Editorial Advisory Board
The FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board, composed of some of the foremost experts in the fire service, advises editors on the timely and relevant information and resources for firefighters and officers, and provides content and insight into emerging trends of note for special coverage efforts.
Dena Ali is a battalion chief with the Raleigh (N.C.) Fire Department and the program manager for behavioral health with the First Responder Center For Excellence. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Ali served five years as a police officer. She has a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. Ali is an adjunct instructor with the NFA and the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support. She is an avid fitness enthusiast and cyclist, and was named the 2022 Remarkable Women Winner for Central North Carolina.
Rocco Alvaro is a deputy chief with Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire & Rescue Department. He is currently assigned to the Training Division and serves as the section lead for Professional Development, directly responsible for the organization’s leadership and professional development training. This formal and informal training targets all department personnel, including uniformed, civilian and volunteer staff.
For more than 30 years, Ted Aroesty has been a volunteer for the Brighton Fire Department, serving as chief from 2003 to 2005. For the past 15-plus years, Aroesty has also served as executive director, responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of the Brighton Fire District, working in conjunction with the fire chief to ensure that every aspect of their fire and EMS response is ready to meet the needs of the community.
Chief Marc S. Bashoor is a member of the FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board, serving as a senior advisor. With 40 years in emergency services, Chief Bashoor previously served as public safety director in Highlands County, Florida; as chief of the Prince George’s County (Maryland) Fire/EMS Department; and as emergency manager in Mineral County, West Virginia. Bashoor assisted the NFPA with fire service missions in Brazil and China, and has presented at many industry conferences and trade shows. Bashoor has contributed to several industry publications. He is a National Pro-board certified Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor III and Fire Instructor. Connect with Chief Bashoor at on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Do you have a leadership tip or incident you’d like to discuss? Send the chief an email.
Garry Briese is principal at Briese and Associates and executive director of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs. He served as the executive director of the IAFC from 1985 to 2007. He has more than 36 years of experience in all levels of emergency services, including local, state, national and international. He is a leader, author and lecturer within the fire and emergency services community.
Chief John M. Buckman III served 35 years as fire chief for the German Township (Indiana) Volunteer Fire Department, and 15 years as director of the fire and public safety academy for the Indiana State Fire Marshal Office. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding.com. Buckman is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a co-founder of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. In 1996, Fire Chief Magazine named Buckman Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. Buckman is an accomplished photographer, a co-author of the Lesson Learned from Fire-Rescue Leaders, and the editor of the Chief Officers Desk Reference. He is also the owner of Wildfire Productions. Buckman is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Chief Buckman on LinkedIn or via email.
Pedro Cáceres began his career with the Wayne Township Fire Department over 25 years ago. After obtaining an architecture degree from Ball State University and working as an architect for a few years, he transitioned into a full-time career in the fire service. He has been promoted over the years to various ranks from private up to division chief. Cáceres has served as shift commander, division chief of Support Services and as division chief of Training and Safety. He is a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Indiana Task Force One (INTF-1) team as well as a member of the Indiana Smoke Diver Association. Cáceres is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy. He also earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.
Chief Jason Caughey is a member of the FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board, serving as a senior fire advisor. He has been in the fire service for more than 20 years, serving in many capacities, including state trainer, volunteer firefighter, fire captain and volunteer fire chief. Caughey currently serves as fire chief of the Laramie County Fire Authority (LCFA) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. LCFA is a combination fire department with 100 members, 9 full-time members, 12 resident firefighters and 100 volunteer members protecting 25,000 citizens in Laramie County. Through eight strategically placed stations, the district covers and protects 1,150 square miles ranging from suburban development to rural ranch land. Caughey is committed to service of both the community and members of LCFA through progressive leadership that focuses on service, ownership and unity. Caughey has an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is currently working on his master’s in public administration. He also achieved his Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy along with the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Connect with Caughey on LinkedIn or via email.
Dr. Reginald Freeman serves as executive director of Fire & EMS for NEOM in Saudi Arabia. Chief Freeman previously served as fire chief for the city of Oakland (California) Fire Department, the Hartford (Connecticut) Fire Department and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. He is a member of the board of directors for the NFPA and director of training for the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs. In addition to serving as an adjunct professor for multiple higher learning institutions, Chief Freeman is a fellow for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and has a doctorate in emergency and protective services.
Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a firefighter since 1973, serves as deputy fire chief of the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department. He also serves as Lexipol’s senior fire advisor and is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Goldfeder is a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations: the IAFC, the September 11th Families Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). He also provides expert review assistance to the CDC NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Goldfeder is the recipient of numerous operational and administrative awards, appointments and recognitions. He has served on several NFPA and IAFC committees, has authored numerous articles and books, and presented several sessions at industry events. Chief Goldfeder co-hosts the website www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com.
Billy D. Hayes retired as fire chief for the City of Onalaska, Wisconsin, in 2020. He previously served as the fire marshal for the University of South Alabama, vice president of university relations for Columbia Southern University, the director of community affairs for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, and as the fire chief and emergency management coordinator for the City of Riverdale, Georgia. He is a graduate of Georgia Military College and Columbia Southern University, the NFA’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has a certificate in local government management from the University of Georgia. Hayes is a past president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association and past chairman of the board for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. He authored the Public Fire and Life Safety Education chapter of “The Fire Chief’s Handbook” (7th Edition). Hayes is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Hayes on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Sara Jahnke, PhD, is the director and a senior scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at the National Development & Research Institutes - USA. With over a decade of research experience on firefighter health, Dr. Jahnke has been the principal investigator on 10 national studies as well as dozens of studies as a co-investigator. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns, including the health of female firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use, with funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant R&D Program, the National Institutes of Health and other foundations. Jahnke has more than 100 publications in the peer-reviewed medical literature. Awards include the 2019 Endowed Lecture at the annual conference of the American College of Epidemiology; the 2018 President’s Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research as well as the Excellence in Research, Safety, Health & Survival Award, both from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); and the 2016 John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research from the International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management. Connect with Jahnke on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
Darryl Jones is the fire chief for the City of Pittsburgh Fire Bureau. Jones is responsible for the leadership over all personnel and oversees the daily operations of the Fire Bureau. Chief Jones began his career with the city in 2007 after serving 20 years with the Aliquippa (Pennsylvania) Fire Department. Jones is a graduate of Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University and Capella University.
Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac has been with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) since 1997, beginning at the rank of firefighter/EMT. She graduated from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program and obtained California State Fire Training’s Fire Officer and Chief Officer certificates. She also earned her Master Instructor certificate through State Fire Training. Juratovac is a certified Hazardous Materials Specialist, and has certifications in Rescue Systems I and II, Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Auto Extrication, Wildland, SCUBA and other specialties. She is a state subject-matter expert on high-rise firefighting, and is qualified to work on the SFFD Heavy Rescue Squad and Surf Rescue companies. Juratovac has taught at conferences, workshops and as an adjunct faculty member at the NFA. She has been an instructor at City College of San Francisco’s Fire Science Technology Program since 2003 and at its Fire Academy since its inception. Juratovac is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board.
John Oates is the CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute. Prior to being appointed as CEO, he served as chief of the East Hartford (Connecticut) Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin Pierce University, a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and holds numerous professional certifications. Chief Oates is a longtime contributor to the NFFF’s Everyone Goes Home Program, and serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee created by the First Responder Center for Excellence, an NFFF affiliated organization. Oates serves as a member of the technical committees for NFPA 3000: Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response and NFPA 610: Guide for Emergency and Safety Operations at Motorsports Venues.
Joanne Rund serves as the director of family programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Rund began her career in 1987 in Howard County, Maryland, and most recently served as fire chief of the Baltimore County Fire Department. Before joining the career fire service, Rund served as a volunteer emergency services provider (EMS) in Carroll County, Maryland. In 2006, she was elected to serve as a director-at-large with the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section for which she continues to serve. In 2018, Rund was accepted into the prestigious IAFC Fire Service Executive Development Institute Program.
Tim Sendelbach is fire chief for Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Sendelbach previously served as vice president/chief of public safety operations for Bobit Business Media, the parent company of iFIRE International. He also served as the editor-in-chief and conference director for Firehouse, overseeing the content and editorial direction of Firehouse Magazine, Firehouse.com, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World and related products. Sendelbach is a past-president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI). He has served as an assistant fire chief with the Kingman (Arizona) Fire Department, the North Las Vegas (Nevada) Fire Department and Missouri City (Texas) Fire & Rescue Services, and as the chief of training for Savannah (Georgia) Fire & Emergency Services.
Chief Ronald Siarnicki began his fire service career with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in 1978 and progressed through the ranks to chief. In July 2001, Chief Siarnicki retired from the Prince George’s County to become the executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. He is a graduate of the master’s program, school of management and technology at the University of Maryland, University College and has a bachelor’s degree in fire science management from UMUC. Prior to joining the Prince George’s County, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Monessen VFD Hose House 2 and currently serves with the United Communities VFD in Stevensville, Maryland. Siarnicki is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Siarnicki on LinkedIn.
Keith Stakes is a member of the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). As a fire protection engineer, Stakes studies the effectiveness of fire service tactics as well as advances in firefighter safety and fireground operations. He has a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland. Stakes has over 13 years of fire service experience as a firefighter and officer with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Maryland, where he currently holds the rank of battalion chief. He continues to serve on the NFPA Technical Committee for Fire Service Training and is a member of the NFPA, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Phil Stittleburg joined the volunteer fire service in 1972 and has been chief of the La Farge (Wisconsin) Fire Department since 1977. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the NFPA, and the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), USA Branch. He also serves on the board of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
Linda Willing is a retired career fire officer and currently works with emergency services agencies and other organizations on issues of leadership development, decision-making and diversity management. She was an adjunct instructor and curriculum advisor with the National Fire Academy for over 20 years. Willing is the author of On the Line: Women Firefighters Tell Their Stories and was co-founder of Women in the Fire Service. Willing has a bachelor’s degree in American studies, a master’s degree in organization development and is a certified mediator. She is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Willing via email.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor is the director and principal investigator for the FIRST Center. She has been trained in the field of injury prevention and control, and uses its principles to address safety issues in first responder and healthcare industries. Specific to first responders, Dr. Taylor applies her surveillance and safety climate expertise to the U.S. fire and rescue service, investigating the relationship between safety culture and injury risk. This has been a natural extension of her patient safety work, as many of the factors that impact medical care are found in the fire service.
Chief Josh Waldo has served as fire chief for the Bozeman (Montana) Fire Department since 2015. He previously served as the deputy fire chief of the Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Fire Department and served with the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department from 2001 to 2015. Waldo is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds three professional designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). He was the recipient of 2017 CPSE Ambassador of the Year award and was selected as the 2013 Tennessee Fire Educator of the Year. Waldo currently serves as the chairman of the IAFC Program Planning Committee, sits on the Board of Directors for the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association, serves on the Western Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors, and has served as a peer reviewer for the CPSE Commission for Professional Credentialing since 2013.
Learn more about FireRescue1’s Editorial Advisory Board
Dena Ali is a battalion chief with the Raleigh (N.C.) Fire Department and the program manager for behavioral health with the First Responder Center For Excellence. Prior to becoming a firefighter, Ali served five years as a police officer. She has a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where her research focused on firefighter suicide. Ali is an adjunct instructor with the NFA and the founder and director of North Carolina Peer Support. She is an avid fitness enthusiast and cyclist, and was named the 2022 Remarkable Women Winner for Central North Carolina.
Rocco Alvaro is a deputy chief with Fairfax County (Virginia) Fire & Rescue Department. He is currently assigned to the Training Division and serves as the section lead for Professional Development, directly responsible for the organization’s leadership and professional development training. This formal and informal training targets all department personnel, including uniformed, civilian and volunteer staff.
For more than 30 years, Ted Aroesty has been a volunteer for the Brighton Fire Department, serving as chief from 2003 to 2005. For the past 15-plus years, Aroesty has also served as executive director, responsible for the day-to-day administrative operations of the Brighton Fire District, working in conjunction with the fire chief to ensure that every aspect of their fire and EMS response is ready to meet the needs of the community.
Garry Briese is principal at Briese and Associates and executive director of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs. He served as the executive director of the IAFC from 1985 to 2007. He has more than 36 years of experience in all levels of emergency services, including local, state, national and international. He is a leader, author and lecturer within the fire and emergency services community.
Chief John M. Buckman III served 35 years as fire chief for the German Township (Indiana) Volunteer Fire Department, and 15 years as director of the fire and public safety academy for the Indiana State Fire Marshal Office. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding.com. Buckman is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a co-founder of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. In 1996, Fire Chief Magazine named Buckman Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. Buckman is an accomplished photographer, a co-author of the Lesson Learned from Fire-Rescue Leaders, and the editor of the Chief Officers Desk Reference. He is also the owner of Wildfire Productions. Buckman is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Chief Buckman on LinkedIn or via email.
