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New Release: Mastering Fireground Command: Calm the Chaos - Order Your Copy Here!

About Us

Mission Statement

Inspire, teach, mentor, and coach firefighters and fire departments in leadership, team building, tactics, command, promotion and innovative ways of thinking that make the fire service more safe, fun and effective.
 

The Vision

The fire service has a growing leadership void that has reached pandemic proportions.  Due to this “Leadership Pandemic” we need strong, dynamic, selfless servant-leaders who know how to inspire individuals, build teams, plan for the future, and get replaced.

In addition, the era of experienced, salty fireground technicians has transitioned to a new generation of young officers who do not get the same level of experience and training as their forefathers.  They need training more than ever before.

We desire to help individuals and fire departments improve their leadership, tactical and team skills by throwing out cliché management jargon, theories, and boring traditional format.  We focus on telling it like it is, using real world experience and proven techniques that work, and are rarely found in textbooks.  The candor and interactive setting of the workshops compel the students to open up and be involved.  The workshops are as entertaining as they are informative.

Chief Anthony Kastros

Anthony (Andoni) Kastros is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and Battalion Chief with Sacramento Metro Fire District (ret). He brings a wide variety of experiences, a high level of energy and a sincere passion to his instruction.

He is author of the Fire Engineering book and video series, Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center – 2nd Edition. The curriculum covers an extremely comprehensive scope of the knowledge, skills and abilities that span the dimensions of leadership, management, and emergency operations.  It is used widely throughout the United States for officer development.

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Cynthia Kastros

Cynthia Kastros is the Operations Manager for FIRE. She is responsible for strategic planning, new program development, business modeling, and operations. She has an extensive recruitment background in the private sector and owned an executive recruitment firm in southern California. She transitioned to the public sector, where she held a position for the California Office of Education, recruiting teachers. Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Services, focusing on family and child development.

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TrainFirefighters Team

brett loomis

Brett Loomis

Brett Loomis has more than 30 years of fire service experience and is a lead instructor here at FIRE, LLC. 

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joe castro

Joe Castro

Chief Castro is a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He retired from active service April 1, 2017.

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chief-emo

Chief Emon Usher

served 32 years in the fire service, beginning in 1988. He is a former member of Sacramento County Fire Protection District, Oakland Fire Department and the Richmond (CA) Fire Department.

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mike kaslin

Mike Kaslin

Mike Kaslin retired on May 1, 2017 from CAL FIRE as the Unit Chief after 30 years in the fire service.

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Kevin Wegener

Kevin Wegener

Kevin Wegener began his fire service career in 1989 as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Colfax Fire Department and Firefighter One with Cal Fire.

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Jon Wagener

John Wagner

John Wagner has been associated with the fire service for more than 35 years, starting his career as a Seasonal Fire Fighter at age 18 with Cal Fire in the Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit.

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Patrick J Ellis

Pat Ellis is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started in 1985 as a resident firefighter with the Citrus Heights Fire District and moved to serve the City of Hollister for two years.

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Tom Ottman

Tom Ottman is a retired Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Officer. He served 36 years with the LAFD.

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Robby Bergerson (Bergee)

Deputy Chief Robby Bergerson (Bergee) is an over 27-year veteran of the fire service and has spent the last 23-years with the City of Waco Fire Department.

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Ben Pavan

Ben Pavan

Ben Pavan is our team Chaplain at Trainfirefighters.com. He serves in various chaplaincy capacities in the Folsom area.

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Dan Baker

Dan Baker

Dan Baker retired as a Battalion Chief from Sacramento Metro Fire with over 31 years in the fire service.

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Dan Cotrell

Dan Cotrell

Battalion Chief Cotrell has dedicated his adult life to mastering the trade of the fire service. Chief Cotrell began his career as an intern firefighter with the Rainier Rural Fire District.

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Gregg Avery

Gregg Avery

Gregg Avery retired as a battalion chief in January of 2024 after serving 37 years with the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

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Jeff Metzinger

Jeff Metzinger

Fire Chief Jeff Metzinger began his fire service career in 1983.

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Theresa Volland

Theresa Volland

Theresa Volland is our Finance Lead. She retired from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) San Benito / Monterey Unit in December 2023.

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Rusty Van Vuren

Rusty Van Vuren

Russell (Rusty) Van Vuren is a 35-year fire service veteran retiring from Sacramento City Fire Department as a line battalion chief.

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Alda Hearne

Alda Hearne

Alda Hearne is the Logistics Lead for Trainfirefighters.com. Affectionately known as “Mama Bear” she will be a primary contact for you and takes care of us.

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Greg Cassell

Greg Cassell

Fire Chief (retired) Gregory Cassell is a proven leader with over thirty-three years of experience in the fire/emergency medical service (EMS) industry.

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JoseAriza

Jose Ariza

Chief Jose Ariza is a 29-year veteran of the fire service. Chief Ariza began his fire service career as a shipboard firefighter aboard the U.S.S. Peleliu (LHA-5) in the United States Navy.

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ChrisStavros

Chris Stavros

Chris Stavros is a 28-year veteran of the fire service, 26 of those years with the Glendale (CA.)

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Produced in association with The Safe Community Project

A-Kastros

Chief Anthony Kastros

Anthony (Andoni) Kastros is a 32-year veteran of the fire service and Battalion Chief with Sacramento Metro Fire District (ret). He brings a wide variety of experiences, a high level of energy and a sincere passion to his instruction.
He is author of the Fire Engineering book and video series, Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center – 2nd Edition. The curriculum covers an extremely comprehensive scope of the knowledge, skills and abilities that span the dimensions of leadership, management, and emergency operations.  It is used widely throughout the United States for officer development.
Also from Fire Engineering, Anthony authors the 3-part DVD series Mastering Fireground Command – Calm the Chaos! This series focuses on fireground strategy, tactics, and ICS using actual incidents, video and simulations. The series covers fires in houses, multi-occupancies, apartments and commercial buildings.
In addition, Kastros authored the video series, Mastering Unified Command – From Hometown to Homeland. The video is focused on bridging the gap between fire and law for a true unified response and command platform to face the “New Normal” that is prevalent in America today.  The video features many experts from around the United States, including former Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta. Kastros is donating all proceeds from this video to fallen fire, police and military organizations.
Kastros is an FDIC-International and Firehouse World instructor, and was the Keynote Speaker at FDIC 2013 and is the recipient of the 2019 George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and Fire Engineering. Anthony hosts The Command Show, a monthly blog radio show through Fire Engineering. Kastros teaches leadership/team building and strategy/tactics to firefighters throughout the United States. He has taught thousands of firefighters in leadership, officer development, command and tactics throughout America. As a USAR Team Manager with Sacramento Task Force 7, he deployed to Ground Zero on 9/11. Anthony spent 4 years with a Type 1 Incident Management Team, was the program manager for Metro Fire’s Command Training Center and began Metro Fire’s Rescue Company program. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Human Resource Management, an Associate’s of Science  in Fire Technology, and is a certified Fire Officer for California.
Anthony and Cynthia Kastros make their home in Carmel, California with their daughters Sophia and Aubrey. Their Faith in God is the center of their lives and drives their instruction and ministry.
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Cynthia Kastros

Cynthia Kastros is the Operations Manager for FIRE. She is responsible for strategic planning, new program development, business modeling, and operations. She has an extensive recruitment background in the private sector and owned an executive recruitment firm in southern California. She transitioned to the public sector, where she held a position for the California Office of Education, recruiting teachers. Cynthia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Services, focusing on family and child development.

Brett-Loomis

Brett Loomis

Brett Loomis has more than 30 years of fire service experience and is a lead instructor here at FIRE, LLC.  His fire service experience includes the positions of paid-call firefighter with the Pacific Grove (CA) Fire Department and firefighter/driver-operator, captain, battalion chief, and deputy fire chief of operations with the Salinas (CA) Fire Department.  His assignments in the fire service have included suppression, training, communications, public information, emergency management, and administration.

