District
Board Members
Dave Kreutz
President
dkreutz@nfems.com
Term: May 2027
Dave Kreutz brings diverse leadership experience to his role as Board President of North Fork EMS. His background includes serving on a regional utility board, where he developed expertise in stakeholder engagement and policy analysis that directly benefits our district's strategic planning.
As an engineer and president of a farming corporation, Dave contributes both analytical rigor and executive-level decision-making to board discussions. His ability to assess operational and financial matters while considering their impact on personnel and community stakeholders strengthens our fiscal oversight and organizational planning.
Dave's experience in resource management and multi-stakeholder coordination has proven valuable as our district navigates the complex challenges facing rural EMS providers. Since joining the board in 2023, he has demonstrated a collaborative leadership style and commitment to ensuring North Fork EMS continues to deliver quality emergency medical services to our community.
Bonnie Eisenberg
Treasurer
beisenberg@nfems.com
Term: May 2027
Bonnie Eisenberg contributes 24 years of project management and human resources experience across government, non-profit, and commercial sectors to the North Fork EMS Board. Her HR expertise in personnel management and organizational development complements her extensive governance background, which includes leadership positions with multiple organizations:
- Board President, American Association of University Women, Las Cruces
- Board Vice President, National Women's History Project
- Board President, SEIU Local 707
- Board Vice President, National Coalition for Sex Equity in Education
- Board Vice Chair, North Fork Senior Connections
- Board Member/Secretary, North Fork Ambulance Association
Bonnie's experience in policy development, financial oversight, and strategic planning across diverse organizations provides valuable perspective as North Fork EMS addresses the operational and governance challenges facing rural emergency medical services. Her human resources background is particularly relevant to workforce recruitment and retention issues critical to EMS sustainability.
Peter Pruett
Alt Sec/Treasurer
ppruett@nfems.com
Term: May 2029
Dr. Peter Pruett's 35-year career as an American Board of Emergency Medicine physician in Colorado provides essential medical expertise for North Fork EMS policy development. Peter's previous role as Medical Director for the North Fork Ambulance Association non-profit ambulance service demonstrates intimate operational knowledge critical for strategic oversight of an EMS organization.
Peter's leadership as a local non-profit president and Air Force Academy graduate provides the financial oversight and executive leadership required. Military service developed disciplined decision-making, while non-profit governance demonstrates collaborative skills for effective partnerships. These experiences equip Peter with the balanced perspective essential for board governance.
Having served on the North Fork EMS board since 2022, Peter brings valuable emergency medical knowledge and community connection, enhanced by his roles as a naturalist and local orchardist. This combination of medical expertise, leadership experience, and community investment makes Peter uniquely qualified to guide the North Fork EMS strategic direction and financial stability while assuring alignment with the emergency medical community.
Blake Kinser
Vice President and Secretary
bkinser@nfems.com
Term: May 2029
Blake is a third-generation firefighter and EMS provider in Delta County, following in the footsteps of both his grandfathers and his father, all of whom served the North Fork Valley. Through their example, Blake developed strong small-town values and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and needs of rural communities.
He began his EMS career in 2000 as a driver for North Fork Ambulance, earned his EMT certification in 2001, and became a paramedic in 2017. Blake’s roots are firmly planted in the North Fork Valley, and throughout his career he has been a driving force for positive change and collaboration in his roles as a Community Paramedic, Fire Chief, and EMS educator.
Ty Clock
tclock@ nfems.com
Term: May 2029
Ty is proud to have been raised in the North Fork Valley and calls Paonia home. He is the third generation to serve with the North Fork Ambulance and he draws on that background and continues to give back to his community. He has been working as a first responder for over a decade. From starting out as a volunteer driver for the North Fork Ambulance Association, to being a Combat Medic in the United States Army and several EMS occupations in between, he has seen a multitude of different EMS systems and settings.
