ARES EMS Academy

Chris Walley started his career in the Fire service in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter and became a full-time firefighter in 1999. He obtained his EMT-Basic in 2001 and then became a Paramedic in 2005.While in the fire service, Chris was promoted to Lieutenant and was the City of Brandon’s first Paramedic. Chris progressed his career into Emergency Management in 2009. While working for Rankin County Emergency Management he responded to several disasters within the county but also responded as a forwarded Incident Management Team with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He was the task force coordinator for the Mid-Mississippi Strike Team while at Rankin County EOC. Chris also began his Law Enforcement career with the Rankin County Sheriffs Office where he provided his paramedic skills as a SWAT team member. Chris obtained his TCCC instructor and assisted in teaching several EMS, FD, and SWAT teams. He eventually moved on to University of Mississippi Medical Center where he assisted the State Medical Response Team and assisted the hospital during large scale events. He also had his time in the Middle East as a High Threat Security Medic for the United States Embassies in Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout his career, Chris has maintained a high level of passion for training and education that he uses to enrich the EMT training for ARES.

Chase Edwards is a 20+ year veteran of the US military, fire service, and EMS civilian. Chase started his career as an emergency services professional by joining Fire Protection in the Air National Guard. Chase began his education as a medical professional while serving as an assistant athletic trainer at a local community college. He also worked in a municipal fire department and a volunteer fire department in his local community. Chase obtained his Emergency Medical Technician Certification during his career as a municipal firefighter. He then progressed to a military fire department and worked for an EMS agency to further his career in Emergency Services. Chase has had the opportunity to be a USAF flight medic and firefighter through his military affiliations. He started his endeavors in training for all hazards responses through those affiliations, including training seasoned operators in a joint tactical environment. Chase has obtained a Paramedic Certification and numerous IFSAC and Pro Board Fire certifications throughout his career as a fire service professional. Including Fire Instructor I/II, Fire Inspector I/II, Fire Officer I, II, III, IV, Hazardous Material Technician, and more. He has also obtained degrees in Fire, EMS, and Safety. Currently, Chase is a Fire Chief at an international airport, fire academy instructor, community college instructor, and USAF Medic. Chase continues to progress as an all-hazards professional and seeks to train others in multiple fields of emergency services and emergency management.