Sergeant Alec Adams
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Alec currently holds the rank of Sergeant/Paramedic with Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services. He has spent seven years in the fire service, all with Cherokee County and he is currently assigned to Station 21 A-Shift. He is a Georgia Smoke Diver, F.L.A.M.E.S graduate, Fire Instructor 1, NPQ FF 1 and 2 and Haz-Mat Tech. He was an instructor at MAFFC 2012 and has been selected to instruct at FDIC 2013.

Captain Phillip Adams
Sandy Springs Fire Department (GA)
Philip Adams is a captain and training officer with Sandy Springs Fire Department currently assigned to Station 2.

Captain William Mark Akins
Johns Creek Fire Department (GA)
Mark is a thirty three year veteran and student of the fire service. He was appointed to the Fulton County Fire Department in 1980 and served in the positions of Firefighter, FAO, SGT. Lieutenant, and Captain. He retired from Fulton County Fire Department and was appointed to the Johns Creek Fire Department at its inception and currently serves as a Captain on Truck 63. Mark holds an associate degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is working toward a bachelor degree in homeland security management. Mark is an NPQ Firefighter I,II, NPQ Instructor I, NPQ Fire Officer I,II, and Haz-Mat Technician.

Captain Chuck Baird
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Chuck has twenty four years in the fire service as a firefighter, paramedic, and hazardous materials technician. He is currently a Fire Captain assigned to the Training Division. He is an Executive Fire Officer Program Graduate from the National Fire Academy. Chuck has a Masters of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelors of Science in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University, and an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology from West Georgia Technical College. He is a Regional Proctor/Monitor for the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council. He is a certified Pro Board Instructor II and III. Chuck is a Georgia Paramedic Instructor, PHTLS State Coordinator, and an EMS Program Instructor. He is an adjunct instructor for the Georgia State Fire Academy and well as Chattahoochee Technical College. He has been a speaker at multiple regional workshops and conferences including MAFFC, the MATO Instructor Workshop, and the Women in the Fire Service Conference.

Lieutenant Chuck Barnwell
Gwinnett County Fire Department (GA)
Chuck has been in the fire service for twenty one years, thirteen of those years spent with Gwinnett County. Two years were spent at the Gwinnett County Fire Academy overseeing the Career Development Division. He is currently serving his third year on the Hazardous Materials team. Chuck has had the opportunity to teach numerous classes ranging from recruit instruction to leadership and tactics to developing officers. This will be his fourth year instructing at MAFFC.

Firefighter Jay Bettencourt
Asheville Fire Department (NC)
Jay is a three year firefighter thankfully serving the Asheville Fire Department. For most of that time he has been assigned to Asheville’s, Rescue-3 and holds certifications commensurate with this position.

Fire Chief Richie Bowers
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MD)
Richie Bowers has been a member of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for thirty five years. He has served in every rank of the Department from Firefighter/EMT to Fire Chief. Chief Bowers has been a member of the FEMA USAR Maryland Task Force 1 Team since its inception and has been on numerous deployments including the Oklahoma Bombing and the 9/11 Pentagon terrorist attack. He also was the Montgomery County Operational Task Force Leader for the Katrina New Orleans deployment. Chief Bowers has served on many local and regional advisory committees and has been a member of several Firefighter Line of Duty and Significant Injury Investigation Teams. Chief Bowers is presently serving as the chair of the National Capital Region Council of Government Fire Chiefs Committee. Chief Bowers has presented numerous training courses related to firefighter and EMS provider safety across the country and is committed to sharing information in an effort to reduce injuries and line of duty deaths.

Engineer Steve Bradley
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Steve has been with CCFES since 1996 and is currently serving as an Engineer on Truck 14. He has been a member of the Technical Rescue team since 1999 and has also served on Squad 4. Steve has been involved with technical rope work for many years and holds Technician level training in all of the Technical Rescue disciplines. Additionally, he has been involved in the field of technical tree climbing, cutting, and rigging for many years and has taught numerous classes on climbing, rigging, felling, and arborist rescue.

Captain Matt Broderick
Johns Creek Fire Department (GA)
Matt is a twenty plus year veteran of the fire service. He started his career on a Truck Company with FDNY and then traveled south to work on Heavy Rescue 24 in DeKalb County. He now serves as a Captain with Johns Creek Fire Department. Matt is well known in the region for his knowledge of “Truck Company Operations” and skill at teaching this topic.

Captain Tim Budzinski
Charlotte Fire Department (NC)
Tim has ten years with Charlotte Fire Department and twelve years with Brevard Fire Department. He is a North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission Instructor, a Henderson County Fire and Rescue Academy Instructor, and an Instructor for Blue Ridge Community College.

Lieutenant David Bullard
Martinez Columbia Fire Rescue (GA)
David is a fifteen year student of the fire service and serves as 3rd VP of the Georgia State Firefighters Association, as well as on committees with the SEAFC and ISFSI. He is a former GFA staff member and current adjunct. He has also been a past presenter at MAFFC and Fire Rescue International.

Lieutenant Serge Burack (ret.)
Fire Department of New York (NY)
Serge retired from FDNY as a Lt. serving on Ladder 123 in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. His career began as a volunteer in Elmont, Long Island and continued through assignments to various engine and ladder companies with FDNY. Serge has served as an assistant instructor at MAFFC.

Battalion Chief Steve Buttermore
Polk County Fire Rescue (FL)
Steve is in charge of training for Polk County Fire Rescue which has four hundred seventy five personnel and thirty three stations. Steve has been on the job twenty seven years. He is also the training coordinator for L&M Training Consultants.

Lieutenant Kris Cagle
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Kris has over thirty years of fire service experience and is a live fire instructor. He is currently assigned to Atlanta Fire Rescue’s Training Division.

Engineer JJ Cassetta
Orlando Fire Department (FL)
JJ has been in the fire service for over sixteen years, and has worked in both suburban and urban fire departments, serving on both engine and ladder companies. He is currently an Engineer for the City of Orlando Fire Dept., and previously served as a Firefighter with the City of Cincinnati Fire Dept. JJ earned a BS degree in Fire Protection Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, and is a certified State of Florida Instructor III. JJ has been a Hands On Training Instructor at FDIC, FDIC West, and the Orlando Fire Conference. He is also a lead instructor at BGSU State Fire School in Ohio, and regularly teaches firefighting courses at Seminole State College.

Lieutenant Michael Ciampo
Fire Department of New York (NY)
Michael is a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department and Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladder chapter and co-authored the Ventilation and Tool chapter for Fire Engineering's Handbook for Firefighter I and II. He is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos onwww.FireEngineering.com. and writes the monthly column ON FIRE.

Battalion Chief Jennie L. Collins
Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue (VA)
Jennie Collins has twenty eight years of experience with Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue where she is currently a Battalion Chief. Chief Collins has served in numerous assignments within the department including program management positions in Training, Health and Safety, and EMS Operations and is currently the Executive Officer for the Fire Chief. She was the team leader for the Technician I Wilson Line of Duty Death Internal Investigation and has assisted with other external firefighter significant injury investigations. Chief Collins was responsible for managing the department’s personnel deployment to provide humanitarian relief and aid in response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and areas in Missouri. Chief Collins has been twice appointed to the Virginia State EMS Advisory Board by the Governor, as well as serves on numerous local, regional, and state level committees and boards of directors. Chief Collins has presented numerous training courses related to firefighter and EMS provider safety across the Country and is committed to sharing information in an effort to reduce injuries and line of duty deaths.

Captain John Conniff
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
John has been a member of the fire service for twenty years. He holds an A.A.S. in Fire Science. He currently is a Captain with the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services where he is currently assigned to Truck Company 4. He is a co-founder of the Cobb Fire Officers Forum. He is also a past MAFFC instructor.

Training Chief Chris Coons
Johns Creek Fire Department (GA)
Chris has over nineteen years experience in public safety. He served fifteen plus years with the Atlanta Fire Department before accepting his current position with the Johns Creek Fire Department in 2008. Chris is also proud of the time he served as a part time firefighter with the Roswell Fire Department. While with the Atlanta Fire Department; he served several years on “SQUAD 4-B” which is the Haz-Mat, Technical Rescue, firefighting, and manpower unit. He is a Paramedic, Technical Rescue Technician, HAZ MAT Specialist, Tactical SWAT Medic and instructor in many disciplines. While his career has lead him to a more administrative role, he still loves to get dirty and train with the “troops” and strives on developing firefighters to be better and safer at the career they have chosen.