He currently works full time as a critical care paramedic (FP-C), and as a part-time firefighter/paramedic. Ty deploys across the nation on wildfire assignments and volunteers his time with the Fire Department in Paonia and holds a bachelor's degree in Emergency Medical Services. During his time off Ty enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
Leadership
District Chief
Kathy Steckel
District Chief
ksteckel@nfems.com
970-234-6169
Kathy Steckel serves as District Chief of North Fork EMS, providing executive leadership for the overall direction, administration, and operation of the agency. In 2024, she was honored as EMS Executive-of-the-Year for the State of Colorado, recognizing her transformative leadership in rural emergency medical services.
Over three decades of service to the North Fork Valley, Kathy's journey from volunteer EMT to Paramedic and District Chief reflects her deep commitment to the community she calls home. She's lived in the Crawford area since 1986. Her visionary leadership successfully transformed a membership-based nonprofit into a voter-approved Health Service District, securing sustainable funding with unprecedented 83% voter support in 2018.
Under her direction, North Fork EMS has evolved from basic emergency response to a comprehensive healthcare organization, implementing Advanced Life Support services, Community Paramedicine programs, and innovative public health initiatives. Her ability to transform challenges into opportunities is evident in her strategic approach to funding limitations, coverage gaps, and community health needs.
Kathy's leadership philosophy of "neighbors helping neighbors" has created a sustainable blueprint for rural emergency medical services while expanding North Fork EMS beyond traditional emergency response. As one colleague stated, "The words 'It can't be done' are not in her vocabulary" – a testament to the determination and vision that define her leadership.
Assistant District Chief
Tanya Applegate
Assistant District Chief tapplegate@nfems.com
970-201-3079
Tanya Applegate serves as Assistant District Chief for North Fork EMS, overseeing operations for both the 911 Division and Community Health Division. She is a fourth generation native to the area with history in both ranching and coal mining. In 2025, she was honored at the State EMS Conference in 2025 with the Robert Marlin ALS Professional-of-the-year Award, a prestigious statewide recognition presented annually to one Colorado paramedic who demonstrates exceptional contributions to the advancement of emergency medical care.
With over 15 years of emergency medical services experience, Tanya maintains an active role in the field as an ALS Shift Supervisor, responding to high-priority calls and providing advanced clinical oversight during complex emergency situations. She also serves as Education Coordinator, where she has developed comprehensive training programs including the district's Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP) and leads specialized pediatric emergency care initiatives.
As Community Paramedic Coordinator, Tanya directs the Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine program, expanding access to care for underserved populations. She has successfully secured and managed significant grant funding, including a $100,000 Firearm Safety Initiative that paired critical safety equipment distribution with crisis intervention resources.
Currently pursuing a Master's in Paramedicine Leadership from Creighton University, Tanya holds multiple specialized certifications including Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP), Flight Paramedic-Certified (FP-C), and Certified Community Paramedic (CP-C). Her professional philosophy centers on continuous improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ensuring emergency services meet the evolving needs of the community.
Captains
Hotchkiss Captain
Brandon Pehrson
Brandon Pehrson joined North Fork EMS in 2018 as a Driver and soon became an EMT. Brandon also serves as a volunteer firefighter in Hotchkiss giving him more opportunities to serve our community. Brandon applied for the Captain position because of his desire to train others and to further his own lifelong learning. He has excellent people skills which allow him to both serve his crew and his patients. He is a faithful husband and loving father to three boys. He enjoys ranching, team roping, and welding.
Paonia Captain
Jodi Gannon
Jodi's first experience living in the North Fork Valley was in 1976, when her family moved to the area from Calabasas, CA, seeking refuge from the smog, earthquakes and fires. Her father was an EMT in Paonia, and she remembers the "pages" that were actually the phone (landline) ringing endlessly until someone picked up and shouted "I'm here!"
After a stint on the East Coast, she returned to Paonia in 2002 to raise her son in a more family-friendly environment. She worked as an electrician's apprentice, realtor, and medical massage therapist before joining North Fork EMS in 2018. Since then, she has witnessed the growth of an organization that puts community first, working alongside dedicated crew members who provide tireless care for those who need essential services. She looks forward to many more years of service.
