Tom’s nearly 50-year career in EMS and public safety has been defined by his advocacy for EMS providers, dedication to quality care, and a commonsense approach. His unique journey reflects his unwavering commitment to improving EMS.
At 16, Tom joined the Hempfield Township Volunteer Fire Department. By 18, he had earned his Pennsylvania and National Registry EMT certifications and began working at Meadville Area Ambulance.
Service while attending college. With limited Paramedic training options in rural Pennsylvania, he moved to Louisiana to join Acadian Ambulance Service, completing his Paramedic program in 1982. He gained extensive experience in patient care, worked as a Flight Paramedic with the AirMed helicopter and fixed-wing program, and later became an Education Coordinator, training future EMS professionals.
While at Acadian, Tom earned an MBA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He then became Administrator of a small rural hospital under a management agreement with a larger Medical Center. After three years, he became Assistant Administrator at Henry County (TN) Medical Center, which also operated the county’s EMS service.
Tom later returned to Louisiana for law school at LSU, completing his final year at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, he worked as a corporate and healthcare attorney representing EMS clients while continuing to volunteer as a Paramedic and EMS instructor.
He eventually combined his legal and EMS expertise as Executive Director and General Counsel for the Emergency Medical Service Institute, Pennsylvania’s largest Regional EMS Council. He led its merger with a neighboring council, creating EMS West, which now oversees 16 counties, 12,000 square miles, 10,000 EMS providers, and 300 licensed agencies.
During his 21-year tenure, EMS West prioritized provider safety and quality care, implementing windshield cameras for ambulances, LED warning lights for roadside providers, portable CO detectors, CPAP devices, and a fully interactive driving simulation trailer.
Tom played a key role in disaster response, including leading EMS West responders in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Their success led to continued deployments at major disasters and events, culminating in EMS support for the Pope’s 2015 visit to Philadelphia.
In 2016, Tom had the honor of presenting American flags to families of fallen EMS providers at the National EMS Memorial Service in Arlington, Virginia, recognizing their sacrifices.
Though he has traveled widely, Tom remains deeply connected to Western Pennsylvania, where he has worked to strengthen EMS at every level. As he prepares to retire in 2025, his leadership and impact will be greatly missed.
J.R. has more than 49 years of experience as an EMS provider, administrator, and firefighter, beginning in 1976. During his career, Mr. Henry has become well known as an expert in the areas of ambulance service operations, management, and reimbursement related issues.
J.R. founded the consulting firm in 1982 and has provided consulting services and seminars to hundreds of EMS and Fire Department organizations, hospitals, and municipalities, across the nation.
Starting in 1979, J.R. served as the Executive Director of the Ross/West View Emergency Medical Services Authority for 20 years. From May 2002 through July 2004, J.R. was the Managing Consultant for PWW Consulting Inc., located in Mechanicsburg, PA.
J.R. recently retired from his position as the Chief of Valley Ambulance Authority, after serving in that position since 2006.
In addition to his administrative and consulting activities, Mr. Henry was a Paramedic and Vehicle Rescue Technician until his retirement in June 2024. J.R. is also a life member of the West View Volunteer Fire Department. He also holds membership in numerous local, state, and national EMS organizations. J.R. served as the President of the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council from 2005 to 2012.
J.R. Henry also currently serves as Mayor of the Borough of West View.
Prior to his appointment as Mayor in 2006, J.R. served as an elected member of the Borough Council since 1988. J.R. also currently serves as
the Vice Chairperson of the West View Water Authority.
Robert ("Bob") Farrow was just 15 when he was introduced to Unity Fire Department through an explorer scout program and found his passion. He became a Unity Jr. Firefighter spending time at the firehouse, working, learning, doing fundraisers, and came to realize service before self was his future.
Bob continued serving the residents of Plum Boro fighting fires until 1973, when the first ambulances arrived in Plum Borough. His vision of a life of service had renewed focus. He trained as an EMT at the Fire station, then, through a program at Columbia Hospital, he became a Paramedic.
Bob joined the inaugural class of Pittsburgh Paramedics in 1975 and moved through the ranks of every position in the agency - as Paramedic, Crew Chief, Field Supervisor, Rescue Division Chief, Deputy Chief, and retired in 2018 as Chief of the City of Pittsburgh EMS. As Chief, Bob managed a multimillion-dollar budget and lead a force of 170 paramedics, 18 ambulances, 2 rescue trucks and 2 river rescue boats. Bob was successful in restarting the EMT program and became one of the first places in the state to implement the Narcan drug leave-behind program initiated by Gov. Wolf, saving many lives.
Beyond his duties to the residents of Pittsburgh, Bob was a leader representing the city locally, regionally, statewide and nationally. Bob was appointed as a team leader for the PA USAR Strike team which handled building collapses after the 911 tragedy. He focused on emergency planning, hazardous material responses, and was a leader on the G-20 planning team when Pittsburgh was host under President Obama. He served as the City’s Hazardous Material Team Chief for many years. Bob was also awarded Distinguished Alumni at his Alma Mater, Plum High School in 2019.