Captain Ryan Creed
Charlotte Fire Department (NC)
Ryan is a Captain with the Charlotte Fire Department assigned to Ladder 16. Ryan has spent the majority of his thirteen years with Charlotte assigned to Ladder Companies. He is also the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Pleasant Valley Fire Department. Ryan serves as an assisting instructor of the NC Breathing Equipment School as well as has acted as a Charlotte FD recruit school instructor.

Engineer Dave Dwyer
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Dave is a twenty three year veteran of the fire service. Currently assigned to Station 23, his last assignment was Engineer on Squad 4 for Cobb Fire. He has developed and taught several classes on Elevator Operations/Rescue, Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse, and Extrication Operations. Dave is an advocate for continuing education for firefighting and technical rescue training.

Battalion Chief Todd Edwards
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Todd is a thirty year fire service veteran, serving the City of Atlanta for the past twenty five years. Over the course of his career, Todd has served at all ranks and worked in some of the busiest companies in Atlanta. He holds numerous certifications and has been recognized throughout the state for his training efforts in the areas of firefighter survival, “The Solomon Report”, and officer development courses. He also serves as the lead Training Instructor for Walton County Fire Rescue and teaches numerous NFA courses at the GFA.

Engineer John Elliot
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
John is presently assigned as Engineer of Cobb Squad 4 on B-shift. John started his career with Smyrna Fire and moved on to Cobb Fire in 2005. John has been in the fire service since 1999. John has taught FF Survival many times at Cobb and while at Smyrna. Since 2003 John has been involved in many Technical Rescue classes. John has been assisting with rope and trench classes throughout his career. John has taught Intro to Structural Collapse and School Bus Extrication at MAFFC.

Lieutenant Ryan Fleeman
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Ryan is a lieutenant assigned to Cobb County Squad 4. He has been involved in multiple battalion and departmental training drills. Ryan has also previously instructed at MAFFC.

Lieutenant Shannon Gibbs
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Shannon has been with Cherokee County Fire since 1998. He also worked with Atlanta South Ambulance Service, Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service, Six Flags EMS, and Worldwide Transport. Lt. Gibbs has been an instructor since 2001 and has instructor certifications in many different areas. Lt. Gibbs has been an ACLS instructor, a BLS instructor, a Level II EMT instructor, Fire Instructor I, and a Structural Fire Control Instructor. Gibbs has taught in numerous EMT classes, Paramedic classes, EMS refresher classes, and was the lead instructor for two EMT-I classes held in Cherokee County. He has been an instructor for numerous fire classes including RIT, TIC, FF Survival, FF Packaging, Search and Rescue, Structural Fire Control, etc. Gibbs has been involved in many projects and committees while at Cherokee. He has been on the rope team, hazmat team, Honor Guard, Apparatus committee, Uniform committee, Ambulance selection committee, and Ambulance final bid committee. He is chair of the PPE committee, he co-founded the Firefighter Relief Fund, wrote the Award Policy, worked on numerous SOP’s, fundraisers, and EMS protocols. Lt. Gibbs is very involved with the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, where he has been a camp counselor for 12 camps, serves on the camp planning committee, and was also on the GFBF Board of Directors.

Engineer Scott Gran
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Scott is an engineer assigned to Cobb County Squad 4. He has been involved in multiple battalion and departmental training drills. Scott has also previously instructed at MAFFC.

Engineer Sean Gray
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Sean is a twenty year veteran and a Fire Engineer with Cobb County (GA) Fire and Emergency Services. He has an associate degree and is currently working on a bachelor degree in fire safety engineering. He has taught at FDIC and has been published in Fire Engineering magazine.

Lieutenant Tom Hancock
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Tom is a sixteen year veteran and a Lieutenant with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services as well as a part time firefighter with the Roswell Fire Department. He served two years as a Lieutenant assigned to the Training Division. He has an associate degree in fire science and is finishing up his bachelor degree in public safety management and leadership. Tom has taught classes at FDIC and MAFFC. He has also been published in Fire Engineering magazine. Tom was one of the founding members of MAFFC and serves as one of the class and instructor coordinators for MAFFC.

Firefighter Anthony Helms
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Anthony has been with Cobb Fire since 1998 and with the Technical Rescue Squad since 2002. He has provided instruction to multiple fire and police departments, military units and other governmental agencies in rescue disciplines including Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Collapse Rescue, Trench Rescue, Vehicle Extrication, and Swiftwater Rescue.

Captain Adam Hughey
Brevard Fire Department (NC)
Adam has eleven years of fire service experience with Brevard Fire Department and another eight years with the Fletcher Fire Department as a Lieutenant. He is a North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission Instructor, a Henderson County Fire and Rescue Academy Instructor, a Western North Carolina Fire and Rescue College Instructor, and an Instructor for Blue Ridge Community College.

Battalion Chief Curt Isakson
Escambia County Fire Rescue (FL)
Curt is a twenty four year veteran of the fire service, where he is currently the A-Watch Battalion Chief for Escambia County Fire Rescue. He previously served for nine years with the Pensacola Fire Department, and was assigned as the Company Officer on Rescue 31. Curt's fire service experience started at a young age as a Junior Firefighter with the Midway Fire Protection District. He has worked in volunteer, career, and combination departments. Curt has held all ranks up to and including Battalion Chief, and has been assigned to operations, training, and inspections. He was the Chief of Special Operations for seven years. Curt owns and perates www.countyfiretactics.com ,a website that covers a very diverse range of fire tactics topics. He has annual contracts with numerous fire departments to provide standardized monthly training for departments that respond together under an automatic aid agreement. Curt teaches nationally on a variety of topics in both lecture and hands-on format. His venues include; FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Orlando Fire Conference, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference, Bowling Green State University, as well as at various Fire Departments around the country. He is a Florida certified Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Arson Investigator, and Urban Search & Rescue Operations.

Firefighter Jason Jefferies
Charlotte Fire Department (NC)
Jason is a Firefighter II with the Charlotte Fire Department, and a volunteer firefighter with the Town of Belmont, NC. Jason serves as an instructor at Gaston College in the Fire Programs area, and is an instructor with the NC Breathing Equipment School. Jason serves on the IAFF Local 660’s Health and Safety Committee and assists with the monthly formulation of the Health and Safety Newsletter. Jason is also a contributing editor for the Fire Service Warrior website.

Firefighter Colin Kelley
Clark County Fire Department (NV)
Colin is currently a twelve year firefighter with the Clark County Fire Department (Las Vegas, NV); all of this time working on the various Truck Companies within the department. Of those twelve years, four and a half were spent working on one of the busiest Truck’s in the country, T18. This Truck’s first-in area includes the Las Vegas Strip, University of Nevada Las Vegas Campus, McCarran International Airport, as well as one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the city. Colin is a State of Nevada Certified Fire Instructor, State Certified Apparatus Operator, a State Certified Apparatus Operator with Specialty in Aerial Device, and a State of Nevada Certified Fire Officer I and II. Colin has attended many regional conferences such as F.D.I.C. West, Firehouse World, Fire Rescue Expo, C.S.F.A. California Fire Service Training Conference, and several truck operations classes with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Colin has instructed many different classes on Building Construction, Truck Company Operations with an emphasis on “topside ventilation” of both conventional and lightweight constructed roofs, Panelized Roof Systems, laddering the fire ground, Thermal Imaging: interpreting the image and searching with the T.I.C. Colin has served as a member of the C.C.F.D.’s Recruit Academy Cadre and has served on several different department committees such as the Strategic Planning Committee, Standard Operating Procedures Development and the Fire Training Working Group.

Fire Research Engineer Steve Kerber
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
His areas of research include improving firefighter safety, fire service ventilation, structural collapse, and fire dynamics. Steve is a thirteen year veteran of the fire service, with most of his service at the College Park Fire Department in Prince George's County Maryland where he served at ranks up through Deputy Chief. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland and is currently working on his doctorate in Risk Management and Safety Engineering at Lund University in Sweden. Steve has also been appointed to the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief by the FDNY.

Lieutenant Steve Lester
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Steve is a seventeen year firefighter /paramedic with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. He is currently assigned to the Medical Operations Team (MedOps) within his department. This specialized team provides medical support for all the special operations teams within the jurisdiction including Cobb County Police SWAT, Marietta/Cobb/Smyrna Narcotics Unit, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Team, Cobb County Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD), and Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Hazardous Materials Team and Technical Rescue Team. This team also participates in the support of several federal law enforcement agencies while operating in the jurisdiction. Lt. Lester has been serving on the MedOps Team for eight years and has been involved in many tactical law enforcement incidents throughout his tenure. He holds multiple advanced certifications in the Fire/EMS arena including several instructor certifications.

Lieutenant Kevin Lewis
Lieutenant Lewis is a 17 year veteran of Cobb Fire and is currently assigned to Engine Company 9. He is also a 12 year veteran of the Roswell Fire Department. He holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware and is a founding member of MAFFC. For the second straight year he is presenting the "Advanced Basics" portion of the Advanced Search & Rescue Class.

Firefighter Dan Lohman
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Dan is a firefighter assigned to Cobb County Squad 4. He has been involved in multiple battalion and departmental training drills.

Lieutenant Brian Marcos
Smyrna Fire Department (GA)
Brian has been with the Smyrna Fire Department for seven years. He currently holds certifications in Fire Officer 1, Hazmat Technician, Fire Instructor 1, GA Smoke Diver, and Paramedic. He is completing his associate’s degree in Fire Science and looks forward to continuing his education throughout his career.

Sergeant Nick Martin
District of Columbia Fire Department, Washington DC
Nick began his fire service career in 1994 as a volunteer in his hometown located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Since then he has served as a career/volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in fire science from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in management from the Public Safety Executive Leadership program at the Johns Hopkins University. Nick is a Sergeant with the District of Columbia Fire Department, and has served on an engine company, truck/tower companies, and as a battalion aide. He is also a captain with the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. He is the recipient of a Medal of Valor from Firehouse Magazine, as well as a Silver Medal for Valor by the Prince George’ County Fire Department. Nick is also an author for Fire Engineering magazine, Urban Firefighter magazine & presents regularly at FDIC.

Captain Rick Meyers
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Rick is a twenty six year veteran with the City of Atlanta Fire Department. He is currently assigned as the Captain on Heavy Rescue Squad 4, of which he has spent fifteen years. He has taught and developed lesson plans in Officer Development, Building Construction, Forcible Entry, R.I.T and Engine and Truck Operations. Rick is also the lead instructor in charge of course development for East Coast Rescue Solutions.

Lieutenant Ray McCormack
Fire Department of New York (NY)
Ray is a thirty one year veteran of the FDNY and a Lieutenant with Ladder 28 in Harlem. He previously served in Engine Company 69 for over ten years. He delivered the Keynote address at FDIC in 2009. He is the editor of Urban Firefighter Magazine. He is the author of the digital column Tactical Safety for Firefighters.

Firefighter Chris Minichiello
Fire Department of New York (NY)
Chris is a fifteen year veteran firefighter, of which eight years were spent assigned to Squad 4 with The City of Atlanta Fire Department. He was also an integral part of the initial instructors for the Metro Atlanta GSAR program and has been an instructor with GSM Training Associates for seven years, in which he taught Technical Rescue. Currently, Chris is a firefighter with the F.D.N.Y assigned to a SOC Support Ladder Company. He has taught and developed lesson plans in most Technical Rescue disciplines, Forcible Entry, R.I.T, and Engine and Truck Operations. He is also the President and Founder of East Coast Rescue Solutions.

Mac McGarry
L & M Training Consultants (FL)
Mac was a twenty one year career Firefighter/Driver Engineer/Paramedic with the Glenview Fire Department. He chaired the Apparatus Committee for fourteen years. He is an Illinois State Certified FFIII, he is certified in Haz-Mat, Special Rescue, and is an Instructor 1 and 2. Mac teaches Building Construction & Engine Co. Operations for the Florida Fire Chiefs Foundation. He represented Elkhart Brass at the National Fallen Firefighters LODD Summit. He sits on the Structural Attack and Training Committee for the NFFF and was the S.E. Regional Manager for Elkhart Brass Firefighting Equipment for 10 Years. Mac is the Vice President of L & M Training Consultants. Mac has supported MAFFC since our first conference in 2010.

