The Dutchess County CIRT is comprised of members from various emergency services throughout the county. There are currently 12 Active Peer Support Members on the team. We are also supplimented by 3 Mental Hygiene Professionals from the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene that serve as "quality assurance and quality improvement" consultants.
Our team currently consists of the following members:
Steve Tuttle, CS-1, Team Coordinator - Steve joined the team when it began in 2002, and currently serves as the team coordinator. His training is in Basic Group CISM, Advanced CISM, Individual Support, Preparation for Line of Duty Death, Suicide Intervention, & Hostage Negotiations. He works full time as a career firefighter for the Arlington Fire District, as well as part time for Dutchess 911 as dispatcher 14-43, and NYS OFPC as a state fire instructor.
Bill Butler, CS-2, Team Director - Bill joined the team when it began in 2002, and currently serves as one of the team's directors. His training is in Basic CISM, Advanced CISM, Individual Support , as well as extensive training in Substance Abuse. He is employed as a counselor for St. Francis Hospital Beacon, and is a member of the Lagrange Fire District.
Rev. Bob Ridpath, CS-3 - Bob joined the team when it began in 2002, and served as a team director. His training is in Basic CISM, Advanced CISM, Individual Support, as well as pastoral services. He is a member of the Clergy, and is employed as a fire alarm dispatcher.
Dr. Paul Coiteux PhD, CS-4 - Paul joined the team when it begain in 2002, and is an active member. His training is in Basic CISM, Advanced CISM, Individual Support, as well as Clinical Psychology. He is a retired school psychologist.
Michele Lieberman, CS-5 - Michele joined the team when it began in 2002, and serves as an active member. Her training is in Basic CISM, and is employed by Dutchess Community College as the EMS Training Program Coordinator, and a member of the Lagrange Fire District.
Janice Elderkin, CS-6 - Janice joined the team in 2003, and serves as an active member. Her training is in Basic CISM, Individual Support, Suicide Intervention and Hostage Negotiations. She is a supervisior for Dutchess County 911, and a member of the Roosevelt Fire District.
Dee Sagendorph, CS-7 - Dee joined the team in 2003, and serves as an active member. Her training is in Basic CISM. She is employed by Northern Dutchess Paramedics as an EMT, and is Captain of the rescue squad for Staatsburg Fire District.
Chuck Tuttle, CS-8 - Chuck joined the team in 2004, and serves as an active member. His training is in Basic CISM. He is employed by Central Hudson Gas and Electric, and is a member (and past chief of 11 years) of the Pleasant Valley Fire District.
Chrissy Eighmy, CS-9 - Chrissy joined the team in 2004, and serves as an active member. Her training is in Basic CISM. She runs her own day care, and is a member (and past captain) of the rescue squad for the Rhinebeck Fire District.
Heather Cooper, CS-10 - Heather joined the team in 2004, and serves as an active member. Her training is in Basic CISM. She is employed by Dutchess County as a corrections officer. She is also a Fire Lieutenant for the Beekman Fire District.
Carl Quaglino, CS-11 - Carl joined the team in 2004, and serves as an active member. His training is in Basic CISM. He is employed as an electrician supervisor in NYC. He also serves as a fire captain in the Dover Fire District.
Bonnie Scheer LCSW, MH-1 - Bonnie joined the team when it began in 2002 and currently serves as the lead mental health professional for the team. She is the head of the county Mental Hygiene Department's Trauma Team, is a social worker, and was the Director of Project Liberty, the FEMA-funded crisis counseling program in the aftermath of 9/11.
Holly Greer LCSW, MH-2 - Holly joined the team in 2003, and serves as a mental health professional for the team. Holly is employed by the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene as a Supervising Social Worker and a member of the Mental Hygiene Trauma Team.
Colleen Feroe LCSW, MH-3 - Colleen joined the team in 2003, as serves as a mental health professional for the team. Colleen is employed by the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene as a Social Worker and a member of the Mental Hygiene Trauma Team.
Unfortunately, we have reached our limit of Active Team Members, as outlined in our County Resolution. However, if you are interested in joining the team as an "Associate Member", feel free to send us an e-mail, and we will mail you out an application. Associate members can serve on the team as volunteers during our practice role-play training interventions. Associate members will also be considered for future training in CISM, as well as interviewed for available Active Positions should they become available.
