Lauren Jones is glad to be back home again in Indiana. A Hoosier native (born and raised in Columbus), Lauren most recently worked as a meteorologist at WLKY-TV in Louisville KY, and got her start as a forecaster and reporter at WTVW-TV in Evansville. Lauren got bit by the weather bug early, and wanted to be a meteorologist from the time she was a little girl. When not in front of the weather computers, Lauren enjoys being active outdoors, watching a good suspense movie, and catching up with friends & family that she hasn't seen in a while. If you'd like to chat about the weather or root on the Indianapolis Colts, feel free to email her at ljjones@tribune.com.
Robert Atkins is the EMS Director at Bedford Regional Medical Center and has been a member of the Indiana Stroke Prevention Task Force since 2004. He is a nationally registered paramedic and certified Advanced Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Bruce Bare has been an EMT-Basic since 1977, Paramedic since 1979, and PI since 1980, earned BA from Purdue University in 1988. He has worked as Paramedic, Supervisor, and Educator in Indiana until taking the job of Section Chief for Certification, Education, and Compliance with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security in 2009.
Jason Barnett has over fifteen years of experience in the field of fire investigations, from vehicle fires and small structure fires up to large commercial structure fires. Jason received this CFEI certification in 1994, his CVFI certification in 2002 and in 2003 Jason received his IAAI-CFI certification. Since 2004 Jason has been an active member in the Indiana Chapter of the IAAI by holding various nominated positions. In 2009 Jason became the President of Barnett Forensic Services, Inc.
Ron Brown is a retired Fire Chief and Former Wisconsin State Senator. He is a thirty four year fire service professional that held many supervisory and leadership positions including Chief of the Fort Wayne Indiana and Eau Claire Wisconsin Fire Departments. He is a graduate of Purdue University and the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.
Ron Buchanon has been involved in EMS for nearly 28 year and currently a Paramedic. He was elected Coroner of Ripley County in 2008 and is a certified Medico legal Death Investigator (MDI).
John Buckman serves as the Indiana State Fire Training Director. He has served German Township Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years and Fire Chief for 32 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs 2001-2002 and on the IAFC Board of Directors from 1996-2000. He was appointed by President George W. Bush as a member of the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Task Force and appointed by President Bill Clinton to the America Burning Revisited panel. Fire Chief Magazine selected Chief Buckman in 1996 as the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year. He is the Chief Editor of the Chief Officers Desk Reference and co-author of the 3rd Edition Recruiting, Training and Maintaining Volunteer Firefighters. He is co-author of the book Lessons Learned from Fire-Rescue Leaders. He has authored numerous articles for fire service publications as well as being a member of the Fire Engineering Editorial Advisory Board and the FDIC Executive Committee. He is the co-founder of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. In 2007 the VCOS created the John M. Buckman III Leadership Award given annually at the conference.
Robert Cree is a Firefighter/Paramedic/Instructor for Valparaiso Fire Department Cree has been a career Fire Fighter for 2 years and was a volunteer for 15 years. He has been involved in EMS for 18 years in pre hospital care and has worked in LaPorte County, Tippecanoe County, Jasper County and Porter County. Cree is a self motivator and has always excelled in any position he has been involved in.
Jared Crotty serves as Director of Clinical Services for Three Rivers Ambulance Authority. Jared has extensive training and knowledge in the Intell gathering and IED's. He has spent time in the Middle East following September 11th, 2001. Jared has been a Paramedic for 10 years.
Larry DeBoer is a professor and extension specialist in Agricultural Economics at Purdue University. DeBoer joined the Purdue faculty in 1984. He studies state and local government public policy, including such topics as government budget and taxing options, issues of property tax assessment, local government revenue options, and the fiscal impact of economic development. He has worked with the Indiana Legislative Services Agency on tax and finance issues since 1988. DeBoer directed the staff work for Governor O’Bannon’s Citizen’s Commission on Taxation, 1997-98, and contributed research to Governor Daniels’ Commission on Local Government Reform in 2007. He writes a monthly column about Indiana and national economic topics, and maintains a website devoted to Indiana state and local government issues.
Storrs Downey is a founding partner of the law firm of Bryce Downey & Lenkov and manages its office in Indiana. He represents employers on employment, workers’ compensation and several other areas. Storrs has counseled employers on all facets of employment issues and defended them before the various state and federal administrative agencies and courts in Indiana and Illinois.
Tom Egler is assigned to the Methamphetamine suppression unit of the Indiana State Police, District 52. He has been a trooper for 9 years and assigned to Methamphetamine Clandestine Lab Team for 4 years. He has processed or investigated over 300 methamphetamine labs.
William Farhat has been Chief of the Notre Dame Fire Department since 2008 and a member of the fire service since 1989. In addition to being a paramedic, Chief Farhat is an experienced fire investigator, hazmat technician and fire instructor. As part of his position with NDFD, Chief Farhat oversees the fire protection and detection systems on the South Bend campus.
Kari Gabehart is the Coordinator and a nurse for the Wishard Burn Unit in Indianapolis.
James Ginder is the health education specialist at Hamilton County Health Department in Noblesville, Indiana and serves as a senior adjunct faculty member for St. Vincent Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services Department in nearby Indianapolis. In his more than 14 years of public health education service, Jim has logged hundreds of thousands of hours teaching health education courses for groups ranging from middle school students to senior citizens. For more than a decade, Jim has instructed diverse groups throughout Central Indiana on health education topics ranging from avian flu to safe sex. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health Education from Indiana University and a Masters Degree in Adult Education from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Jim is a National Certified Health Education Specialist and holds numerous instructor certifications in emergency medicine and health education. He is a licensed Emergency Medical Technician, an Emergency Medical Technician Instructor.
Michael Hamburger is a seismologist and professor of Geological Sciences at Indiana University. His research centers on the relation of earthquakes to global geological processes, earthquake hazards, and volcanic activity, and has included field work in the Philippines, Central Asia, and southern Indiana.
Scott Hamby is a 20 year veteran of the wireless data and mobile computing industry. For nearly 10 years, Scott was an account executive for Symbol Technologies and subsequently, Motorola via acquisition. His is experienced in both commercial and public markets including healthcare, public safety and EMS. By combining best of class, rugged mobile computers that leverage wireless connectivity, blue tooth, GPS, bar code scanning, and image capture into one device; paired with vertical specific software for patient tracking, triage, and asset management, emergency response personnel can be more efficient and effective.
Ken Hendricks is currently Training Coordinator for TRAA. He has over 30 years experience in EMS and has been a Paramedic over 25 years. Ken is currently a Paramedic with Allen County Sheriff's Dept. SWAT Team. He has the equivalent of a PhD in Education.
Kevin Hendrickson has 20+ years of EMS/Trauma Care Experience having served as both a Paramedic and RN for Ground, Air and Hospital ED and acute care services. As an educator, Mr. Hendrickson teaches multiple EMS, Trauma courses and he promotes the concept of lifelong learning. He enjoys sharing his experience with his students and his goal is to make provide entertainment and education.
Don Hess has been in emergency services for more than 30 years, first as a volunteer with a local rescue squad to his current position as EMS Manager for the Saint Anthony Medical Center EMS System and EMS Academy. In addition to Don’s role as administrator and educator, he also functions as the disaster chair for the District One Hospital Emergency Planning Committee, Inc., challenged with the coordination of disaster response between the public and private sector stakeholders. Don is also involved in the District 1 Mass Casualty/Medical Response Team.
Aaron Hoard began his career as an EMT providing Emergency Medical Services while working his way through nursing school. After earning his RN he gained knowledge and experience in an Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center later achieving his career goal of becoming a Flight Nurse.
Steve Jones is a 26 year fire service veteran who serves as the Division Chief of Prevention Services for Pike Township Fire Department in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been a Training and Safety Officer for Pike Township Fire Department. He has instructed numerous firefighter recruit academies in Indianapolis along with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Law Enforcement Training Academy. He has received the Ellwood "Woody" Gelenius Award in 2005 for Outstanding Service with Hazardous Materials Emergency Response in Marion County. His experience in the fire service is broad with a career that has given him experience in numerous areas. During his career he has worked as a Firefighter, Fire Dispatcher, EMT, Safety and Training Officer, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Fire Instructor, Plans Reviewer, Deputy Fire Marshal, Fire Marshal, and now a Division Chief. He oversees and manages the code enforcement, public education, and fire investigation for his community which includes some 4,000 businesses with a population of over 70,000 residences.