Assistant Chief Dave McGrail
Denver Fire Department (CO)
Dave is a thirty year veteran of the fire service and an Assistant Chief with the Denver Fire Department (DFD) assigned to District #2 in the heart of Denver’s busy downtown high-rise district. DFD District #2 was ranked as the second busiest Battalion/District Chief in the 2012 Firehouse Magazine Run Survey. As a Captain, Dave served as the company commander of DFD Engine Co. 3, and then Rescue Co. 1, two of the DFD’s busiest fire companies. He instructs internationally on a wide range of fire service topics, specializing in high-rise firefighting and engine company standpipe operations. He has presented hundreds of training classes to thousands of firefighters, in several countries, from Canada to Singapore, and on three continents; North America, Asia, and Australia. He was the lead instructor and developed the first engine company (standpipe operations) hands-on training (HOT) at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, FDIC West, Sacramento and Los Angeles, and FDIC East Atlantic City. He was a keynote speaker on United States high-rise firefighting operations at the Fire and Emergency Services Asia (FESA) Singapore, 2005. He was also the keynote speaker at the British Columbia Fire Training Officer’s Association annual conference, Vancouver, 2008, and FDIC, Indianapolis, 2009. He is a member of the FDIC Educational Advisory Board and is editorial advisor and contributing editor for Fire Engineering Magazine. He is the author of the book Firefighting Operations in High-rise and Standpipe Equipped Buildings published by PennWell (Fire Engineering Books and Videos) in 2007. Dave holds two Associates of Applied Science Degrees in Fire Science Technology, one with a focus in Fire Suppression, and the other with a focus in Fire Prevention. Dave also holds two Bachelor of Science Degrees, one in Human Resource Management, and the other in Fire Service Administration. Dave is a second-generation firefighter, who was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He is married to his wife Gina, they have two children, Caroline age 12, and Joseph age 10. Dave lives with his family in the Washington Park neighborhood of Denver.

Firefighter Casey Moates
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Casey is a firefighter assigned to Cobb County Squad 4. He has been involved in multiple battalion and departmental training drills. Casey has also previously instructed at MAFFC.

Lieutenant Eric D. Mohrmann
Smyrna Fire Department (GA)
Eric has been with Smyrna Fire Department for ten years and has also worked part-time with Roswell Fire Department for five years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from West GA Technical College. He holds certifications in Fire Officer 2, Fire Instructor 2, Live Fire Instructor, HazMat Tech, GA Smoke Diver and Paramedic.

Firefighter Brad Nash
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Brad is a firefighter assigned to Cobb County Squad 4. He has been involved in multiple battalion and departmental training drills. Brad has also previously instructed at MAFFC.

Lieutenant Matthew Negedly
Orlando Fire Department (FL)
Matthew is a nineteen year veteran of the fire service, serving the last thirteen with the Orlando Fire Department. He is a Lieutenant on Tower Company 7 and a member of the US&R team. Negedly is a Florida fire service instructor and live fire instructor, where he has taught at Seminole Community College. He helps deliver the Orlando Fire Conference and has been an FDIC instructor for over ten years.

Engineer Nick Nesbitt
Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue (GA)
Nick is a fifteen year member of the fire service, beginning his career in Burke County, Ga. Nick serves as a District VP for the Georgia State Firefighters Assoc. Nick is an adjunct instructor for GFA.

Captain Kevin Newell
Charlotte Fire Department (NC)
Kevin is a Captain with the Charlotte Fire Department and an active volunteer with Boger City Fire Department. He is an instructor with Gaston College and the NC Breathing Equipment school program. Kevin is also co-instructor of the NC State Thermal imaging school offered throughout the state of NC. Kevin currently assists with Charlotte Fire Department in-service training and travels throughout the region assisting Firefighter I and II certification classes.

Deputy Chief Training Officer P.J. Norwood
East Haven Fire Department (CT)
PJ is a Deputy Chief Training Officer for the East Haven CT Fire Department and has served four years with the CT Army National Guard. P.J. has authored Dispatch, Handling the Mayday Fire Engineering Books and Videos (2012), co-authored Tactical Perspectives of Ventilation and May Day DVD’s (2011, 2012) and he was a key contributor to the Tactical Perspectives DVD Series. P.J. is a FDIC Instructor, Fire Engineering contributor, Fire Engineering University faculty member, and hosts a Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio show and he has lectured across the United States as well and overseas. He is certified to the Instructor II, Officer III and Paramedic level.

Lieutenant Truman Oetting
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Truman has served twelve years with Atlanta Fire Rescue and is currently an instructor assigned to the Training Academy.

