Rick Russotti |
I retired in 2009 as a Battalion Chief/Paramedic after twenty-one years of service in Greece, NY and the surrounding Monroe County. I hold degrees in Fire Protection Technology and Nursing, and a certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management from Rochester Institute of Technology.
As a young firefighter/paramedic, my interest in emergency management was sparked in 1989 watching the Loma Prieta earthquake unfold on television. I was captivated by the devastation and even more so by the response. From that point on I dedicated my career to the study of large scale events...natural and man-made. Having studied "terrorism" and "homeland security" long before they were popular topic, I've seen the progression (or lack thereof) of preparedness...and in 2005 started Mitigation Journal in attempt to refocus efforts back to civil preparedness. I wanted to put preparedness information into a format that is useable and digestible by professionals and civilians alike.
Today, Mitigation Journal podcast and blog content is created to provide unique perspectives on civil preparedness and emergency response. We've expanded our target audience to include health care and non-traditional responders. Mitigation Journal podcast and blog is followed by thousands of professionals around the world each week.
I've embraced public speaking and throughout my career and have been featured at regional EMS conferences as well as training sessions across the country sponsored by the Public Health Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and National Association of City and County Health Officials. I've also worked with several health care facilities in the Rochester, NY area to develop strategies for mass casualty decontamination and hospital domestic preparedness.
I'm honored to have been decorated by the Monroe-Livingston Regional EMS System as Paramedic of the Year (1999), EMS Leadership (2003) and again distinguished as Educator of Excellence (2005).
When not at home in Greece, NY, I enjoy spending time in the Adirondack Mountains with my wife and five children.