Joel Rutkowski, NRP - Chief of Operations
Joel Rutkowski is a veteran EMS provider with over 25 years of experience. He has worked as a field-level provider, educator, and leader. Joel was initially certified as an EMT in the 1980s while serving overseas in the US Navy. Most of his military service time was spent with the Fleet Marine Force, spending time overseas with the 3rd Marine Division, where he served first as a company Corpsman, then as the Senior Battalion Corpsman for the 1st Armored Assault Battalion. Upon Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Joel worked many years as a private detective and a fugitive recovery agent, where he was personally responsible for over 300 felony arrests.
In 1999, he decided to return to the field of Emergency Medicine. Since then, he has served as a basic and advanced level field provider, Operations Coordinator, and Chief of Operations for the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad.
Joel graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and is currently an active EMS educator, teaching Tactical EMS and active shooter response to; EMS, Fire, and Law Enforcement agencies nationally. Joel is a Certified Tactical Paramedic through the International Board of Speciality Certifications and completed the Basic SWAT Operator course and the Active Shooter Response Instructor course through the National Tactical Officers Association.
Joel is currently a member of the National Tactical Officers Association, Special Operations Medical Association, National Association of EMTs, and National Association of EMS Educators.
J. Todd Vreeland, NRP - Deputy Chief of Operations
Todd has over twenty years of experience in the emergency medical service profession. Starting his career as a volunteer EMT for a non-profit ambulance service, he has worked as an EMT and Advanced EMT before being licensed as a Paramedic. Todd's career includes 17 years as a Fire Service Paramedic, Field Training Officer, and Adjunct Instructor for the Philadelphia Fire Department and over fifteen years of experience as a line and chief officer for several combination EMS departments in suburban Philadelphia. In addition to his clinical experience, Todd developed and managed an associate's level paramedic certification program and worked as the National Registry of EMT Coordinator of Examinations. At the National Registry of EMT, he worked with EMS educators, regulators, and physician medical directors to develop the national EMS certification exams.
Todd has a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Law and Public Policy from Walden University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science - Allied Health Management from Youngstown State University. In addition to working full-time as Levittown-Fairless Hill Rescue Squad's Deputy Chief, he volunteers as the Co-chair of the International Board of Specialty Services' Item Writing & Exam Construction Committees.
Brian Huber EMT-P - Assistant Chief
Brian began his career in EMS while still in high school and became an EMT in 1986 and a paramedic in 1997. Brian has been employed with LFHRS since 1989 and is a certified firefighter, vehicle rescue technician, and emergency vehicle operator instructor for other local agencies. Currently, Brian is responsible for the maintenance of all LFHRS apparatus. Brian volunteers as an Honor Guard for the Bucks County Fallen Firefighter and EMS Memorial Honor Guard. When not working or volunteering, Brian enjoys spending time at home with his family.
Anthony Logue, NRP - Battalion Chief
Anthony started his EMS career as a volunteer at Levittown Fairless Hills Rescue Squad in 2011. Anthony wasn't CPR-certified, but he loved EMS after his first shift on the ambulance as an "Observer," so he signed up for EMT school. After finishing class and becoming certified as an EMT, he worked at a local hospital as an emergency department technician and for various other ambulance organizations. Anthony eventually returned to LFHRS, where he started as a paid EMT. After working as an EMT for six years, LFHRS sponsored his paramedic school, and he finished the head of his class and became a paramedic. Anthony has held various leadership roles at LFHRS and is the squad's Quality Assurance Coordinator.
Karla Hulbert, NRAEMT - Captain
Karla started her EMS career in 2000 as a volunteer EMT for Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad, and she recently became an Advanced EMT. Before coming to LFHRS, she completed her Bachelor of Science degrees in Education and Theology as well as the Microsoft Certified System Engineer and Microsoft Certified Professional programs. Karla’s technical and educational background quickly moved her into various organizational administrative and operational functions. She also served on the Board of Directors. Karla is currently a Captain, and she heads LFHRS’s IT department and coordinates the BLS/Community CPR classes and instructors. Karla is one of the squad’s Designated Infection Control Officers, helping to assure the safety of the organization’s members.
Mike Lowe, EMT-P - Captain
Mike graduated from Bensalem High School in 1995 and began his career in Emergency Services shortly after. In the fall of 2015, he became an IFSAC and Pro Board Certified Firefighter. In 1996, Mike became a 9-1-1 dispatcher at Bucks County Communications, and in 1998 he became an EMT. After leaving his position as a dispatcher, he became a paramedic and obtained an Associate's degree in Specialized Technology. Currently, Mike is the Scheduling Coordinator at LFHRS and is a certified instructor in several public safety topics. In his free time, Mike enjoys volunteering as a firefighter and loves spending time with his family.
Jessica Gracie, NRAEMT - Captain
Jessica's career in emergency services began in 2007 as a volunteer firefighter in Bucks County at eighteen, following in her father's footsteps. She maintained an active firefighter status for six years but soon became interested in EMS while working with EMS agencies during emergencies. In 2010 Jessica obtained her EMT, following in her Uncle's footsteps, and began working at local EMS agencies. In 2011 Jessica started working at LFHRS, and she is currently the BLS Clinical Coordinator and the Assistant QA Coordinator. Jessica is on the TEMS team working with the SWAT team and providing medical assistance. She is also one of LFHRS' NAEMT instructors and works part-time at other local EMS agencies. Jessica has a strong interest in fitness and has her Associate's Degree in Exercise Science. LFHRS sponsors Jessica in her paramedic program, which begins in January 2023. Jessica refers to herself as a "fur-mom" to her loving dog, a German Shepherd / Belgian Malinois (Banx). Jessica has a passion for emergency medicine and fitness, but when she isn't in an ambulance or the gym, you can catch her with friends or relax at home.
Eric Gennaro, NRAEMT - Captain
Eric started his career in Emergency Services as a volunteer firefighter at 16, quickly followed by becoming a volunteer for LFHRS a few months later. Eric continued to get his EMT through the Bucks County Technical High School as part of the Emergency Services Technology course. He remained a regular volunteer for LFHRS until being officially hired in 2020. Eric has also worked various other EMS-related jobs in the area. Eric currently serves as a volunteer firefighter for a local fire company and is attending Bucks County Community College to complete his Associate in Health Sciences. Eric is in charge of house supplies and assists with the medical supply department. When not on duty, he enjoys taking trips to OCNJ, playing video games, and learning computer programming with his brother's help.
