Championing Safety: Meet the MCFRS Team Driving Community Risk Reduction

Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week is a reminder that some of the most important work we do happens before the alarm sounds. From education and home safety visits to outreach and community preparedness, CRR is about reducing risks, preventing emergencies, and keeping our community safer every day.

What CRR Means to MCFRS:
CRR isn’t a special assignment. It's part of every role in our department. As Chief Smedley often emphasizes, it’s a fire prevention state of mind that guides how we interact with the community every day. Whether we’re talking with residents, on a call, identifying hazards, or presenting in the community, these small actions can make a big difference in preventing emergencies before they happen.

Meet the Team:

Beth Anne Nesselt – Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Manager

Beth Anne leads Community Risk Reduction with a clear mission: to support Montgomery County’s busy Metro Fire and Rescue Department while keeping prevention — for both firefighters and the community — front and center. She’s on the front lines every day, connecting with residents, firefighters, and partners through school programs, senior outreach, community events, firefighter training, and other community initiatives.

A champion of safety initiatives, Beth Anne combines creativity, data, and deep knowledge of Maryland’s fire and safety regulations to implement programs that translate prevention into real-world protection for firefighters and residents, strengthen partnerships, and build resilient communities. Need a CRR presentation, help launching a new program, or advice on community initiatives? The CRR Team is your “go-to,” bringing executive-level insight with a practical, on-the-ground approach. Connect with us via 311.

Jim Resnick – Retired Battalion Chief and Program Manager

With more than four decades of service, retired Battalion Chief Jim Resnick brings a rare operational perspective to the CRR team. His fireground experience gives him an instinctive understanding of how prevention decisions affect real outcomes.

Jim translates CRR strategies into practical, actionable approaches that crews can implement with confidence. A trusted mentor and resource, he bridges operational realities and community education, ensuring CRR initiatives are grounded, effective, and ready for the field. Through his leadership, CRR isn’t just policy — it’s a proven way to protect our people and strengthen the communities we serve.

Oscar Mendez - Program Manager II

Oscar drives safety initiatives with energy and expertise, turning complex prevention programs into practical, approachable guidance for both firefighters and residents.  With a keen understanding of Montgomery County’s rich diversity, he ensures that outreach and education are culturally relevant, accessible, and effective for all community members. Whether connecting directly in neighborhoods or adapting messages to reach Spanish-speaking residents, Oscar’s work strengthens the CRR mission by making safety education inclusive, engaging, and actionable — helping every resident stay informed, prepared, and part of a stronger, more resilient community.

Anthony Ramirez – Program Manager, Child Passenger Safety  

Anthony keeps our youngest residents safe through hands-on car seat inspections, education, and outreach. He recently became a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Instructor —no small accomplishment — bringing the highest level of expertise to every interaction. His passion and attention to detail ensure every family leaves confident in protecting their children on the road. By combining certification, skill, and a personal touch, Anthony turns safety into a practical, life-

saving habit, making a lasting difference for families throughout our community.


Kristy Duke - Program Specialist II 

Kristy is in the community every day, connecting with older adults, leading workshops, visiting senior centers, and helping residents take practical steps to age safely in place. She has a genuine heart for seniors and uses her creativity to make safety education engaging, accessible, and meaningful for every participant. Whether adapting programs for special needs, supporting community events, or providing hands-on guidance, Kristy empowers residents to protect themselves and live safely and

confidently in their homes. Drawing on her experience with the Housing Opportunities Commission, she continues to focus on helping communities thrive through her hands-on, inclusive approach to education and outreach.

Kim Kelley - Program Specialist II

Kim Kelley brings extensive experience from the 911 Emergency Communications Center (ECC) to her role leading CRR’s community youth programs. On the front lines, she is in the community every day — educating in schools, leading presentations, running summer camps, and engaging residents of all ages. Drawing on her ECC background, Kim brings a unique perspective on emergency response and prevention, ensuring her programs are both practical and impactful. With boundless creativity, Kim makes safety education interactive, fun, and unforgettable. From hands-on workshops to unique community events, she turns awareness into real-life prevention, leaving families and residents empowered to protect themselves and their neighbors.

Firefighter II Brian McCullough

FF McCullough is in the community every day, conducting hundreds of home safety checks each month, educating residents, and making a tangible difference wherever he goes. A highly trained firefighter, he has been impacting lives since his first day with the CRR section — bringing not only commitment, but a depth of knowledge that elevates every interaction.

From senior centers to summer camps, school programs to climbing ladders to check smoke alarms, Brian connects with residents of all ages. His extensive firefighter training and strong command of Maryland smoke alarm law allow him to tailor safety education to real-world conditions, ensuring residents don’t just receive information — they understand how to apply it in their own homes.

Whether he’s answering questions, identifying risks, or reinforcing best practices, every person FF McCullough reaches is better prepared and safer because of the encounter. His creativity, dedication, and passion turn prevention into action. With FF McCullough in the community, prevention isn’t just a message — it’s an experience that informs, empowers, and saves lives.

FF Emmy Tompkins, on light duty assignment with CRR:

"I would like to continue to expand my knowledge on how CRR operates and how I can help the team reach civilians in the county. During my first few weeks here, I was able to interact with the public through Home Safety Checks, where we worked with adult homeowners. Now, I am taking the Sound Off for Firefighters course to teach 2nd and 3rd graders about fire safety. I find the contrasting experiences so important because different populations can have different capabilities in how they can keep themselves and their families safe. Even though the ideas may be simpler, children can still have their own age-appropriate ways to execute fire safety and encourage their family to know fire safety.  During CRR Week, I want to continue to learn and practice fire safety with the younger population of the county, so that I can better educate and interact with them when I am back in the field, as well." 

Why CRR Matters:

By focusing on prevention and education, we reduce injuries, property damage, and emergency
calls —helping ensure firefighters and residents alike go home safe.

During Community Risk Reduction Week, MCFRS is proud to highlight the people behind the mission and reaffirm our commitment to prevention, safety, preparedness, and building a resilient community.