Speaker Bios & Program Descriptions

Corley Moore

Program Title: The 9 L's of Leadership: Impacting the Culture

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Program Description:

The mission of the class is to give people the tools they need to build a high-performance culture within their organization. I am extremely passionate about this, and I believe that understanding these principles can challenge anyone, anywhere to improve the culture of their Department. The presentation is broken down into nine principles of leadership all of which start with the
letter "L". Learn, Listen, Love, Look, Laugh, Level, Live, Labor, Last. The ultimate point of the class is to provide them with the single greatest tool that I can give to someone in a leadership role, and that is a lens by which you can judge every decision around the firehouse... before you make it. (I say firehouse on purpose... not

fireground)

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Speaker Bio:

Corley Moore is a motivational speaker and instructor, specializing in the topics of leadership and culture. Author of the books Challenge Your Leadership and The 9L’s, Keys to High Performance Culture. He is the founder of Firehouse Vigilance and its ""Never Ending Fight Against Complacency"". Creator of the Vigilant Creed with members in all fifty states and seven Countries. Host of The Weekly Scrap, a podcast where fire service leaders come on to discuss improving the culture of the modern fire service. Corley Moore has served in the Moore Fire Department since 1997, and currently holds the rank of Battalion Chief. He is in charge of the Green Shift, which is a motley collection of badasses that make him look good every day."

John Hayowyk Jr.

Program Title: Commanding the First 30 Minutes & Beyond

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Program Description:

The first 30 minutes at any working fire or incident will set the stage for success or an uphill battle. This
interactive class takes the students, places them in the front right seat of the 1st due apparatus, and walks them through the steps to handle the emergency situation successfully. Areas of focus include: Pre-Arrival Info, Establishment of Command, Incident Size Up, Resource Allocation, Engine / Truck Ops - Incident Command & Control- Demobilization
& Termination, Debriefing & Report Writing. This class is a scenario-based discussion of different building construction types and occupancies within your response area. The students will make tactical decisions based on the information and visual cues, just like the real world. The students will receive resources to assist them with incident management.

Speaker Bio:

John Hayowyk Jr. has been in the fire service for 31 years. He recently retired as a Battalion Chief for the City of Passaic FD in New Jersey. John has spent over half his career assigned to the truck companies in his department. He started out tillering the tractor drawn-aerial and was then promoted to Lieutenant into the Training Division and then onto the Ladder Tower. As a Captain, he was once again assigned to the Training Division, then back into combat, sharing time on both the Tiller and the Tower until he was promoted to Battalion Chief in December of 2020. John is the founder of Beyond the Basics Fire Training & Consulting, LLC. His company trains Fire, EMS, & Police agencies in a variety of disciplines. Our mission is to consistently provide the best training for the constant betterment of first responders, so that our students are armed with knowledge to face any situation. We also practice the best customer service, able to answer questions and work with
our departments, whatever the topic. John has had articles published in Fire Engineering & Firehouse Magazines. He has taught at multiple conferences both locally & nationally. John is a state Advocate for the National Fallen
Firefighters Foundation and a Trustee for the NJ State Fire Chiefs Association. John has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He also continues his education in various classes and courses to maintain and enhance his knowledge and skills as a mentor and leader in the fire service. He feels that continued education and practical experience are the best ways to stay as safe as we can in the dangerous profession of firefighting. John is married to Amy and has 5 children. Learning the work and home life balance is a challenge, one that changes from day to day
and tests us to bring our best to both jobs.

Nicholas Papa

Program Title: Coordinating Ventilation: Supporting Extinguishment & Survivability 

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Program Description:

Ventilation can make or break the outcome of a fire. Successful execution requires the comprehension of how it works and the precautions that must be taken to ensure our actions are well coordinated and achieve their intended outcome. This program examines ventilation and its relationship with fire dynamics, firefighting operations, and most importantly, victim survivability, to identify how the tactic impacts the fireground. By coupling past experience with the latest research and rescue data, the common pitfalls and misconceptions are addressed to reduce potential errors and avoidable losses. A set of guiding principles and practices is provided to establish an operational baseline. The framework is universal and can be applied to any environment - from rural to urban communities. With a functional understanding of ventilation and the methodology for its execution, participants can more consistently make the right call for their fireground.

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Speaker Bio: Nick is a captain with the New Britain (CT) Fire Department, where he has served for over 15 years. Nick entered the fire service in 2003, becoming a second-generation firefighter, volunteering for a neighboring suburb until his appointment to the NBFD. Nick is the author of the best-selling Fire Engineering book, Coordinating Ventilation: Supporting Extinguishment & Survivability, and is a regular contributor to the magazine. Nick has been an FDIC classroom instructor since 2017. Nick was a technical panelist for the UL-FSRI research project, The Study on Coordinated Fire Attack in Acquired Structures. Nick is the founder of the fire service training organization, Fireside Training LLC.

