Our Leadership

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COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

CEO / Administrator - Founder

For the past twenty five years, DJ has been responsible for the business development and contractual success of Frontline. Dj is an ICS qualified Medical Unit Leader, with extensive EMS/Public Safety experience. He brings to Frontline over twenty-five years of experience as a Flight Paramedic / Air Base Manager, Air Medical Crew Chief, Fire Fighter / Battalion Chief, EMT, Police Officer, Business Manager, Logistical Resource Specialist, and Contract Specialist.

Dj has unique business insight and in-depth knowledge of improving operations while leading tactical marketing activities in an extremely dynamic environment. He has expertise in developing profitable partnerships, forging strategic alliances and negotiating lucrative federal contracts to provide and manage large Disaster Facilities. He has provided Nationally recognized leadership, direction, logistical and medical management in the wake of multiple catastrophic disasters, where local infrastructure is virtually non-existent. He has provided the management of surge hospital operations and medical staffing in support of a National Pandemic.

DJ has participated in the support and management of large disasters, such as, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, Harvey, Maria, countless forest fires, COVID Vaccination Support, Hospital Administrator, Immigration Support, and critical flight care in the Middle East, with a private sector Air Medical Service and Saudi Red Crescent Authority.

D.J. Cline FP-C MICP

Founder - CEO

Medical Director

Dr. Kepple provides the Medical Direction for Frontline Medical. His experience and knowledge is the backbone of the service we provide. He has provided medical care in remote countries, as well as his own practice.

Dr. Kepple is a wealth of knowledge when we are dealing with "skin" issues, such as poison oak and heat rashes. With his experience as CEO of a California Hospital, Dr. Kepple is able to provide added insight to our business model.

Dr. Kepple is also the Medical Director for NorCal EMS. DR. Kepple was also named Medical Director of the Year for California.

His love of family and life are always inspiring. He shares his loves in his music.

Dr. Kepple is an accomplished musician, with multiple CDs available.

https://soundcloud.com/jeff-kepple

https://www.facebook.com/thekeppleband/

Smiling man in glasses and plaid shirt.

Jeff Kepple MD

Medical Director

Chief Financial Officer - Human Resources

Diane Dawson is a certified EMTB with a degree in english. Diane provides logistical and dispatch support, as well as financial accounting. Diane has tremendous insight when negotiating new contracts.

Diane also manages our Human Resource Department. Diane's experience as a Real Estate Developer provides Frontline with a base of organization.

When Frontline is assigned to distant incident locations, Diane provides a foundation of communication for all Frontline Personnel. Her continued support is our rock of continuity.

Diane is an avid breeder of Labrador Retrievers

https://twelvetreeslabradors.com

Smiling woman with long, light brown hair.

Diane Dawson

Chief Financial Officer

Operations Manager

Ricky comes to us with many years of experience as a first responder. Beginning in 1990 Rick worked as a paramedic on the ambulance for ten years. He then went into the police academy and signed on with the Visalia Police Department. Within the Police Department, Rick worked on patrol and moved his way to the SWAT team where he was the paramedic on the team for nearly ten years. While on swat and after, he also worked with a K-9 dog as his partner. During his 25 years with the department, Rick worked with 2 k-9 dogs, Leo and Deuce. He also operated as a property crimes detective and a youth detective. In 2018, Rick retired from the Visalia Police Department with 25 years of honorable service under his belt. Shortly after retiring, in 2021 he was introduced to the Frontline Medical Team. When Rick is not working he enjoys spending time at home by the pool with his wife and two kids. You can also find him by the barbeque grilling a mean tri-tip.

Ricky Johnson AEMT MA

Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Sam Blesse is an accomplished paramedic, having experience in emergency room, ground ambulance, and helicopter. He is also an ICS Qualified Medical Unit Leader.

Sam's clinical knowledge and experience is vital to our operations. He has a vast amount of expertise in dealing with poisonous plants.

Sam is also a supervisor for CareFlight Ground in Plumas County.

Sam is an avid fishermen and outdoorsman. When not spending time with his family, he can be found flipping a fly into a river or lake.

Frontline Medical logo with emergency symbols.

Sam Blesse FP-C MICP

Director of Operations

Director of Nursing

Our Director of Nursing is responsible for vetting our medical staff, creating specialized protocols, Scheduling our staff while on assignment, Training.

We are currently accepting applications for this position.

If you are interested in fulfilling this roll, feel free to contact us.

Frontline Medical logo with emergency symbols.

Accepting Applications

Director of Nursing

Fleet Manager

Art Hinton comes to us with vast experience in working with heavy equipment. Art provides the transportation and delivery of our equipment.

His expert knowledge provides a tremendous foundation for our fleet safety. Art is an accomplished heavy equipment operator, with experience operating a wide variety of apparatus.

He is self sufficient and thorough in his work. Art is easy to get along with, and is very well liked by our entire staff. He is truly "Amazing"!

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Art Hinton

Fleet Manager

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Coming Soon

Training Officer

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BERT CLINE

IT Specialist

DJ HeadShot website

Our History

Founded in 1999 by D.J. Cline, CEO, Frontline Medical was built on a commitment to professional patient care, operational excellence, and mission-focused support. For more than twenty-five years, Mr. Cline has led the company’s business development strategy and contractual performance, establishing Frontline Medical as a trusted partner to federal, state, and private-sector clients nationwide.

Through disciplined management practices and a steadfast commitment to clinical excellence, Frontline Medical quickly emerged as an industry leader in wildland fire medical support. The company helped establish a higher standard of care within wildland fire camps—introducing structured medical oversight, documentation protocols, and field-based treatment models that were previously unavailable in austere fire environments.

Frontline Medical developed a proprietary injury and illness tracking system designed to analyze incident trends, enhance responder safety, and support cost containment strategies. This data-driven approach enables proactive mitigation of medical risks, reduction in lost workforce hours, and improved operational efficiency across incident environments.

The company has been nationally recognized for providing medical leadership and operational direction during some of the most catastrophic disasters in recent history—often operating in areas where local infrastructure was severely compromised or nonexistent. Frontline Medical has provided management and medical support during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, Harvey, and Maria; numerous large-scale wildland fire incidents; COVID-19 response operations; and large immigration shelter support missions.

Frontline Medical personnel bring subject-matter expertise in the assessment and treatment of:

  • Toxic and poisonous plant exposures

  • Food-borne illnesses

  • Heat-related illnesses and dehydration

  • Burn injuries and trauma care

  • Orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries

  • Critical Trauma

The company also provides disaster medical management consultation to government agencies, healthcare systems, and emergency departments.

Over time, Frontline Medical has expanded its scope of care to include critical care flight nurses and flight-qualified paramedics with extensive trauma and critical care experience. This elevated capability allows seamless integration between field stabilization, advanced life support, and higher levels of medical transport when required.

Frontline Medical has a proven record of reducing medical-related expenses on wildland fire incidents, disaster deployments, and private-sector support camps. Through early assessment, appropriate triage, and field-based treatment protocols, the company minimizes unnecessary transports, decreases lost man-hours, and enhances workforce readiness.

Frontline Medical remains committed to delivering professional patient care, operational reliability, and measurable results on every incident it supports.

Featured Categories

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Medical / Ambulance

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Disaster Support

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Disaster Support Page

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