Meet The Team
Jamie Starcher
Jamie has been a Firefighter/EMT for over 28 years; he recently retired from Norwalk Fire Department as a Lieutenant and is currently a Lieutenant with the Milan Township Fire Department. Jamie also teaches/coordinates Fire and EMS training programs at EHOVE Career Center.
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Jamie became involved with peer support about 7 years ago and participated in the first IAFF peer training pilot program in 2015. The program was started to help address issues that responders were having due to the unique stressors of the job. Jamie really didn't know what peer support was or the value of having someone to talk to that's seen or dealt with similar things until he got involved. There has always been a negative stigma with responders asking for help. That is changing. We see and do things that affect us on a regular basis in our duties of helping others. Peer support does work.
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Jamie has 3 sons and they spend a lot of time outside hunting, fishing, and hanging out in our woods in West Virginia.
Jonathan Shaw
Jon has been an EMT with Citizens Ambulance Service for the past 6 years in Wakeman. He has experience in EMS as well as 911 Telecommunications. Jon has been a member of the Huron County REACT Team since its inception. Currently a resident of Norwalk, Jon grew up in New London. Jon's involvement with the Peer Support group stems from his desire to help others not only in the field of EMS but throughout the public safety community. As an EMS provider, Jon has seen first hand what drug addiction and mental health issues can do to individuals, their family, and their life.
Kelli Wagner
I started my career in Public Safety in 2003. I worked in EMS for many years before changing roles and working as a 911 dispatcher. I enjoy all aspects of my work. I joined the REACT team because I felt that all of our first responders needed an outlet if they were struggling.
John Weiss
John has been in public safety with over 26 years of experience. In these 26 years, John is a Captain with Willard Fire & Rescue and works as a Firefighter/Paramedic. John also works part-time as a 9-1-1 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator at the Willard Police Department. John also taught in Adult Education as a Public Safety Instructor for 19 years and still currently teaches at Willard Fire & Rescue. John has dealt firsthand with patients who have experienced a mental health crisis or drug addiction and First Responder colleagues who have experienced a mental health issue or crisis, PTSD, etc and helped them to get the assistance they needed. John was born and raised and lives in Willard. John has been a member of the Huron County REACT Team since its inception and is a member of the team so that he can help fellow First Responders.
Jason Reel
Jason has been in public safety with over 32 years of experience. In these 32 years, Jason is a Law Enforcement Officer, 9-1-1 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator, Firefighter, and an EMT. Jason currently works at the Willard Police Department and Willard Fire & Rescue. Jason also teaches CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) Training in several police academies and colleges in the northern part of Ohio. Jason has been a high school teacher and adult education instructor. Jason has dealt firsthand with prisoners, patients, and First Responder colleagues who were experiencing a mental health issue or crisis and listened and helped them to get the assistance they needed. Jason was born and raised in Fremont and currently resides in Willard. Jason has been a member of the Huron County REACT Team since its inception and is a member of the team so that he can help fellow First Responders.
Ashley Maurer
I have had many customer service jobs in the past, but I have finally found my calling as a dispatcher for the Willard Police, Fire, and EMS since 2005. I've been a part of the REACT team since its' inception because I strongly believe it is important to take our mental health seriously. I'd like to encourage other first responders to take care of themselves so they can continue to take care of others.
Andy Smith
Andy was born and raised in Berlin Heights and has been a member of the Berlin Twp. Fire Department for 38 years. He has worked his way through the ranks and currently serves as the Chief of the department. Andy joined the team when it was first formed, realizing that there was need for this service in the area. Being raised with a family that served on the Fire Department, he became aware at an early age of how Incident Trauma impacts an individual and their family life. His Father, Brothers, Brother-In-law were, or still are members of the department. Currently his son also serves on the department, and over the years has witnessed firsthand how societal changes have made an impact on all Public Safety personnel. He feels that it is important that everyone has access to a team or an individual to help them cope and deal with their mental health crisis.