Member Spotlight: A Legacy of Service and Integrity with Tony Bixby

NAEMT Board of Directors: Tony Bixby on the Power of Showing Up and Serving Others

Tony Bixby, MBA, NRP, CCEMT-P, FP-C, is the NAEMT East Central Region Director for the 2026–2027 term and the Director of Prehospital Services and EMS Chief for Susquehanna Regional EMS in Pennsylvania. With more than 25 years of experience spanning frontline care and executive leadership, Tony brings a deep commitment to service, mentorship, and advancing the EMS profession. From leading award-winning teams to shaping statewide initiatives, his career reflects a focus on building stronger systems and supporting those who serve within them. We asked Tony to share the influences that shaped his leadership, his vision for the future of EMS, and what drives his continued dedication to the profession.

Q&A with Tony Bixby

Personal Reflection: Who was a mentor, partner, or instructor who made the biggest impact on you?

While many people have influenced me both personally and professionally, none have had a greater impact or offered more unwavering support than my parents. From a young age, they taught me that helping others isn’t just something you do, it’s a responsibility you carry. Whether it meant assisting a neighbor, volunteering in the community, or simply listening when someone needed support, they showed me what genuine service looks like. That foundation is a major reason I’ve been drawn to a career centered on serving others.

My father taught me the value of staying calm and confident, even when surrounded by chaos. I’m proud to look back on his decades of service as a volunteer fire chief, leading with steady, reassuring composure in the toughest situations. From him, I learned that true leadership isn’t about raising your voice, instead it’s about being the steady presence others can anchor to when everything feels uncertain. My mother taught me strength in its purest form, the kind that carries you forward even when the world feels completely overwhelming. A stage 3B breast cancer survivor, she endured aggressive chemotherapy and radiation that left her incredibly ill, yet she refused to give up, even in her darkest moments. After winning that battle, she went on to earn her EMT certification so she could help others facing struggles like the ones she had overcome.

Most importantly, my parents instilled in me the belief that doing the right thing is nonnegotiable. Integrity wasn’t framed as optional or dependent on circumstance, it was the expectation. That lesson has guided my decisions throughout my personal life and professional career, helping me navigate difficult moments with clarity and confidence.

Industry: What do you hope EMS looks like for the next generation coming in behind you?

I hope the future of EMS is stronger, more sustainable, and more respected than ever before. I want to see a system that truly values its providers, one built on solid leadership, competitive compensation, meaningful mental health support, and clear career pathways that allow people to grow without leaving the profession to advance.

I hope EMS continues to progress clinically, expanding scope of practice, strengthening evidencebased care, and becoming even more integrated within the broader healthcare system. At the same time, I hope we always hold tight to the spirit that defines this profession; the compassion that guides us, the empathy that grounds us, the teamwork that strengthens us, and the unwavering courage to answer the call whenever someone needs us most.

Workforce and Leadership: Any advice for someone who might want to get involved in EMS or NAEMT leadership?

If you’re thinking about getting involved in EMS leadership, either locally or with organizations like NAEMT, my biggest advice is to start early and not wait for the perfect moment. Focus on being excellent at your craft, because strong clinical skills and professionalism build credibility. Say yes to opportunities. Volunteer for committees, join projects, and get involved in the community. Leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about influence, service, and being the person who steps up when something needs to get done.
Find a mentor who challenges you and helps you think bigger and also look for opportunities to mentor others along the way. Stay curious, attend conferences, keep learning, and understand how EMS fits into the broader world of healthcare and public safety. Organizations like NAEMT offer ways to shape policy, education, and the future of the profession, but it all begins with raising your hand and being willing to serve.

Advocacy: For everyday EMS providers, what’s the easiest way to get involved or make their voices heard?

For everyday EMS providers, the easiest way to get involved is to start local and start small. Begin by staying engaged within your own agency. You should attend meetings, join a committee, volunteer for a project, or offer constructive ideas. Real change often starts on the front lines, and being present, professional, and solutionfocused builds credibility quickly.
You can also make an impact by helping to educate your community. Participate in public events, legislative outreach, or initiatives that highlight the value of EMS. Lawmakers, community leaders, and healthcare partners respond strongly to real stories and perspectives from the field.
Above all, don’t underestimate the power of professionalism and leadership every day, whether you are on duty or off. The way you show up and present yourself shapes how the entire profession is viewed. Advocacy doesn’t always require a loud voice. Sometimes it just simply starts with consistently showing up, caring deeply, and doing the job exceptionally well.

NAEMT Board Service: What made you say yes to joining the board—was it a specific issue, a person who encouraged you, or something else?

Saying yes to joining the NAEMT board wasn’t about one specific issue, it was about responsibility. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions made at the national level impact providers on the street. Discussions regarding education standards, advocacy efforts, reimbursement, and provider wellness directly affect the sustainability of our profession. At some point, I realized that if I cared about where EMS was headed, I needed to be willing to step up and be part of shaping it.

I was also encouraged by mentors and colleagues who believed in me, and their confidence pushed me to get more involved. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but having the willingness to show up, listen, learn, and advocate for what matters. Serving on the NAEMT board felt like a meaningful way to give back to a profession that has given so much to me, and to help ensure the next generation inherits something even better.

Tony’s commitment to service, rooted deeply in the lessons of his parents, is a testament to the impact one individual can have on the broader EMS community.

His advice to “not wait for the perfect moment” to get involved is a call to action for all of us. We thank Tony for his outstanding leadership on the NAEMT Board of Directors and for his lifelong dedication to advocating for providers on the street. If Tony’s story inspired you, we encourage you to raise your hand, get involved locally, and help us shape the future of EMS!