Michael Kaufmann is a board certified emergency physician currently practicing at St. Vincent Health facilities in and around Indianapolis. He is the EMS Medical Director for St. Vincent Hospital and their EMS affiliates, including PHI Dove Flight of Indiana, Carmel Fire, Pike Fire, Fishers Fire, and Zionsville Fire.
Brian Kazmierzak, EFO, is the division chief of training & safety for Clay Fire Territory, South Bend, IN. Brian is the MABAS Division 201 TRT Task Force Leader. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Southern Illinois University and serves as the Director of Operations for www.firefighterclosecalls.com. Brian was the 2008 Indiana Fire Chiefs Training Officer of the Year Award Recipient.
G. Christopher Kelly Esq. is an attorney who focuses on the ambulance industry. Chris writes the monthly column Emergency 4*1*1 in EMS Magazine, and sits on the magazine’s editorial advisory board. He is an adjunct instructor at Virginia College where he teaches Health Law and Ethics and Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration. Chris has also co-authored two books on HIPAA for EMS and ambulance services. He has represented many ambulance services in Medicare audits and formal investigations, State licensing issues, contracting issues, overpayment appeals and numerous other EMS related issues. Chris represents clients in many States across the U.S. He is also a frequent contributor to EMS publications and a frequent lecturer at State and National EMS meetings.
Brian Ketzner is a Family Mentor with Indiana Resource Center for Autism located at Indiana University, Bloomington. Brian brings parental prospective into the daily challenges that can effect crisis interactions. He has been active in the autism community in diverse capacities since his son was diagnosed with autism in 1994.
Fr. Frank Kilcline began fire service experience as an original member of the Explorer Post with the Indianapolis Fire Dept. in 1970 and has been a member of various volunteer fire departments around the state over the years. Also, he is an honorary lifetime member of the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmetsburg, MD, having been an active member while attending Mt. St. Mary's College and Seminary (now University). Fr. Kilcline is currently chaplain for the Indiana Firefighters Association (for nearly 20 years). He is also a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains (FFC) and the Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps, and has achieved advanced level training and instructor status with the FFC. Other chaplain experiences include 26 years with the Indiana State Police and 8 years with the Miami County Sheriff's Office and a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He presently serves as Pastor of St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru, IN, and has been a priest for nearly 30 years. He is a strong advocate for chaplains in all emergency service organizations as part of any preparedness program, similar to our military.
Kraig Kinney is Executive Director for Putnam County Operation Life. Mr. Kinney has been in EMS for over 19 years and also is a licensed attorney in the State of Indiana.
David Kloss is a Battalion Chief with the Franklin Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, Indiana and a Fire Investigator with Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc. He has been in the fire service since 1985 and has been actively investigating fires since 1989. His experience in fire investigation has ranged everywhere from vehicle fires to large commercial structure fires. He has qualified as an expert witness in 5 states and rendered opinions in many trials and depositions. Dave is actively involved in the IAAI Chapter 14 as the treasurer and is a board member of the Indiana Fire Investigation Conference.
Heidi Knock is a graduate of South Dakota State University (B.A. Preprofessional Psychology, 1991) and Forest Institute of Professional Psychology (M.A. Clinical Psychology, 1996; Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, 1999). Heidi has been working as a licensed clinical psychologist for the past 10 years, specializing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mood Disorders, and Personality Disorders. Heidi worked as a university professor in Shijiazhuang, China, from 1996-1997, where she taught general psychology, abnormal psychology, and advanced writing. Heidi completed her doctoral psychology internship with the Brooklyn VA Medical Center in 1999, where she had the opportunity to work with WWII, Vietnam, and Gulf War veterans. Since completing her education, Heidi has worked in a variety of settings, including treating children and adolescents at the Madison Center for Children, working as a clinical supervisor at Cummins Behavioral Health, and most recently, serving as a clinical psychologist on the Polytrauma Unit at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center.
Dr. Antoinette Laskey is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She specializes in Child Abuse Pediatrics, a subspecialty of Pediatrics committed to the evaluation and management of the potentially abused child. She teaches about all areas of child abuse extensively in the state and around the country to multi-disciplinary audiences including health care providers in all fields, law enforcement, social work, judges, attorneys, teachers, childcare workers and lay audiences. She is the chair of the State Child Fatality Review Team and works closely with a wide variety of groups on prevention of child fatalities.