Pedro Cáceres began his career with the Wayne Township Fire Department over 25 years ago. After obtaining an architecture degree from Ball State University and working as an architect for a few years, he transitioned into a full-time career in the fire service. He has been promoted over the years to various ranks from private up to division chief. Cáceres has served as shift commander, division chief of Support Services and as division chief of Training and Safety. He is a member of the Urban Search and Rescue Indiana Task Force One (INTF-1) team as well as a member of the Indiana Smoke Diver Association. Cáceres is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy. He also earned a master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University.
Chief Jason Caughey is a member of the FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board, serving as a senior fire advisor. He has been in the fire service for more than 20 years, serving in many capacities, including state trainer, volunteer firefighter, fire captain and volunteer fire chief. Caughey currently serves as fire chief of the Laramie County Fire Authority (LCFA) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. LCFA is a combination fire department with 100 members, 9 full-time members, 12 resident firefighters and 100 volunteer members protecting 25,000 citizens in Laramie County. Through eight strategically placed stations, the district covers and protects 1,150 square miles ranging from suburban development to rural ranch land. Caughey is committed to service of both the community and members of LCFA through progressive leadership that focuses on service, ownership and unity. Caughey has an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is currently working on his master’s in public administration. He also achieved his Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy along with the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Connect with Caughey on LinkedIn or via email.
Dr. Reginald Freeman serves as executive director of Fire & EMS for NEOM in Saudi Arabia. Chief Freeman previously served as fire chief for the city of Oakland (California) Fire Department, the Hartford (Connecticut) Fire Department and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. He is a member of the board of directors for the NFPA and director of training for the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs. In addition to serving as an adjunct professor for multiple higher learning institutions, Chief Freeman is a fellow for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and has a doctorate in emergency and protective services.
Chief Billy Goldfeder, EFO, a firefighter since 1973, serves as deputy fire chief of the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department. He also serves as Lexipol’s senior fire advisor and is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Goldfeder is a member of the Board of Directors for several organizations: the IAFC, the September 11th Families Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). He also provides expert review assistance to the CDC NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Goldfeder is the recipient of numerous operational and administrative awards, appointments and recognitions. He has served on several NFPA and IAFC committees, has authored numerous articles and books, and presented several sessions at industry events. Chief Goldfeder co-hosts the website www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com.
Billy D. Hayes retired as fire chief for the City of Onalaska, Wisconsin, in 2020. He previously served as the fire marshal for the University of South Alabama, vice president of university relations for Columbia Southern University, the director of community affairs for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, and as the fire chief and emergency management coordinator for the City of Riverdale, Georgia. He is a graduate of Georgia Military College and Columbia Southern University, the NFA’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has a certificate in local government management from the University of Georgia. Hayes is a past president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association and past chairman of the board for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. He authored the Public Fire and Life Safety Education chapter of “The Fire Chief’s Handbook” (7th Edition). Hayes is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Hayes on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Sara Jahnke, PhD, is the director and a senior scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research at the National Development & Research Institutes - USA. With over a decade of research experience on firefighter health, Dr. Jahnke has been the principal investigator on 10 national studies as well as dozens of studies as a co-investigator. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns, including the health of female firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use, with funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant R&D Program, the National Institutes of Health and other foundations. Jahnke has more than 100 publications in the peer-reviewed medical literature. Awards include the 2019 Endowed Lecture at the annual conference of the American College of Epidemiology; the 2018 President’s Award for Excellence in Fire Service Research as well as the Excellence in Research, Safety, Health & Survival Award, both from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC); and the 2016 John Granito Award for Excellence in Firefighter Research from the International Journal of Fire Service Leadership and Management. Connect with Jahnke on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
Darryl Jones is the fire chief for the City of Pittsburgh Fire Bureau. Jones is responsible for the leadership over all personnel and oversees the daily operations of the Fire Bureau. Chief Jones began his career with the city in 2007 after serving 20 years with the Aliquippa (Pennsylvania) Fire Department. Jones is a graduate of Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University and Capella University.
Assistant Chief Nicol Juratovac has been with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) since 1997, beginning at the rank of firefighter/EMT. She graduated from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program and obtained California State Fire Training’s Fire Officer and Chief Officer certificates. She also earned her Master Instructor certificate through State Fire Training. Juratovac is a certified Hazardous Materials Specialist, and has certifications in Rescue Systems I and II, Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Auto Extrication, Wildland, SCUBA and other specialties. She is a state subject-matter expert on high-rise firefighting, and is qualified to work on the SFFD Heavy Rescue Squad and Surf Rescue companies. Juratovac has taught at conferences, workshops and as an adjunct faculty member at the NFA. She has been an instructor at City College of San Francisco’s Fire Science Technology Program since 2003 and at its Fire Academy since its inception. Juratovac is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board.
