Bryon Hunt

Captain, Carson City Fire Department

Owner, Hortons & Hunt

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Bryon is a 32 year student of the fire service. Bryon currently works for a municipal Fire Department as a Captain. Bryon has spent the last three years assigned to the training division and, in his 27 years with the department, has held the ranks of Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic, Driver/Operator, and Captain.
 

He teaches both firefighting and special rescue not just for his department but for numerous agencies in our region. Bryon takes great pride in keeping up with modern tactics and skills. His greatest passion has been teaching the future of the Fire Service thru the Capital City Regional Fire Academy. Bryon has been an instructor and Academy coordinator since 2002.

Away from the fire service, Bryon values spending quality time with his family, time on the water, and the great outdoors. That balance between dedication to the job and commitment to the people who matter most is an important part of who he is.

Jesse Horton

Captain, Carson City Fire Department

Owner, Hortons & Hunt

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Jesse Horton is a Captain with the Carson City Fire Department in northern Nevada with more than 20 years of experience in public service and public safety. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply committed to the craft of firefighting and to the belief that preparation, competence, and a relentless pursuit of improvement matter when people are counting on us most.

His passion for the fire service extends well beyond his own firehouse. Jesse is a co-owner and instructor with Hortons & Hunt, where he has taught firefighters across the country. His approach to training is built around practical fireground experience, strong fundamentals, and challenging firefighters to take ownership of their craft.

Jesse is a published author whose work has appeared in Firehouse Magazine and the Fire Department Training Network, and he co-hosts the Undisclosed Agents Firefighter Podcast, where honest conversations about leadership, mentorship, and operational competence are at the center of the discussion.

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At the core of everything he does is a simple goal: be prepared for your finest hour, invest in the people around you, and leave the fire service better than you found it.

Alan Ernst

Fire Chief, East Fork Fire Protection District​

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Alan Ernst is a distinguished fire service professional with a 30-year career in fire service and emergency management.  He has dedicated his life to protecting communities and advancing public safety. His journey began as a volunteer firefighter in El Dorado County, where he developed a passion for service that led him to the Modesto Fire Department. Over the next 27 years, he rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as Fire Chief, guiding the department with expertise and a commitment to excellence.

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A leader, mentor, and advocate for continuous improvement in fire service operations, Chief Ernst’s legacy is one of dedication, leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public safety.

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Trish Bonari

Trish brings an uncommon blend of grit, versatility, and heart to her role as Executive Director of Fire Shows West. Her professional journey is marked by an extraordinary work ethic and a lifelong commitment to turning passion into purpose. From construction to marketing and real estate to event planning. Trish has consistently channeled her energy into roles that demanded accountability, adaptability, and relentless follow through. ​

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Despite that success, Trish felt a deeper calling.

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That calling emerged when she was invited to assist with Fire Shows West, a firefighter training conference in Reno, Nevada. Drawing on her extensive background in event planning, Trish quickly became an indispensable force behind the scenes. It was during this experience that she found her true purpose, supporting those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

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Trish immediately fell in love with the fire service, its culture, and its people. She recognized the profound impact that high quality training, education, and community have on firefighter safety, effectiveness, and career longevity. Through her leadership, FireShowsWest has grown not only in scale and success, but in meaning. 

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While Trish’s work is largely behind the scenes, her impact is unmistakable. She has played a pivotal role in shaping FireShowsWest into a nationally respected conference that directly contributes to firefighter readiness and ultimately, community safety. The success, sustainability, and mission driven focus of FireShowsWest are a direct reflection of her leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to helping the helpers.

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FireShowsWest would not exist without Trish Bonari’s vision, perseverance, and deep respect for the fire service.

Mike Heidemann

Executive Director, Nevada State Firefighters' Association   

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Mike graduated from Pershing County High School in 1975. Mike moved to Reno and married his wife Wendy in June of 1979. They are the proud parents of two children Joshua and Paige. He returned to Lovelock in 1982 to work for Pershing County School District, and the Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department where he retired from in March 2007 as the facilities engineer and maintenance supervisor.

Mike then went to work for the Hawthorne Army Depot Fire Department in 2008 where he held the position of Training Officer/EMS Coordinator and later Assistant Fire Chief until he retired again in February 2017. He was approached by a few colleagues to consider a position in Emergency Management for Churchill County. Mike accepted the Churchill County Emergency Manager position February 2017 in time to assist in the “High Water 17” spring thaw event and implement some strategies to avoid flooding in the City of Fallon.  In addition, he is also utilized as an adjunct instructor for the Nevada State Fire Marshal Training Division and has served as part of the Command Staff and Fire Chief for the annual Burning Man event held each year in the Black Rock Desert.

In 2018, Mike was honored as he was selected to be inducted into the Nevada Firefighter Memorial Distinguished Service Wall of Honor. Mike has served on many boards and commissions throughout Nevada including the Nevada Mutual Aid Committee, Nevada Resilience Commission, Nevada State Emergency Response Commission Planning and Training Sub-Committee and the Nevada Emergency Medical Services Committee.

He attended many meetings of the Nevada State Firefighters Association and was appointed Secretary in 1999, a position that transitioned into the position of Executive Director, which he still holds today.

Chris Bernardi

Assistant Fire Chief, CA Agency

Founder/President Leatherhead Concepts Inc.

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Chris is excited to be on the board of  FireShowsWest. He is the founder and current president of Leatherhead Concepts Inc. a custom leather company providing custom leather worldwide. Leatherhead Concepts Inc is attributed for creating the first and only NFPA compliant leather fire helmet chinstrap in the world. The company is based in California with a location in Nevada as well carries leather goods, phenix fire helmets and more. Chris has been a long term supporter of the FireShowsWest Conference and Expo and has been a regular attendee/vendor for years. When given the opportunity to assist in the reimagining of the show, he jumped on the opportunity. Chris is an active member in the California Fire Service and currently serves as Assistant Fire Chief of his agency and is the chief in charge of training, grants, and apparatus. Chris is a state certified Chief Officer, fire instructor and has a Bachelor's of Science in Fire Administration.