A 30-year veteran of the fire service with extensive background in command and control, leadership, and technical rescue. Certified in National Incident Management Systems, Certified Chief Fire Officer, Technician Level certified in all technical rescue disciplines, and served 5-years on Illinois Task Force – 1, deployed multiple times throughout the state and divisions for rescues and recoveries.
Past technical rescue instructor for Gateway College (Kenosha, WI) 2004, Northern Illinois Public Safety Academy [NIPSTA] 2010, and support instructor of OSHA compliance programs delivered to industry.
Over the course of the fire service career advanced through successional ranks and created several programs for the fire service including; comprehensive probationary lesson plans, family benefit review of duty injury or death and course of action for the family, in 1996 created and implemented an annual winter fire department holiday gathering – inviting fire members family and kids with Santa and light food, and Wills for Hero’s program – educating members the importance of life preparation.
As a continuous learner and educator, earned a master’s degree in Fire Administration and Homeland Security from Southern Illinois University Carbondale [SIU]. I serve as an instructor for SIU teaching several undergrad and graduate classes, developing and delivering professional development and current trends of active events occurring throughout the world. I serve on an advisory committee researching and updating college textbooks for advancing higher education.
Possess an unwavering enthusiasm, to provide the most current training and education to firefighters and supervisory for their professional succession vision.
“If you get - give, if you are taught - teach”