spent 9 years in the private sector for a short time as a hazmat cleanup technician and subsequently as an environmental consultant. Throughout his career, Jeff has conducted environmental emergency response and cleanup work on numerous sites ranging from small local spills to National Disasters. Examples of large scale deployments Jeff worked on include: the Anthrax response in Washington DC, Hurricane Katrina, the Columbia Shuttle Disaster, Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the 2010 Enbridge Pipeline Spill in Marshal, Michigan and most recently the East Palestine Train Derailment.
Betsy Huggett - Victim Services Unit: Chippewa County's Frontline Support
Betsy Huggett is the executive director for Diane Peppler Resource Center, Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, a role she's held since September 2014. In 2021, Ms. Huggett joined the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office Victim Service Unit as their coordinator and since 2024 has served as the Michigan Sheriff’s Association VSU Coordinator for the state of Michigan. Ms. Huggett is a veteran of the United States Air Force where received the Air Force Commendation Medal as well as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Ms. Huggett received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor University in Family Life Education. Ms. Huggett was the recipient of the 2017 Civilian Commendation Award by the Sault Sainte Marie Police Department for her work with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She was also the 2023 Advocate of the Year from the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office.
Austin Conway - Resilience in the Storm: MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena's Response to the Northern MI Ice Storm
Austin Conway serves as the System Emergency Management Supervisor for MyMichigan Health, where he oversees emergency management activities across 13 hospitals throughout the State of Michigan. He is a Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) through the Michigan State Police and brings over 13 years of experience in public safety, including emergency management, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services, fire service and law enforcement. In addition to his role with MyMichigan Health, Austin serves as the Fire Chief for the Dafter Township Fire Department, and as a Deputy Sheriff with the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department. Austin is licensed and nationally certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and holds additional certifications as an NFPA-certified Hazardous Materials Technician, Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I & II, and Fire Instructor I. He is also a Certified Law Enforcement Background Investigator and a FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT) Instructor. Austin earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Eastern Michigan University and an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
Nick Harrison - Resilience in the Storm: MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena's Response to the Northern MI Ice Storm
Nick Harrison serves as the System EMS Operations and Medical Control Supervisor for MyMichigan Health, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience in Fire and EMS services. He holds certifications as a Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I, II, & III, Paramedic, Fire Instructor I, EMS Instructor/Coordinator, and Medicolegal Death Investigator. Nick is also a Nationally Registered Diplomat Medicolegal Death Investigator with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Nick earned a bachelor’s degree in EMS Administration from Columbia Southern University and an associate degree in Paramedicine from Northwestern Michigan College. He is passionate about advancing public safety through education, leadership development, and operational excellence.
Cristen Pedersen - Resilience in the Storm: MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena's Response to the Northern MI Ice Storm
Cristen Pedersen is the Health System's Supervisor of Safety and Emergency Management for MyMichigan Health. She supports multiple hospitals and clinics with emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and Environment of Care safety. Cristen leads disaster exercises, manages Joint Commission readiness, and works closely with clinical and operational teams to enhance safety across rural healthcare settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Michigan State University.
Kim Elkie - Resilience in the Storm: MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena's Response to the Northern MI Ice Storm
Kim Elkie is the Director of Alpena County Central Dispatch, overseeing operations of the county’s emergency dispatch center for law enforcement, fire and EMS services. She also serves as the Alpena County Emergency Manager and coordinates emergency planning efforts with local, state and federal entities. Kim is experienced in disaster cost recovery and is coordinating the county’s ice storm financial reimbursement efforts via FEMA as well as local, state and other federal emergency funding opportunities. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Northwood University and an associate’s degree in Business Management.
Thomas Matzke - SARA Title III Chemical Facility Emergency Planning 101 for Everyone
Thomas Matzke is a dedicated Emergency Management Professional with a career spanning over 26 years in both military and civilian roles. His expertise encompasses emergency management, homeland security, and business continuity, making him a seasoned crisis response and preparedness leader. Mr. Matzke currently serves as the SARA Title III Planner for the Michigan State Police. Prior to his work with MSP, Thomas held roles in county and medical facility emergency management as well as a distinguished 23 year career in the United States Air Force. Mr. Matzke holds a B.S. from American Military University and Master’s degrees in Homeland Security, and Emergency Management from American Public University.
Sgt. Michael Darrow - Drone Detection & Mitigation
Sergeant Michael Darrow has served with the Michigan State Police for 25 years, with a specialization in aviation. Sergeant Darrow has a total of 39 years of law enforcement experience, having also spent time with the South Carolina Highway Patrol and U.S. Army Military Police. He has extensive experience as an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot and has received specialized training in drone detection. Sergeant Darrow has experience working with drone detection details for Presidential and Vice-Presidential visits, NCCA Sporting Events, Large Scale Concerts, Airshows, Parades and other Local Festivals. Sergeant Darrow is committed to building strong community relationships and promoting public safety.
Bryce Tracy - Interoperable Communications & PACE Planning
A lifelong resident of the Straits of Mackinac area, Bryce Tracy brings over 33 years of emergency response experience and more than two decades of dedicated service to Mackinac County. He currently serves as the Director of 911 & Emergency Management, overseeing critical public safety coordination across the region. Bryce is a federally and state-certified instructor and serves as Chair of the Michigan Public Safety Interoperable Communications Board. He remains highly engaged at the local, state, and federal levels, contributing to numerous workgroups and advisory bodies focused on 911 operations, emergency management, fire services, and interoperable communications.
US Coast Guard - USCG Capabilities and Emerging Technologies for Pollution Detection and Search & Rescue.
Rural & Ready planning is a collaborative effort between MyMichigan Medical Center Sault; Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community; Chippewa County Emergency Management; US Coast Guard; US Customs and Border Protection; Chippewa County Health Department; Sault Ste Marie Fire Department, and the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition