May 20, 2025 | 14:00 ET | Free to AAA Members
Speaker: Terence Sheehy, Deputy Chief, Dare County EMS
Communication failures can escalate routine emergencies into catastrophic disasters. This session examines critical incidents, including the Ever Forward grounding, Air Florida Flight 90, and Avianca Flight 52, to identify breakdowns that impacted outcomes. Attendees will explore strategies for improving radio protocols, strengthening interoperability, and implementing effective debriefing tools. Focused on actionable takeaways, this session equips EMS leaders with tools to enhance communication, streamline operations, and influence policy development for more resilient and prepared ambulance services.

Terence Sheehy, Deputy Chief, Dare County EMS

Deputy Chief Terence Sheehy brings over 27 years of experience in Emergency Services to his role as Deputy Chief of Operations at Dare County EMS. He oversees daily EMS operations across the Outer Banks, providing critical emergency response, aeromedical services, and inter-facility transports. His leadership includes multi-agency disaster planning, severe weather responses, and high-profile event management.

Starting as a volunteer firefighter at 17, Deputy Chief Sheehy has built a distinguished career in EMS, technical rescue, and fire service. He served as a supervisor with Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue, earning recognition from the U.S. Secret Service for his contributions to their rescue swimmer program.

He chairs the Dare County/Currituck County Regional Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and co-chairs the Executive Committee for the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition. He also contributed to redesigning North Carolina’s ambulance strike team model, strengthening statewide emergency readiness.

A sought-after speaker, Deputy Chief Sheehy has presented at regional, state, and national conferences, including the North Carolina EMS Expo and Texas EMS Conference. He actively teaches in the North Carolina EMS Officer Program, mentoring future EMS leaders.

Deputy Chief Sheehy holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care from Western Carolina University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Texas at Arlington. Known for his engaging presentations and expertise in leadership and disaster management, he delivers actionable strategies to improve communication and operational effectiveness in high-stakes environments.