Wade Blake, Operations Manager, Nacogdoches County EMS
(936) 559-5156
For Wade Blake, it’s all about being there to serve in someone’s time of need.
“One of the best parts of my job is seeing the gratitude on people’s faces when you have helped them through a tough time,” Wade said. “We see people in their most desperate and vulnerable times. It’s nice to know I could help them in their time of need.
As Operations Manager for Nacogdoches County EMS, Wade oversees all aspects of the EMS department, including staffing, fleet vehicles, payroll, and supplies. He also assists administration and the Nacogdoches County Hospital District Board of Directors with budget items.
Wade initially planned to go into law enforcement, but a series of knee surgeries put him on a different path. He graduated from Lufkin High School, then attended Angelina College, where he received his EMT-B certification.
“EMS allowed me an opportunity to still serve the public,” Wade said. “I applied at Nacogdoches County EMS because they were a hospital-based service. Most EMS services are fire department-based, so you must be a firefighter. I started with Nacogdoches EMS in December of 1990.”
Wade married his high school sweetheart, Cne’, in June of 1991. They have two sons. Walker teaches English and coaches at Nacogdoches High School. His wife Katie teaches elementary at Central in Lufkin. They have one son, Carter. Jeb works for Lowes in Nacogdoches and is engaged to Kayle, who is a nurse for a doctor in Lufkin.
Wade and his family are members of First Baptist Church in Lufkin. He is a member of The Rotary Club in Nacogdoches, and was actively involved in youth baseball when his sons were younger.
How would you describe your job to your 10-year-old self? Exciting, boring at times, fast-paced, challenging, and ever-changing.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: I am very reserved until I get to know someone.
Describe yourself in one word: Loyal.
What is your hobby or favorite leisure-time activity? I have a small aluminum boat that I love to run the rivers in. No fishing, just motoring around. My family also loves to spend time at the beach.
Jonathon Walker
QA/QI Supervisor, Education Supervisor, Infection Control Officer
(936) 559-5709
Jonathon Walker wears a lot of hats, but his favorite job is teaching.
“I get to inspire young (and sometimes old) minds on the joy of caring for others,” Jonathon said. “That caring may be in someone’s worst of times, and maybe their best of times. Regardless, it is a privilege to help others.”
In addition to overseeing all education for the Nacogdoches County Hospital District, Jonathon makes sure all patient care is performed correctly, coordinates with the medical director and makes sure all DSHS and DEA rules are followed. He is also an EMS, CPR and ACLS instructor, and will soon be certified as a PALS instructor.
Jonathon credits three people with inspiring him to enter the medical field.
“My dad was a mechanic in the US Army and worked on ambulances while he served,” he said. “My mom recently retired as an RN for more than 40 years. When I was in high school, a pediatrician told me to work on the ambulance if I wanted to see if I could make it in the world of emergency medicine. I went to EMT school after I finished pre-med at Angelina College and I have loved it ever since.”
After graduating from Woodville High School, Jonathon received his paramedic license from Angelina College. He later attended Columbia Southern University and received his Bachelor of Science in EMS Administration and his Master of Public Administration in Emergency Management. He is a member of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and a member of the Association of Texas Emergency Medical Services Professionals.
Jonathon and his wife, Kasie, have four children, Chloe, Noah, Isabella and Savannah.
How would you describe your job to your ten-year-old self? So, you go to work, look at a computer for a couple of hours, and then deal with people the rest of the time. Don’t forget to talk to your medical director and supervisor from time to time, because they are the ones that authorized you to do your job.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: I am an extreme introvert. I have to make myself deal with and talk to people. At the end of the day, as long as I know I made a difference in someone’s life, whether that be a coworker or a patient, I can know that stepping out of my shell was worth it.
Describe yourself in one word: Unique.
What is your hobby or favorite leisure-time activity? When I am not at work, I enjoy helping my kids with homework and getting to watch my daughters compete in cheerleading, or tumbling, or whatever Bella calls it.
Curtis Siers, EMT-Paramedic/A-Shift Supervisor
(936) 615-4481
As an EMT-Paramedic and a shift supervisor, Curtis Siers helps provide EMS care for the people of Nacogdoches County and helps manage daily operations for the Nacogdoches County Hospital District EMS. He enjoys serving his community, and he appreciates those who serve along with him.
“My favorite part of job is being able to positively impact the lives of the people in our community and being able to work with an amazing group of professionals,” Curtis said. “The most challenging part is the fatigue and long hours. But it is rewarding, knowing the service I’ve provided has saved lives when the outcome would have been different without our intervention.”
Curtis has deep roots in Nacogdoches, as well as in the medical community.
“I was born in Nacogdoches at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital,” he said. “I was raised here and never left. I married a beautiful Nac girl and plan on living the rest of my life here.”
He credits Dr. Sid Fowler with recognizing his aptitude and encouraging him to take his first EMT class. After graduating from Nacogdoches High School, Curtis attended Stephen F. Austin State University and Angelina College before completing the EMT Paramedic Program through the Nacogdoches County Hospital District. He is certified in CPR, ACLS and PALS.
Over the years, he has relied on his patience and honed his ability to adapt his management style to match individual employees. By focusing on the well-being of those he’s working with, he’s able to better serve people in their time of need.
“The most important parts of the job are keeping my crew safe and providing the best care, no matter how trivial the complaint may be,” he said. “You have to always be professional in appearance and attitude.”
Curtis and his wife, Geni, have a daughter, Delanie, and a son, Dakota, as wells four dogs, a “pile of cats” and three potbelly pigs. They attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
How would you describe your job to your ten-year-old self? EMS is fun and frustrating at the same time. Fast paced. Exciting and mentally challenging. You get to safely break traffic laws while driving an ambulance with the awesome lights and sirens going. Most importantly, you get to go home knowing that you were the reason that someone is going to spend more time with their family.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us: My wife and I occasionally assist Triple P Pig Sanctuary out of Lufkin with pig rescues.
Describe yourself in one word: Conversational.
What is your hobby or favorite leisure-time activity? Hunting, fishing, spending time with family, reading and enjoying a good campfire with my wife.
Antonio Mendez, EMT-Paramedic
Nacogdoches native Tony Mendez has been with Nacogdoches EMS for more than 25 years.
“My initial career choice was pre-medicine, but my parents wanted me to take a first aid/EMT class first to see if that was something I was really interested in,” Tony said. “After completing the class, I fell in love with pre-hospital treatment and decided to do EMS instead.”
Tony obtained all his EMT certifications through Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. He began his career working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. dispatch shift. A quarter of a century later, and he’s still passionate about serving his community.
Although his job doesn’t leave him much free time, he’s very family-oriented and enjoys spending time with his loved ones. He likes playing golf, despite being “a very poor golfer,” and he looks forward to going to the lake to “fish,” even though he says he spends more time getting his line unstuck from underwater stumps than actually fishing.
Tony is a member of First Baptist Church of Nacogdoches.
