BRAVE Foundation

Paul Embleton President	Paul is currently living in Guatemala helping to develop an EMS system in a rural region of this poor Central American country. He has been granted a leave of absence from his position of Captain/Paramedic with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue in Tacoma, WA in order to complete this project. Paul has been traveling to Guatemala since 1996 to provide equipment and training to the firefighters throughout Guatemala. He first went as part of a medical team providing emergency care to children and was introduced to the firefighters who were attempting to provide Fire, Rescue, and EMS services with extremely limited resources and training. In 1998, with the support of Rotary clubs in the US and Guatemala, he helped to establish the first EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) program for the Volunteer Firefighters of Guatemala, providing the necessary training, equipment, and apparatus to provide both basic and advanced pre-hospital care to the sick and injured. With continuing support from Rotary, fire departments, hospitals, and many special individuals, he has helped to expand this training to firefighters throughout the country where there are now 13 EMT programs in place. His current project is along the shores of Lake Atitlan in the Guatemala highlands, the home of the 120th company of Bomberos, the newest fire company of the Volunteer firefighters of Guatemala. They are building a fire station that will house a ground ambulance, a fire engine, a rescue vehicle, and a clinic. They have also built a water ambulance service to provide emergency transportation to many villages that previously had no access to health care. In January of 2009 they are scheduled to begin building the second floor to this fire station that will serve as a national training center for firefighters. Paul has been involved in the fire service since 1994. He has been an EMT / Paramedic and an EMS educator for 24 years. He has worked on a regional Hazardous Materials Team as a HazMat Technician. Paul is also heavily involved in technical rescue and has helped to develop technical rescue teams in California and Washington. He has taught courses in Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, and Rescue Systems for the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. He has also served as a Technical Search Specialist and Rescue Specialist for FEMA / Washington Task Force 1. In December of 2008, Paul became the President of the B.R.A.V.E. Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving training and emergency services in third world countries. Paul invites any that may be interested in this project to contact him at through our contact form.
Adam Rosenlund Vice President	Adam is one of the founding members of the BRAVE Foundation. He began working with the Guatemala Project long before the Foundation was created. Adam began traveling to Guatemala in September 2000 where he has taught classes, sat in counsel with Department leadership and planned many aspects of the Guatemala project. Because of his work in Guatemala he has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and the National Merit of Honor by the Benemerito Cuerpo Voluntario de Bomberos de Guatemala Adam brings 15 years of Fire/EMS experience, where he currently serves as a Lieutenant for Central Pierce Fire & Rescue in Tacoma, WA. Also, serving on the departments technical rescue team. He has also volunteered for 14 years with the Boy Scouts of America, working with hundreds of youth and sharing his expertise with other adult Scout leaders by being actively involved in regional training programs for the BSA. His enthusiasm and energy brings much to the BRAVE Foundation and the Guatemala Project, living by the adage, "Where there is a WILL there is a WAY".
Vanessa Palensky Secretary	Vanessa Palensky is a founding member of the BRAVE Foundation. She began instructing and working along side the Cuerpo Voluntario de Bomberos de Guatemala in 2001 and has never looked back. Vanessa comes to the BRAVE Foundation with 17 years of Fire/EMS experience. She is a shift Captain and Paramedic at her current fire department and also the Medical Services Officer. Last year, she was honored to receive the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International for her work in Guatemala. She went to Guatemala hoping to “change the world.” Little did she know that her world would never be the same. Gracias Los Bomberos de Guatemala!
Jeff Palensky Treasurer	Jeff Palensky is a founding member of The BRAVE Foundation. He began his fire service career at the young age of 16 as a volunteer and is currently a firefighter/paramedic in Pierce County. Jeff brings many years of technical rescue experience to Guatemala, an area of much need. He has served on the Mt. St. Helen’s Volcano Rescue Team and is a Team Lead for his current department’s rope rescue and structural collapse teams. Jeff was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International in 2007 for his efforts in Guatemala. Since his first trip in 2001, he has been truly committed to Guatemala. Jeff believes the cliché to be true: One person can really make a difference.
Ron Quinsey Board Member	Ron Quinsey is a Firefighter/Paramedic with over 25 years of service with the Lakewood Fire Department (WA), a founding member of the Brave Foundation and charter member of the Guatemala Project since 1999, traveling the country many times. He was instrumental in the development of both the Basic and Advance TUM (Técnico en Urgencias Médicas [EMT]) Program, initial student training and its service delivery process with the support of grants such as LifePak 10 ECG/defibrillators from the Physio-Control Company and other donors of medical equipment. Rotary International honored Ron with a Paul Harris Fellow award. He received a prestigious National Merit of Honor by Benemertio Cuerpo Voluntario de Bomberos de Guatemala and many other acknowledgements by the Bomberos, department and Guatemala citizens. "I am humbled by the work of the people of Guatemala and proud to work with individuals who are equally committed to advancing life saving services where none exist", said Ron Quinsey. He is also a founding Member and Executive Officer for the Life Safety Charity Fund, a non-profit for Lakewood Fire Dept. and its community since 1992.
Vicky Tetzlaff Board Member	Vicky Tetzlaff joined the BRAVE Foundation Board of Directors on May 1, 2008. Vicky brings with her nearly 30 years of non-profit and Board experience from her diverse roles as a staff member and community volunteer with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs and the American Cancer Society. She has worked for more than 5 years as a full time Fund Development professional working with community leadership raising funds through individual, corporate and foundation contributions for a wide array of community needs including a $60 million Capital Campaign for youth and family services. Vicky looks forward to using her expertise and "others above self" spirit to help fulfill the mission and goals of the BRAVE Foundation. She can’t wait to get to know the people of Guatemala!