Staff Biographies

Robert English, Chief
As Chief of Peterborough County/City Emergency Medical Services, Bob English leads a very busy and fast paced emergency service encompassing the County and City of Peterborough and has had a distinguished career as a Paramedic, Assistant Manager, Director and Chief of EMS for over 33 years. He also has experience working with the OPP and FIRE Services. In 2000, Bob was the first Director of EMS in Haliburton County and was instrumental in developing a new EMS Service previously operated directly by the Province. Bob is also responsible for the County’s Emergency Management division and is certified by Emergency Management Ontario as a Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) and has been a leader in establishing emergency management programs. Bob also holds certificates in Critical Incident Stress Management and as a MOHLTC Regional Training Instructor. In 2009, Bob received the Canadian Governor General’s EMS Award for 30 years of exemplary service in recognition of his contributions to EMS.

Chris Barry, Deputy Chief
Chris Barry joined Peterborough County/City EMS in August 2011 assuming the role of Deputy Chief. A veteran of emergency services, he has over 20 years experience with Emergency Medical Services both land and air. Chris began his EMS career in 1989 in Eastern Ontario, working as a paramedic for City Ambulance Service of Quinte Ltd. in Napanee. In 2001, he was promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor. In 2003 he accepted the position of Deputy Chief of Lennox & Addington County Ambulance Services. As Deputy Chief of Peterborough County/City EMS, his main responsibility is the oversight of operations of the service and to ensure that paramedic crews deliver quality patient care to the residents of Peterborough County. Chris also has received additional training in Emergency Management and has been designated as the alternate Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) for the County of Peterborough.

Michelle Carneiro, Executive Assistant
Michelle joined Peterborough County/City EMS in February of 2008 in the role of Executive Assistant. Michelle has brought 10+ years experience in Administrative support roles in the fields of Emergency Services, Human Resources, Information Technology and Finance. 4 years of which were spent between Toronto EMS and ORNGE (Ontario Air Ambulance). Michelle has a diploma in Business Administration from Humber College and a Website Design Certificate from Sir Sanford Fleming College. She is currently working towards her Municipal Management Professional Development Certificate through Loyalist College.

Paul Mathers, Superintendent Operational Support
Paul graduated from Humber College with a Diploma in Ambulance Emergency Care and then continued on to Trent University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree. Paul started his career with EMS at City Ambulance of Belleville in 1993 and Peterborough and District Ambulance Service in 1995. Paul was later offered a position with the Peterborough Base Hospital Program as PCP Program Coordinator and Program Manager. In 2007, Paul decided to accept a position as Superintendent, Operational Support with Peterborough EMS.

Don Oettinger, Superintendent Quality Assurance and Education
Don began his career with Peterborough District Ambulance Service in 1990. In 1997, he completed the Sunnybrook Health Sciences & Toronto EMS OPALS Advanced Care Paramedic Program. As well, he obtained his ACLS instructor certification and taught for a number of private companies including teaching paramedicine part-time in classroom and clinical setting with Sir Sanford Fleming College, Durham College and the Michener Institute. In the year 2000, Don dropped to part-time status with Peterborough EMS so that he could pursue a position as Advanced Care Paramedic Program Coordinator with the Peterborough Regional Base Hospital Program. In 2007, Don resigned from his position with Base Hospital in order to accept the position of Superintendent Quality Assurance and Education.

Brian Wilkes, Superintendent Fleet
Brian has been with Peterborough EMS since 1971. He graduated from Queens University as an Emergency Medical Assistant (ALS) in 1974, after which he became a BLS Medic. Brian was promoted in 2007 to Fleet Superintendent, where he also maintains BLS status. His responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance, Accident Investigation, Complaint Investigation and Staff Supervision.

Gerry McKee, Shift Superintendent
Gerry has been serving the community as Paramedic for 30+ years. He has worked in a variety of communities such as Campbellford, Cobourg and Peterborough County. During Gerry's career as a paramedic, he became President of the Union at Peterborough EMS during the busy time of the restructuring of 2 hospitals and the Collective Agreement negotiations. Gerry attended Humber College part-time during his career for Management courses and applied and was the successful candidate for Shift Superintendent in 2001 with Peterborough EMS. Gerry also sits on the County and City Emergency Operations Centre Committees.