Shawn Lawhorn is a Captain for Allen County, IN Sheriff's Dept. He oversees the Special Operations Division which includes Training, SWAT, K-9, Cadet Program, and Interdiction Team and is an FBI task Force Member. He is a 15-year member of ACPD and SWAT member for12 years.
Brian Lott has been with the Fishers Fire Department for 29 years holding many ranks including Fire Chief for 12 years. Brian is currently the Deputy Chief of Administration for the department. Brian has served on many fire associations and boards including the International Association of Fire Chiefs Great Lakes Division for over 10 years as well as the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association where he still is a board member and chairperson of the Indiana Mutual Aid Response Plan. Brian serves as the Indiana representative on the Interstate Mutual Aid Committee for the IAFC and the Mid America Mutual Aid Consortium for Illinois Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.
Tammy Mabrey, BA, EMTP - Presently an EMS Educator for the Indianapolis Fire Department, Tammy was introduced to EMS at DePauw University in 1980 where she completed her BA in Secondary Education. A Wishard EMT, Paramedic and EMS Educator from 1981-1994, she Coordinated two Wishard Paramedic Programs before her move to Warren Township Fire Department in Indianapolis where she served as EMS Chief from 2003 until the IFD merger in 2007.
Rick McKinstry is a flight nurse and clinical educator who has been active in pre-hospital care in southern Indiana and Kentucky for over 20 years. Rick holds numerous instructor certifications and frequently presents topics on critical care and emergency patient management.
Tony Mowery is the supervisor for Three Rivers Ambulance Authority in Fort Wayne, IN, Team Leader for the Tactical Support Unit which provides medical support for FWPD E.S.T. He has 18 years’ experience in the EMS field.
Peter Mungovan is a Captain with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. He is a DEA certified Clandestine Laboratory Investigator, a State certified Arson Investigator, and holds a Masters degree in Chemistry from Purdue University. Capt. Mungovan has severed with IMPD for many years including roles as district narcotics supervisor and interim director of the Marion County Crime Lab.
Justin Nestor is an Associate Attorney with Bryce Downey & Lenkov LLC which has offices in Chicago and Indiana and represents employers on employment, workers’ compensation and several other areas. Justin focuses his practice on workers’ compensation defense in Indiana and Illinois. He has represented municipalities, construction companies, trucking companies, commercial contract carriers, manufacturers, and self-insureds, and works closely with third-party administrators and insurance carriers. He also has experience in subrogation, personal injury and premises liability defense. Prior to law school, Justin worked as a police officer for the Town of Lowell, Indiana for seven years.
Kevin Ply has been a member of the Purdue University Fire Department since 1989 and has served as Fire Chief since 2007. Chief Ply has been in the fire service since 1983 serving with both career and volunteer Fire Departments. As part of his position with PUFD, Chief Ply oversees a 29 member career department providing fire suppression, EMS services, hazardous materials response and ARFF services to the Purdue community.
Mike Ragone’s operations and executive experience in emergency services, health & safety, and the insurance industries provides a unique background. He has a clear understanding of the requirements and application of the Public Protection Class from Insurance Services Organization (ISO). His experience as both a firefighter and licensed insurance agent provide an excellent community prospective. His early career experience as a firefighter and paramedic coupled with over 10 years as a Vice President of American Medical Response in the Bay area, with responsibilities in both operations and business development, prepared him well. Mr. Ragone leads the Firm’s fire service practice and regularly speaks at national fire service conferences including 2010 Fire Rescue Med and Fire Rescue International. He also serves on the International Association of Fire Chief (IAFC)’s Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Kathi Ricketts has been a paramedic for over 20 years, and has worked in urban, suburban, and rural systems. Her passion is educating the future of prehospital care, one student at a time.
Ron Ritchey has over 12 years experience in Code Enforcement. He served on the “Code Committee” of the Indiana Fire Inspectors Association. Ron also served on the IBC Code Review Committee of the 2008 Indiana Building Code.
