Charles Coyle

Chief Charles Coyle has served Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) since 2004, rising through the ranks from Paramedic and Firefighter to Division Chief of Wellness & Engagement. A national speaker and innovator in prehospital medicine, Chief Coyle has been instrumental in advancing trauma and mental health care models for first responders. Selected in 2013 to join the Training and Safety Division, he developed new EMS protocols and designed PBCFR’s comprehensive paramedic training and testing system from the ground up. As the department’s sole EMS educator, he oversaw training for more than 1,500 paramedics. Chief Coyle later established the Medical Services Division and now leads initiatives that enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of PBCFR personnel—continuing his lifelong commitment to protecting those who serve.

Mark Piehl is a pediatric critical care physician at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC, and a Medical Director with WakeMed Mobile Critical Care transport. He is also Founder and Chief Medical Officer of 410 Medical, a company developing technology to improve resuscitation in shock, sepsis, and trauma. Mark teaches frequently on the pre-hospital management of trauma and critical illness, has faculty appointments at the University of North Carolina and Duke University, and has numerous Department of Defense grants funding the development of technology to improve trauma care. He is also a founding member of the SPARC Academy and the North Carolina Prehospital Regional Blood Coalition.

Randall Schaefer, DNP, RN, CEN (Lieutenant Colonel, Retired), is a retired US Army Trauma Nurse with multiple deployments who advocates for civilian prehospital blood programs, so we don't forget the hard lessons we learned on the battlefield. She has assisted nearly 90 agencies nationwide in implementing prehospital blood transfusion programs using a standardized process. She is the President of the Prehospital Blood Transfusion Coalition (PHBTC). She serves as a subject matter expert for the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) Prehospital Emergency and Out-of-Hospital Scheduled Transfusion Standards Working Group Committee and a Technical Expert for the National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC)/National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) Prehospital Blood Transfusion Implementation initiative supporting the research and implementation strategy of the DOT NHTSA grants.

With over a decade of dedicated service to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, I’ve grown from firefighter/paramedic to Captain, Educator, and Chaplain. My experience spans emergency response, leadership, and medical education—developing programs that elevate care, strengthen teams, and enhance community impact. As an EMS educator and CQI officer, I’ve trained recruits and paramedics to uphold excellence under pressure. I’m passionate about mentoring others, fostering growth, and ensuring our department reflects the highest standards of professionalism and compassion. As a chaplain, I serve by offering hope and spiritual support to those facing life’s most difficult moments. Whether in the heat of an emergency or the quiet of a counseling moment, my mission remains the same—to serve with integrity, lead with humility, and point others toward strength, purpose, and peace through Christ.

Driver Operator (DO) Newell began his public service career at age 16 through PBCFR’s Explorer Program. After joining Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) as a Firefighter/Paramedic, he served ten years in one of the department’s busiest battalions before being promoted to Driver Operator. Following the loss of several close colleagues, he became deeply involved in the Peer Support Team and was selected by both the Fire Chief and the Union President to lead and develop the program. Under his leadership, the team established internal and external initiatives to support active and retired members. Additionally, he developed a First Responder Track for involuntary mental health admissions, strengthening mental health care access and response within the department.

Chief Charles Coyle has served Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) since 2004, rising through the ranks from Paramedic and Firefighter to Division Chief of Wellness & Engagement. A national speaker and innovator in prehospital medicine, Chief Coyle has been instrumental in advancing trauma and mental health care models for first responders. Selected in 2013 to join the Training and Safety Division, he developed new EMS protocols and designed PBCFR’s comprehensive paramedic training and testing system from the ground up. As the department’s sole EMS educator, he oversaw training for more than 1,500 paramedics. Chief Coyle later established the Medical Services Division and now leads initiatives that enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of PBCFR personnel—continuing his lifelong commitment to protecting those who serve.