Dr. Candace Ashby has over 32 years of fire service experience and is a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Her educational background includes a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership. She is President of Key Fire Investigations and ELITE Public Safety Consulting. Dr. Ashby enjoys making a positive impact on the fire service through coaching and mentoring fire officers in all areas of management and leadership.
Dr. Candace Ashby has over 32 years of fire service experience and is a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department. Her educational background includes a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership. She is President of Key Fire Investigations and ELITE Public Safety Consulting. Dr. Ashby enjoys making a positive impact on the fire service through coaching and mentoring fire officers in all areas of management and leadership.
Bill Gustin is a 50-year veteran of the Fire Service. He is a Captain with the Miami-Dade Fire/Rescue Department and a lead instructor in its Officer Development Program. He is an author and technical editor for Fire Engineering Magazine and a Fire Department Instructor’s Conference Advisory Board member. He has instructed firefighters throughout the United States, in Canada and the Caribbean.
Bill Gustin is a 50-year veteran of the Fire Service. He is a Captain with the Miami-Dade Fire/Rescue Department and a lead instructor in its Officer Development Program. He is an author and technical editor for Fire Engineering Magazine and a Fire Department Instructor’s Conference Advisory Board member. He has instructed firefighters throughout the United States, in Canada and the Caribbean.
Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb has served the FDNY since 1992. He is the chief of safety for the FDNY’s 17,000 employees. His previous staff positions include the Chief of Training and the Chief of the Fire Academy. He holds a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS).
Frank has been a member of the FDNY since 1992.
Frank has also been an East Farmingdale Fire Department member since 1983 (Long Island, NY). He has served as an advisory panel member for UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) “Study of Coordinated Attack in Acquired Structures.” He is a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees 420, 1585, and 1710. He was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 and was a presenter at the 2022 and 2023 U.S. Fire Administrator Summit on Fire Prevention and Control.
He is the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership on and off the fireground.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Frank Leeb has served the FDNY since 1992. He is the chief of safety for the FDNY’s 17,000 employees. His previous staff positions include the Chief of Training and the Chief of the Fire Academy. He holds a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS).
Frank has been a member of the FDNY since 1992.
Frank has also been an East Farmingdale Fire Department member since 1983 (Long Island, NY). He has served as an advisory panel member for UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s (FSRI) “Study of Coordinated Attack in Acquired Structures.” He is a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees 420, 1585, and 1710. He was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 and was a presenter at the 2022 and 2023 U.S. Fire Administrator Summit on Fire Prevention and Control.
He is the author of the best-selling book “Cornerstones of Leadership on and off the fireground.”
Frank Viscuso served the Town of Kearny, New Jersey (Hudson County) for twenty-seven years before retiring at the rank of Deputy Chief. He is the author of ten books including Amazon bestsellers Step Up and Lead, Flash Point and Step Up Your Teamwork. Chief Viscuso is a highly sought after, internationally recognized speaker who has the ability to move people to action. Over the past decade he has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and spoken to hundreds of audiences on many topics that include leadership, team building, and customer service. His clients include emergency service workers, sales teams, U.S. Armed Forces, the healthcare industry, small businesses, and large corporations (including Exxon/Mobil, SERVPRO and Jersey Mike’s). Frank has provided Keynotes at West Point Military Academy and various military bases and Universities and was the Keynote speaker for FDIC International in 2022. His seminars and speeches are designed to introduce people to the top traits associated with leadership and to equip them with the skills they will need to lead, inspire, and motivate their teams. Every organization’s culture is either created by design or default. Creating a culture of exceptional service does not happen by accident. Chief Viscuso connects with his audiences through his passionate and often humorous delivery. His “High energy” and “highly-motivational” seminars are designed to equip people with the necessary skills they will need to excel in their chosen field. His proven theories, methods and techniques will help your organization provide exceptional customer service and make a great impression on the people they connect with on a daily basis.