Bob is enjoying retirement with his wife, Renee, three children, Rob, Rachel (Andy) and Ryan (LingLing), and his three grandchildren Jack 6, Ellie 5, and Ezra 3 with a little girl arriving in June.
Bruno J. ("B.J.") Pino began his EMS career with Citizens’ Ambulance Service in Indiana County in 1976, becoming an EMT in 1977 and a full-time employee in 1978. Under the guidance of Dr. James Garrettson and Dr. Ronald Stewart, he was certified as a Paramedic-I in 1978 and Paramedic-II in 1980. He quickly rose to a supervisory role under EMS pioneer Jerry Esposito.
The 1980s were a transformative time for EMS in Western PA, and B.J. was deeply involved in driving innovation. Encouraged by mentors to address root causes, he developed solutions to real-world problems. One such effort was the “Trauma in the Woods” hunter safety program, which gained recognition from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Concerned about alcohol-related trauma, B.J. co-developed the “Alcohol Awareness” program for high school students, in collaboration with Sally Zellem of the American Red Cross and other safety professionals. The impactful program received state, national, and international recognition, including awards from the American Red Cross, the American Trauma Society, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
In the mid-1990s, B.J. helped bring LifeFlight helicopter service to Indiana County, improving access to critical care in rural areas. He also served on numerous EMS boards and committees. In 2004, he co-developed the “3 R’s of EMS” initiative—Recruitment, Retention, and Revenue—with a later addition of a fourth R: Recognition.
B.J. was promoted to Director of Operations at Citizens’ in 1987, and in 1999 became Chief Operating Officer and a partner in Ambulance Service Management Corporation. He held these roles until his retirement in January 2025, advocating for EMS, especially in rural communities.
He continues to serve on the EMS West Executive Board and with Citizens’ Concerned for EMS (CC4EMS). B.J. lives in Home, PA with his wife of nearly 50 years, Kathleen. They are proud parents of Joey (deceased) and Bruno, and grandparents to Loreline. Their Springer Spaniels, Bogey and Gracie, complete the family.
William “Bill” Miller grew up in southern Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, where his involvement in the provision of EMS, fire, and rescue services began in August of 1974. His experience ranges from that of volunteer firefighter, EMT, and paramedic with the North Apollo Volunteer Fire Department, to career paramedic with the City of Pittsburgh - Bureau of EMS, where he eventually rose to the rank of Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh’s Public Safety Training Academy. Upon his departure from
Pittsburgh EMS, after nearly 15 years of service, he was employed by The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh as the EMS Education Specialist for their Office of Pre-Hospital Services.
Over the years, Bill developed a number of educational presentations covering a wide range of topics, has been a regular presenter at local and regional EMS conferences, and has also spoken on various EMS and rescue topics at both national and international conferences.
In 2001, he took a sabbatical from EMS and went back to school, graduating from Drexel University’s Hahnemann Physician Assistant program (Philadelphia, PA) in 2004. Upon graduation, he returned to the Pittsburgh area to begin practicing medicine again, this time as a PA, and specializing in emergency medicine. In 2022, he retired from clinical practice (with Allegheny Health Network) due to a health issue of his own, but he continues to remain active in EMS education and EMS advocacy through his involvement with the Citizens Concerned for EMS.
When not doing something EMS related, Bill’s retirement activities include spending time with his family, hiking, biking, a little fishing now and then, and a true passion for photography.
Edward Heltman began his 49-year EMS journey in August 1975 as a volunteer firefighter with the Mars Volunteer Fire Company (now Adams Area Fire District) and became a certified EMT later that year. For six years, he served as a volunteer EMS provider and firefighter. In 1980, after being laid off due to his employer's bankruptcy, he turned to EMS as a career.
In 1981, Ed joined Medic Rescue of Beaver County as an EMT and earned his paramedic certification from Community College of Beaver in 1983. In 1984, he joined Butler Memorial Hospital’s newly formed Medic 1 program under Vern Smith. By 1987, he was hired by Paramedic Rescue to launch a non-emergency transport service in southwestern Butler County. After a 1988 merger, the organization retained the Medic Rescue name, and Ed was promoted to Director of Operations. In 1989, he became Vice President and General Manager, overseeing 165 employees across 8 stations in 3 counties.
When Medic Rescue exited out-of-county operations, Ed was tasked with finding coverage for those areas. In one underserved region, unable to find a provider, Ed was encouraged by Board President Patrick Sherin to consider starting his own ambulance company. With little more than determination and faith, MedEvac launched on November 26, 1990. Over 34 years later, the organization continues to grow. Ed still holds his paramedic certification, though he humorously refers to himself as a “last responder”—only called in when no one else is available.
Committed to industry leadership, Ed has served on the Board of Directors of the Ambulance Association of Pennsylvania since 1992, including terms as President (2000–2005) and Vice President (2013–2023). He has also served on the Executive and General Boards of EMSI/EMS West, is active with the Lawrence County EMS Council, and participates in Citizens Concerned for EMS.
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