I was born into the first responder world, having multiple family members who were police officers, firefighters, EMTs and veterans. I first became an EMT in 2008 shortly followed by obtaining my AEMT (back then called EMT-I) and got my firefighter I and firefighter II certifications in 2008 as well. I have worked all over the state in both the EMS and firefighting capacity, having worked at various times for Newington EMS, Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept, Derby Storms Fire Dept and Ambulance, Aetna Ambulance, Bristol Hospital EMS, Somers Fire Dept, AMR, Vintech and North Branford Fire Dept.
Currently I am a paramedic for Nelson Ambulance, serve as a planning specialist on CT- TF1 (Urban Search & Rescue Team) where I have volunteered since 2009, and serve as a member of the Second Company Governor’s Footguard, the second longest continuously serving military unit in America.
I founded the Thin Line Peer Support Team because in my 15+ years of EMS, fire and rescue work, I have noticed it has always been frowned upon, or looked upon as weakness, if you let the terrible things we see daily, affect you. It is time to break that stigma, and make our voices heard that mental health, and needing mental health assistance is not in fact weakness, but is strength. My goal for the team is to ensure that no one ever fights the mental health battle alone, and to ensure everyone has access to the help and additional resources they may need.
Outside of work, I am a former competition ballroom dancer, a classically trained opera singer, avid fisherman, dog lover (OK all animal lover.. except spiders) and enjoy eating as much delicious and diverse foods as I can get my hands on.
