Speakers
Sam Cossman
CEO, Qwake Industries
Sam Cossman is an entrepreneur and explorer, known for his pioneering work as the co-founder and CEO of Qwake Industries, a company that develops advanced technologies for first responders. His passion for combining technology with real-world challenges has led to innovations like the C-Thru Navigator, a device that enhances visibility in smoke-filled environments for firefighters. Cossman has gained international recognition for his daring expeditions into some of the world’s most extreme environments, including active volcanoes. His unique blend of adventure and innovation drives Qwake’s mission to improve safety and efficiency for those operating in hazardous conditions. Cossman continues to push the boundaries of technology to save lives and transform industries.
Chris Fleming
KS State Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Bio needed
Alex Gorsuch
Chief Technology Officer, Ascent Technologies
Alex Gorsuch is a dynamic entrepreneur and the founder of Ascent Technologies, a company specializing in innovative solutions for industrial and emergency response applications. With a background in engineering and product development, he has led the creation of cutting-edge technologies that enhance safety and efficiency in high-risk environments. Gorsuch is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex technical challenges and practical, user-friendly solutions. Under his leadership, Ascent Technologies has become a key player in the field, delivering tools that empower professionals in industries such as firefighting, search and rescue, and construction. Gorsuch is committed to driving innovation that makes a tangible impact on the safety and effectiveness of frontline workers.
Dr. Marcus E. Hendershot
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Political Science, University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Hendershot is a leading expert in fire service research with a focus on firefighter safety, fire behavior, and emergency response strategies. He has conducted extensive studies that have informed best practices and policy development in fire departments across the country. Hendershot is known for his innovative approach to integrating scientific research with practical firefighting techniques. As a respected speaker and author, he regularly shares his insights at national conferences and in industry publications. Hendershot is committed to advancing the fire service profession through evidence-based research and education.
Dr. Sara Jahnke
Director, Senior Scientist, the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research - NDRI-USA, Inc.
Dr. Sara Jahnke is the Director and a Senior Scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research within NDRI-USA, Inc. With over a decade of research experience on firefighters, she has been the Principal Investigator on several national studies as well as dozens of studies as a co-investigator. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns including the health of women firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use with funding from FEMA, the National Institutes of Health and other foundations.
Moses Jefferies
TN State Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Bio needed
Dennis Jenkerson
Fire Chief, St. Louis Fire Department
Appointed as Chief of the St. Louis Fire Department on November 19, 2007, Dennis M. Jenkerson, a third generation St. Louis firefighter, brings to the post forty-five impeccable years of operational and tactical firefighting experience, an advanced education and a spirit dedicated to public safety.
Chief Jenkerson has served the St. Louis Fire Department in the capacity of a firefighter, fire captain and battalion chief, and is certified and experienced in each of the department’s many domains including fire suppression, emergency medical services, aircraft rescue, vehicle entrapment, collapse rescue, high angle rescue, rescue diving and hazardous materials management; including chemical, biological, explosive and radiological incidents.
Motivated by a quest for knowledge and a desire to use that knowledge and experience to propel our nation’s fire service into the future, Chief Jenkerson is a staunch supporter of employee development through education and training, and utilization of technology and innovation to continuously improve the department’s level of service and assure that employees perform their work in the safest, most efficient manner.
Fire Chief Dennis M. Jenkerson serves on multiple community boards as an advising member and is a welcoming host for the 20th Anniversary of the Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
Tom Jenkins
Research Program Manager, Fire Safety Research Institute
Bio needed
Steve Kerber
Vice President, Executive Director, UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)
Steve Kerber is Vice President and Executive Director of the Fire Safety Research Institute at UL Research Institutes. He leads a fire safety research team dedicated to addressing the worlds unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers to reduce death, injury and loss from fire. Steve has led research in the areas of fire safety engineering, firefighter safety, fire forensics, and fire science. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland and PhD from Lund University in Sweden. Steve is also a 13-year veteran of the fire service, with most of his service at the College Park Fire Department in Prince George’s County Maryland where he served at ranks up through Deputy Chief. Steve has also been appointed to the rank of Honorary Battalion Chief by the Fire Department of New York, was named the 2014 International Society of Fire Service Instructors and Fire Engineering George D. Post Instructor of the Year, was awarded the 2019 Metropolitan Fire Chiefs President’s Award of Distinction and is a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
Dr. Danny Kistner
Advocate Manager, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Daniel (Danny) T. Kistner is a proven and innovative public-sector leader who has thrived in dynamic situations for over forty years. Daniel is regarded an industry leader and innovator on a variety of high impact topics including firefighter safety and health, adaptive leadership, professionalism, and prehospital medical services. Never satisfied with status quo, Daniel championed for causes that resulted in the creation of an advisory committee for Texas fire service regulators on firefighter health and wellness, and a requirement for all Texas regulated firefighters to complete the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation’s Courage to be Safe® program. Daniel introduced other programs to enhance community health and resiliency, including implementing novel community healthcare innovations into fire based EMS.
Daniel was one of the original Everyone Goes Home® Life Safety Advocates and the first Regional Advocate for Region VI. Now Daniel is lending his talents as the Lead Coordinator for the NFFF’s Fire Program’s Outreach and Education.
Troy Markel
Chairman of the Board, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Mr. Markel is the President for VFIS, a subsidiary of Glatfelter Insurance Group in York, Pennsylvania. He joined VFIS in 1990 as a Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP) Sales Executive. Shortly afterwards, he quickly learned each of the programs within VFIS including the property & casualty and accident & sickness programs. In 1998, he became a Regional Vice President. Responsibilities included managing twenty-nine states within the VFIS program aimed at insuring and providing risk management solutions for emergency service organizations throughout the United States and Canada.