Crawford Captain
Drew Felix
Drew joined North Fork EMS in 2016 after retiring from over 29 years of active and reserve military service. He has served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Commander, various staff positions to include logistics and operations and as a Liaison Detachment Commander. He brings a wealth of leadership, training and management experience to the organization and mentorship to the younger crew members. In addition to his duties as the Crawford Station Captain, he is one of our Advanced Life Support Shift Supervisors for the District.
Policies
Bylaws
NFAHSD Bylaws
(Contact us for an ADA accessible version of this file.)
Meeting Minutes
North Fork EMS is formed...
On Nov. 6, 2018 voters overwhelmingly approved the establishment of a special district for the North Fork Ambulance. Just over 83 percent of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford area voters said "yes" to the special district, and a mill levy was established to fund the special district. Five board members were selected -- Gregg Angelovich, Marcus Roeder and Daniel Miller for four-year terms, and Larry Hughes and Bonnie Eisenberg for two-year terms.
After the results were posted, the North Fork Ambulance board of directors expressed its appreciation for the overwhelming support.
"The formation and funding of a special district will provide the core financial support needed to maintain quality ambulance service in three communities, upgrade and replace aging equipment and ambulances and retain and attract on-call staff members and provide them with quality EMS training," said Kathy Steckel, NFA director.
The ambulance service is responsible for responding to all 9-1-1 calls in a 1,500-square-mile area over three counties and does so by maintaining three stations in the region. North Fork Ambulance has been contracted to provide ambulance service for the first six months of 2019 in order to give the newly formed North Fork Ambulance Health Service District time to get many details in order before the actual transition to ambulance service by the District. Currently, July 1st is the goal for this transition. The North Fork Ambulance Health Service District will be using the trade name: North Fork EMS.
Monthly District Board meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11am at the North Fork EMS Headquarters, 110 East Hotchkiss Ave in Hotchkiss. The public is welcome to attend.
For any questions, please call the North Fork Ambulance office at 872-9111.
Mission
North Fork EMS is committed to provide compassionate, excellent, and timely emergency medical services to all people within our service area, and to promote greater health and wellness in our community through non-emergent services and educational programs.
Vision
This organization will strive to meet the ever-changing nature of healthcare, emergency services, and public safety through education, continuous training, and the incorporation of new technologies and services.
Through planning, staffing, and resourcing, we will provide the leadership, EMS management, and educational services necessary to fulfill our commitment to the community. We will do this in a fiscally responsible manner and with the professionalism expected by those we serve.
This vision will allow us to continue as an integral and irreplaceable component of the larger EMS system.
Core Values
- Compassionate, respectful, patient-focused care
- Community oriented injury and illness prevention
- Purposeful investment in the people and tools that improve our efficacy
- An inclusive, welcoming and supportive work environment
- Respect and recognition for the community support and selfless volunteerism that provided our communities with emergency medical services from 1969 to 2019 through North Fork Ambulance Association
Our Service Area
The Service Area currently includes approximately 1,550 square miles, 75 miles of paved two-lane highway and 300 miles of County roads ranging from paved to primitive. The service from Hotchkiss extends west on Highway 92 to Payne Siding, and east on Highway 133 to Paonia. From Paonia, the Service Area continues north up Stephen’s Gulch to the Mesa County Line, and northeast of Paonia on Highway 133 into Gunnison County through Somerset to the top of McClure Pass. The Service Area extends southeast from Hotchkiss on Highway 92 through Crawford and into Montrose County, and runs to Mile Marker 56 at the Gunnison County Line on Black Mesa. The three communities currently served are bound together by a powerful landscape that encompasses mountains, rivers, desert and agricultural land. With elevations that range from 5,000 to 11,000 feet, the area allows for a variety of features. Notable among these features are: The Black Canyon National Park, The West Elk Wilderness, Curecanti National Conservation Area, waterways such as The North Fork of the Gunnison River, the Gunnison River and their major tributaries, the Anthracite, Muddy, Smith Fork and Leroux Creeks. There are also scenic byways that reach past the recreational areas of Crawford and Paonia State Parks.
