Our Leadership Team
Jeffrey Scott
Chief Scott joined Firelands EMS in late 2024 as a volunteer paramedic and was honored to be selected to serve as Chief in early 2025. With more than three decades of experience as a paramedic, and his fire/EMS career starting as an explorer in the mid-80’s, and graduating fire school in 1990, he is deeply committed to serving communities and supporting the responders who care for them. Throughout his distinguished career, he has worked in both rural and high-volume urban EMS systems, including his fulltime experience as a firefighter/paramedic in Dublin, Ohio. His background also includes flight medicine in both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as critical care transport, allowing him to bring a broad and well-rounded perspective to patient care and emergency services leadership. While serving Firelands part-time as Chief, he currently works as a firefighter/paramedic for Mifflin Township.
Chief Scott holds two Master’s degrees, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Management, and two Associate degrees in Fire and EMS. Beyond public safety, he is an ordained pastor with a Master of Divinity and actively serves a congregation in Ohio’s Amish Country. He is passionate about mentorship, education, and servant leadership, having previously served as a paramedic instructor and as a retired Police Chief. He is also a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy.
At his core, Chief Scott believes strong emergency services begin with strong relationships. He is dedicated to building partnerships within the community, supporting his team, and ensuring compassionate, high-quality care for those Firelands EMS serves. Outside of his professional and ministry roles, he is a proud father and devoted “cheer dad,” enthusiastically supporting his daughters competitive cheer activities.
Cindi Amburgy
Jeff Vanderpool
Christina Vanderpool
Christina is proud to serve with Firelands EMS while living in the New London community she calls home. Giving back to her community and supporting others through some of life’s most challenging moments are among the reasons she is so passionate about emergency medical services. Christina joined Firelands EMS in 2018 as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) after spending seven years as a critical care nurse. Inspired by a desire to expand her role in prehospital medicine, she went on to earn her paramedic certification. Today, she continues to practice as both a registered nurse and paramedic in a variety of healthcare settings.
Even in the midst of an emergency, Christina believes that compassion, professionalism, and clinical expertise are the foundation of exceptional patient care. By combining knowledge with empathy, she strives to make difficult situations more manageable for patients and their families. An educator at heart, Christina serves as an EMS instructor and as Firelands EMS Education Lieutenant. In these roles, she helps develop future caregivers and supports fellow providers in maintaining the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver safe, effective care.
Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and being with her husband, dog, grown children, and grandson. Cooking and baking are among her favorite pastimes, and at the station she is often affectionately known as “Mom” because of her love for feeding the crew.
Kally Miller-French
Donald Spaner, MD
Don Spaner, MD is a dual Board Certified Emergency Physician and Board Certified EMS Medical Director. He is the Chief Medical Officer of the UH EMS Institute. Don is a retired US Army Colonel, with 42 years of military service, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and mobilizations to Egypt, Africa, and Japan. He has been married to his wife Pam for 42 years. Don has three children, Andrew Spaner, Eric Spaner, and Haley Durdella, DO (Emergency Physician), and a wonder dog, Newton. He also has five grandkids, Lia, Ariah, Theo, Noah, and Sofie. His favorite advice is: Get the right patient to the right place at the right time for the right care. Always remember to treat our patients as if they were your own family.
Philmingo (“Phil”)
Community Ambassador • Crew Cheerleader • Certified One-Legged Stand Specialist
For the past two years, Philmingo—affectionately known as “Phil”—has proudly served as the official mascot of Firelands EMS, bringing smiles, encouragement, and a whole lot of pink feathers wherever he goes!
Phil is a firm believer in the Firelands EMS mission of being Community Centered • Patient Focused. His favorite part of serving with Firelands is being part of an organization that treats people like family, welcomes everyone, and believes that caring for others extends far beyond the back of an ambulance.
As Firelands EMS’s feathered community ambassador, Phil enjoys attending community festivals, public safety events, educational programs, and special gatherings. He helps children and adults become more familiar with EMS, learn about the people who answer their calls for help, and understand the important role emergency medical services play in keeping our communities safe.
Phil also takes his responsibilities as an unofficial morale officer very seriously. He knows that EMS professionals often encounter people during the most difficult moments of their lives, and those experiences can take an emotional toll. Whether offering a friendly wave, a little encouragement, or a much-needed laugh, Phil reminds our crews that they are appreciated, supported, and never alone.
Beyond Firelands, Phil enjoys building friendships with neighboring EMS agencies, fire departments, mutual aid partners, and other public safety organizations. He believes strong relationships and teamwork make everyone better prepared to serve when emergencies happen.
When he isn’t representing Firelands EMS, Phil can usually be found practicing his world-class balance, perfecting his one-legged stance, or searching for his favorite duty snacks: cocktail shrimp and seaweed chips. His coworkers have learned not to ask too many questions about his menu choices.
Fun Facts About Phil
- Years with Firelands EMS: 2
- Specialty: Community outreach, public education, and crew morale
- Hidden talent: Standing on one leg longer than most firefighters and EMTs can stand through a training lecture
- Favorite activity: Meeting new friends and supporting his Firelands family
- Favorite duty snacks: Cocktail shrimp and seaweed chips
- Personal motto: “When our community needs us, we flock together!”
Phil’s Philosophy
“You don’t need wings to lift someone up. Sometimes all it takes is kindness, encouragement, and being there when someone needs you.”
Philmingo is proud to represent the dedicated professionals, volunteers, and community partners who make Firelands EMS more than an ambulance service.
Firelands EMS — Community Centered • Patient Focused
One Team. One Mission. One Very Pink Flamingo. 🦩