From Critical Care to Crisis Preparedness to EHS: How Nursing Built My Foundation in Safety and Emergency Management

By: Mitch Lartigue

After spending many years as a Critical Care Registered Nurse, I’ve come to appreciate how deeply healthcare is rooted in safety, risk management, and emergency response. In the ICU and helicopter as a flight nurse, every decision matters, safety isn’t just a priority; it’s a way of life. That same mindset translates seamlessly into the world of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Working in high-stress, high-stakes environments taught me to assess risk quickly, manage critical incidents, and coordinate cross-functional teams under pressure. Those same skills are essential in keeping workplaces, facilities, and communities safe from hazards, whether they’re chemical, environmental, or operational.

My degree in Disaster Science and Emergency Management further strengthened my understanding of how to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, the core principles of any effective safety management system. Combined with my OSHA 30, Certified Environmental Specialist, and multiple FEMA certifications, I’ve built a solid foundation in compliance, emergency response planning, and hazard mitigation.

For me, EHS and emergency management is the same, it’s a natural progression. The commitment to safety, preparedness, and protecting lives remains exactly the same. Only the environment has changed.