Rural & Ready
Join us October 23rd and 24th at the Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Brimley, MI for the Rural & Ready Symposium. This event aims to enhance the response capabilities of both American and Canadian First Responders, Medical Providers, and all others involved in emergency planning and response with a focus on rural communities.
Nursing, EMS, Social Work, and Firefighter CEUs available.
Presenters
Sheriff Christopher Swanson
Sheriff Swanson possess three decades of experience in law enforcement serving in a variety of positions, including corrections, patrol, narcotics, criminal investigations, command operations and human trafficking. As Genesee County Sheriff he currently oversees the 5th largest Sheriff's Office in Michigan. In 2019 Sheriff Swanson was instrumental in the creation of the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.). In less than three years of work, G.H.O.S.T. has arrested hundreds of individuals on charges ranging from human trafficking to criminal sexual conduct. G.H.O.S.T. has received national attention for its efforts to combat human trafficking while also ensuring victims are given a voice.
Michael Snyder
Michael Snyder has served multiples roles at Public Health Delta and Menominee Counties over twenty years, first as an Environmental Health Supervisor and then as Director of Environmental Health. For the last the last thirteen years Mike has served as PHDM’s Health Officer. Mike holds a Masters of Public Administration Degree from Northern Michigan University, and a Certificate of Public Health from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.
Robert Yin, MD, FACG, FACP, MS
Dr. Robert Yin has over 30 years’ experience practicing medicine. A graduate of St. Georges University School of Medicine, and John Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Dr. Yin has practiced as a Gastroenterologist in both hospital and solo practice settings. Since 2021, Dr. Yin has served as the Medical Director for Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties.
LT Joseph Snyder
LT Joseph Snyder commissioned in the Coast Guard through Officer Candidate School in 2018 after graduating from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. His first assignment was the Coast Guard Cutter KUKUI in Sitka, Alaska, where he earned a Deck Watch Officer qualification and performed the Coast Guard’s aids to navigation and law enforcement missions from southeast Alaska to the Aleutian Islands. His next assignment was the District 8 Command Center in New Orleans, LA, where as a Command Duty Officer he monitored search and rescue, law enforcement, marine safety, and marine environmental protections missions across the Gulf Coast and western river systems. He currently serves as the Incident Management Division Chief at Sector Northern Great Lakes in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, where he manages pollution response across Lake Superior, northern Lake Huron and lake Michigan, and the Saint Marys River.
Susan Andary
Susan Andary has worked in emergency medical services as an AEMT for over a decade. During that time she has served in both ambulances, hospital ER, Urgent Care settings. In addition to he work as an AEMT, Susan have been involved with Frontline Strong Together, serving as a Peer Support Specialist and training colleagues coping skills to address the various stresses encountered through work and in their personal lives. Susan also serves as the Team Co-Coordinator for the Central UP Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team.
Kristie Buruse
Kristie Buruse has over 30 years’ experience as a first responder serving as a Firefighter and Paramedic in West Chester Pennsylvania, and as an Emergency Dispatcher for Marquette County Central Dispatch. Kristie is currently the Co-Coordinator for the Central UP CISM Team and a Peer Trainer providing crisis intervention services as well as a Peer Support Specialist and Trainer for the Frontline Strong Together Program.
Michael McBride
Michael McBride has worked for the Michigan Department of Corrections since 2012, nine years as a correction officer and currently as the Fire and Safety Inspector. Michael also has 13 years of firefighting experience and 4 years as a medical first responder gained across multiple volunteer Fire/EMS departments. Michael is certified in Crisis Incident Stress Management and in Peer Support and is an active member of the Central UP CISM Team.
Kirk Volger
Kirk Volger has been active in the fire service since 2005, currently serving as a Firefighter & Paramedic for the City of Marquette holding the rank of Captain. Kirk has earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Studies from Siene Height University and is an active member of the Central UP Critical Incident Stress Management Team where he works to provide peer support and raise mental health concerns to the forefront of public safety. Over his career Kirk has been recognized for his service multiple times including receiving the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Citation for Meritorious Service in 2010, being named 2013 Marquette County Firefighter of the year and 2016 Kiwanis Firefighter of the Year.
Jacalyn Lasich
Jacalyn Lasich has over 20 years’ experience as a social worker working with patients in Hospice / Palliative Care and Cancer Center settings. She currently is the Oncology Services Social Worker and Psychosocial Coordinator for UP Health System – Marquette. Jacalyn is an active member of several professional organizations including the National Institute of Trauma and Loss, National Association of Hospice and Palliative Care and Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium. She has been involved with the Critical Incident Stress Management Team since 2018. Jacalyn earned her bachelor of Social Work from Ferris State University and Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University.
John Rink
John Rink has served in local law enforcement for 16 years, working the past 14 for Marquette Police Department (MPD) where he currently manages nine officers in daily operations. Additionally, John is the Accreditation Manager for MPD as well as the agency’s training coordinator. Prior to serving in law enforcement John spent 5 years as a Paramedic in Muskegon and a Volunteer firefighter for Ferrysburg FD. John is a graduate of Grand Valley State University as well as the West Shore Community College Police Academy. John has been a member of the Marquette County CISM team and board for several years.
Mike Kasper
Mike Kasper has been working as the Mackinac County Emergency Management Coordinator for 15 years. He started in Emergency Response with the Clark Township Fire Department in 1985, and then Clark Township Ambulance Service in 1986. In 1989, he began working with the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit and In 1992 joined the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Pickford/Marquette Townships’ Fire and EMS services. In 2007, Mike became the Mackinac County Emergency Management Coordinator. Mike was awarded FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness Excellence in Training Bronze level for 2009, 2010, 2012, and Silver Level for 2011. Other courses Mike teaches include G-191 ICP/EOC Interface, Public Information Officer, Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Planning, Emergency Planning, Active Shooter Incident Response, Incident Commander Position Specific course, Operations Section Chief position Specific course. Mike has coordinator many exercises, including a full-scale evacuation of Mackinac Island in 2023. Additionally he serves on the Mackinac County on the Region 8 Homeland Security Planning Board, PEM Advisory Board, MEMA Region 8 Representative, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Firefighter’s Association’s Secretary, Grand Knight for 7100 Council of the Knights of Columbus, Mackinac County LEPC/LPT, and Mackinac County 911 Advisory Board member.
Rural & Ready planning is a collaborative effort between MyMichigan Medical Center Sault; Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community; Chippewa County Emergency Management; US Coast Guard; US Customs and Border Protection; Chippewa County Health Department; Sault Ste Marie Fire Department, and the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition