SF's Jon Duff inspires students to become skilled first responders

September 2, 2026

Jon Duff has an unbridled passion to help others.

At 16 years old, he began working as a lifeguard for the City of Gainesville, where he saw first-hand the value of saving a life of someone in need. Throughout the years, Duff has transformed a program at Santa Fe College to prepare first responders, future doctors and numerous other professionals to save lives and make a genuine impact in their communities.

An associate professor in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Programs at the Santa Fe Institute of Public Safety at the Kirkpatrick Center, Duff empowers students to own their own curriculum and prepares them for a lifelong passion to respond when an emergency arises.

Duff earned his undergraduate degree from Stetson University and a master’s from Saint Thomas University. He has worked for major sports franchises from the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Lightning. 

However, he returned to Gainesville to what originally sparked his career in helping those in need--being a lifeguard. He then began working at the University of Florida (UF) as a training coordinator for CPR and first aid. He also took on a role as national faculty for basic life support through the American Heart Association. 

While working at UF, he was able to see the direct impact of saving a life with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the business department. That impact drove him to earn his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate from Santa Fe College in 2001.

He began teaching a first responder’s class at UF and teaching part-time at Santa Fe.

The father of three, shares his teaching style.

“I teach based on the student needs,” Duff said. “I use simulations, scenario-based learning and specific topics to instill active learning in the classroom.”

His style prepares students to become successful first responders. 

“Jon is the lead professor for our EMT Program,” explained Michael Anderson, associate director of EMS Programs. “He is an extremely passionate EMS educator and has incorporated student-centered teaching elements with superb results. His flipped classroom is a positive experience for his students.”

Duff received an EMT Instructor of the Year award at state conference and is a member of the Florida Association of EMS Educators. 

“I teach accountability and responsibility so these students are ready for what can happen in the field,” Duff said.

He creates scenarios so that students gain hands-on learning and feedback before they are even in the field.

“During a scenario on trauma assessment, I set-up a car accident and let the students respond,” Duff explained. “Then we debriefed and analyzed the different elements giving students feedback and letting students drive the conversation.” 

His excitement and passion are seen in the results from those students. 

“Jon always receives an outpouring of positive reviews by his students every semester,” added Anderson. “He has very high results in the measurable outcomes that reflect his students are successful in completing the course and successfully passing the industry credentialing exam.”

Some of the memories that stand out the most for Duff are when his former students let him know that they were able to help when not in the role of a first responder.

“A former student shared with me that he was at a picnic six years ago and was immediately able to help a person from choking,” Duff said. “Another former student was on a trip in Costa Rica when someone broke their leg. Instantly, the student made an improvised splint from the training in our class and was able to help before responders even arrived.” 

Duff’s passion in the classroom for teaching serves as a catalyst for these students to pass national exams and inspire students throughout their lives. 

Learn more about the Institute for Public Safety at the Kirpatrick Center or the Emergency Medical Technician Certificate at Santa Fe College.