Stevan Vuckovic

Medical Director

Stevan A. Vuckovic, D.O., FACOEP, FACEP began his medical career over 40 years ago as a firefighter paramedic in the south suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM) in 1992 and completed his emergency medicine residency at CCOM in 1996, where he was Chief Resident.

After residency, Dr. Vuckovic moved to northwest Indiana and practiced emergency medicine at Franciscan Health Crown Point, where he was a Medical Director and practiced for 19 years. Here he was actively engaged in the training and education of EMS professionals and emergency medicine residents. In 2013, Dr. Vuckovic was awarded the EMS Medical Director of the Year by the Indiana Fire Chief’s Association and Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Vuckovic is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Midwestern University/CCOM in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has extensive operational experience in EMS, EMS education, and tactical emergency medicine. Currently, he serves as Medical Director for Franciscan Health Rensselaer Emergency Department and EMS System.

Dr. Vuckovic retired from the Lake County Sheriff’s department after 21 years of serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Co-Medical Director of the SWAT team, and Co-Commander of the Special Trauma and Rescue (STAR) Team.

David Carr

Course Coordinator Lead Instructor

David Carr, LP, NRP, and GAMS Course Coordinator and Lead Instructor. David Carr is an accomplished professional with an extensive background in emergency medical services and firefighting. He is currently a full-time career firefighter/paramedic with the Crawfordsville Fire Department, where he has served for almost 10 years.

David is a founding member of the S.W.A.T. Medic Program for the Montgomery County Multi-jurisdictional S.W.A.T. Team and serves as a member and E.M.S. training coordinator. His commitment to public safety is evident in the successful completion of several courses and certifications, including Rope Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician, Confined Space Technician, and Fire Instructor 1, 2, and 3 certifications. He also holds the rank of EMS Sergeant. In addition to these roles, David is one of the department's NAEMT Course Coordinators and NAEMT Instructors for PreHospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TECC and TECC LEO).

David's commitment to public service extends beyond his work in the fire department. He has been a member of the Indiana National Guard for 17 years and continues to serve. During his time of service, he completed 11 years in a Long-Range Surveillance Unit and 6 years with a Parachute Rigger unit. In 2011, he completed a tour to Iraq. David's experience in the military is reflected in his completion of Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jumpmaster school (Master Rated Parachutist), and Pathfinder School. He holds multiple MOS's: Infantry (11B), Radio Operator and Maintainer (25C), Ammunition Supply Specialist (89B), and Parachute Rigger (92R).

David's unique skill set and expertise enable him to provide high-quality, applicable training that benefits his students and the community at large. As a Course Coordinator and Lead Instructor for the GAMS program, he is dedicated to providing the best possible training to help others succeed in their careers. David looks forward to applying his experience and knowledge to serve his community and make a positive impact on public safety.

Doug Pearson

TCCC Affiliate Faculty Member Lead Instructor

Doug Pearson, LP, NRP, TCCC Affiliate Faculty Member and Lead Instructor. Doug has a background crossing many disciplines. This cross-training has allowed him to easily mesh with different units and sections of public safety. He also has an associate's degree from Vincennes University in Criminal Justice and pursuing his B.S. degree in Marketing.

Doug has a combat tour with the 1st Infantry Division, where he was assigned to the 1-4 Cavalry, Division recon unit and was detailed to the Division LRS detachment during his deployment in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After leaving active duty and while completing his reserve time, Doug started his civilian public safety training and career. Completing the EMT-B course in 1993 and becoming a police officer in the Indianapolis area in 1994.

Doug completed a police career spanning 29+ years, retiring from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in March of 2023 with 23 years of service there. Doug worked uniform patrol as an instructor at the Indiana law enforcement academy occasionally and on staff at the IPD/IMPD training academy. Doug was a department rifleman and worked with the department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit for 12 years.