Chief Loomis holds a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Cogswell Polytechnical College.  He is a State of California certified chief officer, fire officer, and Master instructor.  Brett’s instructional experience includes incident command, strategy and tactics, leadership, and management.  He is also experienced in facilitating labor-management discussions and conflict resolution.  One of his favorite teaching assignments is helping fire service professionals prepare for the job with our Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center class.

Chief Loomis is a qualified strike team leader and division-group supervisor.  He has been assigned to Operations Section Chief, Fire Branch Director, and Liaison Officer during emergency operating center activations.

One of Brett’s favorite quotes is from the author John Maxwell: “Success is when I add value to myself.  Significance is when I add value to others.”  When asked why, Chief Loomis said, “The highlight of my career has been the opportunity to mentor and coach those I work with and help them reach their full potential.  That is why I love working with the team here at FIRE, LLC.”

Brett lives in Oregon with his wife of 25 years, Michelle.  They have two adult children, Max and Julia.  He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing golf, and reading.
joe castro

Joe Castro

Chief Castro is a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He retired from active service April 1, 2017. Chief Castro’s last assignment was the Commander of Emergency Operations. Chief Castro’s command included 106 stations with over 3,000 personnel, and an annual operating budget of approx. $600 million dollars. This position is second in Command of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Emergency Services also is in Command of the Metropolitan Fire Communication Dispatch Center, Homeland Security Division, Air Operations, Arson-Counter Terrorism Section and the emergency resources that protect Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles.
Chief Castro has received his department’s highest honor, the LAFD Medal of Valor for bravery, and an EMMY award for his participation in a LAFD News television program.

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Chief Emon Usher

Chief Emon Usher (ret.) served 32 years in the fire service, beginning in 1988. He is a former member of Sacramento County Fire Protection District, Oakland Fire Department and the Richmond (CA) Fire Department. Chief Usher held the ranks of deputy fire chief, battalion chief, captain, lieutenant, engineer, firefighter-paramedic, firefighter, fire/EMS dispatcher and volunteer firefighter. He has served in the roles of operations chief, line battalion chief, training instructor, fire dispatch communications liaison officer and personnel/staffing officer. Chief Usher served 8 years as a member of the IAFF Local 55’s Executive Board, Health & Safety Committee, the negotiating team and served as the advisory board chairperson.  He is a certified chief officer by the California State Board of Fire Services.  He has completed executive management coursework from the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business and Columbia Southern University. Chief Usher has written and been an assessor on countless assessment centers for company and chief officer ranks. His passion, experience and wisdom combine for a powerful teaching methodology.

Mike-Kaslin

Mike Kaslin

Mike Kaslin retired on May 1, 2017 from CAL FIRE as the Unit Chief after 30 years in the fire service. His years of command experience have assured emergency resources, personnel, and equipment were trained, available, and ready to respond to fires and all-risk incidents. His assignments on CAL FIRE’s Incident Management Teams as Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief has developed positive working relationships with various groups, including political officials and governmental representatives at the federal, state, and local levels, cooperating agencies, media, landowners.

Mike was responsible for the Unit’s budget, personnel functions, staffing, performance, promotions, and safety. He also managed an emergency command center, Conservation Crew Camp and represented fire management at the State level.

Through out the years, Mike served in numerous other capacities. As the Fire Chief for the Cameron Park Fire Department, his assignment included administrative oversight for the Fire Department, budget forecast and preparation, department short and long range planning, and response(s) to emergencies. This detail also included Statewide Strike Team Leader and Operational Division Group Supervisor assignments.

Mike also served as the primary instructor for Structure Fire Training for the State of California. Details included instruction and coordination of academy training in all areas of fire service training. The extremely comprehensive training program at the California Fire Academy involved Rescue, Wildland Firefighting, and Fire Apparatus Operations.

