James True
Buckingham,VA
Summary
Emergency services professional with extensive experience in crisis management and emergency response. Proven ability to lead teams toward achieving operational goals while adapting to changing conditions. Valued for strong decision-making skills and collaborative approach to team dynamics.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Director of Emergency Services
Fluvanna County Department of Emergency Services
04.2023 - 04.2025
- Leads and manage the delivery of comprehensive emergency rescue, emergency medical services, emergency management, emergency planning, and other related public safety services throughout the county under the Fluvanna County Coordinated Fire and Rescue System. Serves as the principal county liaison to the Fire and Rescue Association (FRA). In conjunction with other volunteer agencies within the Fire and Rescue Association, collaborates and assists in the provision of fire and emergency medical services. Provide visionary leadership, fostering a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and accountability in public safety initiatives, supporting delivery of timely emergency response throughout Fluvanna County. Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with County policies, procedures and applicable laws including: interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; plans for the staffing needs for the department. Manages the development of the annual operating budget for the department; analyze budgets; meets with the finance department for the purpose of reviewing the budget, and meets with the County Administrator to present budget recommendations for the department. Responsible for the presentation of the fiscal year budget to the county Board of Supervisors Establish and maintain effective working relationships with county officials, emergency services partners, the community, adjoining jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, and private partners. Performs a wide range of administrative, managerial, and supervisory duties to ensure the highest quality, and most efficient and effective emergency/fire operations. Ensures coordinated, effective and efficient emergency services for the citizens of the county by coordinating the work of the volunteer fire companies and the volunteer rescue squads in collaboration with the volunteer chiefs. Oversees the Emergency Management Division to achieve an integrated and effective fire, natural disaster, hazardous materials, and EMS system within the County. Act as the Emergency Management Coordinator, as needed. Responds to emergency incidents; provides incident command leadership and management, as needed; ensures safe work practices are followed. Plans and reviews specifications for new or replacement equipment; oversees fleet replacement guidelines in collaboration with the FRA and the concerned volunteer fire/rescue chief.
Paramedic/QM Committee Chair
Buckingham County Department of EMS
09.2021 - 09.2024
- Primary responsibilities included emergency care of sick and injured individuals within Buckingham County. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the sick and injured to the appropriate facility. Served as a preceptor to orient new employees to the systems and help with the instruction of employees that needed further education regarding system protocol and regulations. Acted as the QM committee chair to implement and develop the committee. Worked with billing and ESO companies to maintain high level of reimbursement while streamlining the documentation process to reduce provider documentation issues. Implemented Handtevy to assist crews with patient care and documentation. Assist with training committee, provide training when requested but committee chair. RSI committee member to develop and eventually implement the skill. Member of the guideline develop committee to improve the care provided by the providers in Buckingham County.
- Part-time
EMS Liaison/Education Coordinator
University of Virginia Medical Center Prehospital
09.2016 - 03.2023
- Manage Clinical and Lab instructors to maintain a functional schedule for students. Plan upcoming class schedules both didactic and clinical based. Maintain equipment needs and upgrades to keep current simulation equipment available for usage. Instruct classroom, lab and hybrid sections for students in emergency medical classes. Create and maintain instructional syllabi. Maintain online instruction resources for clinical experience as well as educational records regarding grading. Create and administer in class and online quizzes and exams as well as other needed course material. Review, interrupt data and make needed changes to EMS program to meet needs of local EMS providers. Attend and input at local EMS regulatory committees for the improvement of guidelines and patient outcomes. Attend and input at state EMS committees to plan and improve teaching elements of prehospital education. Meet and discuss needed changes to current educational opportunities within the University of Virginia. Provide feedback to UVA emergency department to improve customer service within UVA from the prospective of the EMS community. Work with STEMI, Stroke and Trauma service to improve prehospital care of patients. Work in conjunction with the UVA Prehospital program director to evaluate the current course materials. Maintain current student records regarding eligible to enter class and test. Review and update program policies and manuals to maintain high continuity with educational programs. Coordinate with EMS agency personal regarding infections control exposures as the prehospital designated infection control officer.
Clinical Coordinator-Associate Instructor
Piedmont Virginia Community College
05.2012 - 12.2016
- Instruct all first-year students in lab and lecture. Maintain current EMS curriculum for basic to intermediate classes. Update and maintain class syllabus. Point of contact for hospital and field sites to meet student clinical experience requires for graduation. Work with clinical sites to maintain and improve student experiences. Schedule students in both field and hospital settings to provide requirements for both graduation and experience to be successful. Maintain and grow the contracts for current and future sites needed for successful completion of the EMS degree and continued growth of the EMS program. Work in conjunction with the EMS program director to evaluate the current course materials. Maintain office hours of 10 hours a week as to be available for students before and after class. Maintain current records of students in the clinical setting to assist them with direction for successful completion of the program. Prepare and distribute to students the clinical and field handbooks. Maintain and make needed changes to the clinical handbook as needed to maintain integrity and currency of the program and goals. Be available to students both during and after hours to assist in direction of personal and professional needs. Provide oversight of all clinical operations including supervision of clinical instructors.
