Staff

Administrative Staff:
Phillip D. Schertzing, Ph.D.
Charles N. Bouth

C-CERT Train-the Trainer Program Instructors:
Robert Hudson
Anita Bouth
David Harper
Teresa Robinson
Kathy Van Patten
Charles Cribley
Ignacio Centeno
Mark A. Vroman
John Imeson
Kenneth Jones

Phillip D. Schertzing, Ph.D.—C-CERT Project Manager
Phil joined the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University (MSU) in July 2002 with a dual appointment as director of the Global Community Security Institute and as an academic specialist/instructor. He coordinates a variety of multidisciplinary emergency management and homeland security-related outreach, training and education activities. His instructional responsibilities include an undergraduate Introduction to Criminal Justice course, and graduate-level courses in MSU’s online Certificate in Homeland Security Studies program and the online Food Protection and Defense course. He also serves as adjunct faculty for the Michigan Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and teaches U.S. History part-time at Lansing Community College. His consulting clients have included Pearson Performance Solutions, CDM (Camp, Dresser & McKee), and the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Prior to joining MSU, Phil served a twenty-five-year career with the Michigan State Police (MSP), retiring in June 2002 with the rank of inspector as the assistant deputy state director of emergency management and homeland security. Recognized as the “unofficial” departmental historian of the Michigan State Police, Phil received several awards for outstanding government service in preserving the department’s proud historical heritage.

Phil earned a B.A. degree in Religious Studies and a Master of Management degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, and a Ph.D. in American History from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of the 191st session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and he maintains active membership in a variety of state and national emergency management and law enforcement associations. back to top

Charles N. Bouth, Ed.S, EFO—C-CERT Project Coordinator
Mr. Bouth has served 37 years in the emergency services. He retired as a Paramedic Lieutenant from the Ingham County Sheriff's Department, and later served as Chief of Police, Fire, and EMS in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Chuck retired as an Assistant Fire Chief with the City of Lansing, Michigan in 2006. He brings diverse experience to the classroom, having worked in or commanded a wide variety of police, fire and EMS incidents. back to top

Robert M. Hudson— Chief Hudson has been amember of the public safetycommunity for over 33 years,with experience in fireservice, emergency medical services, law enforcement, emergency management, and emergency service training. He currently serves as the Administrative Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director for the City of Portage, Michigan, having previously served as the departments Deputy Chief of Operations. Prior to joining Portage, he formerly held positions as Deputy Director of Fire Services for the City of Center Line, Michigan Department of Public Safety; and as a Career Fire Chief for the Delhi Charter Township, Michigan Fire Department. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff-Paramedic for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan, and has held Emergency Management Coordinator roles for Chippewa County and Ingham County as well as the City of Center Line, Michigan.

Chief Hudson also served 18 years as part-time faculty for the regional fire training academy as well as instructing within the EMS and law enforcement programs as well as  the Mid-Michigan Police Academy at Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan. He currently is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nevada-Reno Fire Science Academy.

He is a State of Michigan certified Fire Fighter II, Fire Officer III, Fire Instructor, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, NFPA certified Fire Inspector I, EMS Instructor-Coordinator, and Hazardous Materials Technician. He is also certified to instruct numerous courses, such as Hazardous Materials, CBRNE, Terrorism, and Incident Management programs.

He is currently completing his Master of Science in Executive Fire Leadership Degree Program with Grand Canyon University. He also holds a Bachelors of Applied Science degree in Public Safety from Siena Height’s University; three Associate degrees in Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Science from Lansing Community College. He completed the Professional Development Program in Emergency Management at the Emergency Management Institute at the National Emergency Training Center, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program, and holds the Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

He provides contractual training as a terrorism specialist for Kalamazoo County, Michigan, several healthcare and private sector companies, and has received numerous commendations and awards during his career.

In the fall of 2006, Chief Hudson spent two-weeks training the Bomba Dan Penyelamat (Fire & Rescue Department) regional Hazardous Materials Teams in Terrorism Response
at the Fire & Rescue Academy Malaysia (FRAM) in Kuala Kubu Barhu, Malaysia.

Chief Hudson also was honored to be one of the responders to the World Trade Center disaster in New York, working at Tower 2 from September 12 thru September 14, 2001. back to top

Anita J. Bouth Ed.S —Anita brings over thirty years of experience in the Education field to the team. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Central Michigan University, as well has an Educational Specialist degree from Michigan State University. Anita facilitates the Adult Learning and Educational Methodology portions of the course. She has experience with curriculum development and has worked with adults to enhance teaching skills. back to top

David A. Harper—Chief Harper has 26 years of public safety experience and currently serves as the Chief of Training for theMeridian Township EMS/FireDepartment. He began his career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Ingham County Sheriff Department, serving as a patrol officer enforcing the general laws of the State of Michigan, working selective traffic enforcement, and functioning as a paramedic for 9 years, while concurrently working as a firefighter and command officer with Delhi Township Fire Department.