Engineer Eric Paloski
Cobb County Fire and Emergency (GA)
Eric is a driver/engineer with Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services with over thirteen years of experience in public safety. He is an instructor at the battalion and department level and has assisted in the instruction of his department's officer development training program. Eric has successfully completed several train-the-trainer programs for Cobb County and had the opportunity to present the content to fellow firefighters. Eric is currently pursuing a degree in Fire Science and is looking forward to his 4th FDIC event.

Captain Dwan Patterson
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Dwan is a Captain with Cobb Fire currently assigned to Truck 13. He spent time as a Lieutenant assigned to the Training Division.

Lieutenant Bryan Reid
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Bryan has a total of twenty seven years of fire service experience. He has been with Cobb County since 1991. He holds certifications of Incident Safety Officer, Instructor I and II, Fire Officer I, II, II. Bryan also served in several positions with Cobb County including two years as an Instructor in the Training Division and on the Safety Committee. He is currently serving as an Engine Company Lieutenant at Station 7 on B shift.

Engineer Jeff Rhinehart
Smyrna Fire Department (GA)
Jeff has been serving as a professional Firefighter for twenty three years. He started his career in Rome Georgia were he quickly advanced to Engineer and developed his skills in the rural setting. Jeff now serves for the Smyrna Fire Department as an Engineer/ Paramedic and holds certifications in Haz- Mat Tech, Fire Instructor 2, Live Fire Instructor, and Fire Officer 1. Jeff’s passion for the fire service continues to grow, and he finds great satisfaction in sharing a few nuggets of lessons learned throughout his career.

Battalion Chief David Rhodes
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
David is a twenty seven year fire service veteran currently serving as a Battalion Chief with the City of Atlanta Fire Department. He is a Chief Elder for the Georgia Smoke Diver Program, a member of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) Executive Advisory Board, a Hands-on-Training Coordinator for the FDIC conferences, an Editorial Advisor and author for Fire Engineering Magazine, and adjunct instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy. He serves as the Incident Commander for the Georgia Emergency Management’s - Metro Atlanta All Hazards Incident Management Team and is a Task Force Leader for the Georgia Search and Rescue Team and is a technical advisory panel member for Underwriter Laboratories Fire Research. He has several published articles and the video, “Marketing the Mission” from PennWell publishing.

Firefighter Chris Rosa
East Haven Fire Department (CT)
Chris is a Firefighter/Paramedic for the East Haven Fire Department in CT assigned to Engine and Rescue Company One. He has been a member of the Fire Service for fifteen years. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Chris was a fire department tele-communicator for seven years. He served eight years in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. He is certified to the Instructor I, Fire Officer II and Paramedic level.

Captain Keith Schneider
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Keith has seventeen years of firefighting with Cobb County. He is currently a Captain at Station 22 on the Haz-Mat Team. He has twelve years with the Roswell Fire Department as a firefighter. He has done several Officers Forum classes, has led Battalion wide Hands On exercises, he holds a BS in Fire Admin, AAS in Fire Suppression, NPQ FO I, NPQ FFI, NPQ FFII, Lesson Instructor I and Lesson Instructor II, NPQ Hazmat Tech, and is a Hazwoper Specialist. Keith has been the hands on Class Coordinator for MAFFC since its inception.

Chief of Training Greg Shinkle
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Greg is a twenty eight year veteran with the City of Atlanta and is currently the Chief of Training, he also works part time in Coweta County as a firefighter. Chief Shinkle is an EMT-I and trained in Haz-Mat, Rope Rescue, Confine Space, Trench Rescue, and Structural Building Collapse. He has come up through the ranks and was the Captain on Atlanta’s Heavy Rescue Squad 4 for six years. He has spoken throughout the country on leadership and in the line of duty deaths. He has been married for twenty eight years and has two grown boys.

Firefighter Jim Smith
Fire Department of New York (NY)
Jim is a twenty year veteran of the fire service and has spent the last twelve years with the FDNY. Prior service included the City of New Rochelle and Port Chester Fire Departments, both in New York. He is a nationally certified fire instructor and also teaches at the Westchester County NY fire training center.

