Ronda Matarese – NREMT Exam Specialist/Instructor
Ronda has been an EMT-Cardiac in Rhode Island since 1990. She was a call Firefighter in East Greenwich in the early 1990’s and a Cardiac EMT for several ambulance companies. Ronda started teaching at CCRI as an adjunct instructor for the EMT program in 1990 and is still actively teaching today. When Rhode Island adapted the NREMT testing, she started tutoring students in preparation for the rigorous exam. She is proud to have a 98% pass rate for both basic and advanced students. Ronda became a valued asset to our EMS program in December 10, 2018 as the Exam Specialist Coordinator. Many EMTs in the state are in their respective careers and have saved thousands of lives because of her incredible skill in teaching others to save lives.“we are in it for the outcome – not the income…..never stop learning…”
Robert Lough – AHA/NREMT Instructor
Rob is a Retired police Captain – Commander of Internal Affairs and Special Investigations in which he served in all Divisions during his 24 years. He has received Hazardous Waste training, Weapons of Mass destruction, Emergency response to Terrorism, School Violence, and is a certified in Hostage Negotiator & Crises Intervention. He has received full training in all levels of the Incident Command System (ICS) levels I-Iv and Advanced Incident Command (FEMA). He is an A.L.I.C.E shooter violence Instructor.
He is currently an Environmental Health & Safety Manager for the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which is one of the largest landfill & recycling plants in the North East. He manages all facets of security operations while establishing & overseeing the company wide Health & Safety Training Program. He is also a region 1 instructor (adjunct) for the OSHA Institute through Keene State College.
He has received numerous certificates from the OSHA training institute in a cooperative program of the U.S. Department of Labor and Keene State College as a Certified Safety & Health Official (CSHO) in both Construction and General Industry. As a result, he is an OSHA Authorized Construction and General Industry trainer for both the 10/30 hour courses along with Maritime & Disaster site. He has further obtained a Specialist Certificate in: Construction; General Industry; Industrial Hygiene; Health Care & Emergency Planning; & Fire and Life Safety. He has also obtained two certificates for Public Sector in construction and General Industry.
He is currently an instructor and offers certification cards for: Aerial & Scissor Lift; Forklift; BLS Instructor (Health Care Provider); Heart Saver First Aid, CPR/AED for the American Heart Association, along with being and (American Safety & Health) ASHI and Red Cross instructor. He is also an ACLS Instructor and PALS Instructor. He is also an instructor for American Safety Programs & Training for Lectures & Labs. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Public Administration.
“I have a diverse, integrated background and am always interested in expanding my professional opportunities. I welcome hearing from former colleagues, managers, or just interesting folks”.
William Rehbein – AHA/NREMT/Paramedic Instructor
“Born and raised in Pasadena, MD. I received my credentialing as EMT in 1979. While there I worked in numerous volunteer departments and agencies as well as many aspects within the hospital setting. I received my Maryland CRT in 1985. I relocated to RI in 1985 and received my EMT-C in December of 1985. I also worked for Fresenus Med. Care as a member of the kidney dialysis team.
In 1995 I received my credentialing as a respiratory care practitioner from CCHS.
I have been teaching all aspects of AHA programs since 1985 (BLS-ACLS and PALS) I have been teaching for ASPA since 2007 in the capacity of a RI EMS IC. I am a volunteer at The East Greenwich Animal Protection League and the RISPCA. I’ve been a Vet. Assistant and Instructor in pet first aid and CPR since 2013″
Brian Powers – NREMT Instructor
Brian currently hold degrees in Culinary Arts & Hotel/Restaurant Management from The University of Toledo & Johnson & Wales University. He is married with 3 children. Brian has been in EMS for approximately 18 years. Brian is Certified EMT-B in RI and also a Certified Instructor for the American Heart Association. He is currently employed by Med Tech Ambulance including volunteering at Warren Rescue. Brian started teaching at American Safety in 2018.
Joesph A Tedeschi – AHA/NREMT Instructor/Allied Health Instructor
Joe was born and raised in South County, RI and resides in Charlestown. He is a single father with three boys at home and one in college. Joe started his 27 years in Public Safety in High School as a Fire Fighter for the Charlestown Fire District and First Responder for the Charlestown Ambulance and Rescue Service. He obtained his EMT license at the age of 18 and EMT Cardiac two years later, while attending college for Criminal Justice. He was employed as an Emergency Room Technician & Phlebotomist for South County Hospital before starting a twenty-year career with South Kingstown Emergency Medical Services in 1997. During that time, he also was an Assistant Harbor Master, and Tactical EMT – Cardiac for the South Kingstown Police Department SWAT/ESU team. After 9/11, through the Center for Domestic Preparedness, he became a general Instructor/Coordinator with Homeland Security and specialized in Responses to Terrorist Bombings, Active Shooters and Weapons of Mass Destruction. He went on to become certified as a Medical Director with Counter Narcotics Tactical Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS). Between 2006 and 2009 he led a security and trauma team while traveling with an international medical missionary corporation in Central America. Joe has spent over a decade teaching NREMT’s, and holds Instructor level certifications with the American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support. Joe is also certified in PHTLS, SWAT – Class I, EMT – Wilderness, Search and Rescue, Swift and Ice Water Rescue, High Ropes, Confined Space Rescue and Hazardous Materials Operational Level. He has received many commendations from the State of RI, State of New York, Charlestown, and South Kingstown Town Councils. Currently, he is working on a degree in Nursing, and most recently completed the Paramedic level. Joe’s interests after work include many outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and ultimate frisbee with his boys.
