Allina Health EMS operations supervisor completes National Fire Academy Managing Officer Program

MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 22, 2024) — Allina Health EMS Supervisor Katy Frey recently completed the Managing Officer Program from the National Fire Academy (NFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

“I learned invaluable information throughout the Managing Officer Program and am thankful for the opportunity to meet people from across the country. While we all had different approaches and points of view, we were able to connect and problem solve on solutions and best practices. I’m thankful to have made that network of colleagues and look forward to continue sharing what I’ve learned with my EMS team in River Falls,” said Katy Frey, operations supervisor, Allina Health EMS. 

This program is a two-year curriculum that introduces emergency services leaders to personal and professional skills in change management, risk reduction and adaptive leadership. The program’s goals are to promote and enhance the professional growth of fire service leadership while preparing future leaders through a combination of education and group involvement. 

“On behalf of everyone at Allina Health and Allina Health EMS, we are incredibly proud of Katy’s commitment to life-saving work that is critical to the communities we serve,” said Susan Long, president, Allina Health EMS. “Katy is the first woman at Allina Health EMS to complete this program, and in a field where women are still underrepresented, we appreciate Katy’s dedication to improving her skills to better serve others.” 

Frey is the second Allina Health EMS supervisor to achieve this honor. The program requires multiple weeks-long visits for in-person courses at the NFA in Maryland, in addition to pre-course work and a capstone project. The capstone project must directly benefit the participant’s department and community.