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Robert Hughes:
Chief Operating Officer / COO

Robert Hughes has nearly three decades of fire service experience and currently serves as a Division Chief with the Columbia Fire Department. With over 20 years of training and leadership experience, he brings deep operational knowledge to emergency response instruction. Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health and specializes in firefighting operations, hazardous materials response, and incident command. His leadership experience provides students with valuable insight into both tactical operations and command-level decision making during emergencies. Outside the fire service, Robert enjoys watching his children compete in lacrosse for their school and travel teams. His nickname among colleagues is “GAM.”

Zak Humphries;
Instructor

Zak Humphries has 14 years of experience in the fire service and serves as a Fire Engineer with the Columbia Fire Department in South Carolina. He has also spent the past year working with E-Med Training Services. Zak’s training specialties include technical rescue operations, support company operations, and emergency medical response. Known for his sense of humor and team-focused attitude, he believes that strong camaraderie and morale are important parts of an effective emergency response team. Outside of work, Zak enjoys spending time with his family and going on date nights with his wife. When he’s not busy with family activities—or one of his wife’s “side quests”—he enjoys working in his shop building projects or spending time on his tractor.

Matthew Ives; Instructor

Matthew Ives brings six years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Fire Engineer with the Columbia Fire Department. He has spent the past year working with E-Med Training Services, supporting instruction in emergency response training programs. Matthew’s operational background includes firefighting and emergency medical response. He brings a practical, hands-on approach to training and enjoys helping responders develop confidence in essential fireground and medical skills. Matthew grew up living in state parks, which helped foster his appreciation for the outdoors and a strong work ethic. In his free time, he enjoys strength training—specifically lifting heavy things and putting them back down.

Mitch Lewis;
Instructor

Mitch Lewis has over 23 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Captain with the Columbia Fire Department. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health and brings a broad range of operational experience to the training environment. His areas of expertise include fire suppression, confined space operations, low-angle rescue, pump operations, aerial apparatus operations, wildland firefighting, incident command, and safety operations. Mitch is known for bringing both technical depth and practical field experience into the classroom. Outside of work, Mitch enjoys hunting, fishing, and watching his daughters play softball. Around the station he is also known as the “better looking twin.”

Tony Bedenbaugh;
Manager of Instructional Design

Tony is a retired Battalion Chief with over 35 years of Fire and Emergency Services experience teaching Municipal and Industrial Fire, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials and Emergency Medical.

Tony has an Associates Degree and credentials with IFSAC FFI, II, Officer I, Driver/Operator, Instructor I, Former EMT, EMT-I (22 years). Tony has spoken and taught at several SC, NC, GA, Fla and AL Fire/Rescue conferences over his expansive career, with 30 plus years as an instructor.

Tony has been married for 38 years, has 3 children and 2 grandsons.

Davey Taylor; Instructor

Davey Taylor brings 15 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Captain with the City of Columbia Fire Department. He has been involved with E-Med Training Services for over a year, contributing operational experience and field-tested knowledge to emergency response training. Davey’s areas of expertise include hazardous materials response, fire suppression, emergency medical response, and confined space operations. His practical experience in municipal fire service allows him to provide students with realistic training scenarios and operational insights. Outside of work, Davey enjoys spending time outdoors camping with his family.

Andrew Stender; Fire Program Coordinator

Andy Stender brings 20 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Training Officer with the Columbia Fire Department. Over the past decade he has also been actively involved in emergency response training and instruction. Andy’s areas of expertise include firefighting operations, confined space rescue, and rope rescue. As a training officer, he focuses on developing practical skills and operational readiness for responders through realistic, hands-on instruction. Outside of work, Andy is a proud father of five children. While he jokes that work is his only hobby, he brings that same dedication and commitment to every training program he helps deliver. He is also known among colleagues for his sense of humor—often summed up by his simple statement: “I love lamp.”

