BOARD CHAIR

Chief Seth Burnes has served in Public Safety since 2000, bringing over 20 years of experience as a Law Enforcement Officer. He is a certified instructor through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA), a firearms instructor, and an interactive use of force instructor. He has also earned instructor certifications in Firearms and Active Shooter Response from the Sig Sauer Academy and is a certified Active Shooter Response instructor through Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).

In 2010, Chief Burnes attended Executive Security International, earning certification as a Special Operations and Security Operations Specialist. The following year, he became a State Licensed EMT. Over the past two decades, he has worked extensively with schools to develop, teach, and implement active shooter response plans and training for staff.

In 2023, he was promoted to Chief of Police for the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department. In this role, he has prioritized fostering open dialogue and expanding opportunities to address mental health within the law enforcement community. Chief Burnes is a passionate advocate for breaking down barriers and creating access to support for officers struggling with mental health challenges.

BOARD VICE CHAIR

Dr. Paul Froman is a seasoned Fire and EMS professional, educator, and consultant with over two decades of experience in emergency services. As the owner of Froman Consulting Services, LLC, he provides strategic guidance, organizational analysis, and leadership training to municipal agencies, helping them improve operational efficiency and develop effective leadership practices.

Paul holds a Doctorate in Leadership from the University of Southern Maine, with concentrations in Leadership Education and Organizational Development. His dissertation explored the critical leadership skills paramedics utilize during emergency medical incidents. During Paul's education, he completed research on career retention for public safety professionals in Maine. Paul also has associate degrees in Fire Science and Paramedicine. Finally, he maintains his national registry EMS certification as a paramedic and is a pro-board-certified firefighter, fire instructor, and fire officer.

Paul's unique blend of academic knowledge and field experience positions him to use his passion for learning to help communities overcome challenges and maintain emergency services. Paul is passionate and dedicated to assisting organizations and municipalities in improving their operations and leadership practices. 

BOARD TREASURER

Holly Coston is a financial advisor with expertise in retirement planning and divorce financial analysis. She has helped clients retire and achieve their financial goals for over a decade. 

Holly holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services from the University of Maine – Farmington. In her free time, Holly and her husband, Matthew, enjoy traveling and spending time with their three children, Ezra, Salem and Athena.

BOARD SECRETARY

Dr. Cyr–Martel brings over thirty-five years of experience in the field of emergency services and mental health and wellness to her current position as Director for the Student Counseling Center at the University of New England.  Outside of UNE, Laurie provides training and consultation for public safety departments, emergency systems and organizations to assist in their health and wellness.

She is currently licensed in the State of Maine as a L.C.P.C. and completed her Doctorate in Behavioral Health at Arizona State University. Dr. Cyr-Martel’s Background includes a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, Bachelor’s in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Associates in Fire Technology, and past Paramedic Licensure in California and Maine. Dr. Cyr-Martel has also received training as a reserve police officer and has attended the State of Maine Criminal Justice Reserve Academy assisting Lewiston Police Dept. (LPD) for several years as their forensic behaviorist and is trained as a crisis negotiator. She is a member, and Trainer for ICISF, (International Critical Incident Stress Foundation) and has served on the Maine Critical Incident Debriefing Team over 30 years and is currently the clinical director for Lewiston Police Departments Critical Incident Stress Management Team. She is also a member of the New England Crisis Negotiators Association, The American Mental Health Counseling Association, the American College Counselors Association, Association of College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD)

BOARD MEMBER

A United States Marine Corps and Army Reserve veteran, Rod is a seasoned public servant and Global War on Terrorism veteran, having also received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He began his law enforcement career in 2001, graduated from the 3rd Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in 2002, and served 11 years with the Brewer Police Department, where he was a Police Sniper, Firearms Instructor, and member of the Crisis Intervention Team. He currently serves as Patrol Sergeant for the Holden Police Department, where he remains the department’s sole certified Firearms Instructor for pistols and rifles. In addition to his work in law enforcement, he previously owned and operated Maine Survival Solutions, a Maine-based survival instruction school, and was a certified NRA Instructor.

Deeply committed to supporting fellow veterans and first responders, Rod is an active Penobscot Regional Peer Support Team member and a founding member of several local support networks, including Bangor Area Veterans United, Bangor Area Marines United, and Bangor Area First Responders. He is a proud husband to Beth and father of four, including a U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms and a cadet at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. His lifelong dedication to service, mentorship, and peer support continues to make a lasting impact on his community.

BOARD MEMBER

Chris is a seasoned leader in emergency telecommunications and public safety, with over 15 years of experience in 911 operations and emergency communications. For seven years, Chris has served as the Director of the Penobscot Regional Communications Center, overseeing mission-critical dispatch operations, implementing cutting-edge communication technologies, and ensuring seamless coordination between emergency responders and the communities they serve.

In addition to expertise in emergency communications, Chris has dedicated 23 years to the fire service, holding various leadership roles, including Fire Chief. This extensive frontline experience has provided a deep understanding of the challenges faced by emergency personnel.

Throughout his career, Chris has been instrumental in advancing public safety infrastructure, leading major system upgrades, and fostering collaboration between emergency management agencies. Their commitment to service, technical proficiency, and leadership in high-stakes environments have made them a trusted expert in the field of public safety communications.

BOARD MEMBER