Phil Clark, Shift Superintendent
Phil is 1 of 2 Full-Time Shift Superintendents with Peterborough EMS and is responsible for providing support to the front line staff. Phil started with Peterborough EMS in 1993 after graduating from Centennial College in 1992. Phil was accepted into the OPALS (Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support Study) programme in 1995 and was trained by Toronto EMS as a level 3 Paramedic. Phil worked as a Paramedic unitl 1999 during which time he also worked with the Base Hospital as an Instructor and Clinical Coordinator. In 2007 Phil accepted the position of Shift Superintendent with Peterborough EMS.

Jeff Jordison, Shift Superintendent
Jeff is the newest full time member of the Peterborough EMS management group, joining the team in June 2010. Jeff is a graduate of the Loyalist College Paramedic Program and after completion of his studies was employed by Peel Region Paramedic Services. It was during his tenure with Peel that Jeff was trained as an advanced care paramedic. As well, Jeff has experience teaching for both Loyalist College and the Central East Pre-Hospital Care Program and is currently working towards his Bachelor of Health Sciences degree. Jeff started with Peterborough EMS in a part time capacity in 2004, and accepted a part time Shift Superintendent position in 2009. In his new role as full time Shift Superintendent Jeff’s primary responsibility involves supporting the front line paramedics. As a secondary responsibility Jeff assists the Superintendent of Quality Assurance, Superintendent of Fleet and Superintendent of Operational Support, respectively, as needed.

Deeno Pearsell, Part-Time Shift Superintendent
Deeno attended Sir Sanford Fleming College for General Business courses and later attended and graduated from Centennial College’s Ambulance and Emergency Medical Care Program. Deeno started his career Full Time as an Ambulance Attendant with Bobcaygeon. In 1993, he left Bobcaygeon for a full time opportunity with Haliburton County EMS (formerly Orillia) as a Paramedic. In 2001, he joined Peterborough EMS as a Part time Paramedic. In conjunction with his Paramedic career Deeno has also worked as an in-service Instructor, a Regional Instructor and is also a certified Oxygen and Suction Equipment Inspector. In 2009, Deeno decided to leave his Paramedic position at Peterborough EMS and accepted the position of Part time Shift Superintendent.

Kent Toivonen, Part-Time Shift Superintendent
Kent attended Ontario Police College in Aylmer Ontario and worked as a Toronto Police Constable for 6 Years. In 1977, Kent obtained his EMCA (Emergency Medical Care Assistant) Certificate from MOHLTC after attending Sir Sandford Fleming College for the Emergency Medical Care Program. In 1977, Kent accepted a position with Peterborough EMS as a Paramedic. He was a Chief Stewart for the Union for over 10 years. In 2000, Kent assisted in the negotiation of the first contract between the County of Peterborough and Peterborough EMS’s Union 4911. He also was involved with negotiating the 3 following contracts. In 2009, Kent left his position as a Paramedic and accepted the position of Part Time Shift Superintendent.

Brad Robinson, Part-Time Shift Superintendent
After leaving a career with the military, Brad joined Haliburton County EMS in 1988 where he currently works as a full time paramedic. He graduated from Loyalist College Paramedic Program. Brad also worked as a part-time paramedic in other EMS services in the City of Kawartha Lakes until accepting a part-time position with Peterborough EMS in September 2011. Brad has also worked as an in-service training instructor, MOH Regional Training Instructor and participates in PAD and mass CPR training events. He has also worked with the Fire Services and currently volunteers with the OPP.

Trevor Mackey, Part-Time Shift Superintendent
After graduating from the Loyalist College Paramedic Program, Trevor joined Lakeshore Ambulance Service in 2003, which was taken over by Northumberland County in late 2003. He worked as a Primary Care Paramedic until 2011 when he accepted a full-time position as a Shift Superintendent. Trevor also worked at Hastings County EMS for 6yrs, until accepting a part-time position with Peterborough EMS in September 2011. He has been with the fire service since 1995 and he is currently a volunteer fire-fighter He also spent 5 years with Northumberland County OPP as an auxiliary constable.

Sandy Welsh, Emergency Management Superintendent
Sandy is the 9-1-1/Emergency Superintendent and the Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the County of Peterborough. Sandy has worked closely with the lower tier Municipalities within the County as well as the City of Peterborough in order to develop coordinated emergency plans at all levels of government. Sandy has been employed by the County of Peterborough since 1990 with various responsibilities including the implementation and ongoing supervision of the County 9-1-1 Personal Emergency Reporting System. Sandy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Trent University and has attended numerous Emergency Management courses offered at the Provincial and Federal levels.