Bruce Robinson is a Captain/Paramedic/FF for New Haven-Adams Twp Fire/Rescue, Police Reserve for New Haven, IN. PD, Member of New Haven PD Emergency Response Team, and Certified Primary Instructor.
Carl Rochelle III is a Paramedic/Educator with Indianapolis Fire Department. He brings many years of service and experience to the classroom. Carl has lectured on numerous topics in both Fire and EMS. He also holds an AAS in Administration of Justice and is working on a BA in Communication at IUPUI.
Rhonda Rupel, CPC, has been a Provider Relations Consultant for EDS/HP Enterprises since September 2006. She has been married for 33 years, has 3 married sons and 7 beautiful grandchildren. She has worked in the medical field for over 35 years, ranging from a Pharmacy Technician to Patient Accounts Manager. She has been a Certified Professional Coder since 2001 and loves providing education to the providers for Indiana Medicaid in North East Indiana.
Brian Sauer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Safety from Eastern Kentucky University. Brian has been employed with Pike Township Fire Department since 1999 where he has served as a Fire Inspector, Fire Marshal, and currently as a Firefighter/EMT. On his days off from the fire department, he serves as the Director of Training for USAutomatic Sprinkler Corporation, a fire protection company.
Timm Schabbel has been in the fire service for 25 years, serving the past 13 years as Fire Chief of the Clay Fire Territory. Clay Fire is an accredited fire department serving 60,000+ citizens in Northern St. Joseph County, Indiana. Chief Schabbel holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelors Degree in Fire Service Management, is an EFO graduate, and has received CFO designation from the CPSE. Chief Schabbel has been instrumental in instituting both the MABAS and IMARP mutual aid systems throughout the State of Indiana. Chief Schabbel is a Past-President of the IAFC Great Lakes Division and continues to serve on numerous state and national fire service committees. In 2007, Chief Schabbel was awarded the Fire Chief of the Year by the Indiana Fire Chiefs Association.
Russell Shoaf is a 28-year veteran with the Pike Township Fire Dept. Chief Shoaf is a member of Indiana Rescue Task Force 1. Chief Shoaf assisted with the development of technical rescue standards and testing for the State of Indiana.
Tony Stimpson has 29 years experience in EMS, Street Paramedic/Field Training Officer for TRAA-Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, Tactical Paramedic Allen County Sheriff's Department SWAT, and Flight Paramedic for Lutheran Air.
Dr. Kevin Terrell is an emergency physician at Wishard with appointments in the IU Department of Emergency Medicine, the IU Center for Aging Research, and the Regenstrief Institute. His research focus is transfers of care.
Michael Thralls is a Wishard EMS Manager. He recently was the Team Leader for a Disaster / Medical / Surgical Response team deployed to Haiti. He has twenty years of experience in EMS having worked in rural and metro EMS agencies, dispatched, instructed and a flight paramedic. He also serves as a Medical Specialist with Indiana Task Force One.
Melanie Thralls is a Wishard Paramedic and OB/ICU RN for University Hospital. She recently deployed to Haiti after the earthquake. She has fifteen years of experience in EMS. As a nurse she has experience in a Level 1 Trauma Center, OB, ICU, OR-Circulating, Scrubbing, and Recovery.
Tim Vandenbrink is in his 32nd year with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services where he is the Assistant Fire Marshal in Fire Prevention. Tim has been actively involved in a number of safety organizations, such as The Alberta and Edmonton Safety Councils and the Edmonton Safety City Education Society. Tim is also a past Board member of the Education Section of NFPA. Tim’s anecdotes and humorous approach to a “sometimes boring” subject have kept him in demand as a regular speaker at Safety, Fire Service, Injury Prevention and Educational Conferences across Canada and the United States.
Dr. Matt Vassy serves as the Director of Trauma for the Level II Adult Regional Trauma Center at Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, IN. Dr. Vassy has an active trauma and general surgical practice and has received specialty training in Critical Care through his experience in a Level I Trauma Center in Tennessee. Dr. Vassy is actively involved in providing trauma education for all levels and his passion is making a difference for the critically injured trauma patients that he has the pleasure of caring for.
