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EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE

Committee’s Role and Mission

The Educational Committee serves as a collaborative group of providing consultation and resource development representing the 10 Western states to FireShowsWest conference management team. 

Committee Selection and Formation

During the formation of the Committee in 2015, the goal was to seek individuals that were familiar with FireShowsReno and FireShowsWest and select a representative from each of the 10 Western states that were actively involved with the fire service.  We reached out to several of our past presenters, as well as other highly respected fire service professionals and extended an invitation to them to participate as part of the initial group in the development of the Educational Committee.  The Committee held their first meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in Reno, NV during FireShowsWest Conference and Expo.

The group will

  • Provide input on classroom sessions, CEU sessions, Certifications, and Hands-on training that reflects necessary training on topics that are popular throughout the 10 Western states.   

  • Assist in promoting the conference curriculum within their respective state and organizations they represent.

  • Assist in identifying “blind spots” with our planning, especially as it relates to the resources needed for hands-on and live fire training.

Committee Composition

The committee has a minimum of one (1) member from each of the 10 Western states.

Tim Adams, Battalion Chief 
Anaheim Fire and Rescue, CA
Chief Adams is a Battalion Chief with Anaheim Fire and Rescue.  He serves as the President for the Southern California Training Officers Association, a division of the California Fire Chiefs Association.

Tom Cole, Deputy Chief
Goodyear Fire Department (AZ)
Tom Cole is the Deputy Chief of Fire Operations for the Goodyear Fire Department. He is a native Arizonan whose career started in 1994 with the Glendale (AZ) Fire Department and he has been with Goodyear since 2013. Tom has been a paramedic since 1997 and served as firefighter, fire captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief. Tom has a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, and the designation of Certified Public Manager from Arizona State University.

Jeff Donahue, Fire Marshal (Ret.)
Reno Fire Department & NFPA
Bio Forthcoming

Mark Emery, Fire Chief

East Valley Fire Dept.. WA

Yakima County
Mark Emery is the Fire Chief at East Valley Fire Department in Yakima, WA.  He authored The Ten Commandments of Intelligent and Safe Fireground Operations, is co-developer of the Integrated Tacti­cal Accountability System (ITAC), and creator of the Command Competency Clinic.  BC Emery is a regular contributor to Firehouse magazine and has provided articles for the FDSOA Health & Safety Newsletter and FireRescue magazine.  Chief Emery is a fourth generation career fire fighter, a NFA Executive Fire Officer, and the Region 10 Director of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association.

 

David Fogerson, Chief

Nevada Division of Emergency Management and Office of Homeland Security (DEM)

David W. Fogerson was appointed in November 2020, as the Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and Office of Homeland Security (DEM), within the Department of Public Safety. Prior to his DEM appointment, David had 31years in public safety before retiring from East Fork Fire Protection District. As the Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Manager, David managed Operations, Training and Safety and led 69 individuals to serve the fire and safety needs of the Douglas County community. In this role, David developed strong relationships with personnel in IT, communications, dispatch, healthcare facilities and emergency management to strengthen and implement the mission of the Quad Counties (Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey). During his tenure, David led response, recovery and mitigation measures for wildland fires, flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic. He is an advocate of education, training and exercise and has been an instructor with the state for several years.

David is a graduate of the American Public University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He has also obtained certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association (NEPA) as a Certified Emergency Manager. David contributes his success to professional dedication, relationships, stewardship, meta-leadership and developing future leaders. David lives with his family in Minden, south of Nevada’s capital, Carson City.


Eric Guevin, Fire Marshal
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection  District, NV
Fire Prevention Association of Nevada

Chief Guevin joined the Tahoe Douglas Fire Department in the spring of 2010 as the Fire Marshal and serves in a rewarding career for the department.  He enjoys contributing to the success of the Department and the safety of the Stateline NV, a Lake Tahoe community.

 

Eric Guevin started his career in Emergency Services early during high school when he was president of Medic 1 Paramedics BSA Explorer program. He received his Paramedic training at Truckee Meadows Community College. He worked for a brief time in Oakland, California, and was shaken back to his roots after the World Series Earthquake. Eric was then employed by REMSA as a Paramedic; working up the ranks to Director of Education and Director of Community Relations. During his 12 years at REMSA, he was a Flight Medic and Critical Care Paramedic. Eric became a major safety advocate and was the Founding Director of Safe Kids Washoe County Coalition, he created and lead the volunteer organization of REMSA’s Point of Impact child passenger safety program. He received the American Ambulance Associations Star of Life award, Public Agency Community Service award from The Tahoe Chamber, and served as Chair on Governor Bryan Sandavol's appointed State Board Fire Services.  Eric is an instructor for the TMCC Fire Science program. 
 

In 2005, Eric started his fire career and joined the rapidly expanding Storey County Fire Department where he served for 5 years. He was promoted to Fire Marshal and Division Chief.  Eric is a Certified Inspector II and Plans Examiner with the International Code Council.  He holds a degree from Columbia Southern University in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration cum laude from Waldorf University.

Michael Heidemann, Executive Director
Nevada State Firefighters' Association
Michael Heidemann is currently the Executive Director for the Nevada State Firefighters' Association and recently retired as the Training Chief/EMS Coordinator for the in Hawthorne, Nevada where he has been employed for the past 5 years. Chief Heidemann started his public service in 1989 as a Volunteer with the Lovelock Volunteer Fire Department in Lovelock, Nevada. Chief Heidemann serves as the lobbyist for the Nevada State Firefighter’s Association at the Nevada Legislature. He also serves as one of two Nevada representatives to the National Volunteer Fire Council where he holds a seat on the Health, Safety and Training Committee. Chief Heidemann has been appointed by two different Nevada Governors and the Nevada Health Division to serve on the Nevada Emergency Medical Services’ Advisory Board, a position he currently holds. He also was appointed to the National Volunteer Fire Council. Chief Heidemann holds Master Fire Instructor certification as well as a two time recipient of the Nevada State Firefighter’s Association, Instructor of the Year Award. He is certified Fire Officer II, NIMS 300-400 instructor and Adjunct Instructor for the State of Nevada.

Jeff Meston, Executive Director
California State Firefighters' Association
Jeff Meston is the current Executive Director of the California State Firefighters Association and a past President of the California Fire Chiefs Association.  He is a 43 year plus veteran of the fire service working for the City of Madera Fire Department, Novato Fire District and the City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, is a California Certified Fire Chief & National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer.  He has served as President of the Marin County Fire Chiefs Associations and Lake Tahoe Regional Fire Chiefs Associations.  Meston has served as a course developer and instructor at the National Fire Academy and the California Fire Service Training and Education System.  Meston recently retired and has served as the Acting City Manager for South Lake Tahoe as well as its fire chief.  Meston also served on the Board of Directors for FIRESCOPE, representing City’s North. He currently is assigned as a Deputy Chief working for CalOES Fire/Rescue as a liaison between the Emergency Medical Service Authority and CalOES Fire/Rescue during the COVID19 pandemic.

Peter J. Mulvihill, P.E., (RET.) Nevada State Fire Marshal
Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, NV
​Peter Mulvihill retired as the head of the State Fire Marshal Division for the Nevada Department of Public Safety.  He has over four decades of fire protection engineering, construction and fire service experience.  He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1978.  Prior to appointment as State Fire Marshal in 2011, he worked for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. 
 
Prior to his return to the fire service he spent ten years with Rolf Jensen & Associates, last as Vice President, Engineering Manager for their Las Vegas office.  Chief Mulvihill’s prior fire service experience included serving as the Fire Protection Engineer for the Boise City (Idaho) Fire Department and the Reno Fire Department where he was also a hazardous materials technician. Prior work for an aerospace contractor and in the highly-protected risk insurance industry round out his professional experience.  Chief Mulvihill serves as the Chair of the Technical Committee for the Professional Qualifications of Fire Inspectors and Plan Examiners for the National Fire Protection Association.

Dennis Pinkerton, Bureau Chief, Training
Nevada State Fire Marshal Division, NV
Chief Pinkerton is the Bureau Chief for Training in the Nevada State Fire Marshal’s Division.

Steve Prziborowski, Deputy Chief Administration
Santa Clara County Fire Department, CA
Chief Prziborowski has proudly served at the Santa Clara County Fire Department since 1995, and has been in the fire service since 1992. As Deputy Chief, Chief Prziborowski's responsibilities include serving as the Department's Health & Safety Officer; assisting with recruitment and promotional testing processes; managing the EMS Coordinator as well as managing overall training, education and career development for department personnel including line personnel, volunteers and explorers. He is a Board Member for the California Fire Chiefs Association, currently serving as the Area 5 (Bay Area) North Director, a member of the Bay Area UASI Advisory Group, and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Program Planning Committee for the annual Fire Rescue International conference. He is an adjunct faculty member in the Fire Technology Program at Chabot College (Hayward, CA), a regular speaker at fire service conferences around the country, has authored numerous articles in all of the leading fire service publications, and recently published three career development books: one for candidates preparing for promotion, and the other two for candidates aspiring to obtain a career in the fire service. In 2008, he was selected as the California Fire Service Instructor of the year, and is a former President of the Nor Cal Training Officers Association. He is a state certified Master Instructor and Chief Officer, is designated as a Chief Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing, and has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. He has a Masters degree in Emergency Services Administration, a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, and an Associates degree in Fire Technology.

Tracy Raynor, Fire Chief
Valdez Fire Department, AK
Chief Raynor has over 35 years of fire service experience and is currently the Fire Chief of the Valdez Fire Department in Alaska.  Chief Raynor served 31 years in the Boise Fire Department, retiring as the deputy chief of the training and safety division.  While at Boise, he has served on engine and truck companies, as well as, a Captain on the hazardous materials regional response team.  Raynor has developed many chief officer, company officer level programs and other training courses.  He served as the Co-Chair for Region 10 TRADE and a FDIC HOT instructor.  Chief Raynor was awarded the Fire Engineering Training Achievement Award in 2007.  He is also a founding member of the Idaho Fallen Firefighter Foundation. 


Mike Smith
Boulder Command (Wildland), CO
Bio Forthcoming

William Steward, Captain, (Ret.)
Truckee Fire Department, CA
Bill Steward is currently in Fire Prevention at the Truckee Fire Department in Truckee, CA.  He recently retired as a Captain with the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Captain Steward started his career at North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District in 1995 as a temporary firefighter/dispatcher/Slide Mountain hand crew. Working for Nevada Division of Forestry, Sierra Fire Protection District and, until recently, as one of the shift captains with Truckee Meadows Fire. Bill has a passion for excellent training for the Fire/EMS community.  During the past couple of years, he has worked on several projects with the FireShowsWest team.

Kilipaki Vaughn, Deputy Chief
Kauai Fire and Rescue, HI
Bio Forthcoming

Kevin Ward,  Fire Chief
Layton City Fire Department, UT
Kevin Ward has been the fire chief for the Layton City (UT) Fire Department since 2004. Prior to his appointment, Chief Ward served 23 years with the Chandler (AZ) Fire Department, retiring as a battalion chief. He has served as an officer for over 32 years of his career. While in Chandler, Ward served as a training officer, public information officer, hazardous materials team coordinator, wildland fire program coordinator, administrative battalion chief, and emergency medical services (EMS) division chief.  Prior to his promotion to battalion chief, Ward spent 18 years as a captain/paramedic on both engine and ladder companies. He developed and coordinated the Hazardous Materials Team in Chandler and was an affiliate instructor at the Phoenix Fire Department HazMat Technician Program for seven years.  Chief Ward has achieved qualifications through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an engine boss, strike team and task force leader, structure protection specialist, and Type 3 incident commander. As part of the Central Arizona Wildland Fire Coordination Committee, Ward assisted in the development of the first task book for the structure protection specialist position. Chief Ward has responded to numerous large-scale wildland urban interface fires throughout the west, working with many Type 1 teams. In 2002, he was awarded a Medal of Honor for actions taken in leading a task force in successfully protecting numerous subdivisions during the Rodeo-Chedeski Fire. Chief Ward served as an instructor for the Arizona Wildfire Academy.

Since coming to Utah, Chief Ward has worked to develop automatic aid agreements, interstate/intrastate mutual aid legislation, and regional operations consistency. He enjoys leading Layton City Fire to be in the forefront of fire departments in the state in wildland urban interface fire response, incident command, and EMS.  Chief Ward has been an instructor for the Utah Fire & Rescue Academy Command Training Center since its inception. He regularly teaches for the Fire Officer Program and other leadership development/promotional workshops. Chief Ward currently serves as the chair of the Utah Fire Officer Designation Program.

Devon Wells, Fire Chief, (Ret.)
Hood River Fire and EMS, OR
Devon Wells retired as the Fire Chief for the Hood River Fire Department in Oregon. He started in the fire service in 1991 and is currently serving as the President of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI).  He presents nationally on topics of change leadership, organizational philosophy, and training program management. He is a team leader and Search Commander for the Crag Rat Mountain Rescue team based on Mt. Hood.

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