TIM ADAMS is a captain with the Sacramento (California) City Fire Department and is currently assigned to 6 Engine in the Oak Park district. He is a second generation firefighter with 20 years experience. During his 18 years with the City of Sacramento, he has frequently seen duty at the Training Division as a training officer and adjunct instructor for new recruits, and has trained the city's acting captains in engine company pperations. Tim lives in Rocklin with his wife Susie and their four children.

RAUL A. ANGULO is a 24-year veteran of the fire service. He started his career with the fire schools in the U.S. Coast Guard. His first job was brief as a firefighter with the Farmington Fire Department (New Mexico) and then was hired by the Seattle Fire Department (Washington) in 1980. Captain Angulo is currently assigned to Engine Co. 33 and has a broad range of fire service experience including 911 communication, hazardous materials, truck and engine company operations. He is on the Advisory Board for FDIC-WEST, Board of Directors for National Fire Academy Alumni Association and president of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters, Seattle-Puget Sound Chapter. He is an adjunct instructor at Seattle Central Community College and teaches NFA courses in fire service leadership and fireground strategy and tactics.

RUSS ALBANO is a 27-year veteran of the fire service and currently holds the rank of training captain with the San Francisco Fire Department, Treasure Island Regional Fire School. His duties include establishing SOG’s, training, purchasing, and administrating the following programs: surf rescue, bay rescue, cliff rescue, and the jet-ski program. He also assists with the SCUBA program and acts as liaison to the SFFD Rescue Squad/Special Rescue Committee. He has served as the director and assistant director of the SFFD Water Rescue Team. He is a member (co-facilitator) of the Bay Area Water Rescue Network. He is the author of the San Francisco Fire Department Water Rescue Manual and is published in two national lifeguard magazines. He presented the lecture “Establishing a Water Rescue Team” at FDIC-West 2000.

THOMAS ANTHONY has been in the fire and rescue service for 22 years and has been with Pennsylvania Task Force 1 since 2002. Tom is certified as a Fire Instructor 1 and has instructed PA Strike Team 1 US&R on building construction topics and has carried out training for the Adamsburg VFD and Neshannock Fire Company on numerous topics. Tom is a Senior Engineer with DMJM+HARRIS, Inc. in Pittsburgh, one of the worlds largest highway and bridge design firms. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, graduated from Penn State in 1991 with a bachelor of science degree in structural engineering and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999 with a master of science degree in civil engineering. Tom has 13 years of experience in the design and construction of steel, concrete, timber and masonry buildings and bridges and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Tom can be reached PATF1ENGINEER@yahoo.com.

ANTHONY AVILLO, a 23-year veteran, is a deputy chief in North Hudson Regional (NJ) Fire & Rescue, assigned as platoon commander of the 1st Division. Chief Avillo has a B.S. in fire science from New Jersey City University and is pursuing a master’s degree in educational technology. He is an instructor at the Bergen County (NJ) and Monmouth County (NJ) Fire Academies. Avillo, an FDIC instructor, is also an editorial advisor and contributing editor to Fire Engineering magazine. He is the author of Fireground Strategies (Pennwell 2002) and Fireground Strategies Workbook (Pennwell 2003).

DAVID BALDWIN is a captain with the Sacramento City (CA) Fire Department. He has been in the fire service for 20 years, 13 with Sacramento Fire. David is currently assigned to Engine 16 in the Meadowview district. He has a bachelor of science degree in fire safety management from Madison University, an associate of science degree in fire science technology from Sierra College, and is a California Certified Fire Instructor-I. He has been a drill instructor at the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy, and is currently a drill instructor at the Sierra College Regional Fire Academy. David is a member of the Sacramento Urban Search & Rescue Team and his deployments include: the Oklahoma City Bombing, Atlanta Olympic Games, World Trade Center and New Orleans for hurricane Katrina. David is the current president of the NorCal FOOLS.

MATT BARNES is a firefighter with the Southern Marin Fire District and currently is assigned to Rescue 9. He has spent over 12 years in the fire service, holds an A.S. degree in fire science and a B.A. in Kinesiology and is a certified California state fire instructor. Matt is an adjunct instructor for Southern Marin Fire District’s Live Fire Training and Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention Program. He is a member of the NorCal FOOLS and resides in Novato, California, with his wife Nicole and their two children.

The late FRANCIS BRANNIGAN’s interest in the fire service began more than 60 years ago. In 1939 he was a founding member of New York’s Fire Bell Club and during World War II was assigned to a variety of fire protection posts including command of a shipboard firefighting school. He taught building construction as an adjunct professor in the Fire Science Program at Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published the first edition of his book Building Construction for the Fire Service in 1971, the second edition in 1982, and the third edition in 1992. He was a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, a life member of the NFPA, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and International Association of Fire Service Instructors. He was awarded the first Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award, the Fire Department Instructors Conference Service Award, and the President’s award at the IAFC 125th annual meeting. Fire Chief magazine honored him as one of the twenty persons who most shaped the fire service in the 20th century. At the 2001 Firehouse Expo, IFSI awarded him its “Instructor of the Year” award in recognition of his six decades of service. He wrote for Fire Engineering magazine and was a contributor to Firehouse magazine for many years. He was a consultant on the MGM fire, the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel fire, the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire and many lesser-known fires. His wife Maurine was an associate for many years. A typical contribution was to insist, “If I cannot understand this, how do you think firefighters will?” He died in January 2006 at the age of 87.

TOM BRENNAN, who passed away on April 20, 2006, had more than 35 years of fire service experience, having responded to 33,000 fire alarms. His career spanned more than 20 years with the Fire Department of New York as well as four years as chief of the Waterbury (Conn.) Fire Department. He had a bachelor of science degree, summa cum laude, John Jay College; Alumnus of the Year Award, John Jay College; was chairman of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and a charter member of the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Service Section. He had delivered courses and seminars throughout the United States and had instructed at the National Fire Academy. He was the editor of Fire Engineering magazine for eight years, later was a technical editor, and his column “Random Thoughts,” was a regular monthly feature. He was co-editor of The Fire Chief’s Handbook, Fifth Edition. He was the recipient of the 1998 Fire Engineering Lifetime Achievement Award.

BRIAN BRUSH began his career in Northern California with the Forestville Fire Protection District and the California Department of Forestry. He attended Oklahoma State University School of Fire Protection and worked for Oklahoma State Fire Service Training. He currently serves as a firefighter with West Metro Fire Rescue in Lakewood, Colorado.

