Scott Zettelmeyer

For over 15 years, Scott Zettelmeyer has served REMSA Health and northern Nevada with clinical skill, reliability, and purpose. Throughout his career working in various roles within our organization such as ground paramedic, critical care flight paramedic, field training officer, and special operations team leader, he has been known for his compassionate care, sound judgment under pressure, and service to the EMS profession.  Whether working in an urban 911 system, a rural community, or a remote wilderness setting, Scott approaches each response with disciplined assessment, calm decision-making, and respect for patients and partners.

Over the last 12 years, Scott has been instrumental in creating and implementing a highly specialized team of “Search and Rescue Paramedics” as part of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, a busy, nationally accredited, multi-disciplinary SAR team.  This group of 10 REMSA Health paramedics are specially selected and trained as technical rescue specialists across a wide range of disciplines, including: backcountry rescue, mountain rescue, avalanche rescue, technical rope rescue, swiftwater rescue, helicopter hoist rescue, and public safety diving, while still also being able to provide ALS level point-of-injury care in remote and austere environments.

Scott’s strong interest in, and commitment to, search-and-rescue and wilderness medicine is evident, as he has passed the rigorous Wilderness Paramedic (WP-C) board certification exam and is now an item writer for that test.  He has completed the Wilderness Medical Society’s “Triple Crown” after completing his Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM), Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine (DiDMM), and becoming a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM), one of only three paramedics in the United States to complete all three programs, and he is now a member of the faculty and instructor cadre for the WMS DiMM program.

Scott’s influence extends across the regional rescue community. He encouraged, and then led, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team in its successful pursuit of becoming a fully-accredited member of the national Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), helping to establish high training and qualification standards for the team in the process.  His determination and commitment to fully integrating REMSA Health’s SAR Medic program into the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue program over the last 12 years has helped to strengthen the regional response to emergencies in remote areas of our region.

As a field training officer, Scott has helped prepare the next generation of paramedics to serve our community. His direct, constructive feedback and approachable teaching style supports clinical growth and creates a high level of competency, while his insistence on carrying oneself with a high degree of professionalism provides new paramedics with a model of what an EMS professional should be.

Scott also serves on several employee committees, recognizes others’ contributions, and advocates for colleagues whose work deserves acknowledgment.  Beyond direct response to EMS calls, Scott contributes to community safety through media interviews and public education on backcountry and water safety, avalanche awareness, and emergency preparedness. During major regional incidents, including urban wildfires, he supports evacuations and the wider medical response.

Over the last 15 years, Scott has earned a number of awards and commendations, reflecting a career grounded in clinical excellence, compassion, and leadership.  Whether working on an ambulance, training new paramedics, or his deep involvement with regional search and rescue teams, he has strengthened regional emergency response, developed fellow clinicians, and represented EMS with integrity. REMSA is proud to name him a 2026 Star of Life.