UPCOMING CONFERENCE

Tracie has been a professional counselor and educator for over two decades.  During this time, she has worked extensively with individuals in crisis including working with individuals at risk for suicide.  Tracie is passionate about assisting non-counselors in becoming comfortable asking difficult questions related to suicide, especially first responders who a first point of contact for rural citizens are often.

Tracie grew up in a rural community in the southern part of the United States and has lived in the rural upper Midwest for over 25 years. She has been living and working in farming communities of typically less than 5000 people, so is very much a part of the rural culture.  Being a part of a rural community and working with like-minded individuals has dramatically influenced her career and values, adding to her belief that we are all work towards one common goal.  She understands how much relationships in rural towns help us to build stronger communities and enjoys collaborating with others who have a similar mindset.

Growing up in Madelia MN, Matt had a strong desire to help others. He attended Ridgewater College for Law Enforcement. During that time, He was employed with the City of Willmar Police Department as a Community Service Officer. After a fire destroyed the downtown business district in his hometown, He decided to move back to the area and call Truman MN Home. He joined the Truman Fire Department, received his firefighter 1 & 2, education, certification, and obtained the Emergency Medical Responder certification.

He would obtain his NREMT through South Central College and join the Truman Ambulance Service. During the fall of 2018 Matt accepted a full-time career with Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service in Fairmont MN. He obtained his Paramedic Certification through the School of EMS in Sioux Falls SD and currently serves in a paramedic role with Mayo Clinic Ambulance. Currently, he is the EMS Education Coordinator and an Instructor with SASCS in Minnesota Lake and an Instructor for the South-Central EMS Region. As an advisor, he sits on the South-Central EMS Regional Board as a Martin County Fire and EMS representative.

He resides in Truman MN with his wife Kristen, (an EMT also!) and their mixed family. They have 6 children between the two of them. When asked, Matt states “He has a real passion for Fire, EMS, EMS education, clinical practice, community education and outreach.” He still serves the local community of Truman as a Firefighter and Paramedic for the Truman Ambulance as a volunteer member, Assistant Director of Operations and Training Officer.

In his free time, he enjoys travelling, camping with family, and jumping on the side by side and going for a ride.