CAPTAIN GEORGE BURK, USAF (Ret), is a plane crash and burn survivor, motivational speaker, author, and writer. In May 1970, George was the sole survivor of 14 passengers in a military plane crash. He suffered extensive burns and multiple internal injuries and spent 89 days in Intensive Care and 18 months in the hospital. He was medically retired in October 1971. George is a Vietnam veteran and received numerous military and government citations and awards. He was awarded a B.A. degree from Adrian College (Michigan) in 1963 and a master of arts degree from Webster University (Missouri) in 1975. George has over 25 years teaching experience at the university and community college level. He has lectured at FDIC, FDIC West, the Nevada Fire Chief’s Association Convention, New York Firefighter’s Burn Center Foundation Seminars and FDNY Probationary Firefighters at Randall’s Island, New York City. He is a visiting speaker at the Phoenix Fire Academy, Phoenix, Arizona. For the past 25 years, George has made over 1,000 presentations to fire and safety professionals; EMS; educators; elementary, middle, high school and college students; municipal and federal employees; burn survivors and support groups; veterans organizations; and other private and public sector organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Topics include: personal quality improvement, leadership, life skills, overcoming adversity, goal-setting, safety and fire prevention, patriotism, faith and spirituality, and holistic health. George has written two books and is a contributing writer for four newsletters and an on-line quality magazine in Australia. In 2002, his story was featured on the Discovery Health Channel, “Lifeforce: Overcoming Obstacles.” For more information, visit www.georgeburk.com.

DONALD CHAMBERS brings to the fire service 20 years as a firefighter, 17 years as an equipment specialist and 10 years as an instructor and consultant. His postgraduate work in special education at The Citadel and Boston University includes curriculum development, classroom management and perceptual psychology. He has worked with fire departments from Maine to California and has presented at the IAFC and the FDIC. Current on-site seminars offered through his consulting firm, Fit-4-Fire, LLC, include “Engine Company Operations/Advanced Firestreams” and “Firefighter Fitness."

MOE COLLINS is a captain with Washington Township Fire & Rescue in Lucas County, Ohio. He is an Ohio certified firefighter II, fire instructor and EMT. He serves as an instructor for the Volunteer Firefighter Certification classes at Bowling Green State University’s State Fire School. He is also employed as a jobsite medic/safety technician for a large international construction company.

JAY COMELLA is a lieutenant with the Oakland (California) Fire Department. He joined the OFD in 1989, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, uncle, and father. Jay serves as an adjunct instructor for the OFD Training Division and as a Hands-on Training instructor in engine company operations for the FDIC, FDIC East, and FDIC West. He is a graduate of the University of California.

BATTALION CHIEF JIM CARTER has served with the San Jose (California) Fire Department for 31 years and is currently assigned to B2 on San Jose’s active East Side. Prior to his promotion, Jim held the rank of captain for 15 years, assigned to T1 in San Jose’s downtown area. During his career, Chief Carter served three years as the department safety officer, has taught classes in both the recruit and officer academies, and was the project manager for the department’s Wellness Program. Chief Carter also served as a training officer and administrative assistant to the Bureau of Field Operations. Chief Carter holds two degrees, an AA in fire science and a BA in fire administration.

JIM CONNORS is a 27-year veteran firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department and captain of Engine 10. Station 10 responds to the Haight Ashbury, Fillmore, Pacific Heights and Richmond district areas of San Francisco. He is a California state certified fire officer, and a California state certified fire instructor with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. He is a fire science instructor in the Administration of Justice/Fire Technology Department at City College of San Francisco. He is an adjunct training officer with the S.F.F.D. Division of Training, where he assists in probationary firefighter training, incident command system courses, and wildland fire training for members of the department that respond on strike teams throughout the State of California. He has an A.A. degree, a certificate in fire technology, and a fire officer cCertificate from City College of San Francisco. He is shown with his 7-month-old twin grandsons, Nicholas and Christopher.

TROY COOL is a lieutenant with The City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, currently assigned to Engine Company 46. Troy has an A.S. degree and is a Level II certified fire instructor. He is the lead instructor for Flashover Awareness and Engine Company Ops for Coral Springs Fire Academy. He is also an adjunct instructor for Broward Community College. Troy has taught Engine Company Ops, Flashover and Fire Fighter Survival on the national level. He is currently involved in recruit training, in-service company-level training, company officer development, and technical rescue training. Troy is also a member of the committee working on the development and implementation of a statewide curriculum for live fire training instructors in the state of Florida.

TED CORPORANDY is a 36-year veteran of the fire service who held the rank of battalion chief with the San Francisco Fire Department before his retirement April 20, 2006. His experience included wildland as well as structural firefighting. He began his career in 1970 with the U.S. Forest Service. While with the Forest Service, he served as a smokejumper, helitack crewman, engine crewman, and fire prevention technician. As a member of the SFFD, he served on various committees including co-chair of the Mutual Aid Committee and chairman of the High Rise Committee. He is a California state-certified fire instructor and a chief-officer-level instructor for high-rise operations and multi-alarm incidents. He holds an associate degree in fire science from San Francisco City College and is a member of the adjunct faculty at College of the Siskiyou's Fire Academy in Northern California. He was a presenter at Fire Rescue West, FDIC West, Firehouse World, Boise Fire Symposium, and the Denver Professional Development Series. He has written manuals, training bulletins and periodicals and was a contributor to American Fire Journal Magazine. He is a member of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association and the National Smokejumper Association and is co-publisher of Firenuggets.com. E-mail: tedcorp@mlode.com

TOM CORPORANDY began his career in 1970 as a firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service, joining the Oakland Fire Department in 1974. He retired as a Captain and is presently primary instructor for the Fire Technology Program at College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California. He holds associate degrees in social science and fire science, and a bachelors degree in public administration. He is a California state certified chief officer, master instructor, chief officer level instructor for major hazardous materials incidents, and C.S.T.I. certified hazardous materials specialist/instructor. He was a battalion training officer and authored a number of training programs for the O.F.D. As a founding member and supervisor of the Department’s Haz-Mat Team, he served as fire department advisor to the Association of Bay Area Governments. He co-developed Public Safety Instructor Development and has been an adjunct instructor of hazardous materials at the National Fire Academy. He is a member of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association, Society of National Fire Academy Instructors, and Faculty Association of California Community Colleges.

BENNIE L. CRANE began his career with the Chicago Fire Department in 1961. After 34 years of service he retired as a district chief, where he supervised the 650 members and 27 fire companies assigned to the 4th District. As the assistant director of training, Chief Crane developed and delivered a workshop on interpersonal relationships, resulting in reduced tensions in the areas of management/labor and race relations. He also developed testing procedures designed to assist company officers in their training efforts. As a lieutenant he organized and led a bipartisan and biracial coalition of community, labor, and public officials that effected the peaceful solution to the 23-day Chicago firefighters strike. As a firefighter/instructor, he served as course director and lead instructor of a program that certified over 3,000 members in CPR. The Chicago City Council awarded an honorable-mention certificate and cash for assistance in rescuing four people. As a firefighter, he was assigned to Ladder Company 15, the city’s busiest ladder company during the 1960’s. Author of “Humanity Our Common Ground: A Guide to Thriving in a Diverse Society,” Chief Crane continues to serve the fire service presenting workshops on leadership, diversity, personal and organizational empowerment, and conflict resolution. Included among his clients are the Chicago Fire Department; the Village of Schaumburg, Illinois; the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Department, the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, and the Fire Department Instructors Conference. He is a field instructor with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute and an adjunct instructor with the Traffic Institute of Northwestern University. Visit Chief Crane at www.mpowerself.com.

HARRY L. DAVIS was appointed to the Fire Department, City of New York in 1973. He served in Brooklyn Firehouses with distinction, winning commendations and a medal for valor in the performance of duty. After 25 years in that borough, he was selected, with others, to be a charter member of the new Squad Units initiated by the Special Operations Command, part of FDNY. He served in Manhattan with Squad 18 for 4 years, retiring in 2002.

PHIL DE MIK a fifteen-year veteran of the fire service and a full-time member of the Naperville Fire Department. He is presently assigned to Ladder Company One located on the city’s east side. He is a shift-training instructor and has previously served as an instructor in their fire academy. He developed their high-rise operational policy, and truck company operational procedure manual. Phil is also a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute and the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association.

DAVID W. DODSON is a 24-year fire service veteran, starting his fire service career with the U.S. Air Force and serving through the ranks with the Parker and Loveland fire departments in Colorado. Dave also served as a shift Battalion Chief for the Eagle River Fire District (Colorado). Dave has an associates degree in fire science and has taught fire service topics at the community college, national, and international level. Chief Dodson has authored numerous books and articles and has served on numerous national boards, including the NFPA Firefighter Occupational Safety Technical Committee, International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), and the Fire Department Safety Officers’ Association — the later serving as president. In 1997, Dave was honored as the ISFSI “George D. Post Fire Instructor of the Year.” Dave currently owns and instructs for Response Solutions, LLC, a company dedicated to firefighter safety through training, procedural development, and consulting. He can be contacted via email at davedodson@respondsafe.com.

DEPUTY CHIEF VINCENT DUNN (retired) was a veteran of 42 years on the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), 27 of which were as a chief officer. He is the author of Safety and Survival on the Fireground and Collapse of Burning Buildings. Fire Engineering Books recently released his newest book, Command and Control of Fires and Emergencies. He developed and taught a number of courses for the FDNY, the FBI and the National Fire Academy and is a regular contributor to WNYF. He has a masters degree in urban studies, a bachelor’s degree in sociology and an associate degree in fire administration from Queens College, City University of New York. Visit Chief Dunn's website at www.vincentdunn.com

EDMUND J. ENRIGHT is a third- generation firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department, retiring as a deputy district chief after 38 years of duty and having been assigned to engine, truck, and squad companies.  Chief Enright has an adjunct field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) since 1986. He instructed at the Chicago FD Fire Academy and the Illinois Fire Chief's Association (IFCA). He is a keynote and motivational speaker known for "Duty-Pride-Tradition" presentations. He is a Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army, First Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment and has an associate degree in fire science.

BARRY FRANCHI began his fire service career as a volunteer in 1972 in Belmont, Calif., and joined the professional ranks in 1974. He worked for the San Bruno Fire Department for six years before joining the San Jose Fire Department in 1980. After 10 years in the rank of firefighter, he was promoted to fire engineer in 1984. For the next twelve years he worked on downtown engine and truck companies until being promoted to captain in 1996. He participated in the formation of the department's Wellness and Fitness Program and is a past American College of Sports Medicine certified health fitness instructor. He was instrumental in the creation of the SJFD citizen ride-along program and the Fire Department response mapping system. He is a lead instructor for the SJFD Firefighter Rescue and Survival training, an instructor for the SJFD Recruit Academy and a past instructor for the SJFD Explorer Academy. He is a past recipient of the SJFD Valor Award and is currently assigned to Truck Co. 3 in San Jose's downtown battalion.

The late ANDREW FREDERICKS was a firefighter in the City of New York (NY) Fire Department (FDNY) assigned to Squad Company 18 in Manhattan, one of five squad companies high inside the First World Trade Center tower rescuing people when it collapsed on September 11, 2001. A member of the fire service for 21 years, Mr. Fredericks was a New York State certified fire instructor (Level II) at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, NY, an adjunct instructor at the New York State Academy of Fire Science, a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, an instructor for the New York State Association of Fire Chief's, and an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Mr. Fredericks was co-author of FDNY's engine company operations manual. He was a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Fire Engineering and the FDIC Educational Advisory Board. He was president of Andrew A. Fredericks & Associates, Inc., a firm specializing in municipal fire service training and consulting. Mr. Fredericks held a bachelor of arts in political science, a bachelor of science in public safety/fire science, and a master's degree in fire protection management.

GORDON GRAHAM is a 32-year veteran of California Law Enforcement. He is currently the co-President of Lexipol LLC (www.lexipol.com). During his tenure as a police professional, he was awarded his teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. He is a practicing lawyer specializing in keeping fire departments and firefighters/officers out of legal trouble. He was later graduated from University of Southern California with a master's degree in safety and systems management. Subsequent to this, he was graduated from Western State University with a juris doctorate. Mr. Graham has centered his efforts in providing knowledge to both public and private sector organizations in the area of organizational and operational risk management, civil liability, professionalism, ethical decision-making and related topics. Over the last decade, Mr. Graham has made over 3,000 presentations to various groups including law enforcement; corrections personnel; fraud investigators; fire professionals; EMS; other first responders; legal professionals; educators; city, county and district employees; law firms; hospitals; and real estate companies, along with many other private sector organizations. 

BRETT GRAVES has been a firefighter with the Pontiac (Illinois) Fire Department since 1995, serving as a volunteer and currently as a career firefighter. He served one year as a part-time firefighter for the Frankfort (Illinois) Fire District and has been an instructor and member of the training committee for the Livingston County Mutual Aid Association. He is pursuing an associate degree in fire science from John Wood Community College and is a certified Instructor II and Fire Apparatus Engineer. He is also a member of The Southside F.O.O.L.S. His email address is bgraves@firehousezone.com.

ERIC GUIDA is a captain with Sacramento City (CA) Fire Department with 14 years of experience and is currently assigned to Engine 57 in the South Pacific district. Eric has served on their USAR team since it's inception in 1992 and responded to the Northridge, Oklahoma City, Atlanta,  and New York City incidents. Eric has served as a drill instructor for three Recruit Academies (1999, 2000, 2001). Eric is the past and first president of the NorCal FOOLS.

MIKE HEALY is a thirty- eight year veteran of the fire service. He served thirteen years with the Blauvelt Fire Department and twenty- five years with the Central Nyack Fire Department, where he served as a chief for ten years. Mike is a New York state fire instructor, as well as the coordinator of fire education at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. He is a Hands-On- Training instructor for the NYS Association of Fire Chiefs and a presenter for their mini seminar series.

