PERSONNEL

Matt House

Operations Manager, Critical Care Paramedic

I have been with Western Lane Ambulance District for 19 years, starting as a part-time employee to recently being promoted to Operations Manager. Having been in every facet of the District has given me a great perspective of past, current and into the future for Western Lane Ambulance District. Most importantly, I have the pleasure of sharing life with Melissa, my lovely wife. For the past 17 years she has stood by my side and encouraged my professional growth and has been my biggest supporter.

Matt Danigelis, MD

Medical Director of Western Lane Ambulance District from PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Hospital

I have been an emergency physician in Florence since 2003. Working in the emergency department, I have had numerous opportunities to observe the EMTs and paramedics of Western Lane Ambulance District. These providers have consistently demonstrated competence, efficiency, and a caring empathetic approach. These qualities have been very effective in alleviating much of the anxiety and concerns that patients under their care often have.

In 2008, I became the medical director of WLAD. In this role, I have witnessed the dedication of the ambulance crew, whether in maintaining quality assurance/quality improvement measures, community education, or in pursuing a higher lever of training. Florence has a large retirement community and, as such, its residents often have a medical complexity that belies the small size of the town. Many of the patients served by the district are critically ill and will eventually require transfer to a facility with more specialty services. Several of the paramedics at WLAD have become critical care certified. This certification requires intensive training in the evaluation and treatment of the most seriously ill patients. Having paramedics with these skills has been invaluable in best serving the needs of the district.

Western Lane Ambulance District has a knowledgeable, committed, and compassionate group of EMTs and paramedics. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as their medical director. Matt Danigelis, MD

David A Rossi

Paramedic, Supervisor

I started part time with WLAD in March 1984 as an EMT I. I became an EMT 2, and in March of 1988, became a full time medic for WLAD. In the early 1990’s, I went to school and became an EMT 3 to Paramedic. I have been a Paramedic for over 20 years. While I am married to a wonderful wife for 38 years, we have been together for 43 years; and have 3 kids and 7 grandkids.

Darrek Mullins

Critical Care Paramedic, CCP-C, Supervisor, IAFF 851 WLA Employee Representative

I have been happily married 23 years to my wife Therese, we have two daughters Gyllian 14 and Genevieve 17. In my free time, I teach and have taught, the paramedic labs at Lane Community College for the past 15 years. Also, I am actively involved with South Willamette Honor Flight as a volunteer which takes war time veterans to Washington DC, to visit their memorials and monuments. I will be going on my 7th and 8th trips in May and October this year. Please check out this very worth program www.swvhonorflight.com. Last year, I started volunteering for a drum and bugle corps, The Blue Devils from Concord California. This is a world class organization I marched with in my youth, and now I am a part of their Health and Wellness team. I provide CPR and first aid training for their staff, and touring with them in the summer as a medic for the 150 young adult members and staff. I feel so blessed to have found a career I love, in a town that appreciates and supports quality Emergency Medicine. Honestly, I don’t know if the community realizes the quality of service they have and support. You all should be extremely proud of your Emergency Medical Services.

Ron Pearson

Critical Care Paramedic, Supervisor

My name is Ron. I started my career with Florence Fire Dept in 1984 as a volunteer and over the years worked my way through the medical field to become a paramedic for WLAD and an Emergency Department Tech at PHH. Happily married to my wife Kim with 2 grown children and grandchildren. I enjoy being with my family, in the outdoors, biking, scuba diving all kinds of fishing both salt and fresh water, and hunting.

Albert Kreitz

Paramedic- Public Information Officer

I was born in Germany, raised in Michigan then moved to Oregon after graduating from Northern Michigan University. I earned a masters from NLU, and I worked in Social Services for 5 years before becoming a paramedic. I have 3 children and one grandson, I enjoy a variety of sports, hobbies, church and volunteer activities including working as a boxing coach.

Glenn Pruett

EMT Intermediate

I like to spend time with grandkids and ride Harleys with my wife.