Mr. Markel has a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University. He earned the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 1995 and his Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation in 2007.
A member of the Board since 2006, he also serves as a (corporate) sustaining member on the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Foundation.
Adam Mendonca
National Fire and Aviation Management Deputy Director, U.S. Forest Service
Adam Mendoca is a highly respected leader in fire management, currently serving as the Branch Chief for Strategic Risk Reduction. With extensive experience in wildfire management and risk assessment, he plays a crucial role in developing strategies to mitigate the impact of wildfires and enhance community resilience. Mendoca is known for his expertise in coordinating large-scale fire prevention efforts and his ability to integrate science-based approaches into practical solutions. He has contributed significantly to national wildfire policies and has led initiatives that improve the safety and preparedness of both firefighters and the public. Mendoca is dedicated to reducing wildfire risks through innovative strategies and collaboration across agencies.
Chief John Oates
CEO, International Public Safety Data Institute
Bio needed
Vickie Pritchett
Vice President of Advocacy & Outreach, National Fire Sprinkler Association
Vickie Pritchett became involved in the fire service in 1997. Vickie served on the Board of Directors for the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department from 1998-2013, and was awarded lifetime membership into PVVFD in December of 2013. Vickie served as the Community Development Liaison for the Town of Pleasant View and Executive Director of the Joint Economic & Community Development Board of Cheatham County at the time she began her service to the local volunteer fire department. During this time she was instrumental in bringing fire service officials, builders and developers, and elected officials together. This coordination resulted in a zero square foot fire sprinkler ordinance for the town in 2001, and county-wide in 2006. Vickie’s dedication to the improvement of quality of life, passion for the community, and her ability to bring people together makes her the “spark plug” and advocate of fire sprinkler requirements at the local, state, and federal level. She has presented across the state of Tennessee and the nation. She has worked in Washington D.C. to promote fire protection issues and to highlight the differences that can be made by fire sprinklers and the legislation that requires them. Vickie is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and received her MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management. She is a VCOS Symposium committee member, Board Member of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Board member of the IAFC Fire & Life Safety Section, Board Member of Common Voices, and is a member of both NFPA and ICC.
Justin Rand
Senior Director for Cintas Fire Protection
Justin Rand serves as Sr. Director for Cintas Fire Protection and leads their National Account segment across the United States and Canada. Justin has been a part of the Fire & Life Safety industry for 18 years, first as a Firefighter & Paramedic in Ohio, and then through his career at Cintas Fire Protection. Justin has a longstanding admiration of the Fire Service and has been deeply involved in nonprofit organizations that support the important work these heroes do each day. He is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Thomas Richardson
FDNY, Chief of Department (Retired)
Chief Richardson served the FDNY for 42 years, retiring as Chief of Department in March of 2023. He served as Chief of Fire Operations from February 2019 until his promotion to Chief of Department in June 2021. As Chief of Department he oversaw the Department’s 16,000 uniformed Firefighters and EMS personnel and four major agency Bureaus: Fire Operations, EMS Operations, Training, and Fire Prevention. Tom has been a member of the Deer Park Fire Department since 1978 where he currently serves on the Board of Fire Commissioners. He served as Chief in 1999-2000 and then again from 2009-2011. Chief Richardson is a 2010 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School – Center for Homeland Defense and Security, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies. He received his undergraduate degree at SUNY Empire State College. He has also attended both the FDNY’s Advanced Leadership Course (2015), the Fire Officers Management Institute (2009), and the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point in 2006.
Hannah Riederich
FL State Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Bio needed
Chief J. Gordon Routley
PEng, FSFPE, FIFireE
J. Gordon Routley is a seasoned fire service professional with over four decades of experience in firefighting and fire safety leadership. He has served in various key roles, including as the Chief of Special Operations for the Montreal Fire Department. Routley is recognized internationally for his expertise in fire investigation, incident command, and firefighter safety. He has also contributed to the development of fire safety policies and training programs across North America. Routley is a sought-after speaker and author, sharing his knowledge to improve fire service practices globally.
David Santos
CA State Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Bio needed
Kevin Sehlmeyer
Region V Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Kevin Sehlmeyer is one of the NFFF’s senior Advocates, overseeing Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI). He currently serves as the Michigan State Fire Marshal, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to his appointment, Kevin spent 30 years with the Grand Rapids (MI) Fire Department, retiring in 2016 as deputy fire chief. Kevin is known for his passion for teaching.
Victor Stagnaro
CEO, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Victor Stagnaro is a dedicated fire service professional currently serving as the CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). With a deep commitment to firefighter safety and wellness, he has played a pivotal role in supporting the families of fallen firefighters and promoting safety initiatives within the fire service community. Stagnaro’s leadership at NFFF focuses on honoring the sacrifices of firefighters while working to prevent future tragedies through education and advocacy. He is known for his collaborative approach, bringing together diverse stakeholders to advance the mission of reducing line-of-duty deaths. Stagnaro’s passion for the fire service is evident in his tireless efforts to improve the lives of firefighters and their families. He worked for the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department (MD) for 25 years before joining the NFFF in 2010 as the director of fire service programs.
John Tippett
Director of Fire Service Programs, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Chief John Tippett is a veteran fire service leader with decades of experience in firefighting, safety management, and leadership development. He has held key roles, including Director of Fire Service Programs at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and has been instrumental in advancing firefighter safety initiatives nationwide. Tippett is widely respected for his work in fireground safety, incident command, and firefighter health and wellness. As a recognized speaker, author, and advocate, he has made significant contributions to the education and training of fire service professionals. Chief Tippett is committed to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of firefighters through continuous improvement and innovation.
Brian Wilkinson
CT State Advocate, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Bio needed
Ken Willette
Executive Director, North American Fire Training Directors
Bio needed
