About CREMS

Copper River EMS Council, Inc.

CREMS has served the Copper River region as a local 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer based EMS service for more than 40 years. Our story is filled with the community spirit, independence, and resourcefulness that makes this a great place to live despite the adversity, mosquitos, and long dark winters.

To learn more about how CREMS provides Advanced Life Support EMS Response and 911 Ambulance Service to the residents and visitors of the Copper River Basin, please contact the CREMS Executive Director, Matt Lorenz at 907-259-5277 or CREMS Administrator, Savannah-Marie Gregory by email at [email protected]

The Copper River Service Area for 911 Ambulance response

Meet the CREMS Board of Directors

President: Mike McQueen, Copper Center
Mike has volunteered with CREMS since 2007, first as an EMT, then as a volunteer board member. Mike enjoys skiing and bird watching with his lovely wife, Meg.

Vice-President: Sue Roscovious, Glennallen
Sue is a retired schoolteacher and has served on the CREMS board as a volunteer for numerous years. When she isn't out walking and enjoying her beautiful neighborhood, she can be found in her garden amongst her veggies and flowers.

Treasurer: Jan Maslen, Gakona
Jan has been a volunteer board member for several years. She also volunteers for other non-profits within the Copper River Basin including Gakona Fire Department, The Copper Basin 300, and The CVEA Community Foundation. Jan works at Wrangell St. Elias National Park Center.

Secretary: Jolene Nashlund, Kenny Lake
Jolene is an EMT-2 and actively volunteers with the CREMS Kenny Lake ambulance squad. She has a non-profit background and serves on the Kenny Lake Community League board as well as the Kenny Lake Library Board. Jolene enjoys the outdoors and being with her family.

Director: Elizabeth Vollema, Copper Center
Elizabeth is an EMT-2 volunteer responder with CREMS and is also a Community Health Aid Practitioner for CRNA in the Gakona Community Health Clinic. Elizabeth has been involved in health care in the Copper River region for over 20 years and brings a wealth of diverse experiences and knowledge to the organization.

Director: Natalie George, Kenny Lake
Natalie has extensive field experience as an EMT and Paramedic, including several years as a flight Paramedic for LifeMed Alaska, and is a certified Advanced EMS Instructor. Natalie lives in Kenny Lake with her adorable family and works as the Primary Care Operations Manager for CRNA.

Director: Charlie Perrett, Glennallen
Born and raised in the Copper River Valley. Attended 1-12 grades in Glennallen. My first years at school were in a school that was located behind where the current library is located. Shortly after finishing high School I found employment with the Department of Transportation for 32 years and Retired in 2007 as Tazlina Shop Foreman. I never found any reason to leave. I am married to my wonderful wife Catherine Perrett for 44 years. We raised a Son and a Daughter together in the Copper River Valley. Shortly after Retiring from D.O.T. in 2007 I joined CREMS as a responder. I began as a driver but quickly took advantage of all training they provided and eventually worked my way to EMT2 status shortly before CREMS was replaced by Delta Medical Transport in 2019. This great state and community gave me so much in the way of School, training and employment. I wanted to give back what I could as a responder and EMT to show my gratitude. I am thankful for the 12 years of experiences I’ve had helping the people of this area in their time of need and crisis. I am happy to help now as a member of the CREMS board in whatever capacity I can. We live in a unique area and I am thankful for this place I call home.

Executive Director (volunteer): Matt Lorenz, Kenny Lake
Matt is a Paramedic and AK EMS Instructor. He has been involved with CREMS for nearly 15 years as a volunteer responder, board member, and Executive Director. Matt is the Community Health Aid Program Director at CRNA and lives in Kenny Lake as a recovering writer and editor with his lovely family.

Director Emeritus: Alysia Hancock
Even though Alysia has retired and moved away, her contributions to CREMS and all emergency services in the region will not be forgotten! She has been a long-time responder with CREMS and Glenn-Rich Fire & Rescue. She recently retired from the BLM Glennallen Field Office and now lives in Hawaii.