SAMUEL S. HITTLE served as a volunteer with Butler County Fire District 3 and is now a career firefighter with the Wichita Fire Dept. on the HazMat Team. He has an associate’s degree in Fire Science through Butler County Community College and has been published multiple times by Fire Engineering. He takes great pride in the job and is an active member of the FOOLS of Oz. He is grateful for the support of his family (Amy, Isaiah, and Avery) as well as the Lord for their support of his career.

BOB HOFF started his career in 1976, and has held the ranks of lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and (currently) district chief and director of training. He held the rank of battalion chief with assignments city wide and a permanent assignment in the 2nd Battalion south of the Chicago Loop. As director of training, he is assigned to the Chicago Fire Academy and is responsible for firefighter candidate training, EMS training, specialized and field training for the second largest fire department in the nation. He has served on heavy rescue units, engine and truck companies. Bob was preceded by a great grandfather, father and brother, all members of the Chicago F.D. In 1992 and 1998, Bob earned the highest award of valor from the Chicago F.D. and in 1999 he was awarded the highest medal of valor from the State of Illinois. In 1985 Bob started instructing the “hands-on” officers programs and has contributed greatly to their design. Bob has instructed for the Illinois State Fire Academy, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chicago Fire Academy, and was a keynote speaker for the Fire Department Instructors Conference. He has instructed such cities as Alameda County, Calif., Bossier City, La., Dallas/Ft. Worth, Tucson, Chicago, San Jose, Sacramento, the Massachusetts State Fire Academy and others. He has also written articles for Fire Engineering Magazine and Firehouse Magazine.

RAY HOFF is the chief of the Topinabee (Michigan) Fire Department as well as a retired battalion chief from the 4th Battalion of the Chicago Fire Department. Before his retirement, Ray was and still is a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute as well as being an independent instructor . Chief Hoff is a third generation firefighter with 40 years on the line. Ray teaches at FDIC East and FDIC in Indianapolis.

AL HOM is a firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department, currently assigned to Truck 7 as the apparatus operator. Truck 7 is located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District. Prior to his assignment at Truck 7, he was also assigned to companies in the Downtown, Hunter's Point, and Fillmore Districts. He resides in San Francisco with his wife and two children.

TIM IRWIN currently serves as a fire captain/paramedic for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection-Santa Clara Unit and as the volunteer director of the Apache Fire and Emergency Services Foundation in Northern Arizona. Tim holds a B.S. degree in fire safety management and a M.S. in public administration and is currently in his third year of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. He can be reached at tim.irwin@fire.ca.gov.

GERALD K. JOHNSON served as a volunteer before becoming a career firefighter with the Wichita Fire Department. He is currently a HazMat technician on the Wichita Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team. He has a bachelors degree in general studies through Wichita State University. He is a trustee and active member of the FOOLS of Oz. He is grateful to God and to his family (Angie and Isabella) for their support. Email: wfd1045@yahoo.com

NICOL JURATOVAC is a nine-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department and is currently a lieutenant of an ALS engine company in the City’s oldest district (The Mission). She is a certified chief officer, fire officer, and fire instructor I with the California State Fire Training and Educational System. She also completed the National Fire Academy’s (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program. She is an instructor at the City College of San Francisco’s Fire Science Technology Program and an adjunct instructor at the NFA. She holds a Juris Doctor and earned her Bachelor’s and minor from the University of California Berkeley. A product of San Francisco, having lived, worked, and or attended school in practically every district, she enjoys running on Ocean Beach with her two German Shorthaired Pointers and playing competitive co-ed softball. Email: njuratovac22@yahoo.com.

KEVIN KALMUS is a firefighter with 12 years of fire service experience, serving with Austin Fire Department for the past nine. He is currently assigned as the apparatus operator of Engine 22 in southeast Austin. Kevin has a B.A. in government from Georgetown University, an M.S. in molecular biology from the University of Texas, and is an instructor for the Austin Fire Department Recruit Academy and driver/operator programs.

GERRY KOHLMANN resigned from the San Jose Fire Department in July 2003 after 23 years to become fire chief of the Redwood City (California) Fire Department. Gerry's fire service experience started in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter and, since the, he has held many ranks and served in many assignments. At the time of his resignation in San Jose, he was a deputy fire chief serving as director of field operations, overseeing 31 fire stations and 43 companies.

RICK KOLOMAY is a lieutenant currently assigned to a heavy rescue squad with the Schaumburg (Ill.) Fire Department. He is in his twenty-second year in the fire service, starting his ninth year as a lieutenant. Rick has also served on engine companies and truck companies. Rick was preceded by an uncle who started with the Chicago Fire Department in 1935, another uncle thereafter, and his father who retired in 1992 after serving with the Chicago Fire Department for 39 years. In August of 1984, Rick introduced the first “hands-on” line officers training program in the nation to the Illinois State Fire Academy. Since then, the program has been introduced at the FDIC and has been conducted throughout various cities nationally. Rick has instructed for various community colleges, Illinois Fire Service Institute, Illinois Fire Chief’s Association, Chicago Fire Academy, and the Fire Department Instructors Conference, Firehouse Expo, the NFPA Training Committee. He has also instructed for the State of Massachusetts, Milwaukee, Dayton, San Jose, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Phoenix, Tucson, and others. To back his instruction, he has written numerous articles for Fire Engineering and Firehouse magazines.

STAN KOTLARZ started with the Chicago Fire Department 1970. He spent three months in the academy and was assigned to Engine 4 for two years, then transfered to Engine 57. He spent seven years with what at that time was one of the busiest engines in the city. Stan was promoted to Lieutenant in 1979 and assigned to a relief position. In 1989, he was promoted to captain and was assigned to Engine 93 and later transfered to Truck 3. He spent 10 years working in the downtown area and was involved in every type of rescue to high-rise fires. Stan was promoted to battalion chief in 2001. He has received individual awards along with some unit citations. He has completed numerous training programs along with a college education and activites and courses relating to the fire service over his 31 years of service. He is also the secretary/treasurer of the Chicago Fireman's Credit Union.

FRED P. LAFEMINA is a 20-year veteran of the FDNY. He started his career in Ladder Company 166 in Coney Island. He has spent the last 17 years in the Special Operations Command. He was assigned as a firefighter in Sq-1 (Brooklyn) and upon his promotion to lieutenant was assigned to Rescue 4 (Queens). He was promoted to captain in 1997 and assigned to Sq-270 (Queens). After the events of 9/11, he was assigned the captain of Rescue 1 (Manhattan). He is presently a battalion chief in the Rescue Battalion and responds citywide. He is the former director of the Special Operations Command Technical Rescue School. He is also the task force leader for NY-TF1’s USAR Team and a member of the Rescue Working Group for USAR as well. He currently lectures throughout the country and has written articles for WNYF (With New York Firefighters, quarterly training publication) and for Fire Engineering.

