Full Name
Terence Sheehy
Job Title
Deputy Chief of Operations
Company
Dare County EMS
Speaker Bio
Deputy Chief Terence Sheehy is an active operational EMS leader, educator, and nationally recognized speaker with nearly 30 years of experience in EMS, fire, technical rescue, and emergency operations. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations for Dare County EMS in North Carolina, overseeing daily operations for a geographically isolated coastal EMS system serving the Outer Banks. The system manages approximately 11,000 calls annually across a barrier island environment challenged by hurricanes, infrastructure disruptions, seasonal population surges, extended transport times, and limited redundancy.
Beginning his career in public safety at age 17, Terence has served in frontline, supervisory, and executive leadership roles throughout EMS and fire service operations. His experience includes hurricane response, disaster coordination, mass gathering operations, healthcare preparedness, leadership development, and operational continuity in high consequence environments. He also served with Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue, where he received recognition from the United States Secret Service for supporting rescue swimmer operations and training.
Terence is widely recognized for delivering practical, experience driven presentations focused on leadership, resilience, communication, culture, decision-making, and sustainable performance in EMS systems. His sessions blend real world operational lessons, storytelling, humor, and actionable leadership strategies that resonate with providers, supervisors, educators, and executives alike.
A published author in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS), Terence has presented at conferences and leadership events across the United States, including EMS, fire, healthcare preparedness, and emergency management audiences. He also serves as faculty for the North Carolina EMS Officer Program, helping support the development of current and future EMS leaders statewide.
Terence holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care from Western Carolina University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, and an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Sciences from Davidson County Community College. In addition to his operational responsibilities, he serves as President of the North Carolina EMS Leadership & Educators Collaborative, Chair of the Dare/Currituck Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Co-Chair of the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Executive Committee supporting preparedness and resilience initiatives across eastern North Carolina.
Beginning his career in public safety at age 17, Terence has served in frontline, supervisory, and executive leadership roles throughout EMS and fire service operations. His experience includes hurricane response, disaster coordination, mass gathering operations, healthcare preparedness, leadership development, and operational continuity in high consequence environments. He also served with Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue, where he received recognition from the United States Secret Service for supporting rescue swimmer operations and training.
Terence is widely recognized for delivering practical, experience driven presentations focused on leadership, resilience, communication, culture, decision-making, and sustainable performance in EMS systems. His sessions blend real world operational lessons, storytelling, humor, and actionable leadership strategies that resonate with providers, supervisors, educators, and executives alike.
A published author in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS), Terence has presented at conferences and leadership events across the United States, including EMS, fire, healthcare preparedness, and emergency management audiences. He also serves as faculty for the North Carolina EMS Officer Program, helping support the development of current and future EMS leaders statewide.
Terence holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care from Western Carolina University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, and an Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Sciences from Davidson County Community College. In addition to his operational responsibilities, he serves as President of the North Carolina EMS Leadership & Educators Collaborative, Chair of the Dare/Currituck Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Co-Chair of the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Executive Committee supporting preparedness and resilience initiatives across eastern North Carolina.
Speaking At