As a paramedic since 1984, Mike represented the Department’s Emergency Medical Services and assisted with coordination of instruction and program compliance with the State EMS Authority. Mike started his fire service career in April of 1988 as a firefighter/paramedic for the City of Salinas Fire Department. Mike also served part-time as a helicopter flight medic for rescues. As a California State Peace Officer, he responded as needed for arson and other law enforcement details. Mike has a Bachelor Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

Mike is happily married to his wife Alison. They have been together for more than 32 years. They currently reside in Cameron Park, California. He has three children. His son Ben is an Engineer Paramedic for CAL FIRE in San Mateo County. His daughters, Jennifer and Sarah are college graduates. Jennifer has her Masters and is a high school teacher for Agriculture in Gridley California. Sarah has her Bachelors and works for Chico State Farms as an Agriculture specialist.
Kevin Wegener

Kevin Wegener

Kevin Wegener began his fire service career in 1989 as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Colfax Fire Department and Firefighter One with Cal Fire. In 1994 he was hired by the American River Fire Protection District, one of the two main organizations which merged in 2000 to form the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

At the same time Chief Wegener was pursuing his professional career he maintained his involvement with his local combination volunteer/paid fire department. He ended his 18-year career with that department in September of 2011, serving for 9 years as an Assistant Chief of Placer Hills Fire Protection District.

Battalion Chief Wegener retired from Sacramento Metro Fire in 2021. We was a member of 2 IMTs, the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team as an Operation Section Chief and the California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (a Federal Type 1 IMT) as a Division/Group Supervisor. He also served on Metro’s Wildland and Truck Teams, Sacramento Operational Area California Incident Command Certification System (CICCS) Board and was a Fire Academy Assistant Drill Instructor. He has an aviation background, serving five years as a Crew Chief and Flight Officer for Metro Fire’s all risk helicopter program.

Chief Wegener has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and an Associates of Science Degree in Fire Science from Sierra College. He obtained his EMT Paramedic in 1993 from Northern California Training Institute.

He makes his home in Meadow Vista, CA along with his wife of 22 years Shane, and their three daughters, Sidney, Klaire and Georgia.

John Wagner

John Wagner has been associated with the fire service for more than 35 years, starting his career as a Seasonal Fire Fighter at age 18 with Cal Fire in the Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit.  Since that time he has held positions of Fire Fighter in the Columbia College FD, Rancho Cordova FD, Sacramento County FD and Sacramento Metropolitan FD.

He has worked his way up the ranks including Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief and retired as an Assistant Chief of Operations with Sacramento Metropolitan FD in charge of the C-Platoon.  During this time he was an academy drill instructor, shift Training Officer, detailed to State of California Homeland Security, Division Supervisor & Branch Director for a Type I Incident Management Team (CIIMT3), OPS for a Type III IMT and Training & Safety Chief.

John has been an instructor with the Los Rios College Fire Science Program with a credential in vocation education. He is a CA State Certified Chief Officer & Master Instructor, continuing to deliver instruction in Command and Control, Unified Command, Type III Incident Management Teams as well as Training Instructors.

In 2011 John was President of the CA Chiefs Training Officers Association.  He maintains involvement with the group as director at large, planning, assisting and instructing at the annual CA Training Symposium in Fresno.  John has an Associates & Bachelors Degree in Fire Science.

John makes his home in Pine Grove, CA with his wife Leanna.  They have two adult children, one working as a local veterinary technician and the youngest a lineman for a power company outside Austin TX.
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Patrick J Ellis

Pat Ellis is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started in 1985 as a resident firefighter with the Citrus Heights Fire District and moved to serve the City of Hollister for two years working in a small town at that time in a one-station department working collaboratively with the volunteer firefighter staff that supported the three paid staff on duty. In 1987 he returned to Citrus Heights as a firefighter/paramedic. Three mergers ensued, resulting in Sacramento Metro Fire in 2000. Pat was promoted to captain in 1992, serving on the line for an additional 8 years. In 2000, Pat was assigned as the public information officer for the newly formed Metro Fire. In 2005, he was promoted to battalion chief. In 2012, Chief Ellis was asked to serve in the fire prevention division. In 2014, he was appointed to assistant chief and spent the last two years of his career leading the five A shift battalion chiefs with oversight of 43 fire stations. Chief Ellis had program oversight of wildland operations, water rescue, OES liaison and liaison to the cities of Rancho Cordova and Citrus Heights. He retired in 2016 to spend more time with his wife Kimberly and daughters Samantha 26, Ryan 7, and Taylor 5.

