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Faculty

Jay Colella

NRP
Battalion Chief, Clinical Operations Coordinator
Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad

Jay Started his dream career January 15, 1972 when the show Emergency Aired on TV. Then a 6 year old boy, he always wanted to be a Paramedic. Jay started in EMS in 1983. While developing his skills as an EMS Provider became an EMT in 1985 and a Paramedic in 1987. He has worked for the Philadelphia Fire Department for 12 years as a Fire Service Paramedic & back up supervisor and has always been in Bucks County for 43 years. Jay is the Clinical Operations Battalion Chief for Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad in Bucks Co. PA. Responsible for the clinical an educational development for 80+ employees. Jay Loves the freedom he has to develop new and innovative programs. His most important/ rewarding job is Husband and Dad!

2026 Sessions

Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth: A Comparison of Two 30+ Year Veteran Responders

Yes, I understand

Post-traumatic stress affects one in seven EMS professionals. Some research suggests more than 50% of first responders are affected with job related stress. However, we still don't have a robust mechanism for prevention, early detection, and long-term management.

This presentation offers a unique window between two distinctly different providers. One suffered severe addiction as a result of undiagnosed PTSD and the other has never taken a drink in his entire life. Yet, they both exhibited the same subtle signs of job-related stress.

This presentation focusses on the progressive, subtle, and cumulative effects of trauma and its recognition. Moreover, the presenters offer realistic and practical solutions for post-traumatic growth, a distinctly different approach than traditional management of job-related stress.

Co-Speaker

Presenter (1 Presenter)

Friday, October 02 2:15–3:15 PM
Room W240 B
Health and Wellness
Faculty

Jay Colella

NRP
Battalion Chief, Clinical Operations Coordinator
Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad

Jay Started his dream career January 15, 1972 when the show Emergency Aired on TV. Then a 6 year old boy, he always wanted to be a Paramedic. Jay started in EMS in 1983. While developing his skills as an EMS Provider became an EMT in 1985 and a Paramedic in 1987. He has worked for the Philadelphia Fire Department for 12 years as a Fire Service Paramedic & back up supervisor and has always been in Bucks County for 43 years. Jay is the Clinical Operations Battalion Chief for Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad in Bucks Co. PA. Responsible for the clinical an educational development for 80+ employees. Jay Loves the freedom he has to develop new and innovative programs. His most important/ rewarding job is Husband and Dad!

Faculty

William Kinkle

EMT-P, RN, CRS
Paramedic
Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad

William C. Kinkle, EMT-P, RN, CRS has been involved with emergency care for over 35 years. He has worked as a critical care transport provider, 911 responder, Flight Paramedic, ER and trauma SICU nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and various unique rolls during the opioid epidemic in Kensington, Philadelphia. He is also a person in long term recovery from an opioid use disorder. William's addiction was rooted, birthed, and fostered from unrecognized post traumatic stress. William has received many awards for his contributions to emergency medicine and is a nationally recognized advocate for health professionals in recovery from substance use disorders.
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