At the heart of every successful crisis response is a team of dedicated professionals and leading that team at Kenyon Emergency Services is our Responder Manager, Kathy Ricker. Since joining the Kenyon team in 2015, Kathy has played a pivotal role in helping advance our crisis management and emergency response operations worldwide.
In this Q&A, Kathy shares insights into her experience, responsibilities, and the highlights of her role as Responder Manager.
Can you tell us about your background and how it prepared you for your role at Kenyon?Before joining Kenyon, I worked with a government contracting agency supporting the U.S. Department of State. In that role, I was responsible for vetting, onboarding, and deploying civilian medical personnel to military installations across the Middle East. This experience emphasised the importance of thorough candidate assessment and ensured mission readiness through precise placement—skills that directly inform my work at Kenyon.
What are your primary responsibilities as Responder Manager, both in programme oversight and during deployments?I oversee the full recruitment lifecycle, including reviewing applications, qualifying candidates, scheduling interviews, and aligning skills with operational needs. To date, I’ve conducted over 3,200 interviews with Responders worldwide. I also manage our talent database, coordinate training initiatives, and produce essential reports for both operational and commercial teams.
During incidents, I initiate the call-out process by contacting Responders to confirm their availability and readiness. I collaborate with the Crisis Management Center (CMC) to finalise deployment logistics. While I don’t manage daily field operations, I monitor Responder welfare throughout the deployment. Post-deployment, I work alongside our Responder Welfare Specialist to conduct welfare checks and gather feedback. These insights directly inform enhancements to the Responder experience.
What have been some of the highlights of your journey with Kenyon so far?I’ve supported 67 minor and major incidents and facilitated the deployment of over 650 Responders globally. Every operation concludes with a deep sense of gratitude and satisfaction in knowing we've delivered the highest standard of care to those affected. The true highlight of my role has been conducting Responder interviews; each one is a unique and meaningful connection that fuels the mission.
Could you elaborate on the Kenyon Responder Programme and its role in our mission?Kenyon Responders are the backbone of our operations. They are the ones behind the tape, executing on-the-ground objectives. Our programme enables us to rapidly scale personnel for incidents of any size, anywhere in the world. Applicants register through our online portal, where I review their credentials. Those who progress to the next stage will be invited for an interview, followed by signing the Responder Agreement. Once complete, they’re moved to active status and are eligible for deployment.
How do you ensure the safety and well-being of your team during deployments?Each deployment is carefully planned with a strong emphasis on risk assessment, from environmental hazards to biohazards. The health and safety of our Responders is always the top priority. Although I don’t oversee day-to-day field activities, I stay closely involved behind the scenes—monitoring behaviors, nutrition, rest cycles, and general wellbeing. I prioritise rest days, track nutrition, and ensure safe working hours, supported by regular welfare checks and post-deployment evaluations.
Have there been any recent innovations that have impacted your work or the team’s performance?The introduction of our database management system has been transformative. It allows for fast, accurate call-outs, streamlined access to demographics, and precise identification of skills. This system also supports fair deployment decisions by factoring in past participation.
We’re also expanding our professional development programme, tracking each Responder’s participation in training webinars. Additionally, a new critical incident management software is being rolled out to enhance our call-out process and refine CMC procedures. Another major improvement has been the ability to recruit in targeted geographic areas, bolstering our Responder base in regions where we previously lacked coverage.
What helps you switch off and recharge after an incident? That is a good question! It really helps to talk with the Responder Welfare Specialist. It’s a wonderful way to decompress and process everything that happened during the operation. It is kind of a hot wash for the mind. Also, getting caught up on sleep and physical activity.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the key priorities or challenges for the future of crisis response?Sustaining engagement through regular training—both virtual and live—is a top priority. We aim to keep our Responders highly skilled and ready at all times, ensuring the highest level of operational readiness in an ever-evolving crisis landscape.
To learn more about our Responder Programme and how Kenyon supports crisis operations worldwide. Contact our team for more information.