JIM LAMBRECHTS is a captain with the San Francisco Fire Department.

DOUG LEIHBACHER is a 26-year veteran of the fire service and a battalion chief in the Yonkers (N.Y.) Fire Department, currently assigned as chief of training.  He has a bachelor’s degree in education and an associate’s degree in fire protection technology. Having served as senior instructor of the YFDProbationary Training School, he is a New York State certified fire instructor and municipal training officer as well as a level 2 certified fire investigator and code enforcement officer. He has also been a classroom and hands-on instructor at FDIC and FDIC East and a contributing author for Fire Engineering since 1994.

BOB LEONARD started in the fire service as a seasonal firefighter for the California Department of Forestry in 1984. In 1986, he was hired by Yuba City (Calif.) Fire Department, a combination department. In 1990, he left Yuba City Fire Department to join San Jose (Calif.) Fire Department and has been there ever since. He currently works as a firefighter on Engine 3 in downtown San Jose. He is a Battalion 1 A trainer and teaches at the Recruit Academy in San Jose. He is also the chairman of the Engine Company Committee for San Jose Fire Department.

MIKE LOMBARDO is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and currently holds the rank of captain with the Buffalo Fire Department, Truck 11. He is a New York State fire instructor and a member of the development team for New York State firefighter survival and rapid intervention programs. He is an editorial advisor for Fire Engineering magazine, a member of the Advisory Board for FDIC and lead instructor for FDIC live fire training. He is a two time Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award recipient (1988 and 1994) and the recipient of the FDIC 1999 Training Achievement Award. He is an instructor on fire tactics, live fire attack, firefighter survival, and command throughout the United States.

BRUCE MARTIN has spent 26 years in the fire service and is the fire chief  of San Rafael (California) Fire Department.  Bruce started as a volunteer firefighter in Fairfax, California. He has worked in Redwood City, Mountain View and Sonoma County in all aspects of the fire service.  Bruce also coordinates the Fire Technology program at the College of San Mateo, and instructs command and management classes at the California Fire Academy. Bruce has an associate’s degree in fire science and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. http://www.smccd.net/accounts/martinb

RAY McCORMACK is a 23-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York and a lieutenant with Engine 69 in Harlem. McCormack is a New York State certified fire instructor, with experience as a Hands On Training (HOT) instructor for FDIC and FDIC West in Live Fire Attack. He lectures frequently on engine and ladder company operations, and his articles have been published in Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue Interactive, and WNYF (With New York Firefighters). McCormack has a B.A. from New York Institute of Technology.

JIM McCORMACK is a 16-year veteran of the fire service and has been a firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department for the past three years. He is an FDIC H.O.T. instructor and is president of the Fire Department Training Network, (www.fdtraining.com), a membership network dedicated to firefighter training.

BRIAN McGORTY is a 23-year veteran of the fire service currently assigned as 1st Platoon safety officer for North Hudson (N.J.) Regional Fire & Rescue (NHRFR). Captain McGorty is the chairman of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) Critical Incident Stress Management Committee and the FMBA representative to the New Jersey Department of Personnel. He is also the labor chairman of the NHRFR Labor-Management Health and Safety Committee. He is the FMBA liaison to the Save the Children Foundation and participated in the Pennies for Playgrounds campaign which both funded and built playgrounds in the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Brian is also involved in Project Children, which brings children from Northern Ireland to stay with families in the United States. He is past president of the North Hudson Fire Officers Association (FMBA Local 26) and currently an NHRFR executive state delegate to the FMBA. Brian also has been a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA) for over 25 years.

DAVE McGRAIL is a 24-year veteran of the fire service and a district chief with the Denver Fire Department. He instructs internationally on a wide range of fire service topics, specializing in high-rise firefighting and standpipe operations. He is the lead instructor for the engine company (standpipe) hands-on training at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana; FDIC West, Sacramento and Los Angeles, California; and FDIC East Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was the keynote speaker on United States high-rise operations, at the Fire and Emergency Services Asia (FESA) Singapore, 2005. He is a member of the FDIC, FDIC West, and FDIC East Educational Advisory Boards. He is editorial advisor and contributing editor for Fire Engineering magazine and has written numerous articles on fireground and high-rise firefighting operations in various fire service publications. He is authoring a book on high-rise firefighting operations, to be published by PennWell in 2006. Dave holds two associate of applied science degrees in fire science technology and two bachelor of science degrees, one in human resource management, and the other in fire service administration.

GLEN McGUIRE began his career in the fire service in January of 1982. After spending several years with the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District, Calif., he was hired by the San Jose Fire Department and is currently a captain on E2 located in San Jose’s busy East side. Glen has been involved with training in both departments and currently has his Level 1 instructors certificate, A.S. degree in fire science, and State Fire Officers Certificate. He teaches many subjects, both in the SJFD and county academies, but specializes in the areas of forcible entry and firefighter survival.

RUSSELL MERRICK is a captain and 16-year veteran of the Rochester Fire Department in New York, assigned to the Health & Safety Division. He has an A.A.S. degree in fire protection technology, and is presently an adjunct instructor with the Monroe Community College Fire Protection Technology Program, an instructor for the Monroe County Public Safety Training Center, and a certified New York State fire instructor.

CHIEF JOHN MITTENDORF has more than 30 years of experience with the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, where he served as a chief officer in field operations and as the commander of the In-Service Training Section. Chief Mittendorf has been a member of the National Fire Protection Research Foundation on Engineered Lightweight Construction Technical Advisory Committee; provided training programs for the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburgh, Maryland, the University of California at Los Angeles, the British Fire Academy at Morton-in-Marsh, England; and acted in an advisory capacity for five college fire science advisory boards. The author of numerous fireground articles for fire service magazines in the United States and Europe, he currently lectures in the United States and United Kingdom on Strategy and Tactics, Truck Company Operations, Fireground Operations, Ventilation Operations, The Complete Fire Officer, and is a member of the editorial advisory board to Fire Engineering magazine. Chief Mittendorf is the author of the recently released book Truck Company Operations, published by Fire Engineering magazine.

JAMIE C. MORELOCK is a firefighter with the Toledo Fire Department and an Ohio certified fire instructor, who is a lead instructor of Fire Tactics for Bowling Green State University. He frequently teaches and lectures on the topics of truck company operations and is an FDIC HOT instructor for Truck Company Operations-Ground Ladders as well as a Fire Engineering contributing author.