In 2013 Doug completed his Advanced EMT course and started providing some medical services to the bomb squad. In 2016 he completed his paramedic training and worked as the bomb squad's team medic. During that time, Doug also provided medic services to the Indiana State Police Central SWAT team when they were in the Indianapolis area. He completed his last 12 years with the police department assigned as a detective in criminal investigations. Investigating arson and explosive cases in the covert/organized crime branch. Where he received his Firefighter certifications and Hazmat Tech certification, to name a couple. In 2017 Doug began working PRN at Indianapolis EMS and is currently working in their education division. Where he has had the opportunity to train EMS workers in the Indianapolis area and around the state.

In his EMS teaching, he has been able to bring a real-world experience of combat and law enforcement mentality to the training to allow students to better understand how the public safety units can work together. I look forward to learning from future students and sharing my experience with them. If you learn one thing from any training attended, then it was not wasted training! Stay safe

Anthony Forton

Lead Instructor

Anthony Forton LP, NRP, TP-C, and Lead Instructor. Anthony started his career nearly 30 years ago as an EMT in Northern Michigan. Anthony works as a personal security specialist paramedic in diplomatic security detail in various high-threat environments overseas. Anthony has years of experience in paramedicine obtained during the War on Terror in Iraq, specializing in tactical medicine. Anthony became a Paramedic in the 80’s, starting off on the street answering 911 calls, and later became a S.W.A.T. Medic in the late ’90s, working alongside some of Northern Michigan’s most respected and talented Law Enforcement officers. He also found time. Over the years, Anthony has attended multiple Tactical Medical Courses ranging from an essential Tac-Med provider, TCCC/MP, and Critical Care.

Anthony enjoyed this so much that I became an instructor for TCCC. He enjoyed the training aspect so much he now holds instructor certifications in AHA – BLS, ACLS, & PALS, NAEMT – TCCC-MP, TECC, PHTLS, and AMLS. While at home, he still practicing Paramedicine at a local Fire and EMS department. He also recently started teaching the Department of Homeland Security's Active Threat Integrated Response Course (ATIRC) as an adjunct professor at LSU (Louisiana State University) and NRA-FI, Range Safety Officer (RSO). Anthony is a proven dictated medicine practitioner with years of experience in both tactical and austere environments. Who always assists aspiring paramedics and EMTs to develop into top-notch caregivers.

Brandon Oliver

Lead Instructor

Timothy Brandon Oliver LP, FP-C, and Lead Instructor, is a seasoned paramedic with 16 years of dedicated service, specializing in both tactical and flight paramedic training. Brandon has been a Base Manager for StatFlight in West Lafayette, Indiana, for the last 3 years. As the Lead Tactical Paramedic for the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, he has been pivotal in orchestrating medical operations for the SWAT team. His responsibilities included coordinating emergency medical plans, ensuring effective communication with local EMS and HEMS agencies, and providing comprehensive medical training to SWAT team members and other law enforcement personnel. Timothy also managed the procurement and maintenance of critical medical equipment and medications and oversaw the department's AED program.

As a Flight Paramedic with PHI Air Medical and IU Health Lifeline, Timothy delivered high-pressure critical care in air and ground transfer settings. He was responsible for providing advanced life support, managing complex patient care during interfacility transfers, and executing emergency procedures in flight. His expertise includes blood administration, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), chest tube placement, central and intraosseous (IO) line placements, ventilator management, and other advanced life-saving techniques.

Timothy’s extensive experience also encompasses strategic planning, quality assurance, and protocol development and revision. He has developed and implemented rigorous training programs emphasizing best practices in emergency medical services and tactical operations. His commitment to excellence is reflected in his role in improving operational efficiency, enhancing patient care, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and preparedness in emergency medical situations.

Eric Wood

Lead Instructor

Eric E. Wood LP and Lead Instructor, who is a member of the LaPorte County EMS. Eric is currently appointed to the shift Training Officer. Eric has spent over the last 30+ years involved in local volunteer FD and EMS. Eric retired from their career in 2022. Eric is currently a Technician with the LaPorte County Hazardous Materials Team. Eric is a former certified law enforcement officer within the State of Indiana. Eric is a former SWAT Medic. Eric is a certified Fire & EMS Instructor and a nationally certified instructor in PHTLS, TECC, and TCCC. Eric loves training. His motto is “If you are not learning something that day, you’re falling behind”.