ACADemy Instructors & Staff

Darrell Crooks, BRE, NRP, I/C
Chief Training Officer
ACAD Employee Since 2000

Darrell began his career in 1979 as a Volunteer Firefighter in Omaha, Missouri. After many years of moving from town to town and serving as a Firefighter within each community, Darrell moved to Novinger, Missouri and began serving that community. In 1993 Darrell was asked to serve as a First Responder for Novinger which essentially began his career in EMS. In 1995 Darrell enrolled in and attended the Putnam County Ambulance District (PCAD) EMT class and was hired approx. 1 month after successfully completing the examination process. Darrell continued to work for PCAD for the next 8 years. Seeking more knowledge and ability, Darrell enrolled in the Kirksville Area Technical Center/Adair County Ambulance District (ACAD) Paramedic program. While enrolled in the Paramedic program Darrell accepted a position as a Dispatcher with ACAD and after completion of the Paramedic program, he was offered, and accepted a field Paramedic position with the district.

In addition to his EMS career, Darrell obtained a Bachelors degree from Hannibal La-Grange College. With his degree in an educated field, Darrell felt as though he wanted to accomplish more in his EMS career than simply helping people in their time of need, he also wanted to be a part of teaching others to render care. Darrell started teaching various courses such as BLS, ACLS, PEPP, and ITLS. Eventually Darrell became involved in the instruction of initial EMT and Paramedic classes with ACAD. In 2012 Darrell was offered, and accepted the position of Internal Training Coordinator (ITC) with ACAD and then in 2020 was promoted to the Chief Training Officer. As the CTO for ACAD Darrell is responsible for the retrospective review of all ambulance calls, ensuring the continual education of our crews, and maintaining the licensure of active field personnel. Darrell also received his Critical Care – Flight and Community Paramedic Certifications. Darrell is also in charge of the MIH Program and teaching.

Darrell’s feels that training and education are a life-long process, and the overriding philosophy he has regarding ongoing training is; “Don’t train until you get it right, but rather, train until you cannot get it wrong”.


Jason Moss, Paramedic, FTO
Lead Training Instructor
ACAD Employee Since 2015

Jason grew up in Clark County Missouri and graduated from Clark County R-1 High School in 1995. He began his Emergency Service Career early in life as a Junior Firefighter at age 11 for the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department. In 1993 he attended a First Responder Course and began working as a Certified Extrication/Rescue Technician with the Clark County Rescue Squad. In 1994 he obtained his EMT license and started working for Clark County Ambulance District. While finishing High School he attended Hannibal LaGrange College and obtained his Paramedic License in 1995 as well as his CNA Certification. His career path led him to Scotland County where he still lives with his wife and two daughters and he has one adult son in LaGrange MO. At Scotland County he worked for Scotland County Ambulance and Hospital and served in multiple positions from Assistant EMS Director, Director Of EMS, Training Coordinator, and Field Paramedic. Jason was a Flight Paramedic from 1998 through 2008 with Air Evac Lifeteam. Jason began his career with Adair County Ambulance in 2015 as a field paramedic and now serves as the Internal Training Coordinator. Duties include responding to emergencies and leading internal training operations for all the employees at Adair County Ambulance. With additional jobs in EMS, law enforcement, and school bus driver Jason has limited spare time, but in that time, he enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping, UTV rides, and trips. He serves as a Deacon at his church as well as a Rotary Member in Scotland County. Serving his community is a passion of his and he is always looking for opportunities to share his acquired knowledge with others that share the same passion.