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About the FirmSince Fitch & Associates' inception, the firm has earned a track record of helping organizations to improve the quality of care, decrease response times, increase financial effectiveness, and strengthen public trust in EMS.
Professional Experience & Academic PreparationOur team has worked as clinicians, managers and CEOs in addition to earning advanced degrees and technical certifications. Members have also received professional designations from the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Association of Healthcare Consultants. Demonstrated LeadershipThe partners have authored collegiate textbooks widely used by universities and EMS organizations. Members of the staff have contributed multiple chapters to other clinical and administrative texts and hundreds of articles for professional trade journals. PARTNERS
Our TeamAt Fitch & Associates, we bring talented partners and consultants together in a supportive environment where nothing gets in the way of solving a client's problem. Our core consulting team includes both full-time associates and additional members who also serve clients through our sister organization, MedServ International. Consultant by consultant, client by client, we've built a reputation for first-rate work, a positive outlook and the highest standards of service and ethics. Core Consulting TeamMichael G. Ragone
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Mr. Ragone is an expert in fire and EMS systems. His focus working with clients is both strategic and operational in nature. Mr. Ragone’s career spans 30 years, beginning as a firefighter in Oregon and initially training as a paramedic at the famed Daniel Freemen Hospital paramedic program. He worked in Alameda County, California, ultimately serving as Director of Operations. He would later lead operations and business development as a regional vice-president of American Medical Response.
Mr. Greene's EMS and air medical career spans 25 years. From volunteer search and rescue to backcountry ranger with the National Park Service to chief flight nurse and program director of a five state air medical transport service, he is passionate about improving and growing EMS/air medical services. He holds a BSN degree from Loretto Heights College in Denver and received his MBA/MSHA from the University of Colorado. In 2003, Mr. Greene was named Program Director of the Year by the Association of Air Medical Services. He has written numerous academic papers and articles, including a chapter on operations management for Standards for Specialty Care and Fixed Wing Transport published by the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association.
Mr. Saverino’s financial expertise was honed during the 15 years prior to joining the Firm. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and owned his own practice in addition to having held positions with significant responsibilities for a variety of major corporations. His responsibilities were focused in financial operations, tax administration, operations management and sales. 
Mr. Gordon brings a strong aviation maintenance/quality management background and over 20 years experience in aircraft maintenance and quality assurance management as chief inspector at Garrett Aviation Services. He has been responsible for directing, planning and implementing maintenance/inspection standards, methods, and procedures; compliance with federal aviation regulations, company quality policies, and manufacturer’s recommendation; and, implementing auditing process and controls “Quality Escapes” as set forth by inspection procedure manuals.
Mr. Minge has an extensive background in healthcare finance specializing in billing and collections in multiple areas including pharmacy, home health, hospital, lab and ground and air medical transport. Prior to his current position he was business manager for one of the largest air medical programs in the Pacific Northwest. His background also includes business management of one of the nation’s busiest children’s specialty transport services.
Mr. Little has been actively engaged in EMS for more than 25 years. He served as the Director of Leavenworth County Kansas’ EMS system. Subsequently, he was named Director and then purchased Medevac MidAmerica. Medevac provided service in both Topeka, Kansas and Independence, Missouri. Mr. Little’s company was subsequently acquired by American Medical Response. In that role, Mr. Little managed paramedic service delivery systems in communities with populations ranging between 100,000 and 250,000 and is familiar with the unique operational dynamics of providing emergency services through a wide variety of service models. In recent years, he has been involved in a number of operational assessments for the Firm and directs a regional paramedic service for Heartland Health in St. Joseph, Missouri on behalf of the Firm’s MedServ affiliate.
Mr. Melvin has over 15 years public safety experience. He previously served in the Fort Wayne public utility model system as both a Communications Manager and Clinical Quality Manager and is a nationally registered paramedic. He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and has post graduate education as a programmer/analyst in Visual Basic, C++, and Java programming languages.
Mr. Walker brings his expertise is in air medical program operations, flight operations, and information technology to the Firm’s clients. His consulting projects have included evaluation and redesign of communications centers, process redesign for electronic and manual work flow, and design of automated systems to track and store statistical data, IT infrastructure design, development of key performance monitoring tools and reports, and procurement of aircraft and aviation management services. 
Mr. Hassman is a seasoned aviation executive and professional pilot with 30+ years of progressive experience within aviation related private sector and military organizations. He has specific knowledge of and experience in aviation equipment, flight operations, maintenance, air medical transport operations, and piloting. Additionally, he has performed both internal and external audits for 135 flight operations and in an essential liaison role between flight program top management and air operators, providing extensive support during complex and on-going implementation and service contract periods. Mr. Hassman has specialized knowledge of and experience in Air Medical Services both hospital-based and independent models: contract negotiation, implementation, personnel training and supervision, operations, and customer service.