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Tom Ottman

Tom Ottman is a retired Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Officer. He served 36 years with the LAFD, holding ranks of firefighter, engineer, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, and ultimately Assistant Chief. Prior to joining the LAFD, Tom was a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation.
 
Chief Ottman has a strong field and administrative background. He was a Captain for 13 years and a Chief Officer for 15 years. He was assigned to many of the most active fire stations in the LAFD, as well as multiple challenging administrative assignments. 
 
Chief Ottman’s career was diverse and enabled him to gain knowledge in many aspects of the fire service, leading to expert proficiency that aided not only his career path, but all of the members who reported to him along the way. He developed and implemented the LAFD Risk Management Section; oversaw the LAFD Training Division; was in charge of the LAFD Communications Division/Emergency Operation Center and was the Department’s Safety Officer.
 
Chief Ottman has expertise in labor-management relations, statistical analysis, strategic planning, Incident Command, budget, liaison to public officials and management of Line of Duth Death Reports, to name just a few. 
 
Chief Ottman says the greatest obstacle facing the fire service today is the inability to accept change and the greatest satisfaction he can experience is helping members to become “change agents” as well as achieving their promotional dreams by making Captain. 
 
Chief Ottman has a Bachelor’s Degree and California State Teaching Credential from California State University, Northridge, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles.
 
Tom has been married to his wife Laurie for 41 years. The couple has three daughters and two granddaughters. They live in Murrieta, CA. 
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Robby Bergerson (Bergee)

Deputy Chief Robby Bergerson (Bergee) is an over 29-year veteran of the fire service and has spent the last 23-years with the City of Waco Fire Department. Chief Bergerson has also been an adjunct instructor at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas since 2009. He has earned a Master of Liberal Studies in Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Services Administration. He holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Executive Fire Officer (EFO) designation from the National Fire Academy and is a graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy. Chief Bergerson currently holds Master Firefighter, Master Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, Fire Officer IV, Fire Service Instructor III-Master, Incident Safety Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Incident Commander, and Hazardous Materials Incident Commander certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, as well as EMT certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services. He has served in every rank and has supervised every division, including lengthy assignments supervising both Operations and Training, and is active in interagency coordination at the State level for wildfire and disasters response. Chief Bergerson is also a published contributor to Fire Engineering Magazine. When not working, he can be found bumming around at fire service conferences from coast to coast where he continues to learn this craft.

Ben Pavan

Ben Pavan

Ben Pavan is our team Chaplain at Trainfirefighters.com. He serves in various chaplaincy capacities in the Folsom area. Ben has been in the ministry for about 45 years, teaching, preaching, and counseling, and serving as a Chaplain for various entities. 

Ben sits on the Board of Directors for the Folsom Prison Ministries and teaches classes at the prison. His heart for service is immense and has been a Christian since 1973 and has dedicated himself to serving Him according to His will and calling. Ben will pray with anyone, anywhere, for any reason. He loves everyone!

Dan Baker

Dan Baker

Dan Baker retired as a Battalion Chief from Sacramento Metro Fire with over 31 years in the fire service.

After two years in the Army, Dan began his career as a paid call firefighter in 1989 and after completing the Stanford Paramedic program took a position with the Donner Summit Fire Department and served as their training officer until accepting a position at American River FD as a firefighter/paramedic, which later became Sacramento Metro Fire. Dan moved through all ranks up to Battalion Chief and also created and managed the leadership development program at Metro Fire. 

Dan is passionate about officer development and lives in Meadow Vista, California with his wife Shannon and two of their five children.

Dan Cotrell

Dan Cotrell

Battalion Chief Cotrell has dedicated his adult life to mastering the trade of the fire service. Chief Cotrell began his career as an intern firefighter with the Rainier Rural Fire District located in the Cascade Range of western Oregon. Upon graduation from Portland Community College, he took a full time career firefighter position with the Miles City Fire Department, in 2002 Chief Cotrell accepted his dream position with the Billings Fire Department, where he has held the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and now Battalion chief.  Chief Cotrell has served the community of Billings as a Rescue Technician, co-leading the BFD Rescue Team for several years, he has also served as a Haz-Mat technician, EMT Intermediate, and previously served as Union President.