Don Townley

Don Townley is a veteran of the US Army Special Operations community and is currently a Captain at the Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield Fire Department in Hinesville, Georgia where he also serves as Program Director for Technical Rescue and Auto Extrication. He began his firefighting career at Columbia FD (SC) and has 20 years of combined municipal and DOD experience in firefighting, heavy rescue, medical response, HAZMAT, and technical rescue programs. Capt. Townley holds a degree in Fire Science and is certified in a wide array of areas including 1403 Live Fire Instructor, Confined Space Rescue Technician, Rope Rescue Technician/Advanced, Structural Collapse Technician, Trench Rescue Technician; HAZMAT Technician and Incident Command; Airport Firefighter, Driver/Operator ARFF, Aerial, and Pumper; Fire Instructor I/II; Fire Officer I/II; and Fire Inspection. For the last 18 years he has translated his passion for the job into hands-on, high-speed training for firefighters/brigades in industry, municipalities, and the Department of Defense. Capt. Townley delivers training with real-world scenarios grounded in fire service standards that supports sustained physical and mental health for first responders.

Will Marker; Rescue Program Coordinator

Will has been in the fire service for 16 years, beginning his career in Indiana. He is a Captain with the Columbia Fire Department and holds extensive rescue technician certifications, including; Confined Space Rescue, High-Angle, Trench Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Hazmat Technician and patient extrication.

Ethan Blackmon;
Medical Program Manager

Ethan Blackmon brings over 13 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Captain with Indian Land Fire Rescue. For the past eight years he has also been involved in emergency response training, specializing in medical response and technical rescue operations. Ethan is known among colleagues for his strong leadership and practical approach to emergency response training. Ethan is E-Med's resident state certified EMT In-service Training instructor. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, especially during the summer months. He also enjoys hunting and spending time outdoors. Friends and coworkers often jokingly refer to him as “Maui,” a nickname inspired by the character from Moana.

Kenneth Warr; Instructor

Kenneth has over 23 years of experience in the fire service with 8 years at the City of Columbia Fire Department. He is currently assigned as a Captain of Engine Company 6 and teaches CFD recruits and promotional driver/apparatus operator training. He is the former Volunteer Chief of Saddle River NJ Volunteer Fire Department. He and his wife Stephanie are proud parents of two children Jacob and Connor.

Brad Youngblood; Instructor

Brad Youngblood has more than 21 years of experience in the fire service and currently serves as a Captain with the City of Columbia Fire Department. He has spent 13 years involved in training and emergency response instruction. Brad’s operational expertise includes firefighting, technical rescue, driver/operator responsibilities, and emergency medical response. His long career in municipal fire service provides students with real-world insights and practical knowledge that translate directly to the field. In his free time, Brad enjoys spending time outdoors.

Doug Vettorel; Logistics Manager

Doug has 20 years of experience in the municipal, military and DOD fire service. He started his career in Pennsylvania reaching the rank of Captain prior to his move to South Carolina. He currently serves as a full time Firefighter/Engineer for Fort Gordon Fire and Emergency Services. He holds an Associates of Fire Science degree, and is a NFPA 1403 credentialed Live Fire instructor as well as a NR-EMT. His extensive experience in medical, technical rescue and hazardous materials response combined with his passion for developing competent responders led him to teach for the E-MED team.

Vince Anguish;
Instructor

Vince Anguish brings 14 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Captain with Lexington County Fire Service. He has spent 12 years in municipal fire service and three years with E-Med as an instructor.
His areas of expertise include technical rescue, firefighter survival, and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) operations. Vince is also a fitness and nutrition enthusiast and previously held the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
In a unique twist, he is also a classically trained chef, having studied at Paul Smith's College and been featured in various magazines before dedicating his career to firefighting. Outside the fire service, Vince enjoys staying active and pursuing his interests in strength training and nutrition. He is also a proud Star Trek fan—though he will tell you Deep Space Nine is the one exception.

Jonah Smith; Instructor

Jonah Smith grew up in Richmond, VA where his exposure to the fire service began in the Church Hill area of the RVA with some of the best firefighters in the city. Jonah attended the University of South Carolina for both a Bachelors and Masters and started with the Columbia Fire Department in 2003. After a few years, Jonah pursued a career with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department where he began in 2005. He served as a Captain from 2010 to 2021 serving on Engine Companies on the City’s South side.

He is currently assigned as a Battalion Chief on B Shift. Jonah is a North Carolina OEMS Level I instructor and NCOSFM Qualified Fire Instructor and regularly instructs both recruits and incumbents in both fire and EMS topics.

Jonah is a 8 time FDIC instructor and has presented at numerous conferences to include: Firehouse Expo, Fire Rescue International, South Carolina Fire Rescue, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference and the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo. He is married with 2 children.

