Board Members
Oversight of the Columbia Paramedic Academy Foundation is provided by a Board of Directors. Members are appointed for three year terms and are responsible for financial oversight and granting decisions.
Emma Keating, ACP, M.Ed
Emma joined Columbia Paramedic Academy in 2018 as an instructor, curriculum designer, and a member of the Education Committee. A paramedic instructor in BC for 15+ years and a practicing paramedic for more than 20, she holds an ACP license in BC and a MA in Learning Technology.
After spending 15 years living and working in the Lower Mainland, Emma relocated back home to northern BC where she continues to be involved in rural paramedic training and the development of curriculum that will support rural paramedic practice through in-person and distance training.
In her spare time Emma enjoys being outside regardless of the weather, time with her family, and the ever- increasing number of pets who call her farm home.
Mike Billingham, ITT (Retired)
Mike has spent the last 40 years involved in all facets of paramedic work and training. This includes working with front line staff as a member of the Infant Transport team with the provincial ambulance service, as an editorial Board member with a national paramedic publication, and as a Board Member of the Patient Care Quality Review Board of BC, just to name a few. He has spent the last 12 years developing educational and training programs to help ensure paramedics are learning and delivering best practices in care.
Outside his paramedic work, Mike’s interests include golf, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
Ryan Curr, ACP
After more than 15 years training and working as an EMR, PCP and ACP, Ryan now holds a leadership role with Columbia Paramedic Academy, serving as Director (Learning) for the organization. He is responsible for providing oversight and support to an educational delivery team that includes instructors, curriculum designers, and subject matter experts. Having originally studied and worked for a number of years as an educator and HR specialist before jumping into the world of paramedicine, this role has allowed Ryan to combine his interests and experience in both teaching and paramedicine.
Ryan’s interest in volunteering on the CPAF board comes from his desire to support the training of PCPs and ACPs closer to home for those living in British Columbia’s rural and remote communities. Born and raised in Quesnel, BC, Ryan had no choice but to leave home to pursue his paramedic training. This left him keen to see CPAF support local training opportunities that will allow rural and remote students to study close to home rather than having to leave their work, family, friends and other supports for months (or years!) on end.
In his spare time Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and young kids, often rushing between drop-offs and pickups for the latter, but occasionally finding time for his passions which include skiing, camping, hockey and, as evidenced in his picture, flying!