Micah Kiger

Program Title: Surviving a Mayday: The Meadowood Court Incident - A Company Officer's Perspective

Program Description:

Chief Kiger has given his “Surviving a Mayday: The Meadowood Court Incident - A Company Officer's Perspective presentation across multiple venues across the country such as: the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) Indianapolis, Indiana, the IAFC/Fire Department Safety Officer’s Association Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, IAFC’s Volunteer and Career Officer’s Section Symposium in the West in Phoenix, Arizona, the Cobb County (GA) Metro-Atlanta Firefighter’s Conference, and the Virginia Fire and Rescue Conference at Virginia Beach.

On May 25th, 2008, while operating on a residential structure fire in Leesburg, Virginia, four firefighters from Loudoun County Fire and Rescue became trapped on the second floor while performing interior operations after conditions rapidly deteriorated. Four firefighters received burn injuries and required hospitalization. As the Engine Company Officer that day, I give an ‘inside assessment’ as to the actions of myself and my crew, to include lessons learned and personal development following the incident. A full investigative report was completed on this incident, and I will present incident operations, provide video footage of the incident with respective radio transmissions, our departmental changes/recommendations, and the lessons learned from the company officer's first-hand perspective. This presentation will also cover how training yourself and crew the right way becomes second nature and how you can rely on training when it truly counts. This incident has already been the subject of Firehouse Close Calls articles that was published and appeared in June & July 2009 by Chief William Goldfeder and has been published by FireEngineering in May 2019.

The organizational transparency following this event has been paramount in the development of operational changes, firefighter awareness and development, and the management of “moving on” after a significant event that forever changed our system. This class is taught on a level that ranges from the Chief of Department down to the newest Firefighter where everyone will be able to take away information. This program is geared towards telling firefighters what they need to hear, and not necessarily what they want to hear. The time spent in this class will open student’s eyes to how quickly things can deteriorate on a seemingly routine incident and how we need to be prepared for self-survival.

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Speaker Bio:

Micah Kiger is a Career Deputy Chief with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue - Virginia. Loudoun is located 35 miles from our nation's capital and is situated between Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier County(s) in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the Potomac River to the North, which separates them from Frederick and Montgomery County(s) in Maryland. Micah began his fire service career in Loudoun County in 2000 after successfully completing Recruit Class #4. Since then, he has progressively moved up through the ranks and has served in the positions of Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain/Station Commander, and EMS Supervisor. Chief Kiger has held assignments as an operational Battalion Chief, Special Operations Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief/Shift Commander, Deputy Chief of EMS, and is currently assigned as the Deputy Chief/Chief Fire Marshal for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. Chief Kiger has an associate degree in Fire Science from the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration through Columbia Southern University. Micah is a certified Paramedic and has worked in the past as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic for HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Inc. Chief Kiger is a part-time adjunct instructor with West Virginia University’s Fire Service Extension and has received numerous unit citations for meritorious actions and Life Saving and was awarded the Silver Medal of Honor for actions related to the Meadowood Court Incident. Micah has been a volunteer member of the Shepherdstown Fire Department, Inc. since 1998 and officially began in the fire service in 1996 in the Mannington Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Kiger resides in
Shepherdstown, West Virginia with his son, Gabe.

Randy Feltner 

Program Title: You got the Bugles, now what?? The stuff they didn’t tell you in Officer Class

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Program Description:

When those bugles are pinned on your collar, you’ve ARRIVED right? Unfortunately, that is the thought process in many of our heads when we are placed in Leadership positions. The truth is we are certified, we passed a test and killed the interview, so we become entitled. Just because we have a certification does not mean that we are fully prepared to lead in today’s fire service. All too often our ego gets in the way when we go from taking direction to giving it, and we forget all the lessons (good and bad) we learned while we were riding backwards preparing to wear those bugles. I say this because I am one of these leaders who fell victim to my own hype. I was failing miserably in my role as a leader and had no idea because the calls were answered, and everyone was going home safe after shift. After suffering a near fatal medical issue, I had time to reflect on what I was doing and the impact it was having on my team at work and more importantly at home. Changes made in attitude, priorities and purpose were leading factors in personal, professional and departmental goals coming to fruition for myself but also members of our team. Together we all started to thrive on and off the job. The goal is to share these simple steps so that the next generation of leaders doesn't have to play catch up as they progress in their career. I wish I had listened earlier and not wasted years of not only my career but the careers of the firefighters I was given the opportunity to serve.

Speaker Bio:

Randy Feltner has 24 years of Fire Service experience. He is a Life Member, Past President and Past Fire Chief of the Colonial Beach Vol. Fire Department. He currently serves as an Operations Battalion Chief with Naval District Washington Fire and Emergency Services at the Naval Ordinance Station in Indian Head Maryland. He is a graduate of the Virginia Fire Officer and Chief Officer Academy. He holds a Masters Degree from Columbia Southern University. Most importantly he is a present and active father to his two daughters Nora and Kynlee and a loving husband to his wife of 20 years Katie.

Brent Brooks 

Program Title: High-Rise Firefighting: “Practical To Tactical”

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Program Description:

Tall buildings pose unique firefighting challenges that require practiced operational decision-making and tactics to overcome a host of potential problems. This presentation will discuss and review tactical response options to address challenges and catastrophic failures in operational deployment. Subjects to be addressed will include: coming up short and adding a length, taking nozzle reaction to ground, flowing with door control, the punch, steps for making entry and testing glass. A short video on “Exterior Control” options utilizing portable monitors, bent pipe, distributor and opposing tip nozzles for fire, auto-exposure, cladding and void space control along with water supply solutions.

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Speaker Bio:

Brent Brooks is an Acting District Chief with over 30 years of firefighting experience with a large department in the Canadian Fire Service. He is a proud retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Brents’ High Rise Unit assignment has led to the advancement of innovations in tactical research and development, the Incident Management System, and operational training. As a fire service advocate of best practices, Brent’s high-rise specialization has seen his service on numerous committees and national and international speaking engagements. He started the High-Rise Round Table and is a member of the Chicago-based Council of Tall Buildings. He also represents Canada as a member of the London, England-based T70 Tall Building Safety Committee. Brent Brooks’ Community of Practice is far-reaching in its scope through donated lectures and hands-on training throughout Ontario, Canada, and internationally. His mission is to educate the next generation of firefighters by sharing best practices for occupant survival and firefighter’s safety related to High-Rise firefighting. Website: https://highrisefirefighting.com/

Phil Jose

Program Title: The Art of Reading Smoke: The Next Generation

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Program Description:

The purpose of the course is to provide students with both an understanding of the learning objectives listed and improve their ability to continue to learn on their own after the class is over. Once the concepts of Volume, Velocity, Density, and Color are presented the course moves quickly using video to provide rapid-fire sets and reps to practice and hone the skill of Reading Smoke. With a discussion-based approach to teaching the students are challenged to create their own understanding of the VVDC from the video example and measure that against the discussion going on within the classroom. Seeing the smoke, reading the smoke, understanding what the smoke is telling you, and then measuring that against the knowledge of the instructor and the other students provides true comprehension in a short session. The modern fireground is a true representation of a Recognition Prime based environment where the number of slides in your slide tray is important to your success at choosing tactics and tasks. Building slides is the key to Reading Smoke and the students will build a significant number of slides plus have the opportunity to improve how vivid and accurate each slide is relative to modern fire behavior.

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Speaker Bios:

Deputy Chief (RET) Seattle Fire Department, Chief of the Year Seattle Fire Department- 2014, 4 Year Program Manager for Chief Officer Mayday Training, 30 Years of Fire Department Experience, Nationally Known Instructor of The Art of Reading Smoke and Tactical Decision Making, Author Fire and Emergency Instructor 1, Clarion, 2022, Co-Author of "Air Management for the Fire Service" Fire Engineering 2008, Chapter Author Fire Engineering Handbook for Firefighter 1 and 2 - SCBA, Fire Engineering Bread and Butter Video Series Author – SCBA, Recipient of the FDIC Tom Brennan Training Achievement Award, FDIC Hot Instructor Multiple Years, FDIC Classroom Instructor since 2004, Firehouse World, Firehouse Expo, FDIC East, FDIC West.

Tony Carroll

Program Title: Mayday Monday: Fighting the Commercial Building

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Program Description:

The course will highlight the risks of fighting commercial building fires. Using lessons learned from previous fires and recent research, we develop the strategies and tactics to fight the future commercial building fire. In addition, the class will review techniques of rescuing firefighters from these fires.

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Speaker Bio:

Tony has been involved with the fire service for 40 years. Starting with his local volunteer fire department, the journey has taken him from the suburbs to the busy, big city and now to the rural roads of Central Virginia. He is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Louisa County Department of Fire and EMS.

Jess Rodzinka

Program Title: The Senior Man: The Informal Leader of the Fire Service

Program Description:

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In a firehouse there is formal leadership: Fire Chief; Battalion Chief; Captain; Lieutenant. However, there is the informal leadership in the firehouse, the Seniorman. This class we will discuss how to be the Senior man. Wether you have 2 years or 20, this class will talk about being the informal leader in the firehouse, at the kitchen table or even out for an evening with the Brothers and Sisters.

Speaker Bio:

28 year volunteer/career service. Captain for Charlottesville Fire Department in Charlottesville, VA. Currently Assigned to Engine 5. Previous assignments have been: Truck Company 9; Tower 10. Prior to working in Charlottesville Jess worked for Staunton Fire and Rescue for 11 years, where he was assigned to Truck 1 and Engine 2. Jess holds certifications in Virginia Officer 4 and Instructor 3. A constant student of the craft, Jess teaches up and down the east coast truck company operations as well as forcible entry and Virginia Truck Schools.
Instructor/Board Member - 350’ Line
Instructor - Fill The Box Training
Instructor - Makin’ The Stretch
Instructor - Fort Lauderdale Fire Expo
Instructor - Andy Fredericks Training Days
Instructor - Wichita HOT
Instructor - Carolina Fire Days
Instructor - Tailboard to Trenches"