These are the very talented and dedicated people that make up MAEMSD. We would not be able to meet the needs of our community without their dedication. We proudly believe that this is OUR community and OUR neighbors we are caring for.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s)

Betty Ackerman – Hi, my name is Betty Ackerman, I am an EMT and there is a good chance that we have met sometime over the last 28 years that I’ve been with the Marsing Ambulance Service. Things have changed a bit, last year I retired as full-time ambulance administrator and went to part time, just being one of the crew.  I feel blessed to live in such a loving, caring community and hope to have the opportunity to serve all of you for many more years to come, but I must admit I’m really enjoying not working full time.  Now I have more freedom to help my husband (Kelly) take care of our place. If you happen to go by and see me out hoeing weeds, trimming trees or taking care of flowers, stop by for a chat, I’ll appreciate the break. I’m also really enjoying having more time to spend with our family. I’m able to do additional grandma things such as baby set, watch softball games, take them on fun dates or have them spend more night, the adventures are endless and they sure keep me hopping. I’m blessed to have all four of my children and 10 grandkids living close enough that we can get the whole family together to play boardgames, watch football, paint ceramics, go swimming, sing songs around a camp fire or attempt to outshoot each other while target practicing. Being able to still serve my community as part of the Marsing Ambulance and spend more time with family, life is very good!

JD Phipps – My name is JD Phipps and I am the EMS Chief for Marsing Ambulance.  My wife and I bought our house here in Marsing in 2013 and have loved this community.  The ability to participate in a volunteer organization like Marsing Ambulance was one of the criteria we considered when looking for a place to live.  I graduated from Capital High in Boise then moved to California where I got my start in EMS going on to become a registered nurse.  My career as a nurse has included ER, ICU, and flight nursing before going into leadership roles in all three areas.  I started with Marsing Ambulance in 2019 and became the EMS Chief in 2024.  I am also a volunteer firefighter with Marsing Fire Department and in the spring and summer I’m a baseball umpire – I really enjoy being out on the field with the kids.  My lovely wife, Elaine, breathes life into me each and every day, the cats and dogs…not as much (package deal 😊).  We have 5 grown children and 2 grandchildren.

Randall Samples – I’m a service oriented husband, father and dog dad. I claim Idaho and Marsing as “My State and Village” but I’m originally from West Virginia. I’ve lived in Idaho for 20 years. I’m a veteran of the US Air Force.  I work for Marsing School District 363 (Facilities Director) and Marsing Ambulance Service (EMT). I’m a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University. BSBA and MBA 

Lizard Butte Baptist Church, London Park and Marsing Beautification Project are also on my To Do list.  

My hobbies: I like exploring different landscapes via hiking, truck or motorcycle and I also enjoy vacationing near water.  

How long and why: I’ve been a Certified EMS Provider since 2015.  There is a very simple answer as to why I answer EMS calls. I love My Community!

James Ferdinand – My history began in 2008 with Marsing Ambulance as a driver, with my sights set on becoming an EMT which I completed in 2009. I am now a certified instructor for CPR and Emergency Vehicle Operations. Over the years our service has added certifications for many skills that have made our reliance on Advanced Life Support (Paramedics) less necessary. 

I would say the most satisfying feeling as a part of Marsing Ambulance is being able to provide care for members of our community on their worst day. Making a difference is why I do this every day.

My full-time job is being an Owyhee County Sheriff’s Deputy and serving my community helping others is why these careers are so important to me. 

My youngest graduated from High School this week and is going on to college like his older siblings. I am very proud of my children and their accomplishments and pray daily for their continued success. 

My amazing bride has been by my side throughout my service to our community and without her support, I would not be the person am I without her. 

I thank God every day for the privilege to serve!

Elaine Phipps – Hi, My name is Elaine Phipps.  I currently serve Marsing ambulance as an RN-ABC working in an EMT role.  As an RN-ABC (RN-ambulance based clinician), I am allowed to work to the level of licensure of our ambulance, which is Basic Life Support.  Our ambulance has done extensive training and are certified in optional modules which allow us to do more advanced skills. 

I started my medical career as an Army Medic.  After finishing my service, I had my licensed vocational nurse, but went on the get my bachelor’s degree in nursing, and then my master’s degree in nursing.  I am currently  a certified pediatric emergency nurse, a certification renewed every four years.

My background in nursing has been primarily in Emergency medicine, with a focus on pediatrics.  I spent 22 years at a Level 1 trauma center for adults and children, where I worked not only in the emergency department, but our pediatric emergency department, NICU, PICU, and the Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport Team.  I truly enjoy taking care of children, and fill the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) for Marsing Ambulance.

Now as a retired RN, I am able to give back to my community by volunteering on the ambulance.  I have been doing this for about 5 years.  I also have a certified Therapy Dog.  Her name is Mickie and I love working with her, taking her to spread love that only petting a dog can do!!  I am also a member of the Marsing Lion’s Club and enjoy how that association allows me to further serve our community. 

My husband and I both work for the ambulance, in fact, the volunteer ambulance was the reason we bought our house here.  I have 5 children (and yes, they all lived to adulthood!) and a grandson serving in the Army currently and a granddaughter who is just 9 months old, lives in California and I visit her often!  I have my dog Mickie, and 3 cats, and one stray cat that I have been trying to rehome!  I do not have chickens, but I do feed the wild birds and enjoy watching the life along the river.  There’s nothing like looking out over our town as you take that turn on Sunnyslope! 