Flight Paramedic
University of Virginia Medical Center Pegasus
03.2010 - 09.2016
- Work as a member of a nurse, paramedic flight team. Respond to local EMS and hospitals to transport trauma and medical critical and sick injured patients to UVA Medical Center and the local Level One Trauma center. Maintain educational portfolio to maintain and improve certifications and expand knowledge. Oversee the flight observer program within the organization. Maintain narcotic and medications in conjunction with the hospital pharmacy. Member of the hiring committee.
Critical Care Paramedic Airlink
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2007 - 03.2010
- Interact as member of a flight team responding to local EMS and hospital requests to transport trauma and critical patients to the local trauma center. Work in collaboration with RN’s to provide or initiate critical care of medical and trauma patients. Assess the patient, plan for care during transport and maintain a critical care continuum of care from referring to receiving facility. Severed as a charge person with in the department in the absence of an on-duty shift supervisor to facilitate and coordinate transports. Maintain communication with a variety of departments within the network instilling a productive and good working environment. Promote a team environment by assisting co-workers in seeking educational opportunities. Serve as a member of the BBI team working to promote further teamwork within the department by assisting with the hiring process. Serve as a member of the scheduling team working towards a self-schedule that not only benefits the department’s needs but also those of the individual. Maintain the high level of education to continue to benefit the patient with up to date treatments and information.
Critical Care Paramedic Vitalink
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2006 - 03.2010
- Work in collaboration with other members of the ground critical care transport team both RN’s and EMT’s to assess the patient, plan for care during transport and maintain a critical care continuum of care from referring to receiving facility. Severing as a charge person with in the department in the absence of an on-duty shift supervisor. Maintain communication with a variety of departments within the network instilling a productive and good working environment. Promote a team environment by assisting co-workers in seeking educational opportunities. Work as a member of the BBI team working to promote further teamwork within the department by assisting with the hiring process. Serve as a member of the scheduling team working towards a self-schedule that not only benefits the department’s needs but also those of the individual. Maintains the high level of education to continue to benefit the patient with up to date treatments and information.
Lead Instructor, Certified Level 1 Emergency Medical Instructor
James Sprunt Community College
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Responsibilities include initial and continuing education traditional classroom courses in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), including, but not limited to Medical Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT- Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Over sight of eight other EMS instructors with development on their course syllabi and scheduling. Facilitate payroll and pay schedules for other instructors. Work closely with program coordinator to recertify the educational plan with the state of North Carolina. Develop class outlines and establish guidelines for various courses; prepare lesson plans and supplemental teaching materials; schedule classroom activities. Act as an advisor and counselor to students; provide individual tutoring to students outside of the classroom as needed; participate in student recruitment efforts
Field Operations Paramedic/Preceptor
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Utilizes all aspects of the primary and secondary survey to manage a developmentally appropriate plan of care for each patient. Completes the assessments of the patient and documents appropriately into the record. Effectively and appropriately delegates specific patient care duties to assure optimal patient outcomes. Facilitates patient / family teaching as appropriate. Also facilitates the care of the patient based on physiological, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient. Demonstrates positive interpersonal relations in dealing with all members of the team. Maintains and promotes customer satisfaction and departmental image. Operates and maintains vehicle in a safe and efficient manner, obeying all traffic laws. Demonstrates a daily commitment to the values of the department and the Medical Center. Served as a preceptor to orient new employees to the systems and help with the instruction of employees that needed further education regarding system protocol and regulations. Preceptor to students from the local community college of all levels to help finish their educational experience. Annual call volume of 25,000 calls per year
Interim Program Coordinator
Cape Fear Community, College
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Primary responsibilities include developing courses; teaching credit and non-credit traditional courses; developing course syllabi and instructional materials; maintaining instructional records; recruiting, advising and retaining students; assisting in the evaluation of courses and programs; participating in College activities and committees; maintaining contacts with public safety organizations for the purpose of keeping instructional programs current with advances in the occupational or academic field; and other duties which support the mission and initiatives of the College. Train new instructors in classroom or laboratory instruction methods, techniques, and in assembling and using equipment
Certified Level 1 Emergency Medical Instructor
Cape Fear Community College
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Responsibilities include initial and continuing education traditional classroom courses in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), including, but not limited to Medical Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT- Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Develop class outlines and establish guidelines for various courses; prepare lesson plans and supplemental teaching materials; schedule classroom activities. Act as an advisor and counselor to students; provide individual tutoring to students outside of the classroom as needed; participate in student recruitment efforts
Certified Quality Assurance Manager
Community Emergency Service Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Primary responsibilities include reviewing call reports and identifying problems with patient care or protocol issues. Coordinating with the Training officer to update protocols and reinforce or reeducate individuals in need of same. Working with the Department manager in regards to needed discipline actions and recommended follow up of actions. Emergency and non-emergency care of the sick and injured. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the community to the appropriate medical facility. Education of the community regarding medical situations. Daily duties as needed within the department to include ambulance checks and station eminence.