Chief Cotrell has a passion to leave the fire service and this community better off than how he found it. To achieve this goal he has dedicated himself to improving emergency operations through common sense application of the incident command system to all multi-company emergency responses.  You can find Chief Cotrell teaching this approach to incident command not only to the members of the Billings Fire Department, but he is an instructor for this subject throughout the nation for Trainfirefighters.com.

When not at work or teaching, Chief Cotrell is enjoying time with his wife Sheridan and his five children.

Gregg Avery

Gregg Avery

Gregg Avery retired as a battalion chief in January of 2024 after serving 37 years with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Chief Avery spent his career in demanding assignments, he served as the department training officer for several years as well as the adjutant to the chief deputy in emergency operations. He served as a member of the LAFD Incident Management Team.

Gregg was an adjunct instructor at a local community college and has been an active member of the training community for over 25 years.

Gregg held the ranks of firefighter, apparatus operator, captain I and II as well as battalion chief.  He was a charter member of USAR CATF1, deploying to the World Trade Center attack, Hurricane Katrina and the Salt Lake City Olympics. Chief Avery is a qualified safety officer and strike team leader with numerous deployments on statewide wildland incidents.

When Gregg isn’t teaching you can find him on his ranch tending to his cattle and vineyard, or, more importantly spending time with his wife Mary, their adult children and grandchildren. His oldest, Amanda is a member of the LAFD, currently an Engineer.

Jeff Metzinger

Jeff Metzinger

Fire Chief Jeff Metzinger began his fire service career in 1983.  His first job was a fire prevention officer then proceeded to the line as a firefighter, academy instructor, training captain (5 years), suppression captain (9 years), battalion chief (10 years), assistant chief of training (3 years) – all with Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.  He then moved into the position of Fire Chief with the Sacramento County Department of Airports from 2012-2017.

Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree and California Teaching Credential from California State University – Sacramento.  In addition, he is a certified chief officer with the California State Fire Marshall, certified safety officer, hazardous materials specialist, swift water rescue specialist, strike team and task force leader (all risk), and division/group supervisor, and alternate with federal Incident Management Team 3. 

As a member of CA Task Force-7 (FEMA US&R), Jeff was a heavy rigger, plans section leader, and task force leader.  He responded to numerous large events such as Hurricane Katrina, the Oso Mudslides in Washington State, and the World Trade Center on 9/11.  Following the 9/11 deployment, he was honored to testify at a U.S. Senate Hearing – representing all the FEMA team-members from across the country. Jeff was also a FEMA Lead Instructor for the role of Heavy Rigger (Crane rescue operations) – teaching the nation’s 32 teams. 

Jeff retired from active service in 2017 and move his family to the suburbs of Nashville, TN. His wife Kristen and two daughters are the center of his life. He continues his passion for mentoring and teaching for area fire agencies. He is grateful for the blessings of a long career and finds joy in the development of aspiring fire officers. 

Theresa Volland

Theresa Volland

Theresa Volland is our Finance Lead. She retired from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) San Benito / Monterey Unit in December 2023 with over 20 years of service.

She started as receptionist and promoted to finance/secretary for local government including Aromas Fire Protection District, Carmel Highlands Fire Protection District, Cypress Fire Protection District, and South Monterey County Fire Protection District.

Rusty Van Vuren

Rusty Van Vuren

Russell (Rusty) Van Vuren is a 35-year fire service veteran retiring from Sacramento City Fire Department as a line battalion chief.

Rusty started as a volunteer firefighter for Manteca Lathrop Fire 1985 where they staffed 1 & 2 person crews, joining the Citrus Heights Fire District as a Resident firefighter in 1987. He was hired by Sacramento City Fire Department in 1988. In SFD, he served at the busiest stations almost exclusively. These early years into the 90’s witnessed the need and eventual takeover of adequate ambulance service from the private companies into today’s fire department transport programs.  