JACK J. MURPHY, Jr., fire marshal (ret.) and former deputy chief of the Leonia (New Jersey) Fire Department, has a master’s degree in education and several undergraduate degrees, including those in industrial technology and fire science. Murphy is an editorial board advisory member for Fire Engineering and the FDIC coordinator for classroom education, is vice-chairman of the New York City Fire Safety Directors Association, and was the charter president of the Bergen County (N.J.) Fire Chiefs Association. He is the author of RICS/Rapid Incident Command System (Fire Engineering, 1998). He also serves on the John Jay College (New York) Board of Directors for the Fire Safety Foundation and is an honorary FDNY battalion chief.

TOM MURRAY, a 31-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department, recently retired from SFFD and is now a battalion chief/training officer for the San Mateo (Calif.) Fire Department. He has written training bulletins and manuals for the SFFD, is a California state certified fire officer, California state driver operator instructor, County of Sonoma fire instructor and a former recruit and in-service training officer for the SFFD. He is an instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Academy and a member of the adjunct faculty at College of the Siskiyous Fire Technology Program. He is an instructor of advanced pump operations and engine company operations: handline stretching and advancing at FDIC West. He holds associate degrees in general education and fire technology and a bachelors degree in political science.

BRENDAN O'LEARY has been a member of the San Francisco Fire Department for 24 years, and for more than 10 years, he has been an investigator assigned to the Bureau of Fire Investigation. Prior to joining the SFFD, he was a firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service, assigned to the El Dorado National Forest in California. He is an instructor at the City College of San Francisco, where he is a member of the Fire Science Technology Department. Mr. O'Leary is a certified investigator with the California State Fire Marshal's Office and with the Institute Of Criminal Investigation, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). He has completed the Fire/Arson Investigation program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland. He assisted with the development of the POST telecourse for first-responding police officers regarding arson and explosives incidents. Mr. O'Leary was also a member of the curriculum development team that revised the California State Fire Marshal Investigation 1B (Techniques of Fire Investigation) course. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.

RAYMOND OROZCO is second-generation, 24-year member of the Chicago Fire Department and currently serves as the deputy district chief on the southeast side of Chicago. He has been assigned to engine companies, truck companies and heavy-rescue squads throughout his career. Ray holds a degree in fire science and fire administration. He teaches Building Construction for the Fire Service at Harold Washington College, is on staff at the Illinois Fire Service Institute where he has taught Company Officer School, Rapid Intervention, Large Area Rope Assisted Search Procedures and the Structural Collapse Operations and Technician program. He has lectured at Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and teaches newly promoted lieutenants and battalion chiefs for the Chicago Fire Department. Ray also serves on the board of directors for the CREST Foundation. This not-for-profit foundation is dedicated to awarding scholarships to sponsor firefighters and paramedics to attend job related training sessions.

DAVID F. PETERSON is a 23-year veteran of the fire service who is a lieutenant with the Madison (Wis.) Fire Department. Previously, he was a training coordinator for the Regional Level A HazMat Response Team. David is the owner of Americhem Safety & Environmental, LLC, a hazmat training and consulting firm in Janesville, Wisconsin. He is also a master trainer, an adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy and the Emergency Management Institute, and a frequent lecturer and author concerning hazardous materials response. David is the founder and past president of the Wisconsin Association of Hazardous Materials Responders, Inc.

TONY PIONTEK is a 16-year veteran of the fire service and a firefighter for the City of Green Bay, Wis., currently assigned to Ladder 2. He is a certified fire instructor 2 and teaches for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the fire protection associates degree program and the state fire certification program and is lead instructor for the rapid intervention training and acquired structure training programs. He is co-owner and chief operations officer of Fire and Industrial Response Enterprises (FIRE, LLC), through which he instructs on a variety of fire service and industrial emergency response topics throughout the country. Tony is the FIRE, LLC instructor/coordinator for the Tomahawk Fire and Rescue School. He is a H.O.T. instructor for Firehouse World and FDIC, is a contributing editor for the Jones and Bartlett Publishing text, Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills, and his articles have appeared in Fire Engineering and Fire Nuggets.

STEVE PRZIBOROWSKI is a 15-year veteran of the fire service and an acting battalion chief for the Santa Clara County (Los Gatos, Calif.) Fire Department. Additional responsibilities have included serving as an on-call safety officer, an on-call public information officer, and an on-call fire investigator. He has also been an instructor within the Chabot College (Hayward, Calif.) Fire Technology Program for the past 14 years. Four and a half years of those years were also spent as the fire technology coordinator, and seven years were also spent as the EMT program director and primary instructor. Steve is an executive board member for the Northern California Training Officers Association, currently serving as the president. He is a state-certified chief officer, fire officer, master instructor, and hazardous materials technician, as well as a state-licensed paramedic. Steve has an associate’s degree in fire technology, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in emergency services administration, and is currently a student in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. Steve also provides a free e-ail mailing list and publishes a free monthly newsletter (The Chabot College Fire & EMS News); both are geared toward better preparing the future firefighter for a career in the fire service and the current firefighter for promotion, and more importantly – keeping you up to date with what is occurring in the fire service. For more information, feel free to contact him through his website – www.chabotfire.com

ERICH RODEN is a firefighter with the Milwaukee Fire Department assigned to Engine 28. Erich is a member of the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team and is a fire service instructor with the Milwaukee Area Technical College. He has an A.A.S. in fire science, a B.S. in fire science management, and is pursuing an M.S. in training and development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

NORM ROOKER is a rescue paramedic for the San Francisco Fire Department and has been active in EMS since 1973. He is a member of his department’s technical rescue committee and the surf and cliff rescue teams. He is a heavy rescue instructor for the California State Fire Marshal’s Office, an EMT-T and SRT-1. Norm, a member of the National Association for Search and Rescue’s Board of Directors, is also a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in numerous EMS and Rescue trade journals.

MATHEW RUSH is a 11-year veteran of the Austin Fire Department, currently assigned to Engine 22 on the southeast side. Lt. Rush spent 7 years in downtown Austin assigned to Ladder Company 3, Engine 1 - Engine 50 - Tower Ladder 1, and one year assigned to Engine Company 30 in North Austin. He was an FDIC West H.O.T. instructor for engine company operations under the late Lt. Andrew Fredericks and has been a FDIC H.O.T. instructor for truck company ladder operations for the past 5 years, serving as co-lead instructor since 2003.  Lt. Rush offers classes on engine and truck operations throughout the country.  He has written articles for both Fire Engineering and Fire Nuggets and holds a B.S. degree.

ROB SCHNEPP is a captain/paramedic with the Alameda County (Calif.) Fire Department. He serves as a hazardous materials manager with the Region 4 Task Force of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team based in Oakland, California. He is the primary author of the book Hazardous Materials: Regulations, Response & Site Operations (Delmar Publishing, Albany, NY: 1988). Rob is a member of the FDIC Advisory Board, the editorial advisory boards of Fire Engineering and Fire/EMS magazine, and a lead instructor for the FDIC H.O.T. program.

