Paul Mitchell

Paul retired from public service in August 2020. With a natural and innate desire to serve others, Paul's passion and commitment to progressive training was a driving force in serving his community for 20 years.

 

Paul holds two associate degrees from San Juan College. He is a New Mexico Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate, has served as a New Mexico Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Instructor Coordinator and has been instructing emergency care courses for over 15 years. Paul also served as a tactical medic for the Farmington Police Department (FPD) SWAT team as well as a Lead Instructor for the San Juan College Fire Science Program.

 

Paul began his public service career as a Juvenile Corrections Officer and worked for both San Juan County and the State of New Mexico. He operated his own personal fitness training business for a short time and in 2001, Paul answered his calling to a career in the fire service by joining the Farmington Fire Department (FFD). His passion for training soon transferred to the fire service and he became a Fire Instructor in 2003. As a Fire Fighter, Paul was a certified Fitness Coordinator and he became a Tactical Medic for FPD's SWAT team where he served for approximately 10 years. Paul promoted to Engineer in 2006. During that time, he established the FFD Honor Guard, assisted in implementing the Community Access Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program for the City of Farmington and became a CPR/AED instructor. Paul was then assigned as FFD's CPR/AED & First Aid coordinator in which he provided training to the department as well as to city and school employees. In 2011, Paul promoted to the rank of Captain. As a Captain, he established a tuberculosis training program for the department, became the EMS Continuing Education Coordinator and the department liaison to the 2018 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management. In 2018, Paul promoted to the rank of Training Chief before he retired from public service in 2020.

 

Throughout his tenure, Paul's community involvement included raising funds for the San Juan County Special Olympics by organizing the department's Fire Fighter calendar and coordinating the Guns & Hoses tournaments. Paul also coordinated the Cancer Walk-a-thon and he volunteered his time with Cast For Kids.

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Paul's dedication to providing high quality emergency care training extended beyond his department responsibilities. He also taught CPR/AED and First Aid courses to the community responder for a local home health care company. As an Adjunct Instructor, Paul passed on his knowledge to future emergency responders by teaching First Responder and EMT Basic courses for San Juan College's EMS Program as well as serving as a Lead Instructor for the San Juan College Fire Science Program. Paul's dedication and commitment to teaching earned him the San Juan College Tarpley Teaching Award, which recognizes excellence in teaching.

 

Paul delivers a tactical approach to conducting patient assessment which includes self-awareness, situational awareness, patient awareness and environmental awareness. This helps the immediate responder develop the ability and confidence needed to be assertive in protecting themselves and others in emergency situations. His passion, humor, and experience will make your training with Paul an unforgettable learning experience!

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