Maureen Jernigan – Assistant CNA Instructor
Maureen has been in education for 30 years. She is originally from Warwick and lived in Bristol for 30 years. She began her career teaching English as a second language to Cambodian and Hmong refugees. Ms. Jernigan then went on to teach at the elementary and middle school level within the Providence Catholic Diocese. Maureen continued to advance her career and moved to the public-school system. She taught for an additional 15 years.
Now Maureen is employed as part-time teacher and full-time Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Ms Jernigan currently works in home health care, although her experience spans both nursing home and assisted living setting as well.
Maureen joined the American Safety Programs & Training Inc. family in 2018. She is currently a member of the Allied Health Education Program as a practical skills instructor for the CNA program. She strives to provide the highest quality education to her students.
Maureen has been married over 30 years and has one daughter. Her interests include traveling and camping with the family, swimming, reading, and playing the violin.
Amanda Hovey – BSN, RN – Allied Health Instructor
Amanda joined our team as an Allied Health Program instructor. Amanda has many years of diverse patient care experience in a variety of different settings as a CNA. She has experience as a CNA in the home care setting, hospice care, and inpatient care in the hospital.
Amanda graduated from The Community College of Rhode Island with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing in 2016 and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from The University of Rhode Island. Amanda is also working on her Master of Science Degree in Nursing, studying to be a Nurse Practitioner at The University of Rhode Island. Amanda is currently working as a Critical Care Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI. Amanda is BLS, ACLS and PALS Certified.
Amanda has always had a passion for teaching and aspires to help prepare students to be able to provide quality and safe care to their patients. She is constantly learning and growing in her practice and encourages others to do the same.
Ray Mederiros – EMT Instructor
Biography coming soon.
Cyndie Horan – EMT Instructor
Biography coming soon.
Donald A Dragon Jr – EMS Instructor
“My goal as a medical educator is not to stuff your mind with an endless array of information, rather, to guide your learning so that you develop the critical thinking skills it takes to become an emergency medical practitioner.
It has been my privilege to serve in many leadership roles within the Fire and Emergency Medical Services, at both volunteer and career positions. Working as a licensed Advance Life Support Provider in fire departments, hospital emergency departments, trauma centers, the medical examiner’s office, the national disaster medical service and ski patrols have given me the experience and perspective to help you develop the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills you need to succeed.
As a licensed Emergency Medical Service Instructor-Coordinator, National Association of EMT (NAEMT) certified instructor, American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor, Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Instructor, Outdoor Emergency Care Technician Instructor, Mariner’s First Aid Instructor, and American Academy of Pediatrics PEPP Coordinator, each class endeavors me to meet the learners diverse needs of educational instruction.
Research is area each of us can contribute to, it’s effects benefit all of us and drives our profession to meet the challenges of working in the EMS environment while improving patient care. Conducting epidemiological studies in trauma, pediatrics, behavioral health, pharmacology and orthopedics at the Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center helped to establish an evidence base for improving emergency care. My work at the University of Rhode Island Human Performance Lab measured psychological stress and physical activity effects of Emergency Medical Technicians to aide in the understanding of how our job environment impacts our health.
As an educator learning occupies an important place in your life. My path has conferred upon me the degrees; Bachelor of Science; Community/Public Health Education and Bachelor of Arts; Health Psychology from Rhode Island College, certificates from the US Fire Administration, National Fire Academy, Rhode Island State Fire Academy, Community College of RI and RI Emergency Management Agency.
All this would not have been possible without a key ingredient; the compassion to care for others. If this is something you possess then allow our faculty to give you the knowledge and skills to do the rest.”
Edward Farias – EMT Instructor
Biography coming soon.
Mark Demaio – EMT Instructor
Mark DeMaio joined us in 2019. He is a Firefighter and Advanced EMT-Cardiac employed with the Providence Fire Department. He is currently assigned to Engine Company 8 out of Messer St. station and had previously been assigned to Rescue Company 1 out of Broad St. Mark joined the fire service in 2017 after transitioning from a private sector career in IT sales. Mark is deeply passionate about EMS and intends on expanding his knowledge and practicing his skills. He currently lives in Portsmouth, RI with his fiancé’ Stephanie and two dogs. In his spare time, Mark likes to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, lift weights, read, or do anything outside.