DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF AKWESASNE MOHAWK AMBULANCE SERVICE

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne's Department of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek Comins as the new Associate Director of the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Service (AMA). We extend a warm welcome to Derek as he joins our team, bringing exceptional experience and dedication to this vital role.

Derek has devoted his professional and personal life to safeguarding the health and safety of the Akwesasne community. His service includes decades of commitment as a volunteer firefighter with the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department (HAVFD) since 1997, where he also served as Fire Chief. Additionally, Derek previously worked as an EMT and EMT Supervisor with AMA.

His leadership journey continued as Emergency Management Director for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT), Deputy Director at Franklin County Emergency Services, and Emergency Management Specialist at FEMA. Derek has played a critical role in numerous disaster drills and real-world emergency responses, including flooding, severe weather events, power outages, and mass casualty incidents.

Complementing his extensive field experience, Derek has completed advanced training in emergency services and management, including Fire and EMS Leadership I, II, and III, Emergency Management for Tribal Governments, and Emergency Operations and Mitigation for Tribal Governments.

Please join us in welcoming Derek Comins to the Department of Health. We look forward to his guidance and leadership in strengthening the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Service.