Field Operations Paramedic/Preceptor/Logistic Officer
First Health of the Carolinas
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Primary responsibilities included emergency and non-emergency care of sick and injured individuals within Chatham County. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the sick and injured to the appropriate facility. Critical Care transport of individuals from Chatham Hospital to specialized care centers for continuation of a higher level of care. Served as a preceptor to orient new employees to the systems and help with the instruction of employees that needed further education regarding system protocol and regulations. Logistic officer handling five EMS stations and forty ambulances non-disposable supplies for the network. Involved with the setup of new locations that were acquired by the network, including the setup of stations within the county and making sure ambulances are stocked to state regulations and other needed supplies are available until other arraignments can be made.
Field Operations Paramedic
Hampton Emergency Medical Service
01.1995 - 01.1995
- Primary responsibilities included emergency and non-emergency care of sick and injured individuals within Hampton Township. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the sick and injured to the appropriate facility. Non-emergency transport of individuals via ambulance or wheelchairs van to and from local facilities and residences for medical needs. Daily duties as assigned by the on duty supervisor including station maintenance and vehicle checks and maintenance.
Emergency Medical Service Supervisor
Richland Emergency Medical Service
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Primary responsibilities included emergency and non-emergency care of sick and injured individuals within Richland Township. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the sick and injured to the appropriate facility. Building of the non-emergency transport system to transport individuals via ambulance or wheelchairs van to and from local facilities and residences for medical needs. Supervising of paid and volunteer staff within the system. Interaction with the board and director for improvements and budgetary needs to improve and maintain the system. Assigning daily duties to maintain the station, two ambulances and a wheelchair van. Scheduling of personnel to assure needed coverage for the community. Interaction with local facilities to acquire a good working relationship. On call duty should a need arise for further staffing or a large incident take place. Interaction with other local emergency medical systems to acquire mutual aid agreements for coverage of over taxed systems assuring coverage to ours and their communities.
Emergency Medical Service Supervisor
MEDAC Emergency Service
01.1991 - 01.1994
- Primary responsibilities included emergency and non-emergency care of sick and injured individuals. Emergency and non-emergency transport of the sick and injured to the appropriate facility. Supervision of paid staff and volunteer staff within the system. Interaction with the director for improvements and budgetary needs to improve and maintain the system. Assigning daily duties to maintain the station, five ambulances and two wheelchair van. Scheduling of personnel to assure needed coverage for the community. Interaction with local facilities to acquire a good working relationship.
Education
Associate of Science - Professional Healthcare Management
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VAEmergency Medical Service Degree - AAS
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA01.2014
Critical Care Transport Paramedic - undefined
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD01.1998
Paramedic Certification - undefined
Community College Allegheny College
Pittsburgh, PA01.1995
Paramedic Curriculum - undefined
New Hampshire Technical College
Concord, NH01.1992
Emergency Medical Technician - undefined
Southern Maine Technical Institute
Portland, ME01.1987
Skills
Operational efficiency
Emergency preparedness
Public safety
Crisis management
Certification
ACLS, BCLS, PALS, NREMT-P, CEI NC, CCEMT-P, ATLS Audit, NRP, FPC, ASLS, Hazmat First Responder Awareness, ITLS, STABLE, Virginia Paramedic Certification, ICS 100,200,700,800
Timeline
Director of Emergency Services
Fluvanna County Department of Emergency Services
04.2023 - 04.2025
Paramedic/QM Committee Chair
Buckingham County Department of EMS
09.2021 - 09.2024
EMS Liaison/Education Coordinator
University of Virginia Medical Center Prehospital
09.2016 - 03.2023
Clinical Coordinator-Associate Instructor
Piedmont Virginia Community College
05.2012 - 12.2016
Flight Paramedic
University of Virginia Medical Center Pegasus
03.2010 - 09.2016
Critical Care Paramedic Airlink
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2007 - 03.2010
Lead Instructor, Certified Level 1 Emergency Medical Instructor
James Sprunt Community College
01.2007 - 01.2008
Critical Care Paramedic Vitalink
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2006 - 03.2010
Interim Program Coordinator
Cape Fear Community, College
01.2004 - 01.2005
Certified Level 1 Emergency Medical Instructor
Cape Fear Community College
01.2001 - 01.2005
Field Operations Paramedic/Preceptor
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
01.2000 - 01.2006
Certified Quality Assurance Manager
Community Emergency Service Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000
Field Operations Paramedic/Preceptor/Logistic Officer
First Health of the Carolinas
01.1995 - 01.1999
Field Operations Paramedic
Hampton Emergency Medical Service
01.1995 - 01.1995
Emergency Medical Service Supervisor
Richland Emergency Medical Service
01.1994 - 01.1995
Emergency Medical Service Supervisor
MEDAC Emergency Service
01.1991 - 01.1994
Emergency Medical Service Degree - AAS
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Critical Care Transport Paramedic - undefined
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Paramedic Certification - undefined
Community College Allegheny College
Paramedic Curriculum - undefined
New Hampshire Technical College
Emergency Medical Technician - undefined
Southern Maine Technical Institute
Associate of Science - Professional Healthcare Management
University of Virginia
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