John Oates is the CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute. Prior to being appointed as CEO, he served as chief of the East Hartford (Connecticut) Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree from Franklin Pierce University, a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and holds numerous professional certifications. Chief Oates is a longtime contributor to the NFFF’s Everyone Goes Home Program, and serves as a member of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee created by the First Responder Center for Excellence, an NFFF affiliated organization. Oates serves as a member of the technical committees for NFPA 3000: Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response and NFPA 610: Guide for Emergency and Safety Operations at Motorsports Venues.
Joanne Rund serves as the director of family programs for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Rund began her career in 1987 in Howard County, Maryland, and most recently served as fire chief of the Baltimore County Fire Department. Before joining the career fire service, Rund served as a volunteer emergency services provider (EMS) in Carroll County, Maryland. In 2006, she was elected to serve as a director-at-large with the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section for which she continues to serve. In 2018, Rund was accepted into the prestigious IAFC Fire Service Executive Development Institute Program.
Tim Sendelbach is fire chief for Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Sendelbach previously served as vice president/chief of public safety operations for Bobit Business Media, the parent company of iFIRE International. He also served as the editor-in-chief and conference director for Firehouse, overseeing the content and editorial direction of Firehouse Magazine, Firehouse.com, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World and related products. Sendelbach is a past-president of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI). He has served as an assistant fire chief with the Kingman (Arizona) Fire Department, the North Las Vegas (Nevada) Fire Department and Missouri City (Texas) Fire & Rescue Services, and as the chief of training for Savannah (Georgia) Fire & Emergency Services.
Chief Ronald Siarnicki began his fire service career with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in 1978 and progressed through the ranks to chief. In July 2001, Chief Siarnicki retired from the Prince George’s County to become the executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. He is a graduate of the master’s program, school of management and technology at the University of Maryland, University College and has a bachelor’s degree in fire science management from UMUC. Prior to joining the Prince George’s County, he served as a volunteer firefighter with the Monessen VFD Hose House 2 and currently serves with the United Communities VFD in Stevensville, Maryland. Siarnicki is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Siarnicki on LinkedIn.
Keith Stakes is a member of the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI). As a fire protection engineer, Stakes studies the effectiveness of fire service tactics as well as advances in firefighter safety and fireground operations. He has a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland. Stakes has over 13 years of fire service experience as a firefighter and officer with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Maryland, where he currently holds the rank of battalion chief. He continues to serve on the NFPA Technical Committee for Fire Service Training and is a member of the NFPA, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Phil Stittleburg joined the volunteer fire service in 1972 and has been chief of the La Farge (Wisconsin) Fire Department since 1977. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the NFPA, and the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), USA Branch. He also serves on the board of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).
Linda Willing is a retired career fire officer and currently works with emergency services agencies and other organizations on issues of leadership development, decision-making and diversity management. She was an adjunct instructor and curriculum advisor with the National Fire Academy for over 20 years. Willing is the author of On the Line: Women Firefighters Tell Their Stories and was co-founder of Women in the Fire Service. Willing has a bachelor’s degree in American studies, a master’s degree in organization development and is a certified mediator. She is a member of the FireRescue1/Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Willing via email.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor is the director and principal investigator for the FIRST Center. She has been trained in the field of injury prevention and control, and uses its principles to address safety issues in first responder and healthcare industries. Specific to first responders, Dr. Taylor applies her surveillance and safety climate expertise to the U.S. fire and rescue service, investigating the relationship between safety culture and injury risk. This has been a natural extension of her patient safety work, as many of the factors that impact medical care are found in the fire service.
Chief Josh Waldo has served as fire chief for the Bozeman (Montana) Fire Department since 2015. He previously served as the deputy fire chief of the Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Fire Department and served with the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department from 2001 to 2015. Waldo is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds three professional designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). He was the recipient of 2017 CPSE Ambassador of the Year award and was selected as the 2013 Tennessee Fire Educator of the Year. Waldo currently serves as the chairman of the IAFC Program Planning Committee, sits on the Board of Directors for the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association, serves on the Western Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors, and has served as a peer reviewer for the CPSE Commission for Professional Credentialing since 2013.