Frank Viscuso served the Town of Kearny, New Jersey (Hudson County) for twenty-seven years before retiring at the rank of Deputy Chief. He is the author of ten books including Amazon bestsellers Step Up and Lead, Flash Point and Step Up Your Teamwork. Chief Viscuso is a highly sought after, internationally recognized speaker who has the ability to move people to action. Over the past decade he has traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and spoken to hundreds of audiences on many topics that include leadership, team building, and customer service. His clients include emergency service workers, sales teams, U.S. Armed Forces, the healthcare industry, small businesses, and large corporations (including Exxon/Mobil, SERVPRO and Jersey Mike’s). Frank has provided Keynotes at West Point Military Academy and various military bases and Universities and was the Keynote speaker for FDIC International in 2022. His seminars and speeches are designed to introduce people to the top traits associated with leadership and to equip them with the skills they will need to lead, inspire, and motivate their teams. Every organization’s culture is either created by design or default. Creating a culture of exceptional service does not happen by accident. Chief Viscuso connects with his audiences through his passionate and often humorous delivery. His “High energy” and “highly-motivational” seminars are designed to equip people with the necessary skills they will need to excel in their chosen field. His proven theories, methods and techniques will help your organization provide exceptional customer service and make a great impression on the people they connect with on a daily basis.
Jason “Jay” Blake is a 35+ year member of the fire service. He is currently a Battalion Chief for Montgomery County (MD) Fire/Rescue where he has worked for 22 years. Jay previously worked in Virginia and New York in career, volunteer and combination departments and still volunteers in Christiana Delaware.
Jason “Jay” Blake is a 35+ year member of the fire service. He is currently a Battalion Chief for Montgomery County (MD) Fire/Rescue where he has worked for 22 years. Jay previously worked in Virginia and New York in career, volunteer and combination departments and still volunteers in Christiana Delaware.
Scott Chappell is the US&R and Haz Mat Program Coordinator for the State Fire Marshal at the Florida State Fire College. He entered the fire service in 1993 and has been working at the Florida State Fire College since 2000. Scott now coordinates Florida’s eight US&R Task Forces, thirty Regional Hazardous Materials Teams, and fifty Technical Rescue Teams, and seven Mutual Aid Radio Cache (MARC) Units. Scott deployed to the State EOC where he operated as US&R Specialist for Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew and as US&R Coordinator for Hurricanes Irma, Michael, and Dorian. Additionally, Scott deployed to the State (FL) Logistics Response Center warehouse where he served as Florida’s Deputy Logistics Section Chief during COVID-19. He is a Captain with Marion County Fire Rescue where he serves as the C-Shift District 5 Command Officer, the C-Shift Special Operations Officer, and a Task Force Leader with Florida US&R Task Force 8. Scott has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University, and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.
Scott Chappell is the US&R and Haz Mat Program Coordinator for the State Fire Marshal at the Florida State Fire College. He entered the fire service in 1993 and has been working at the Florida State Fire College since 2000. Scott now coordinates Florida’s eight US&R Task Forces, thirty Regional Hazardous Materials Teams, and fifty Technical Rescue Teams, and seven Mutual Aid Radio Cache (MARC) Units. Scott deployed to the State EOC where he operated as US&R Specialist for Hurricanes Hermine and Matthew and as US&R Coordinator for Hurricanes Irma, Michael, and Dorian. Additionally, Scott deployed to the State (FL) Logistics Response Center warehouse where he served as Florida’s Deputy Logistics Section Chief during COVID-19. He is a Captain with Marion County Fire Rescue where he serves as the C-Shift District 5 Command Officer, the C-Shift Special Operations Officer, and a Task Force Leader with Florida US&R Task Force 8. Scott has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University, and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.
Captain Lawrence Doelling retired from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue in November of 2019, after more than 28 years of service. Early in his career he was assigned to Special Operations, where he spent 10 years. He was promoted to Captain in 2002. The majority of his service has been in busy Fire Stations with high operational tempos and spirited crews. For nearly three years, Captain Doelling was assigned to the Training Division as the Professional Development Officer.
Captain Lawrence Doelling retired from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue in November of 2019, after more than 28 years of service. Early in his career he was assigned to Special Operations, where he spent 10 years. He was promoted to Captain in 2002. The majority of his service has been in busy Fire Stations with high operational tempos and spirited crews. For nearly three years, Captain Doelling was assigned to the Training Division as the Professional Development Officer.
Bio
Ric Jorge is a 29 year veteran of the fire service, serving 24 years with Palm Beach County as a career fireman. He has delivered many hands on training courses locally, nationally, and internationally. Ric has designed two courses that have drawn national interest.
• “Impact This” - Designed around forcing impact resistant openings. Available in lecture, or Hands On Training format.
• “Resiliency Development” - This course on resilience is available for performance training, or for the development of mental health/well being. They can be presented in the form of lecture, or workshop. Hands On Training available only for performance training, the format is immersion training.
Ric has been working in the mental health field for 8 years. Ric is currently involved with ShatterProof, a program for uniformed personnel where he facilitates groups for user vice members struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. He is also the resiliency coordinator developing and designing courses to improve resilience.
He is an author of “Developing Firefighter Resiliency” by Pennwell, and is published in book chapters (Pennwell “FF 1 & 2 Training Book”, Dave Dodson & John Normans book “The Art of Reading Buildings”), and has also authored articles for publication in magazines (Fire Engineering and 1st
Responder), newsletters (Fire Department Training Network), and on line blogs (The Back-step Firefighter).
Bio
Ric Jorge is a 29 year veteran of the fire service, serving 24 years with Palm Beach County as a career fireman. He has delivered many hands on training courses locally, nationally, and internationally. Ric has designed two courses that have drawn national interest.
• “Impact This” - Designed around forcing impact resistant openings. Available in lecture, or Hands On Training format.
• “Resiliency Development” - This course on resilience is available for performance training, or for the development of mental health/well being. They can be presented in the form of lecture, or workshop. Hands On Training available only for performance training, the format is immersion training.
Ric has been working in the mental health field for 8 years. Ric is currently involved with ShatterProof, a program for uniformed personnel where he facilitates groups for user vice members struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. He is also the resiliency coordinator developing and designing courses to improve resilience.
He is an author of “Developing Firefighter Resiliency” by Pennwell, and is published in book chapters (Pennwell “FF 1 & 2 Training Book”, Dave Dodson & John Normans book “The Art of Reading Buildings”), and has also authored articles for publication in magazines (Fire Engineering and 1st
Responder), newsletters (Fire Department Training Network), and on line blogs (The Back-step Firefighter).
Bob Krause, a Battalion Chief in Toledo, Ohio, has over 37 years of experience working in emergency services. He's an active firefighter, fire officer, paramedic, EMS instructor, firefighting instructor, lecturer, researcher and published author. He has held positions as an Engine Company Officer, Fire Training Officer, Fire & EMS Academy Program Director, Fire & EMS Communications Supervisor, Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Medical Services Educator. Bob is currently assigned to Battalion One, in Toledo’s busiest fire district. Dr. Krause's doctoral research focused on firefighter fatalities, identifying common themes, related causes and the development of potential methods to minimize the risk of a fatal incident for firefighters. As an author, Dr. Krause's work has been published in professional journals, magazines and textbooks.
Bob Krause, a Battalion Chief in Toledo, Ohio, has over 37 years of experience working in emergency services. He's an active firefighter, fire officer, paramedic, EMS instructor, firefighting instructor, lecturer, researcher and published author. He has held positions as an Engine Company Officer, Fire Training Officer, Fire & EMS Academy Program Director, Fire & EMS Communications Supervisor, Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Medical Services Educator. Bob is currently assigned to Battalion One, in Toledo’s busiest fire district. Dr. Krause's doctoral research focused on firefighter fatalities, identifying common themes, related causes and the development of potential methods to minimize the risk of a fatal incident for firefighters. As an author, Dr. Krause's work has been published in professional journals, magazines and textbooks.
Walter Lewis has been involved in the fire service since 1990, the last 25 years with the Orlando Fire Department. He presently serves as District 1, in downtown Orlando. Chief Lewis has been involved with instructing and presenting programs at a variety of fire service venues and institutions since 1999, among which have been FDIC and the Orlando Fire Conference and is a continual student of the fire service.
Walter Lewis has been involved in the fire service since 1990, the last 25 years with the Orlando Fire Department. He presently serves as District 1, in downtown Orlando. Chief Lewis has been involved with instructing and presenting programs at a variety of fire service venues and institutions since 1999, among which have been FDIC and the Orlando Fire Conference and is a continual student of the fire service.
Chief McBride, retired Division Chief of Safety and Innovation, having served 32 years with the Ottawa Fire Service. McBride is a Board Certified Canadian Registered Safety Professional and currently serves as a SFPE National Capital Region Chapter Director and Technical Committee member of NFPA 1700 Standard – Guide for Structural Fire Fighting. He recently led the Canadian Safety and Security Program grant directed at the development of a fire dynamics program for the Canadian Fire Service entitled “From Knowledge To Practice”. The project addressed gaps between the science of fire dynamics and current firefighting strategies and tactics and included operational industrial hygiene as part of the project objectives.
McBride has a passion for sharing ideas and seeking insights from others. Throughout his professional development, Peter has sought to expand fire fighter’s understanding of firefighting and Fire Literacy wherein the word FIRE means: Fire Fighting (anticipation, prevention, intervention and recovery), Instruction (public through to graduate level education), Research (material science, assemblies, full scale testing and fire operations) and Engineering (solutions, enhancements, advancements and innovations). Peter regularly presents and advocates for fire safety arts and sciences in Canada, the United States and Europe.
Chief McBride, retired Division Chief of Safety and Innovation, having served 32 years with the Ottawa Fire Service. McBride is a Board Certified Canadian Registered Safety Professional and currently serves as a SFPE National Capital Region Chapter Director and Technical Committee member of NFPA 1700 Standard – Guide for Structural Fire Fighting. He recently led the Canadian Safety and Security Program grant directed at the development of a fire dynamics program for the Canadian Fire Service entitled “From Knowledge To Practice”. The project addressed gaps between the science of fire dynamics and current firefighting strategies and tactics and included operational industrial hygiene as part of the project objectives.
McBride has a passion for sharing ideas and seeking insights from others. Throughout his professional development, Peter has sought to expand fire fighter’s understanding of firefighting and Fire Literacy wherein the word FIRE means: Fire Fighting (anticipation, prevention, intervention and recovery), Instruction (public through to graduate level education), Research (material science, assemblies, full scale testing and fire operations) and Engineering (solutions, enhancements, advancements and innovations). Peter regularly presents and advocates for fire safety arts and sciences in Canada, the United States and Europe.
Dennis Reilly is a forty-eight-year fire service veteran and is a retired Fire Chief. Dennis has severed as the Fire Chief in Pittsburg, Kansas and Sunrise Beach, Missouri, an Assistant in North Carolina & California and retired as a Battalion Chief in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During his time in New Jersey, Dennis became one of the original members of the New Jersey Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. As part of Task Force 1 the Chief made several deployments including to New York City as part of the response to the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11.
Chief Reilly holds a Master Degree in Public Administration from Penn State University and is a CFO An accomplished author and lecturer. Chief Reilly is active in numerous professional development activities within the fire service and is also the owner of First Line Fire Service Training LLC.
Outside of his fire service career, Dennis is a US Army veteran having served in Iraq during the Operation Desert Storm. From 2007 – 2010 the Chief worked as an independent contractor providing protective services to several different government clients in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Chief Reilly has been married to his wife Ann for over 35 years. They have two adult children, and three grandchildren.
Dennis Reilly is a forty-eight-year fire service veteran and is a retired Fire Chief. Dennis has severed as the Fire Chief in Pittsburg, Kansas and Sunrise Beach, Missouri, an Assistant in North Carolina & California and retired as a Battalion Chief in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During his time in New Jersey, Dennis became one of the original members of the New Jersey Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 1. As part of Task Force 1 the Chief made several deployments including to New York City as part of the response to the Terrorist Attacks of 9/11.
Chief Reilly holds a Master Degree in Public Administration from Penn State University and is a CFO An accomplished author and lecturer. Chief Reilly is active in numerous professional development activities within the fire service and is also the owner of First Line Fire Service Training LLC.
Outside of his fire service career, Dennis is a US Army veteran having served in Iraq during the Operation Desert Storm. From 2007 – 2010 the Chief worked as an independent contractor providing protective services to several different government clients in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Chief Reilly has been married to his wife Ann for over 35 years. They have two adult children, and three grandchildren.
James Russo is a Division Chief with Hollywood Fire Rescue currently assigned to Training and Special Operations. James has 27 years in the Fire Service and has been a Fire Instructor for 12 Years. He has instructed firefighters at many events in Florida, including the Great Florida Fire School, Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo, Treasure Coast Learn and Burn, Orlando Fire Conference, and various FOOLS and local events. James is also the current Chair of the Training and Education Subcommittee for the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County.
James Russo is a Division Chief with Hollywood Fire Rescue currently assigned to Training and Special Operations. James has 27 years in the Fire Service and has been a Fire Instructor for 12 Years. He has instructed firefighters at many events in Florida, including the Great Florida Fire School, Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo, Treasure Coast Learn and Burn, Orlando Fire Conference, and various FOOLS and local events. James is also the current Chair of the Training and Education Subcommittee for the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County.