Brett Powell; Instructor

Brett has over 16 years of firefighting and emergency response experience. He started off his career in 2006 with Lexington Fire Service and then joined the Columbia Fire Department in 2009 and was assigned to the hazmat division. In 2021, he joined the Charleston Fire Department, where he is currently assigned to the hazmat division as a Firefighter/EMT and Hazmat Specialist. He has spent his entire career in the special operations sector of the fire department. Brett has certifications as a Firefighter II, EMT-B, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Monitor Repair Technician, Industrial Fire Rescue Specialist, and Hazardous Materials/WMD Specialist. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety & Health and has his OSHA 30 certification. Brett works as an adjust instructor for the State Fire Academy teaching hazmat curriculum to the Charleston Fire & Charleston Police recruit academies. He is a contract industrial rescue technician, as well as an instructor for the Department of Homeland Security teaching Hazmat and Terrorism response training to first responders and military/DOD personnel. He is also currently assigned to South Carolina Weapons of Mass Destruction team 3 (SCWMD3).

Binky Collins;
Instructor

Binky Collins has 27 years of fire service experience and spent 18 years working as an instructor before retiring from active service. Throughout his career he developed deep operational expertise in engine company operations and hazardous materials response. Binky is known for his straightforward approach to training and his ability to pass along lessons learned from decades of real-world emergency response. His experience and practical knowledge make him a valuable mentor for responders developing their operational skills. His nickname, “Binky,” has followed him throughout his career—originating from a childhood toy that gave him the name many years ago.

JP Watson;
Rest in Peace Brother

JP passed away unexpectedly in 2023 and will be missed by family, students, instructors and friends. He was a retired captain after 36 years of fire service experience; with 25 years as a volunteer at the Columbia Fire Department. He also retired as an Adjunct Instructor from SCFA after 26 years of service. JP worked in the industrial sector assisting with onsite emergency response teams and safety department when needed. He was OSHA 30 certified and a credentialled NFPA 1403 Live Fire Evolution Instructor. During JP's tenure as a volunteer Fire Captain, JP was the only volunteer at CFD to get Blue Card Incident Command national certification. Rest in Peace Brother.

Brett Fleming; Instructor

Brett Fleming brings 18 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Captain with the Columbia Fire Department. He has spent nearly three years working with E-Med Training Services, providing instruction based on his extensive operational background. Brett’s areas of expertise include fire suppression, hazardous materials response, pump operations, and emergency medical response. His hands-on field experience allows him to bring practical knowledge and real-world perspective into every training environment. When he’s not on duty or instructing, Brett enjoys spending time with his family and living out his personal motto: love God, love family, and always be ready for a friendly arm-wrestling challenge. Around E-Med he’s also known for joking that, since there are two Bretts on the team, he’s “the good-looking one.”

Our Team

Creating confident responders since 2005.

Prentiss McLaurin; Administration Manager

Prentiss McLaurin has more than 22 years of fire service experience and currently serves as a Battalion Chief with the Columbia Fire Department. He has spent the past five years involved in emergency response training with E-Med Training Services.
His primary areas of expertise include fire suppression, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical operations. Prentiss brings extensive leadership experience to the training environment, helping responders understand both the tactical and command-level aspects of emergency incidents.

Among colleagues, "Precious" is well known for his enthusiasm for hazardous materials response and will often say he will choose a HazMat class over a rescue class every time.

Edwin Williamson; Instructor

Edwin Williamson brings 15 years of emergency response experience and currently serves as a Safety Superintendent with SNF. Over the past 10 years, he has also been actively involved in emergency response training and instruction. Edwin’s operational background includes firefighting, Hazardous Materials Technician response, emergency medical services as an EMT, and incident command. His experience across both operational response and safety leadership provides students with practical insight into real-world emergency preparedness and workplace safety. Edwin often jokes that he joined E-Med because he missed the camaraderie of the fire service so much. As an instructor, he finds the most rewarding moments in training when students suddenly “get it” and their confidence clicks into place. Outside of work, Edwin enjoys relaxing with a good cigar and what he calls “dinner table therapy”—great conversations shared over a good meal.

J.Travis Carricato; Principal Owner

Travis is the principal owner and one of the main program developers for many of E-Med’s courses. Travis retired as an Operations Division Chief from the Columbia Fire Department with over 25 years of service and is now sharing his passion for teaching and training full-time.

Travis is an accomplished fire service conference speaker and has conducted multiple international train-the-trainer sessions in Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.