Charlie York

Critical Care Paramedic, FP-C

I live in the Florence area with my beautiful wife and two children. We have lived here since 2008. As a family, we enjoy spending time together whether it’s watching movies or spending time outdoors, kayaking, swimming, fishing, or whatever we can to stay active. I have been a Paramedic since 1997 and Critical Care Trained Paramedic for 13 years.

Danielle Hanson

Critical Care Paramedic, Public Education Officer

I am a Siuslaw High School alumni. I Graduated from Chemeketa Community College for my Paramedic license. In my free time I enjoy spending it with my family; husband Robert, children Ryan, Hailey, Logan, and Lila. I am also the JV coach for Siuslaw Softball Team.

David S Haberman

EMT Intermediate, Safety Officer

I became a board member at Mapleton Fire Department in 2002 and then a volunteer EMT/Firefighter in 2005. I was hired part-time with WLAD in 2006 and then upgraded to full time in 2008. I am currently an Assistant Chief for the Mapleton Fire Department. I love volunteering in our communities and other cities to help with many varied needs and social programs.

Aaron Stefanek

Critical Care Paramedic, CCP-C

I’m a father to an amazing boy and married to an incredible woman. It has been a great experience and honor serving WLAD for the past 6 years and I look forward to many more years of service.

Zach Werner

Critical Care Paramedic, FP-C

I volunteer with Mapleton Fire Department where I handle EMS training. Recently I have been given the opportunity to provide QRT training to the Mapleton Fire Department and the Swisshome/Deadwood Fire Departments. I am married to a wonderful and hard working woman who is a Teacher at the local Elementary School. I enjoy snowboarding, fishing and golfing.

Rob Chance

Training Officer, Critical Care Paramedic, FP-C

I am happily married to someone also in the medical field. We have two young boys and look forward to raising them in our community. I believe that I have the best profession in the world, and I enjoy helping and serving those in need.

Ali Gharib

Critical Care Paramedic, FP-C

I am originally from Eugene. I love my profession, and being able to make a positive impact in our community. I love outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and camping.

Ben Taylor

Paramedic

I am an avid reader and have a plethora of hobbies that vary from racing sailboats to cooking to snowboarding. I particularly love travelling the world, whether on a motorcycle or out of a small backpack.

Doug Unrein

Paramedic

I am a new Paramedic at WLAD. I worked in manufacturing for 15 years before going back to school in 2013. I am married with two children, a 15 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking camping, and baseball.

Tom Kozlowski

Paramedic

Tom Kozlowski has worked in Fire/EMS since 2012 when he started as a volunteer firefighter with Lane Fire Authority. He has also served Oregon as a soldier in the Oregon Army National Guard, where he has a combined 12 years of experience, most recently as a Combat Medic with 1/82 Cavalry Squadron. Tom was hired with Western Lane Ambulance in January as a part-time Paramedic. At the beginning of May, Tom was brought on full time on B shift. He looks forward to serving the community, and growing professionally as a paramedic.

George Lydick

EMT Intermediate, CPR First Aid Class Coordinator: Retired, Part time

I grew up in Swisshome and went to school in Mapleton.  I spent three years in the Army, got married to a wonderful wife, we have an adult son and daughter, and now have a grandson and granddaughter. I have been with the Mapleton Fire Dept for 30 years and worked in Timber Industry most of my life.

Elizabeth "Liz" Bush-Iabichello

EMT Intermediate, Part time

I enjoy being an EMT-I and being available to come in and help out when needed. This is such a great place to live, work and volunteer in.

Kyle Orozco

EMT, Part time

I have been with Western Lane Ambulance a little over a year now and it is a great organization to work for. Aside from my time at the ambulance, I’m also a Firefighter/EMT with Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue and in the summer time I’m a Wildland Firefighter with North Pacific Forestry. I’m very passionate about being involved in public service. When I’m away from work I enjoy the outdoors, I’m an avid football fan, and I enjoy spending time at home with my girlfriend Jordan.

Chadd Ficcadenti

EMT, Part time

Father of three, soon to be four. Wildland firefighter with North Pacific Forestry about to start my fourth season. Firefighter with Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue for three years. I enjoy riding my motorcycle, kayaking, Mt. Biking, and playing music. I am a part time student at L.C.C. actively pursuing my paramedic degree.