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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.

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.

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.

Dr. Byron Kennedy, EMT-P, EFO, CFO, MIFireE, is a deputy fire chief with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. He has served the citizens of Atlanta for more than 29 years, and contributes to the fire/EMS industry by way of lectures, research, authoring, and training professionals at every level.

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

Tom Nelson is a firefighter-paramedic for the City of Anacortes, Washington. He has been a firefighter for 21 years and a paramedic for 28 years.