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Faculty

Michael Mejia

NRP, MBA
Aircraft Rescue Firefighter / Paramedic / Founder
Orlando International Airport Fire Rescue / Forged Through The Fire

Michael Mejia, MBA, NRP, is an aircraft rescue firefighter paramedic with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at Orlando International Airport and a Strike Force Team Leader with the National Disaster Medical System’s FL-2 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Based in Orlando, Florida, he holds an MBA and continues advanced studies in nursing and EMS leadership. Michael has served as a paramedic preceptor, EMS instructor, and field training leader, developing clinician-focused training models that emphasize critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and professional accountability. He is the founder of Forged Through the Fire, an organization dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and resilience for veterans and first responders. His professional work includes airport emergency operations, mass-casualty preparedness, documentation improvement, and paramedic development initiatives that support the evolution of modern EMS practice.

2026 Sessions

From Why to What: Turning Pain Into Purpose in EMS Mental Health

Yes, I understand

EMS providers carry a unique emotional burden shaped by trauma exposure, critical incident stress, and the silent weight of losing colleagues to suicide. For many, the first reaction is to ask “Why did this happen,” a question that can trap providers in guilt, grief, and helplessness. This session reframes that question into the more powerful and actionable “What can I do,” a mindset shift that transforms personal pain into purpose and drives cultural change.

Through lived experience, leadership insight, and evidence supported mental health principles, attendees will explore realistic strategies to strengthen peer support, reduce stigma, and create psychologically safe work environments. This session provides actionable tools that medics, preceptors, officers, and leaders can immediately apply to support themselves and their crews.

Presenter (1 Presenter)

Thursday, October 01 10:30–11:30 AM
Room W240 B
Health and Wellness
Faculty

Michael Mejia

NRP, MBA
Aircraft Rescue Firefighter / Paramedic / Founder
Orlando International Airport Fire Rescue / Forged Through The Fire

Michael Mejia, MBA, NRP, is an aircraft rescue firefighter paramedic with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at Orlando International Airport and a Strike Force Team Leader with the National Disaster Medical System’s FL-2 Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Based in Orlando, Florida, he holds an MBA and continues advanced studies in nursing and EMS leadership. Michael has served as a paramedic preceptor, EMS instructor, and field training leader, developing clinician-focused training models that emphasize critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and professional accountability. He is the founder of Forged Through the Fire, an organization dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and resilience for veterans and first responders. His professional work includes airport emergency operations, mass-casualty preparedness, documentation improvement, and paramedic development initiatives that support the evolution of modern EMS practice.
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