Upon promotion to captain, Rusty started at Station 20, a busy multi-company house, and was eventually assigned to the EMS1 captain position, supervising all city medic units. During this period, there was no official position of PIO position, and Rusty filled the role for several years at the fire chief’s request.

In 2002 Chief Van Vuren was assigned as a drill instructor at the academy, returning briefly to the field before another assignment in the prevention bureau at headquarters, serving occasionally as acting fire marshal. He returned to the field on Engine & Truck 30 as part of the hazmat team. During this period, there were continuous periods of “Acting” assignments as BC starting in 2004, until promotion to Battalion 2 in 2013. His active duty career finished as Battalion 3 in North Sacramento from 2014 to 2020.

Alda Hearne

Alda Hearne

Alda Hearne is the Logistics Lead for Trainfirefighters.com. Affectionately known as “Mama Bear” she will be a primary contact for you and takes care of us.

Her jobs are many, including managing Chief Kastros (not easy), his correspondence, calls, meetings, travel, etc. Also responsible for the logistics of our in-person workshops which entails liaising with fire departments, maintaining class rosters, arranging travel for our instructors, distributing workshop emails, handouts, and certificates of completion.  Finally, Alda is in charge of answering query emails regarding product pricing, personal coaching, workshop availability, access code issues, training proposals, etc.

She worked in the computer software industry at Digital Research in Monterey, CA, then moved to Software Imaging, a UK based software company as a sales and contracts administrator. 

She was the co-owner of Apex Signs & Graphics in Salinas, CA where she developed the HR and financial departments and managed these departments on an ongoing basis, while also participating in formulating operations policies. She also managed public works subcontracts with regard to insurance, prevailing wage compliance requirements, safety and billings.

Alda currently works remotely and lives in Keizer, Oregon with her husband Nigel and dog Moose.

Greg Cassell

Greg Cassell

Fire Chief (retired) Gregory Cassell is a proven leader with over thirty-three years of experience in the fire/emergency medical service (EMS) industry. Hired by the Clark County (Nevada) Fire Department in 1989, Chief Cassell advanced through the ranks of fire fighter, engineer, captain, and battalion chief prior to being named as the fire chief in 2015. As fire chief he oversaw a fire department consisting of 850 employees, 43 fire stations (30 career fire stations and 13 volunteer stations) providing coverage to the entire Las Vegas “Strip”, 400 square miles of the greater Las Vegas Valley and numerous unincorporated communities within the county’s 8,000 square mile jurisdiction.

Chief Cassell is recognized as a regional collaborator, program builder, and instructor for various special operations programs, EMS, and inter-agency agreements. He is a frequent presenter at conferences and workshops across the US. Presentations include topics ranging from incident command, benefits of law enforcement and fire service relationships/integration, and case studies from major events.

Chief Cassell has two bachelor’s degrees from Colorado State University and has completed the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) in 2016. He has been a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs since 2008 to include serving as a member of the IAFC Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee since 2018, and a member of the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

JoseAriza

Jose Ariza

Chief Jose Ariza is a 29-year veteran of the fire service. Chief Ariza began his fire service career as a shipboard firefighter aboard the U.S.S. Peleliu (LHA-5) in the United States Navy. After honorably discharging from the Navy he joined the Bixby Fire Department and served 2 years before joining the Tulsa Fire Department. During his tenure with Tulsa Fire, Jose has served as a line officer and also as a staff officer. Before promoting to chief, Chief Ariza served his department and community as Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Training officer and Public Information officer. Chief Ariza currently serves as the District Chief of District 2 A platoon on the northeast side of Tulsa.

Jose and his wife Rebecca are the proud parents of 3 children and grandparents to 1 amazing little girl.

ChrisStavros

Chris Stavros

Chris Stavros is a 28-year veteran of the fire service, 26 of those years with the Glendale (CA.) Fire Department. He has been an operations battalion chief for 6 years supervising 9 stations and 12 fire captains. Chris was on the union board for 18 years, and the union president for 12 years. He is a STEN and has been deployed frequently in his career. He has a B.S. in physics from UCSD, and a M.S. in industrial hygiene from USC. He lives in his hometown, San Pedro California.

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