His career with Meridian Township began in 1989 as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and has included many other responsibilities within the Department to date. Current responsibilities include the development, implementation, delivery and oversight of all emergency medical, technical rescue, hazardous materials, fire suppression and other training aspects.

Chief Harper is certified to instruct in numerous areas including the National Fire Academy Incident Command Systems, Michigan Unified Incident Command, and the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Levels. He is a Licensed Michigan Advanced Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic, a Michigan certified Fire Fighter II, Fire Officer III, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Fire Service Instructor. His credentials include several Michigan Urban Search and Rescue (MUSAR) certifications such as confined space, trench, and structural collapse rescue.

Chief Harper holds five academic degrees including four Associate Degrees from Lansing Community College; General Education, Criminal Justice, Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic, and Fire Science Technology, receiving in 1993, the Outstanding Alumnus recognition. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Science from Siena Heights University, and has completed the rigorous National Fire Academy’s, Executive Fire Officer Program in 2004. back to top

Teresa Robinson—Teresa Robinson began working in EMS in 1995 and becamea career firefighter with Lansing Fire Department in 1996. Always looking for opportunities to expand her training, Teresa Robinson became an American Heart Association Basic Life Support instructor and began her teaching career. Her passion for teaching resulted in involvement in many school, community, and department classes and events. In 2003, Teresa was invited to teach fire safety to a community CERT class and soon after became a certified CERT instructor and a coordinator for the program which spanned the tri-county area. Her involvement with the CERT program additionally lead to a position with FEMA as a disaster assistance employee. She responded to Florida in September of 2004 and New Orleans for the entire month of September 2005. During those times of service, she had the opportunity to work in various roles including field instructor and gained valuable knowledge regarding disaster environments. Besides her passion for teaching, Teresa also has a passion for learning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University and is currently completing her Master of Science in Leadership degree at Grand Canyon University. back to top

Kathy VanPatten—Recently retired from East Lansing Fire Department (home of the Spartans) where she was Deputy Chief of fire suppression, special operation coordinator, which included; hazardous material, trench, confine space, structural collapse and rope rescue.  She was a career firefighter/paramedic and an advanced cardiac life support instructor.

VanPatten's 27 years of public safely experience beganwith Ingham County Sheriff Department as a deputy/paramedic and undercover narcotic agent for the tri county.

Kathy is currently certified to instruct hazard material and incident command classes through Emergency Response Solution at MSU.  She is a graduate of Ferris State University. 

Kathy and her husband, Mike, have been married 20 years and they have been blessed with two children, Devan and Ethan. back to top

Ignacio “Nacho” Centeno Jr. – Nacho is a professional firefighter/EMT with the Lansing Fire Department where he has served the past 11 years.  He is involved with the technical aspects of rescue and is one of the Department’s Public Information Officers (PIOs). He is certified as a Technician in the rescue disciplines of Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse Rescue, and High Angle Rescue.  Adding to his list of qualifications, Nacho is also involved in Emergency Management as a Professional Emergency Manager at the fire department.  He is currently a coordinator and plays an active role in the Ingham County CERT Program.  He proudly serves as an Instructor and Spanish translator for Michigan State University’s Emergency Response Solutions (ERS), which provides emergency response training and technical assistance to public and private sector organizations throughout North America.

John Imeson - John is employed as the Chief of Police at Lansing Community College, a position he has held for the last five years.  He has been in law enforcement for 23 years.  During his law enforcement career he has served as a county park system police chief and a municipal police chief.  John holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors degree in Management and Organizational Development.back to top

Kenneth Jones —Ken recently retired from Lansing Fire Department where he was Emergency Management Chief, Haz Mat Team Captain, EMS Coordinator, and a career paramedic/firefighter. As emergency manager for the City of Lansing, Michigan, he conceived of the Do1Thing (www.do1thing.us) family preparedness program. This unique disaster readiness campaign is a collaborative partnership of local agencies that promote resilience through monthly preparedness activities.

He has 20 years experience at Lansing Community College as a part-time teacher and program coordinator. Ken and his wife Peggy have been married 25 years and created four wonderful children. He originally hails from Indiana and is an avid follower of Hoosier basketball. back to top


Mark A. Vroman— Mark has been serving the public in many facets of emergency services over the past 14 years. Currently Mark is a Firefighter/Paramedic for Meridian Charter Township (Michigan). In addition to his fire suppression and emergency medical service duties, Mark is also a Hazardous Materials Technician and Technical Rescue Team Member. Mark possesses an Associates Degree in Fire Science and advanced certifications in both the Fire Inspection and Fire Investigation disciplines. Mark is in the process of working towards his Bachelors Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. back to top