FireRescue1 & Fire Chief Editorial Advisory Board
John Buckman III
Ret. Fire Chief, German Township (Ind.) Volunteer Fire Department
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. Buckman is the owner of Wildfire Productions.
Ted Aroesty
Executive Director, Brighton (N.Y.) Fire District
For 33 years, Ted Aroesty has been a volunteer for the Brighton Fire Department, serving as chief from 2003 to 2005. For the past 14 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
Executive Director, Colorado State Fire Chiefs
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 International Association of Fire Chiefs from 1985 to 2007, where he was responsible for the organizational vision, development and implementation of the strategic plan, development of programs and services, communication with members, leading major partnership initiatives, coordinating public and governmental communications efforts on a national and international basis and assuring solid financial growth. 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.
Pedro Cáceres
Battalion Chief, Wayne Township (Ind.) Fire Department
Captain Chief 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.
Billy Hayes
Former Fire Chief, Riverdale (Georgia) Fire Department
Billy Hayes, also one of our columnists, has served as the director of public information and community affairs for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department and as the chief of fire services for the City of Riverdale, Ga., and is a past-president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association. He is a graduate of Georgia Military College and the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. He additionally served as the Advocate Program Manager for the Everyone Goes Home campaign through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, where he was also a State and Region IV Advocate.
Gary Ludwig
Fire Chief, Champaign (Illinois) Fire Department
Gary Ludwig serves as the fire chief of the ISO Class 1 Champaign (Illinois) Fire Department and is the 1st Vice President for the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He has 41 years of fire, rescue and EMS experience. Ludwig previously serves with the City of St. Louis and Memphis fire departments as well as on the EMS Executive Board for the IAFC for 22 years. He has written over 500 articles for professional publications. His latest book is titled "Fully Involved Leadership."
Ron Siarnicki
Executive Director, National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation
Fire Chief Ronald Jon Siarnicki, also one of our columnists, began his fire service career with the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department in 1978 and with 24 years of fire, rescue and emergency medical services operational experience, he has progressed through the ranks to chief. In July 2001, Chief Siarnicki retired from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department to take the position of executive director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Phil Stittleburg
Fire Chief, Past Chair, National Volunteer Fire Council
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.
Linda Willing
President, RealWorld Training & Consulting
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 through her company, RealWorld Training and Consulting. She is also an adjunct instructor and curriculum advisor with the National Fire Academy. Linda is the author of "On the Line: Women Firefighters Tell Their Stories." She has a bachelor’s degree in American studies, a master’s degree in organization development and is a certified mediator.