PAUL SCHULLER, a fourth-generation firefighter, has served with volunteer, part-paid and municipal fire departments. Paul has served as chief of San Jose Fire Department Fire Communications Dispatch Center and operations battalion chief, currently assigned to Battalion 29, on San Jose's North Side.  During his 29-year career, Paul has held the positions of firefighter, driver/operator, lieutenant, captain and battalion chief.  Chief Schuller is a California state certified fire officer and past instructor for the State of California's Fire Officer Certification Program. Paul has attended the Executive Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy and has served as an instructor at FDIC West and Columbia Fire College in California. E-mail: PSchuller@firenuggets.com

CRAIG SCHWINGE is a member of the San Jose (California) Fire Department.

JIM SEWNIG is a member of the Chicago Fire Department assigned to Engine 46 and has been in the fire service for more than 15 years. He is also a current member of Evergreen Park Fire Department, has an A.A.S. degree in fire science, is a member of the Chicago Fire Department Health and Fitness Committee, and is a member of The SOUTSIDE F.O.O.L.S.

MIKE SHAW is a 26-year veteran and second-generation firefighter. Captain Shaw is assigned to E30 in Downtown San Jose. Prior to joining the SJFD 16 years ago, Mike was employed with the San Bruno Fire Department, California. During his career with the SJFD, Mike has held the positions of firefighter, engineer and captain, working at busy engine and truck companies throughout the downtown area. He holds an associate of arts degree and is certified in Rescue Systems One and Collapse Structure Rescue. Captain Shaw developed and administered the practical exam portion of the fire engineer promotional process for the SJFD and is a past fire instructor for Mission College in Santa Clara, California.

JEFF SHUPE is a full-time firefighter who began his career in 1974. He is a member of the Cleveland Fire Department, assigned to Engine Company 24. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter and has been training director for Tallmadge, Ohio Fire Department. He has as associate’s degree in Fire Technology and also attended the University of Cincinnati Fire Protection Engineering program. As an instructor, Shupe teaches in the Outreach Program for the Ohio Fire Academy and also for a local community college in the firefighter training and technology programs. He has been an instructor for more than 16 years and has taught on all levels including the private sector. He specializes in the instruction of engine company and fireground operations. He is a team member for the FDIC HOT area of instruction and has been a classroom presenter at the FDIC-Indianapolis conference. Shupe has been awarded the Medal of Valor twice during his career with the Cleveland Fire Department.

TOM SIRAGUSA is a 27-year veteran of the fire service and is currently battalion chief with the San Francisco Fire Department. He served as a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and as a firefighter/paramedic with the San Rafael (California) Fire Department. He is a California state certified fire instructor and a chief officer level instructor for high-rise operations, multi-alarm incidents and ICS for hazardous materials incidents. As a member of the SFFD Mutual Aid Response Committee, he co-authored a Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Behavior, Tactics and Safety Manual. He develops, teaches, and instructs numerous courses for the SFFD and other agencies.

BOB SMITH has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year firefighter from Hayward, California. Known as "Captain Bob," Smith is a humorist, coach, publisher, speaker, author of over 80 articles, creator of the audio/video programs "Conquer the Job and Promotional Interview," and author of "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" and "Eat Stress For Breakfast." He is a rater on job interviews, listed in Who’s Who in Professional Speaking, and a frequent talk show guest (completing 300 media interviews), including an appearance on the Barbara Walters show "The View.” Incorporating his own experience gained from more than 100 oral boards, he has helped countless individuals in their pursuit of careers and promotions. He uses simple tools to uncomplicate the process. To date over 1,900 candidates have received their badge from this program.

MICHAEL STANLEY has been in emergency services since 1993, with the Aurora (CO) Fire Department since 1997. Currently, he is a truck company lieutenant and a member of the Technical Rescue Team. He also has served as a firefighter, paramedic, educator and hazardous materials team member with the department. He possesses an associates degree in fire science technology and another in emergency medical services. Mike is also completing a bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership for emergency services. He lectures locally, regionally and nationally about a variety of topics that include weapons of mass destruction, leadership and fire suppression to emergency responders.

TONY STEFANI is a 28-year veteran with the San Francisco Fire Department. He is the captain of Rescue One and has worked at Rescue One since 1990. He holds an associate degree in fire science from San Francisco City College. As a member of Rescue One, he is an EMT, HazMat specialist, instructor of Rescue Systems I & II, confined space tech, blackmask certified diver and certified for surf and cliff rescue. He has also trained with the San Francisco Police Department’s Tactical Unit and Bomb Unit for weapons of mass destruction. He is a member of the San Francisco Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Committee and has been an instructor at the Department’s Division of Training. He plans on retiring in February 2003.

MICHAEL STEFANO, a captain in the New York City Fire Department as well as a certified personal trainer, has been working with New York City firefighters in the field of exercise and fitness for the past eighteen years. His successful training programs have helped New York's bravest to rise above the challenges and extreme physical demands of firefighting. Using the same principles that worked for firefighters, Michael Stefano has also developed safe and effective exercise routines for the general population. As captain, he is directly responsible for the safety and efficiency of his unit and has been recognized by the department four times for acts of heroism. He lives on Long Island, New York.

PAUL H. STEIN retired as a chief officer from the Santa Monica (Calif.) Fire Department. During his 31-year career, Chief Stein has 25 years experience as a supervisor. He has served as line officer, battalion commander, fire marshal, division chief, and training officer. After retirement, he served as interim fire chief for the Lakeside Fire Department in California. Chief Stein has served as the fire technology coordinator at Santa Monica College, an instructor for the California Fire Academy System and former adjunct faculty member for the National Fire Academy.  <>He holds an A.S. degree in fire technology and a B.A. degree in management. Chief Stein is a master instructor for the California Department of Education. For the past 25 years, Chief Stein has worked as a trainer and management consultant. He has performed services for over 200 different organizations throughout the United States. He is considered to be one of the top emergency service keynote speakers in the United States. He has keynoted over fifty conferences and conventions and spoke at over 100 events. Chief Stein’s areas of expertise are leadership and incident command. He has been involved in management and organizational reviews, strategic planning, team building, officer development with emphasis on ethical leadership, diversity, civility, and emergency incident mitigation.

CHIEF ART STOIKE is a retired fire chief and 30-year veteran of the fire service. Art was born and raised in the southside of Chicago. He began his fire service career in 1969 with a small volunteer fire department (25 cents per call). By 1971, Art had joined a fire department serving a rapidly developing community in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and retired 24 years later. As a firefighter, Art was assigned to an engine company, a rescue squad for eight years and 12 years as the company officer on a tower ladder. As a fire service instructor, Art taught in and coordinated the Moraine Valley Community College Fire Science program for 8 years. He was chief of a small, predominantly paid, on-call department for five years and chief of fire prevention and building commissioner in another for eight years prior to retirement as a line officer in Schaumburg, Illinois. Immediately upon his retirement, he was appointed fire chief in Hanover Park, Illinois, a neighboring department where he remained for five years. During Chief Stoike's career he was certified as a paramedic with the first class in Illinois (1972). He received an A.A.S. degree in fire science and a B.A. with emphasis on fire science, attended the National Fire Academy, and completed the staff and command course offered by the University of Maryland - Fire and Rescue Institute.

