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William L. Fritz
Will Fritz is a native of southwestern Virginia, where he and his family live today. He began his career in public service as a volunteer firefighter. Realizing he needed emergency medical training, he became certified in CPR and first aid. While in high school, Will became certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and developed a respect and appreciation for emergency services. After graduation from high school, he attended Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC), graduating with an associate's degree in criminal justice.
While attending VHCC, Will took his first professional position as an EMT with a local ambulance company. Immediately after graduating from VHCC, he attended paramedic school through a local healthcare system. He became certified, licensed, and nationally registered as a paramedic – the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical training available in the United States. In 1996, he accepted a position with the City of Bristol (Tennessee) Fire Department as a professional firefighter/paramedic. He held that position for four years, where he developed a keen sense of public safety awareness and honed his professional skills.
In 2000, Will accepted a position with the Southwest Virginia Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council as a field and training coordinator. During his employment, he acquired instructorships in several emergency services and public service disciplines. In addition, he met many goals and effected many changes to the EMS system in southwestern Virginia in the 16 counties and cities for which he was responsible. He also helped garner thousands of dollars in grant funding for the region and managed a highly respected and successful training organization that served the EMS and public safety community. To further his original goal of working in law enforcement, he accepted a position with the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2004, where he has served as compliance and safety officer, investigator, and regional manager. He currently supervises a field staff in the western and Piedmont regions of Virginia.
In 2005, Will attended Virginia Intermont College, where he earned a B.S. in management and leadership in 2007. In 2009, he completed his master of business administration degree from Milligan College. He has served as an adjunct instructor in the Virginia community college system and has taught hundreds of hours in public safety, emergency services, and health. He is an accomplished flight paramedic with Wings Air Rescue, a goal of many EMS professionals. He was selected as one of only five testing representatives in the commonwealth who are authorized to administer the National Registry Paramedic Examination. He spends several hours each year teaching CPR, first aid, and other safety classes to his peers, other professionals, and the public.
Will has a passion for teaching and makes every attempt to keep his classes both structured and enjoyable. With his well-rounded education, experience, and desire to help others learn, he is a great asset to the Virginia Justice and Safety Associates team, and will manage our EMT program.
James L. Hartlage
Jim Hartlage is a native of southern Ohio. Growing up, he became an avid outdoorsman and soon became an expert on both the historical and modern aspects of firearms. Jim received his undergraduate degree from Marshall University in 1971 and his master's degree from Duke University in 1974. He then began his career as an enforcement officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia and was promoted to investigator with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. During his career, he assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency investigating various complex cases.
In the 1980s, Jim became a hunter education instructor with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and a 4-H volunteer leader in their shooting sports programs. He has earned instructor credentials in five different NRA disciplines, became the 4-H shooting team coach for Wythe County, achieved senior and master instructor status as a hunter education instructor, and served as the hunter education coordinator for Wythe County for more than 10 years. Jim is a member of the National Rifle Association, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (where he is a state representative), and the Virginia Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (where he is currently serving his third year as the state president). After he retired from state service in 2007, he joined Virginia Justice and Safety Associates as an NRA firearms instructor and personal safety consultant in the public safety division.
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