Chief Evans works with the Firm’s clients on assessment and benchmarking projects and has deep experience in fire service programs and development. He also serves as the Assistant Chief - Business and Support Services, North Las Vegas (Nevada) Fire Department. His career spans 25 years including 18 years with Henderson (Nevada) Fire Department. He also coordinates the College of Southern Nevada’s Fire Technology program, teaching various fire and EMS topics.
Mr. Somers works with the Firm’s clients on communications and operations projects. For nearly 30 years, he has served with the Los Angeles Fire Department in a variety of field and communications roles. He holds the rank of Captain and currently serves as a Communications Center Supervisor. Mr. Somers also serves as a fire communications instructor for Rancho Santiago College, Orange County, California. He holds numerous professional certifications including: State of California, Fire Service Instructor; US Department of Homeland Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction Incident Command; and ICS 100,200, 300, 400. He regularly lectures at the Communications Center Manager’s program conducted by the Firm and frequently speaks at both National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED) and National Emergency Number Association (NENA) programs.
Mr. Graham works with the Firm’s clients on special projects related to preparedness when requested. He currently serves as Associate Director of the Center for Preparedness and Resilience in the Office of Homeland Security at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. His career in emergency services spans nearly 20 years, with extensive professional experience across the public safety continuum.
Mr. Kirkwood works with the Firm’s clients on special projects. He also serves as the director of Wake County, North Carolina. Mr. Kirkwood is an attorney with a broad range of public safety experience. He formerly was a fire battalion chief of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue serving suburban Portland, Oregon and was responsible for the department’s infomatics division and successful CFAI accreditation. His work with the Firm has been centered in researching and implementing operational and technology improvements for clients. Mr. Kirkwood also is the president-elect of the National EMS Management Association. 
Mr. Williams has a strong background in organizational development, performance management and systems theory, coupled with 15 years of emergency service experience. He has served as a provider, educator, researcher, and leader in rural, suburban, and urban environments, working in volunteer, public utility model, and public third-service organizations. Before joining the Firm, he was a senior level commander for Austin-Travis County (TX) EMS in the Clinical Practice Division coordinating system-wide quality management.
Dianne Wright is an experienced local government administrator and consultant. She served almost 20 years in leadership roles in south Florida. Her most recent role was as Assistant Director of the Fire Rescue Department for Miami-Dade County, Florida, reporting directly to then Fire Chief, David R. Paulison. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is one of the largest and most complex departments in the southeastern U.S. For more than 10 years, Ms. Wright was the Senior Staff Executive and Chief Financial Officer at the Fire-Rescue Department. Bureaus that reported directly to her included: personnel services, EMS, management information, and finance. During her tenure, Ms. Wright managed documentation, reimbursement procedures, and processes to collect more than $15 million from FEMA for Hurricane Andrew damages and emergency operations. 
Mr. Fuentes has been deeply engaged on complex projects and is regularly involved in the Firm’s international projects over the years. He has broad experience in the areas of communications, operations, deployment, and administration. He is a leading expert on the analysis, design, and management of EMS system status. For more than 16 years, he has held senior leadership positions in major EMS organizations throughout Canada.
For more than a decade, Mr. Bettinger has been involved in the Firm’s projects related to communications and operational issues for both air and ground clients. .
Dr. David E. Nelson serves with Fitch & Associates as a human resources consultant, trainer, and appreciative inquiry coach. For more than a decade, he has been an onsite coordinator for the annual Ambulance Service Manager’s (ASM) certificate program conducted by Fitch & Associates for the American Ambulance Association. He helped develop and is an onsite coordinator for the Communication Center Manager’s (CCM) certificate Program. Dr. Nelson also works with The Administration for Children and Families throughout the United States and partners with a number of organizations involved in health services and community action. He is widely known for his work in creating and nurturing strong teams, celebrating and assisting organizational evolution, and identifying and building excellent leaders. Dr. Nelson is appreciated for his warm listening, comfortable presence, and his positive spirit.
Dr. Weaver has worked with the Firm since 1987. He is involved in developing and shaping best practices for a variety of clients in the US and internationally. His consulting responsibilities involve evaluating medical quality processes and the leadership of the clinical function within EMS systems. He served as the Medical Director for Kansas City’s LifeFlight Eagle helicopter program for 20 years. During this same period, Dr. Weaver directed a Level One Trauma Center and he now serves as the Vice President of Clinical Diversity for the St. Luke’s Healthcare system.