Captain Jonah Smith
Charlotte Fire Department (NC)
Jonah is a Captain with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department, and an active volunteer firefighter with the Pleasant Valley, SC Fire Department. Jonah serves as an Adjunct Professor for Fayetteville State University's Fire Administration Program, and Rowan Cabbarrus Community College's Fire Protection Technology program. Jonah is an Instructor II in both North Carolina and South Carolina who remains active in technical teaching as well. Jonah remains an asset to his volunteer department serving as an instructor in Engine Operations, Communications, and Firefighter Self Survival. As a Captain with Charlotte, Jonah has formulated a communications program to be presented in stations to assist members with improving knowledge of radio communications. Additionally, as the Chair of the Health and Safety Committee of the IAFF Local 660, Jonah has assisted in planning, formulating, and coordinating tests of safety sensitive equipment in the Charlotte Fire Department. Jonah is the author of www.hosejockey.blogspot.com. Jonah will be presenting at FDIC 2013 as well.

Lieutenant Kyle Smith
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Kyle has been in the fire service for over nineteen years. He is currently a Lieutenant with Cobb Fire assigned to Company 19. Kyle has taught at FDIC, FRI and various departments throughout the southeast. He also works for a fire protection engineering firm that specializes in retail occupancies.

Division Chief of Training William Tanks
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
William is a twenty one year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as the Chief of Training. He has facilitated officers’ forums and other fire related discussions for more than ten years. Chief Tanks holds an Associate degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in management. He is a member of the Metro Training Chiefs Council, Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs, TRADE Region IV, and he is the current president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Officers Association. William was one of the founding members of MAFFC.

Lieutenant Pabel Troche
Smyrna Fire Rescue (GA)
A firefighter since 2001, currently serves as Lieutenant at Smyrna Fire Rescue and EMS Coordinator at Roswell Fire Department both located in The Metro Atlanta area. An instructor since 2005, he has served as an instructor to State, local and military fire programs to include acquired structure fires, structure fire control, recruit training, firefighter safety and survival, technical rescue training and program development.

Troche holds an Associate degree in Fire Science from CSU. Certifications and achievements include Pro Board recognized Fire Officer III, Instructor II, Peace Officer Standards and Training General Instructor, and Peace Officer Standards and Training Emergency Medical Instructor. Nationally Registered EMT and Paramedic since 2002. Lieutenant Troche has been an instructor at MAFFC since its inception and has been assigned marketing group leader since 2011.

Lieutenant Shannon Turner
Smyrna Fire Department (GA)
Shannon has been with Smyrna Fire Department for fourteen years. He currently holds certifications as a Fire Officer III, Fire Instructor II, Live Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector I, Hazardous Materials Technician, and Paramedic. He holds degrees in Nursing, Fire Science, and Fire Management. Lt. Turner knows the value of an education and looks forward to passing on his knowledge to those who value the same.

Chief of Emergency Operations Brian Ward
Georgia Pacific (GA)
Brian serves as a Board of Director for ISFSI and Lead Live Fire Instructor. His previous experiences include Gwinnett County Training Officer, Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Training Officers and Everyone Goes Home Georgia Advocate. He is currently a contributing author to Fire Engineering Magazine and is Managing Editor for the Jones and Bartlett Training Officers Desk Reference.

Sergeant Jason Williams
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Jason has spent ten years in the fire service. He began volunteering in Fort Oglethorpe GA in 2002. In 2006 Jason joined Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant/Paramedic and is assigned to Station 32 B-Shift. In 2011 he became involved with the GA Burn Foundation and attended the World Burn Congress in 2012. In 2012, Jason received the Governors Public Safety Award for Heroism. Jason instructed at MAFFC 2012 has been selected to instruct at FDIC 2013. Jason is an NPQ FF 1 and 2, Haz-Mat Tech and a F.L.A.M.E.S graduate.

Assistant Chief Steven Woodworth
Atlanta Fire Rescue (GA)
Steven has twenty-eight years experience in the fire service. He spent twenty of those years with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department where he rose through the ranks from Firefighter to Lieutenant, to Captain to Battalion Chief to Assistant Chief. He is experienced in all phases of emergency management and response: fire suppression, incident command, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, incident management, training, emergency management, professional development, homeland security and leadership.

Lieutenant Theron Woody
Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services (GA)
Theron has been with Cobb County Fire Department for twelve years. He is currently assigned as the Lieutenant on the Heavy Rescue Squad 4. He has taught and developed lesson plans on High Rise, Tactics for Mall Fires, Pumping Operations, Extrication, Rope Rescue and Firefighter Survival.