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Connie McNamara is a founding partner of Preparedness Global and has more than 30 years of experience in strategic communication and crisis response. McNamara has served as a senior leader in a variety of organizations and has handled communications around complex situations involving natural disasters, finance and civil and criminal investigations. A former journalist, she has presented on communications at national and international conferences.

Josh Rahn is a copy editor for Lexipol’s Policy and Learning Team. He has an MLS from the University of Kentucky and has been writing professionally on a variety of topics for more than 10 years.

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a deputy assistant chief), as well as volunteer and paid on-call experience. He is the author of two books: “Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services” (2006; 2nd ed. 2011; 3rd ed. 2014; 4th ed. 2022) and “Fire Officer’s Legal Handbook” (2007). Varone is a consultant for Lexipol.

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.

Rick Bates is a professional services representative for Lexipol. He retired as a lieutenant after a 32-year career with the Worcester (MA) Police Department, serving as a risk manager, accreditation manager, academy director, legal advisor, internal investigator, detective and patrol officer during his time with the department. Rick lectures frequently on risk management for law enforcement, police supervisory liability, and First Amendment and free speech issues for police. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College and his Juris Doctor from New England School of Law. Rick is a 2012 graduate of the FBI National Academy Session 249 and graduated from the Massachusetts Police Leadership Institute.

Eric Guida is a captain with Engine 6 of the Sacramento (California) Fire Department.

Alex Bryant is a former FireRescue1 contributor.

Dr. Casey Patrick is medical director for Harris County ESD11 Mobile Healthcare and assistant medical director for the Montgomery County Hospital District EMS service in Greater Houston, where he helped develop and produces the MCHD Paramedic Podcast. Dr. Patrick is board certified in both Emergency and EMS Medicine and works as a community emergency physician in multiple states. Additionally, he is an active member of the Texas NAEMSP State chapter and the national association, and serves as an EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board member.

Susanne Nasr Fischer is a German journalist with a strong passion for the Middle East. Before she started working as Regional Director Middle East and North Africa for the international nonprofit Internews, she lived five years in Iraq and eight years in Lebanon. Her Lebanese husband is from Damour, one of the towns that lost a firefighter in the explosion, and his late uncle served at the Karantina Fire Department as a firefighter for 45 years. At his funeral in 2014, Nasr met many firefighters from Beirut, and when she heard about the destiny of Platoon Five, she set up the fundraiser with her husband to raise support for the families. Nasr, who has a degree in political science and journalism, authored five books, two of them about Iraq.

David R. Schifter is a volunteer firefighter with the Carolina Beach (N.C.) Fire Department. He is also a film actor.