MICHAEL TERPAK has been in the fire service for 33 years, spending the last 29 years with the Jersey City Fire Department, where he is assigned as deputy chief and citywide tour commander. Throughout his career he has worked in the city’s busier Lafayette and Greenville areas with Engines 10 & 17, Ladder 12, Rescue 1, and the chief of the city’s 2nd Battalion the former chief in charge of the city's Training Division. Terpak travels extensively around the country lecturing on fire/rescue topics and is the founder of Promotional Prep, a New Jersey-based consulting firm designed to prepare firefighters and fire officers studying for promotional exams. Chief Terpak, who also holds a B.S. degree in fire safety administration from the City University of New Jersey, is the author of a best selling book, Fireground Size-Up. He is also the author of a newly released text, Assessment Center, Strategy and Tactics. Both books are available from Fire Engineering Books and videos. He can be contacted at (973) 726-9538, firegroundsizeup.com or promotionalprep.com.

ERIC R. TOLLUND entered the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with the Animas Fire Protection District in Durango, Colorado in 1995, learning both structural and wildland firefighting duties. He served for approximately five years with the West Metro Fire Department in Lakewood, Colorado as a firefighter/paramedic before being hired with the Denver Fire Department, where he currently is assigned to Engine Company 16. Eric has also had the unique experience to serve as a guest firefighter in Moss, Norway with the Moss Brannvesen. He holds a B.A. degree in sociology as well as an A.A.S. degree in fire science technology.

GERALD A. TRACY is a battalion chief with the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY) assigned to the 38 Battalion in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Formally the unit commander of Squad 18 in Manhattan, he served 10 years of his 26-year career in the high-rise areas of Manhattan. He worked in collaboration to develop the "Back to Basics" training program for the FDNY training academy. He has lectured nationally on the operations, strategy, and tactics used on the fireground at private dwellings, vacant and abandoned buildings, high-rise structures occupied as commercial office buildings, hotels and multiple dwellings. The high-rise instruction includes the strategy of operations and hazards while these buildings are under construction.

WILLIAM TREZEK is a 13 year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. He has worked on engine and squad companies. Currently he holds the rank of lieutenant and is assigned to 5th District relief. William is a field instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute and has helped the Chicago Fire Department instruct its members on Rapid Intervention.

DANIEL M. TROXELL, a 25-year veteran of the fire service, is a captain with the Washington, DC Fire Department, assigned to Engine Company 15. He serves as a Level II ceretified adjunct instructor at the District of Columbia Fire Training Academy and has a bachelor of science degree in fire protection engineering and a master of science degree in applied management, both from the University of Maryland. He has also written articles for Fire Engineering Magazine.

MICHAEL VESELING is a 27-year veteran of the fire service and currently holds the rank of battalion chief with the City of Naperville (Illinois) Fire Department. Mike has served the city for 22 years and has, in recent years, held assignments as captain at Engine Co. No. 3 on the city’s north side and Ladder Co. No. 7 on the near west side. Mike has been an active member of the department’s Technical Rescue Team, Hazardous Materials Team, and for the last 10 years commanded the city's Water Rescue Team. Mike's latest assignment is as bureau chief of training for the department. Mike is an active instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute, Illinois Terrorism Task Force, Southern Kane County Training Association, and numerous other organizations in Illinois. Mike is an FDIC H.O.T Instructor on Truck Company Operations and also instructs with Bennie Crane and Associates.

T.J. WELCH has been a member in the fire service for 26 years. He has served in volunteer, industrial and municipal fire departments. He is currently working as a battalion chief assigned to Battalion 1 for the Alameda County Fire Department in California.

MARK WESSELDINE is a 25-year career firefighter, recently retired from the City of New York Fire Department (FDNY), from Tower Ladder 58 in the Bronx.  He holds an AS in Fire Science and has been instructing for the past 15 years.  He is a senior instructor at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, a New York State fire instructor and an adjunct instructor at the New York City Fire Academy.  Mark is also a H.O.T instructor for various national conferences. He was an associate of Andrew A. Fredericks and Associates (Lt. Fredericks, FDNY, deceased, 9-11-01).  Mark is now training and consulting full time.

MICHAEL WEST has been a member of the fire service since 1982. He is a fourth-generation firefighter who has instructed at fire departments and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Mike is a captain with South Metro (Colo.) Fire Rescue. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management and an associate’s degree in fire science. He is an officer of Fired Up Training Services, LLC (www.fireduptraining.com), a fire training and consulting company, as well as a contract instructor for Safe-IR, Inc. (www.safe-ir.com), a company that provides thermal imaging training to members of the fire service. He can be reached at m.west@fireduptraining.com.

PHIL WHITSON has been involved with the fire service for 27 years. He began his fire service career in 1973 with the Oceanside Fire Department, California. During his career with theOFD, he served as firefighter, paramedic, assistant training officer and captain. After retirement, Phil, moved with his family to Mariposa, California. He served as EMS coordinator for 5 years. In 1995, Phil began teaching the Firefighter I program at Mariposa County High School. He is currently teaching full time at the school, where he trains approximately 150 students annually in firefighting and first-responder medical aid. Additionally, he is captain with the Mariposa Public Utility District Fire Department in Mariposa.

LOU WILDE entered the fire service in 1985. He has been a career member with the Kelowna Fire Department (British Columbia) for the past 20 years and is currently the assistant chief of training and safety. He also manages the Central Okanagan Regional Rescue Program involving six fire departments that serve a population of over 173,000 people and cover more that 2,500 square kilometers. Lou teaches Fire Officer development courses and Incident Command.

FRANKLIN WILSON II is currently an engine company captain with Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. A paid firefighter since 1994, he possesses an associates degree in fire command administration and is completing his bachelor's degree in fire service administration. Frank has dedicated his efforts to fire service training and development. He is currently an instructor for fire services programs at Olympic College and is an academy instructor for the Washington State Fire Training Academy. “Be powerful, share your knowledge!”

LARRY YOELL is an engineer/paramedic with the Southern Marin Protection Fire District, Marin County, Calif., and a captain and strike team leader for the Vacaville Fire Protection District in nearby Solano County. He has 21 years of firefighting experience. He is a state certified fire instructor, and is an instructor at the Vacaville Fire Protection District’s recruit academy. He holds an associate's degree in fire technology. He lives in Vacaville with his wife Marta and daughters Ashley and Andrea.