After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force, where he served as military police, Steve began what would become more than four decades of dedication to public safety. In 1981, he joined the Wrightsville Volunteer Fire Department and earned his EMT certification the following year through the York County EMT Training Institute.
Steve’s early career reflected his passion for helping others. He served as a York County 911 Telecommunicator, worked as an EMT at Columbia Hospital, and later attended paramedic school at the St. Joseph Paramedic Institute. As a paramedic at Memorial Hospital in York, he provided compassionate and skilled care to countless patients throughout the region.
In 1994, Steve joined the Emergency Health Services Federation as Director of Systems Operations. In that role, he helped shape the future of EMS across the region by spearheading the implementation of Emergency Medical Dispatching, supporting the regional Police AED Program, and helping develop Pennsylvania’s EMT testing process.
After several years with VFIS as a Senior Liability Representative managing ambulance negligence cases, Steve returned to the Federation in 2003 as Executive Director. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its impact through innovative initiatives including leadership training for EMS managers, statewide EMS recruitment efforts, a regional Community Paramedicine Program, and a county Child Death Review Team.
Steve’s influence extended far beyond administration. He served as Pennsylvania’s EMS Coordinator for Mobile Integrated Healthcare, chaired the Pennsylvania Air Medical Committee, and managed tracking and financing for the Pennsylvania EMS Ebola Task Force. He also remained a hands-on leader during critical incidents, conducting EMS after-action operations following the Amish school shooting, serving as Incident Command during the evacuation of the Lebanon VA Hospital, and coordinating regional responses for out-of-state EMS deployments.
Equally committed to lifelong learning, Steve earned an Associate in Science in Allied Health from Harrisburg Area Community College, a Bachelor of Science from Elizabethtown College, and a Master of Science from Millersville University.
Steve’s career has touched countless lives, strengthened EMS systems across Pennsylvania, and inspired generations of providers and leaders. His legacy is one of professionalism, innovation, mentorship, and selfless service.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating Steve for his extraordinary contributions to Emergency Medical Services and the communities he has faithfully served.
Following the meeting, the group received continuing education from Dr. Brendan Mulcahy, EMS Medical Director at Lancaster General Health. The group was also treated to a tour of the Penn Medicine EMS Physician vehicle, Penn Med 1, and of the DES facility, led by Director Bob Dowd.
