Jim Schmidt, K.C.E.M.
   Director

Jim came to Butler County Emergency Management in 1992 when Butler County Emergency Management became a stand alone agency.

Jim brought 22 years of emergency services experience with him when he became the Director.  Jim began his emergency services career as a reserve police officer for the Wichita Police Department in 1970. He worked as a patrolman and one of the first EMTs certified in the State of Kansas, in the City of Kingman from 1971-1972.  Upon returning to Wichita, he began working at the Metropolitan Ambulance Service until 1975.  In 1975, he became one of the first 6 EMTs to begin the first day at the new Sedgwick County Ambulance Service (now called Sedgwick County EMS).  In December of 1975, Jim graduated with the first class of MICTs from a KU/Wichita State joint paramedic training program.  In 1988, he went to work at Collins Ambulance as sales/management tech support for nationwide dealerships. 

Jim's Disaster and Volunteer experience include:

• Current volunteer with the Rose Hill Fire Department
• Current volunteer in missions member with First United Methodist Church in Wichita
• Current member of the South Central Kansas Incident Management Team
• Responded as a paramedic to the "singing Christmas tree" disaster in December 1975 where 75 persons were injured
• Volunteered with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department as a deputy and part of the original "fraud squad" w/ the County Attorney's office.
• Past volunteer firefighter with the Wichita-Sedgwick County Fire Reserve
• Responded as part of a four-man advance team to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in Coastal Mississippi.
• Participated(s) in numerous mission trips with FUMC.

In his free time, he enjoys gardening and yard work, spending time with his family, fishing, and joining in church activities.  Jim is also an avid do-it-yourself person, undertaking projects both at home (remodeling) and as part of the work team trips.

Jim and his wife Annette have been married over 30 years. Their children include daughters Amanda (deceased) and Stephanie, and sons Jeremy and Malachi.

Jim quips, "I consider Emergency Management to be the culmination of years of work in the emergency services world.  It is a fantastic vocation where you get to use all of your education and experience, work with fantastic and talented individuals, and really enjoy the job.  You don't make loads of money in this occupation, but you do get rich in satisfaction and knowing that what you do will benefit persons for years and years to come."

  Keri Korthals, K.C.E.M.
  Assistant Director

Keri joined Butler County Emergency Management in May 2009.  Though new to the world of emergency services, Keri brought with her from the private sector a wealth of business and finance knowledge and experience. While in college completing her bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration, she worked as a bank teller and new account representative. After college, she worked as an auditor, billing manager and then departmental project manager with MCI. 

In 2010 she became certified as an EMT, and the following year earned her KCEM (Kansas Certified Emergency Manager). In 2012 she successfully completed the coursework to become an EMT-I and then an Advanced EMT. She actively volunteers with the Butler County EMS Reserves and is also a member of the county's Disaster Medical Support Unit (DMSU).

Currently, Keri serves on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA) as the secretary, and she is also a member of the Leadership Butler Class of 2012.

In her spare time, Keri enjoys spending time with her husband of 19 years, Randy, and their three children, Libby, Josh and Emily. When not running to the kids' various church, sports, and school activities, she also finds time to read, play piano, and run or ride bike near their home in Augusta.