RIPS SAFETY - Key Persons
Barry has been with the RIPs team for nearly 15 years and assists with all aspects of EMR and EMT training. Barry is Deputy Coroner for St. Charles Parish as well as Fire Chief for Luling Fire Department.
Job Titles:
- Medical Director
- Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh
- Medical Director - Interventional Cardiologist
Dr. Denys is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and interventional cardiology. He is also a diplomate in cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Denys is a board-certified medical acupuncturist and a fellow of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. He is also a medical director of pharmaceutical research, being considered one of the leading physicians in this field. His has written numerous articles and abstracts that have been published in medical journals, and he has presented on many medical topics both nationally and internationally.
Eric Chiasson Eric has been with Rips for 23 years and has taken the lead of our Confined Space and High Angle Rescue Trainings. The day after graduating high school, Eric was witness to a cardiac arrest and recalls feeling totally helpless in the situation. Following the event, he took effort to becoming a first responder and then an EMT. He became involved in the local volunteer fire departments and began with rips instructing an an EMR and EMT instructor. Eric is a certified NAEMSE instructor and he also holds many rescue and confined space disciplines and has taken lead on our rescue program. Eric tailors training and gear to best suit each customers needs while always maintaining compliance and safety. Eric says the best thing about being an instructor is having a student return and say how the knowledge passed down to them was vital in them saving one of their own family members. Eric is the father of two children and in his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing, and outdoors.
Marcus has been part of the Rips team since our opening in 1999.
Marcus worked full time with Acadian Ambulance for over 30 years (employee number 177) as an EMT-Intermediate. He has seen how much EMS has evolved from the beginning of his career to the now technology driven care being performed.
Marcus has been a vital part of many individuals careers in ems where he has instructed many EMT courses and served as a preceptor to many new employees. Most at Acadian will remember Marcus for his jokes and pranks, as well as him keeping the spine board strap company in business as he would stock over 50 on his unit. Marcus would like to tell any new person coming into EMS: To remember that your patient is your top priority and to always remember your "why", your reason and passion to get into EMS. Marcus also served as an officer for Lafourche Parish Sherriffs Office for 4 years as well as a Safety Representative for McDermott International in Morgan City.
Pat has been with Rips for 11 years and assists with all aspects of our medical and rescue courses. Pat served 6 years in our Louisiana National Guard.
He worked for Marathon Petroleum in Garyville where he was the board room operator for their CAT unit.
Pat was also a vital member and instructor to their Fire/Rescue/Medical/Hazmat team.
What Pat loves most about instructing is sharing the knowledge that can help anyone in a time of need, whether it's a medical issue, rescue or both. But also love the friendships he's made with our staff and the many people we teach.
In Pats spare time he enjoys vacationing with his beautiful wife, firearms and shooting, and flying his remote control planes.
For over 35 years, Bernard has been involved with Emergency Medical Services. He began his career in EMS as a volunteer Emergency Medical Responder with the local Volunteer Fire Department. Shortly thereafter, Bernard obtained his EMT training and became a Nationally Registered EMT.
For a brief period, Trent provided safety and medical services as the Safety/Medic and ERT Coordinator for McDermott International. He was responsible for overseeing their behavior-based safety program, OSHA reporting, helping injured employees return to work safely, creating emergency response plans and coordinating the ERT Command team.