Deon Wynia – My name is Deon Wynia, and I’m an EMT with Marsing Ambulance, where I’ve been serving since March 2023. I also work as an EMT in the emergency room and am currently in paramedic school. I’m passionate about helping people, and I love the unique challenges of rural EMS—where thinking on your feet is a must.

What really makes Marsing special is how close we are as a team. During my first week, I ran three cardiac arrests—far from the horse-related calls I expected—and had multiple crew members step in to help. Even without ALS always available, our volunteers bring amazing experience, including a flight nurse and a pediatric nurse.

Outside of work, I enjoy the gym, hiking, and gaming. I’m supported by my wife, an ER nurse, my mom, and my two dogs, Ella and Nala, who are always ready for attention and cuddles when I get home.

Jo Callison – I am a born and raised Idahoan and have worked and been licensed in the Emergency Medical Services since I was about 16yrs old. I grew up in Stanley, Idaho where my dad was the EMS Director and Chief Search and Rescue Coordinator. I left Idaho to attend the US Naval Academy and am just finishing a 24+ year career in the US Navy,  US Marine Corps, and ID Army National Guard. I worked and volunteered for various EMS and Fire agencies across the US, wherever I was stationed for military duty. I have been happy to volunteer with Marsing Ambulance as both a driver and an EMT since my husband, Cory Callison, and I moved back to Idaho in 2019. I also serve the Marsing community as the local dentist with Terry Reilly Health Services while my husband serves as the district athletic director and middle school head football coach. I live to serve others and enjoy volunteer and mission work throughout Idaho, the Northwest, and globally. When I am not working you can find me riding my mule and hunting in the Owyhee, Sawtooth, or White Cloud mountains with my husband and daughter.

 Semper fi-

Kailey Perez – Hey there! My name is Kailey, and I’ve been an EMT with Marsing since 2022. I finished Paramedic school in November of 2024 and work for an interfacility transport company based in Meridian. I love taking naps, reading books, and playing with my dog! This career grabbed me by the ankles in 2017 and has refused to let me go. I love the thrill of problem solving on the fly and knowing I can bring a little bit of fun and peace to a chaotic situation. It took a village to get me here, but I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, both my EMS and my biological 🙂 

Drivers

Nicole Cassity – My name is Nicole and I’m a driver for MAS. I’ve been driving since 2018. I am the General Manager of Caldwell Night Rodeo and I’m passionate about giving back, which is why MAS and CNR are such good fits for me. What I love best about being on the MAS team is we are a two man team which means we are often the second set of hands helping with your care. Having the privilege of being the bright spot is someone’s bad day is pretty impactful. We have an incredible community! Outside of my profession and MAS I love spending time with my family, going on adventures outdoors and spending as much time chasing the sun as possible. 

Tim Gregory – Tim Gregory has been a volunteer driver for the Marsing Ambulance Service since 2022. He retired after several decades of public service and moved to Marsing in 2020. He enjoys working with and helping out his community. He believes that “mutual respect” and the “working together” for a common goal has helped build and maintain the strong caring community that we all call home.

Dee Gregory – My name is Dee Gregory, I’m a father of 5, and grandfather of 6. In 1976 at age 17, just months after graduating High School in Fremont, California, I chose to serve our country and joined the United States Navy. After 23 years I retired in 1999. In 1999 as a second career, I chose to serve my community as a first responder with the Fallon Police Department in Fallon, Nevada. I spent about 3 years as a patrolman and then moved to a 911 Dispatcher position. As a dispatcher I served in Fallon, Reno and Virginia City. I retired in 2015 from the Story County Sheriff’s Department. From 2015 and 2022 I was tour manager for singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Lacy J Dalton. I also served as a substitute tour manager for several other acts based out of Nashville, Tennessee. 

In 2023 I moved to Marsing, Idaho and my desire to again serve my community had not faded. I became a volunteer with Marsing Ambulance Service and am currently a driver. My time with MAS has allowed access to quality monthly training and have been able to maintain my qualifications in CPR, BLS and AED operations.

My hobbies include Music, Travel and Exploring

I do what I do because I truly believe in two things:

(1) Be an example for others. You’ve got to “walk the walk”. To know your community, you must be involved in your community.  (2) Having a reason to wake up every day directly contributes to better physical and mental health. A body in motion stays in motion.

My family, our country, and this community are most important to me.

Nick Scotto – Nick began as an emergency responder volunteer for Marsing Ambulance in 2024, serving as a driver.

He is a dedicated professional and is currently an operations manager for a company specializing in vehicle upfitting for law enforcement. He oversees customization, equipment installation, production, and customer service, focusing on the business’s operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Beyond his primary career, he is an amateur radio and firearm manufacturing entrepreneur. Nick is an FCC-licensed amateur radio operator who enjoys connecting with others worldwide. His other interests include target shooting and craftsmanship in both metal and woodworking, where he can exercise his precision skills and creativity.

Nick volunteers for the Marsing Ambulance to give back to the community and help those in need.

Nick values his family very much. He is very close to his parents and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Ari, and their beloved dog, Bo, who completes their household.

Seth Wahl – My Name is Seth Wahl, and I started driving with Marsing Ambulance Service in October of 2024. In my everyday life, I work with the City of Marsing Public Works, in the water and wastewater departments. When I am not working with MAS, I also volunteer with Marsing  Rural Fire Department. In my free time I enjoy doing leatherwork and taking my family traveling and off-roading. The reason I do what I do is simple, I love to help people! I have done volunteer firefighting before in my hometown in Ohio, then I joined the Army and deployed three times. After I got out, I still wanted to do more, so I joined MRFD and MAS. The people (and not people) who are important in my life are my wife, my daughter, and our dog.