Meet the team

Northeast Fire-Rescue

Together our team brings decades of Fire/EMS experience in both volunteer and career departments. Our team is as passionate today about serving their communities as they were the first day they started. Their desire to help others is a founding principal of our company. Our team has committed to a life long journey of learning and being students of the profession. Constantly improving their skills and knowledge so that they can provide the best fire and medical care possible to those who need assistance.

Tom Varanelli

Founder & CEO

Hunter Cedergren

Brianna Santiago

Director of Operations

Director of Education and Training

Rob Lay

Genvieve Dell'Agnese

Director of Professional Development

Administrative Manager

Our back story

Tom

Tom began his career in the volunteer Fire/EMS services in 2007. Since then he has worked in numerous EMS agencies throughout the State as an EMT, AEMT and since 2014 as a Paramedic. As a paramedic he has served as a supervisor for a premier ALS EMS agency. Tom is also an EMS-I and has helped teach all levels of EMS throughout Connecticut.

In 2012, Tom deployed to Afghanistan where he served as a medic. Holding the rank of sergeant and the role of platoon medic. He was later awarded the combat medic award.

In 2014, working as firefighter for the City of Bristol Tom received the Merit award for his actions in the successful removal of a fire victim. Currently, Tom works full-time for the City of Bridgeport as Lieutenant. He has previously held positions on the Departments heavy rescue and safety officer position. He has helped the Department write successfully awarded grants and served as a project lead for several key programs.

Tom also holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Post University.

Hunter

In 2005, Hunter entered the EMS profession as a volunteer EMT with the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance. As a young volunteer, Hunter prided himself on learning the profession and giving back to his community. Eager to learn and help others, Hunter obtained his paramedic in 2012, where he has worked at Danbury Hospital and as a Windham fly car medic. Since 2013, he has also served as a career firefighter/paramedic with the Town of Manchester Fire-Rescue Department, he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. As a volunteer and career firefighter/paramedic, he has earned numerous certifications in technical rescue, and helped precept many new medics and EMTs across the State.

In addition to his medical and fire service career. Hunter holds a bachelors degree in Emergency Service Medical Management from Springfield College. He has also been a successful business owner, helping many communities during the Covid pandemic throughout the Northeast.

Outside of the fire service, Hunter is a certified scuba diver and personal fitness trainer. His love and passion for the community and emergency services profession continue to motivate him to help others.

Brianna

Brianna Santiago, or rather “Bre”, is dedicated to providing lifesaving education to the community, our team members, fellow first responders, volunteers, and everyone else we work alongside on a daily basis. Her goal is to ensure that all of these individuals remain in compliance with National and State protocols by providing interactive and educational education for all levels of the Emergency Medical System. Your safety is her biggest concern!

In 2010, Bre began her experience in the medical field with becoming a CNA/PCT. She then served in the Army as a Medic (2011-2014), an EMT (2012-2018), and then became a Paramedic in 2018, she currently works in North Branford in this role. Throughout the years of precepting other students and participating in QA/QI, she acquired a love for teaching, so she obtained her EMS-I, ACLS-I, PALS-I, and BLS Provider-I. Additionally, Bre has experience in peer support groups for first responders with PTSD and has taken courses such as ASIST+ (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and has experience with resiliency training.

Bre is using the skills learned throughout the years combined with those developed in her previous role of Director of Safety and Compliance and Training to implement the knowledge needed in her role with NEFR as Director of Education & Training. She is also the mother of two little girls and loves to weightlift. It’s safe to say that Bre has done a little bit of everything and is excited to share what she has learned with the rest of us!

Rob

Rob has spent his entire adult life in the Connecticut EMS System having worked as an EMT and paramedic in several EMS systems and agencies operating within all facets of service delivery models including Collegiate EMS, Commercial EMS, as an intercept paramedic, primarily working in the staffing industry working with several agencies 3rd service Non-Profit and Fire Based ambulance services.

Rob has been a member of New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Association for the past 8 years, spending the past 3 years as deputy chief. Previously serving as both the training officer and the logistics officer. Currently he’s responsible for multiple agency functions including quality assurance, fleet management, supply inventory management and capital goods purchasing.

He is dedicated to furthering his education and clinical experience. Rob is a graduate of Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Capital Community Colleges Paramedic Program. Rob is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration. Rob is also an EMS-I and recently became board certified as a flight paramedic.

Genvieve

Genvieve began working with Northeast Fire-Rescue in the beginning of 2023, as a newer EMT. She was licensed in 2021 while studying to become a Physician Assistant, however life had different plans and she returned home to CT to further her interest in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. Genvieve jumped right into her role on our team and quickly began contributing in every way she could, becoming a CPR instructor through the American Heart Association and assisting with our social media.

In the Summer of 2023, Genvieve took over as Social Media/Marketing Manager for the company and has integrated her knowledge of marketing with the values and mission we hold as a company. She has experience in leading teams, holding the previous titles of Chief Scribe and Office Manager for other agencies, and was promoted to Captain of our North Canaan site in December of 2023.

Today, Genvieve is our full time Administrative Manager. As we like to say, she’s the nucleus of our management team and a critical part of providing our partners with the best services possible. She is passionate about others, grateful for the opportunity to impact the lives around her and is proud to be a part of our team. In her spare time, Genvieve enjoys hikes with her two dogs, cooking, and planning events!