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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Natalie Brechtel

Natalie Brechtel Wilderness Medicine Corporate Instructor. Natalie has been using her wilderness medical skills since 2002 when she took her first WFA. Since then, she has been on all seven continents, applying her skills in the most austere environments. Originally a San Diego native she spent her youth camping and backpacking in the southwest. She …

Lucy Tate

Lucy has been an EMT for 30 years now. First working in Barstow, California for an ambulance company for 7 year, and then going to the California Highway Patrol where she worked 8 years. She worked as an officer at both El Centro and Lake Arrowhead. Lucy has retired from the CHP and is Captain of an EMS squad in Haines, Alaska. They respond with all types of equipment such as snowmobile, rescue boat, small plane or helicopter. Due to the weather conditions, they can have a patient for over 24 hours. There are no roads to the nearest hospital in Juneau and there is a pass that closes for days between the Yukon hospital and us. Lucy’s interests include outdoor activities especially hiking, camping, and traveling with her dogs.

WFA: Primeiros Socorros para Áreas Remotas Naturais

Annie DeFrancia

Annie took her first WFR course while studying Adventure Education at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. After graduating, she began instructing for the Colorado Outward Bound School where she combined her passions for experiential education, backcountry travel, and wilderness medicine. Later, Annie obtained her Paramedic certification, and has been ski patrolling at Purgatory Resort …

Ethan Merrifield

Ethan joined the WMA team as a Course Coordinator in September of 2024.  He completed his first WFR course with WMA in 2020 and has been working outdoors professionally since.  For the past several years, he has served as a sea kayaking guide for Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport, Maine, a longtime host for WMA …

Tim Essington

I have enjoyed being in the outdoors as far back as I can remember. I enjoy backpacking, canoeing, trail running, hunting and fishing. In the last few years, I have become actively involved in the bushcraft and survival community in Alberta. I find it fun to camp out in the winter without a tent or …

Chris Van Houten

Chris brings over 30 years of Paramedic level experience, from in and around New York City, to the classroom.  He has an extensive background in EMS education, and ‘High Risk, Low Resource” medicine.  His experience includes Emergency Management, Hazardous Materials, Travel and Occupational Health Medicine, as well as Critical Care Paramedicine. He is an avid …

Wilderness First Responder Recertification