Mike Vergon began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff in Collier County, Florida, in 1987. In 1989, he was hired as a Special Agent by ATF, in Miami, Florida, where he worked for six years, until 1994. He then transferred to Bureau Headquarters, in Washington, D.C., where he served in the Intelligence Division, specializing in the coordination of large scale arson and explosives investigations around the country. In 1997, Agent Vergon was accepted into the ATF Certified Fire Investigator Program and transferred to Indianapolis, where he continues to serve as an ATF CFI and as a member of ATF’s National Response Team. As a CFI for ATF, Agent Vergon has an expertise in the origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions, and has a primary responsibility to investigate the crime of arson for the ATF Indianapolis Field Office. Agent Vergon is also responsible for assisting any other Federal, State, or local entity that requires assistance in any incident related to fire and/or explosion scene investigation. Agent Vergon is a native of Indiana and is a graduate of Indiana University, in Bloomington.
Kim Viehe coordinates and teaches Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses, as well as oversees the BLS for Healthcare Provider courses. In addition, she coordinates and instructs in Human Cadaver labs. She is currently an Indiana certified Paramedic and Primary Instructor. She has a BS degree in Child/Adolescent Psychology, and is currently working on the completion of her RN.
Lance Vincent has been involved in Fire and EMS for 22 years in a rural/suburban setting. Growing up on a 1400 acre dairy farm still in his family today he received a great passion for the farming industry. When he became involved with the volunteer at the age of 16 he decided there could be a difference made in care and extrication involved in the rural farm setting. While employed with Statcare at the Louisville Medical Center, Lance became a Farmedic instructor through Cornell University, New York. This allowed Lance to go across Kentucky instructing different services on farm injuries and extrications. Now Lance is employed at PHI Air Medical, North Vernon Indiana and has provided courses across southern Indiana and Illinois. He also maintains current hands- on experience as the career training officer for Ballardsville Fire Department in Kentucky.
Keith Wages is an EMS Systems Consultant with over 30 years experience in emergency medical services, public health, emergency management and homeland security programs. Since 2008, Keith has represented the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services (GAEMS) on issues of grant administration, system development, and project management. Previously, Keith held the position of Manager of the State and Local Programs Division for an international emergency management and homeland security firm, where he also served as a Project Director and Senior Subject Matter Expert for numerous projects. His clients included the US Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Republic of Turkey and many state and local governments. In 1996, Keith served as Medical Coordinator for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta and from 2002-2004 was involved in the planning for the G-8 Summit on Sea Island, Georgia. Keith is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1981 and a Certificate in Public Management in 1986.
Dr. Elizabeth Weinstein is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. She is a dually trained and board certified physician in Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics and works clinically in the Emergency Departments of Riley Hospital for Children and Wishard Hospital. She is the director for Indiana’s Emergency Medical Services for Children program.
Steve White is a twenty-year veteran with the Town of Fishers Fire Department, a 120 member full-service Internationally Accredited fire department in Hamilton County. In addition to his shift commander responsibilities he oversees all facets of the department's technical rescue program. Under the direction of the Hamilton County Fire Chief's he serves at the Team Leader for the Hamilton County Technical Rescue Team. A member of the Indiana Fire Chief Association, Steve serves as co-chair of the Technical Rescue Section along with Brian Kazmierzak of Clay Fire Territory.
Karen Wilkinson was on the Fort Wayne Fire Department for 21 years, holding the ranks of Lt. and Capt. In succession. She made Captain in the Investigation Division in 1995 and in 2000 was promoted to District Chief of the Fire Investigation Division. Karen retired in 2006 and worked for IDHS/Fire Investigations. Karen held the office of 2nd VP for 2 years, the office of 1st VP for 2 years. She has been President of the IAAI-IN Chapter for the past 2 years. She is currently working for Shand Forensic Investigations as an Evidence Tech in Fire Investigations.
Dave Wolfe is the General Manager and a founding partner of Safe Transportation Training Specialists (STTS). Formerly, he served with Chemical Leaman Tank Lines as a Division Safety Manager and Director of Training from 1991 to 1999 where he concluded his 25 year carrier in the transportation industry. Dave maintained responsibility for the development and training of the largest driver workforce in the cargo tank industry. He has served as a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Hamilton Co. IN LEPC and member of the county’s emergency response team. Additionally he has served on the Indiana Emergency Response Commission’s Training Committee and is currently the Treasurer of the Indiana Alliance of Hazardous Materials Responders.