Saved a State Trooper
Provided critical on-scene care to a Massachusetts State Trooper during a 2019 incident in Oak Bluffs, covered by the Cape Cod Times.
Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard
John Rose
Fire & EMS Chief. Paramedic. First Responder Advocate.
Decades of service on Martha's Vineyard, recognized for life-saving action, mass-casualty response leadership, and advocacy for first responder mental health.
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About
A career built on showing up.
John Rose has served the people of Martha's Vineyard for decades, currently as Fire & EMS Chief in Oak Bluffs. He came up through the ranks as a paramedic, working calls ranging from routine medical transports to multi-agency emergencies on land and at sea.
He is one of a small number of paramedics certified to perform medical evacuations alongside the United States Coast Guard, supporting offshore patients who cannot wait for a ferry. On a typical week, his department also runs 180-mile transfers to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Chief Rose has led mass-casualty drills coordinating fire, EMS, police, and federal partners, including a large-scale 2019 exercise at Waban Park. He is a vocal advocate for the volunteer fire service and for first responder mental health, speaking openly about PTSD and the long-term cost of the job.
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Recognition & Service
Highlights from a life in public service.
EMT of the Year
Recognized by peers and the community for sustained excellence in patient care and emergency response.
Coast Guard Medevac Certified
One of a small group of paramedics certified to perform offshore medical evacuations with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mass Casualty Drill Leader
Led the 2019 Waban Park multi-agency mass casualty exercise, coordinating fire, EMS, police, and federal partners.
180-Mile Daily Transfers
Oversees long-distance critical care transfers from the Vineyard to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Volunteer Fire Service Advocate
Vocal champion of the volunteer fire tradition and the community-level support it requires to survive.
Expertise
Topics John speaks on.
Available for interviews, panels, and conferences addressing the realities of modern emergency response and the people who carry it.
- PTSD in firefighters and paramedics
- Critical incident debriefing and the gap in current protocols
- The decline of volunteer fire departments and community impact
- Long-term effects of trauma on first responders and their families
- Public safety and social media
In the News
Selected coverage.
Speaking & Media
Inquiries.
Available for interviews, panels, and speaking engagements on first responder mental health and emergency services.
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts