Instructor Bios
Richard Anderson
Richard Anderson is the Asst. Chief with Kirksville Fire Dept. In his 32 years at the department he has held various positions, including Captain, Training Officer, Battalion Chief and currently supervises department training and operations. Chief Anderson is the MU FRTI Regional Coordinator in region B and an adjunct with MU FRTI, and has been involved with Winter and Summer fire schools as an instructor and command staff.
Michael Booth
Michael Booth is a 17-year member of the Kansas City FD, where he currently serves in the special operations bureau. Mike assists with equipment purchases, training, and regional initiatives for the haz-mat division. Mike is an EMT, Haz-Mat technician, and Instructor II. He has been awarded a medal of bravery, unit citations, and the 1993 firefighter of the year award. Mike has been an adjunct faculty member of MU FRTI for 12 years and a Region A coordinator for the past 7 years. Mike has delivered health and safety courses throughout Missouri.
Alan Braun
Alan Braun is a training officer with the Cole County FPD and an adjunct instructor for MU FRTI. Alan is an ASE L1 automobile technician and works full time in his family-owned business, Braun Auto Repair. Alan is an integral member of the Vehicle Rescue Technician faculty and has developed a supplemental course on vehicle safety.
Richard Carrizzo
Richard Carrizzo holds a Master of Business Administration degree, a Bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration, an Associate degree in Applied Science in
Fire Science and is a graduate of NFA Executive Fire Officer Program. In 2001,
he received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from CFAI.
Chief Carrizzo serves as an Executive Board member to the Heart of America Metro
Fire Chief’s Council, is an advisory board member for the community college’s
fire science program, an advisory board member for Fire Rescue GPO, Executive
Board Member of the Missouri Valley Division of IAFC and serves on the Board
of Directors of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Smokey Dyer
Smokey Dyer has been a Missouri firefighter for almost four decades. For 13 years, he served as the chief of Lee’s Summit FD and, in October 2000, became chief of Kansas City FD. Chief Dyer holds an associate’s degree in fire science from Penn Valley Community College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a master’s degree in public service administration from Central Missouri State University. He has been an adjunct faculty member for the National Fire Academy and MU FRTI for many years. From 1998 to 1999, he served as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Don Elliott
Don Elliott has been the ARFF training officer for Columbia Regional Airport in Columbia, Missouri, since 1982. Don has been an adjunct faculty member of MU FRTI since 1986. He holds both a AAAE/FAA ARFF instructor certification and AAAE/FAA senior level ARFF certification. He received his associate’s degree in aviation science from Florida Institute of Technology.
David Fischer
David Fischer has been a training officer with the Nevada State Fire Marshal since April 1996. Chief Fischer is also a visiting assistant professor at Southern Illinois University teaching in the Chicago area and Goodfellow AFB. Chief Fischer has been appointed to the NFPA Professional Qualifications Committees on Fire Fighter and Fire Investigator. He has been an Adjunct Faculty member of MU FRTI as well as a Specialist for Oklahoma State University, Fire Service Training. Chief Fischer holds a master’s degree in public service administration from Central Missouri State University, a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, and an associate’s degree in fire technology from East Central College. He is also an Executive Fire Officer Graduate of the National Fire Academy and holds the title of certified fire protection specialist from the Certified Fire Protection Specialist Board. He holds certifications from either IFSAC or the PRO Board in the following disciplines: fire fighter I/II, fire officer I, fire instructor II, fire investigator, and incident safety officer-fire suppression.
Jennifer Fletcher
Jennifer Fletcher is a flight nurse and serves as the Clinical Development Specialist for Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest air ambulance service in the United States, serving 12 states across the Midwest with 64 bases of operation. Jennifer has over 10 years of nursing experience in critical care, emergency and pre-hospital transport settings. She has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally on multiple clinical subjects as well as topics on quality assurance, leadership and safety in the transport environment.
Donna Forgy
Donna Forgy is an experienced professional with over 20 years of experience in management, training, and presentation development. Donna has focused on personal development, people interaction, strategy planning, and effective communication skills. Donna has a very energetic approach and truly cares about people. She is a certified Dale Carnegie instructor, as well as a certified personal fitness trainer. She is a graduate from Southeast Missouri State University. Donna has coached many people to become more effective with more enthusiasm and to feel more confident in all areas of their life.
Kelly Gerling
Kelly Gerling’s mission is the development of leaders. With over 28 years
of experience as an international consultant, speaker, and author, he helps bring
about leadership development in corporations, not-for-profits, and public organizations.
Dr. Gerling has taught a course he designed, Human Relations for Managers, at
the Rockhurst University School of Management and was an executive assessor at
Sprint. Gerling earned a B.S. in Environmental Resources from Arizona State University
and a Master of Arts degree in Human Relations from Governor’s State University.
He then completed a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from William Lyon University
in San Diego. As co-author of the top-selling tape series and book NLP: The New
Technology of Achievement (Nightingale-Conant, 1991 and William Morrow, 1994),
he specializes in bringing technologies of accelerated learning into organizations.
Stephen Gettemeier
Stephen Gettemeier has been in the fire service for over 30 years and comes from a construction background being a carpenter for over 38 years. For the past 14 years Steve has been the Fire Marshal for the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District. He has helped in the development and now teaches parts of the Fire Inspector course used by the Division of Fire Safety. Steve hold certifications as a Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, he is Instructor III, Fire Officer II and Evaluator. Steve is also the Vice-President of the Fire Marshals’ Association of Missouri.
David Hall
David Hall is the Assistant Chief with the Springfield FD. David has 24 years experience in both career and volunteer fire departments. He has a Master’s of Business Administration and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. David is an adjunct faculty member at MU FRTI and an instructor in the Management Department at Missouri State University.
Bobby Halton
Bobby Halton is a twenty-five year veteran of the fire service. He is the Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering Magazine and Education Director for FDIC, Indianapolis, Bahrain, Cologne, Malaysia and Singapore. Bobby previously served as Fire Chief of the Coppell, Texas Fire Department. Bobby’s fire service career began with the United States Forest Service then the Albuquerque (New Mexico) Fire Department where he worked his way up the ranks to the position of Deputy Chief of Operations. Bobby has taught for Bowmac industries, several community colleges, The U.S. State Department’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, and Rockhill and Halton Inc.
Buck Heath
Buck Heath started in the fire service as a volunteer in 1974 with the South Park Fire Department in north OP. I was hired on when that department was absorbed by the Overland Park Fire Department in 1975. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 1985 and Captain in 1988, running one of the busiest stations in Kansas until 1996, when I transferred into the Training Division, where I am a Training Officer. Although I assist with EMS and Fire training development and delivery, my main area of responsibility (and interest) is technical rescue and vehicle extrication. I became fascinated with hybrid auto technology in the late 90’s, and developed a class with the “latest” information. That class has developed over the years along with the technology itself and remains as current as possible. I’ve presented this class for many departments around the KC Metro area and at the KEMSA conference.
Jerry Jenkins
Jerry Jenkins has been involved in the fire service for the past 23 years. Jerry has successfully completed and is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I. Jerry served as a volunteer firefighter from 1985 through 2005 with the Boone County Fire Protection District. He held the positions of Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief and worked 3 years as an EMT with Boone Hospital Ambulance Service. Jerry has been a career firefighter since 1995 with the Columbia Fire Department. He has held the rank of Firefighter, Fire Engineer and Fire Lieutenant.
Mike Jenkins
Mike Jenkins is a 23 year veteran of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Missouri. Mike serves as the Chief of Training and Special Operations for the City of North Kansas City Fire Department were he serves as the Hazardous Materials Team coordinator. He is also the training officer for the Northland Fire Chiefs Council- Homeland Security Response Team. He is a member of the Kansas City Regional Hazardous Materials Subcommittee and is an instructor for the Western Missouri Regional Fire Academy teaching hazardous materials response courses. Mike has several years of experience delivering hazardous materials, NIMS and terrorism response courses for the National Fire Academy, MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute and Mid America Regional Council government training institute.
Stacy Jones
Stacy Jones is a full time Firefighter/Paramedic for the South Metro Fire District and is currently the Lead Instructor for the district’s EMT Program. He is a 13-year veteran of Emergency Services, beginning as a U.S. Army Medic. Stacy also serves the Cass County Sheriff’s Office as a Medic for the Tactical Response Unit.
Richard Lehmann
Richard Lehmann started with the fire service in 1965 with the Ft. Osage Fire Protection District. Richard has been president of Missouri Association of Fire Chiefs, MO Valley Division-International Association of Fire Chiefs Firefighters Association of Missouri. Richard has a master’s degree in education from Central Missouri State University.
Dean Martin
Dean Martin is a division chief with Columbia FD. In his 16 years at the department, he has held various positions, including assistant fire marshal, training battalion chief, shift battalion chief, and shift division chief. Currently, he is division chief of the Fire Marshals Office, Training Division and EMS. Chief Martin is an adjunct instructor for the Law Enforcement Training Institute and MU FRTI. He teaches courses in fire attack, haz-mat, EMS, ICS, and Spanish.
Russ Mason
Russ Mason is the Chief of Central County Fire & Rescue, located in St. Charles County, Missouri. He was the deputy chief and chief investigator for the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He has over 20 years experience in fire investigation. He is the President of the Professional Fire and Fraud Investigators Association of Missouri and is a member of NFPA’s Fire Investigator Committee.
Troy Mihalevich
Troy Mihalevich is a Assistant Chief with Adair County Ambulance District. Following high school I joined the United States Navy where I served in the areas of damage control and rescue. Following the military I became a civilian firefighter and was certified to the level of FFII, Haz-Mat Technician, and Auto Vehicle Extrication Specialist. During this time I also obtained my EMT-B and eventually Paramedic certification. I have worked as a Paramedic for rural and metro ground services as well as in the aero medical industry. Currently I serve as the assistant chief of the Adair County Ambulance District with my primary responsibility in the area of training.
Greg Mundy
Greg Mundy is an Assistant Chief of operations with the Irmo Fire District, SC. Greg has 33 years in the fire service. Greg has served many years as a training captain with Columbia, SC and Training Manager at SC Fire Academy. Greg has worked as a ladder company officer and Assistant Chief with Des Moines FD (IA).
Douglas Randell
Douglas Randell began his career with the City of St. Louis in January 1996. After serving as an EMT and later a Paramedic, he was promoted to EMS Training Officer in January 2000. As such, Randell is responsible for the development and administration of continuing education opportunities for the members of the St. Louis Fire Department. Mr. Randell has recently received an Associate of Applied Science in Paramedic Technology from St. Louis Community College. Mr. Randell has volunteered his time with organizations such as the American Heart Association and is currently the Chair of the Education Subcommittee of the State Advisory Council.
Larry Oxley
Larry Oxley is the senior trainer for Missouri Electric Cooperatives and is in charge of all employees, including power lineman and office personnel, for Missouri Electric Cooperatives statewide. Larry has held many positions during his 40 years in the electric utility industry. He served 25 years with the Missouri Army National Guard and attended the University of Nebraska.
Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers is the regional accounts manager for ACS FIREHOUSE Solutions, where he has worked since 1998. He is responsible for the ACS FIREHOUSE Solutions accounts in the South Central United States. Prior to working with FIREHOUSE, Mike worked for 27 years as a firefighter in northern Illinois, until retiring in 1998 as a Captain/Shift Commander.
John Sachen
John Sachen is the Industrial Training Coordinator for MU FRTI and the Hazmat Officer/Instructor for the Delta FPD. His teaching career began in 1956 in the U.S. Air Force and he has served in both career and non-career public and industrial departments with duties in structural firefighting, training hazmat, confined space, and management. John developed the ignitable liquid and Class B Foam, Meth Awareness and Operations, and RIT courses for MU FRTI and he serves on the advisory board for FDIC. John retired from Mallinckrodt Chemical as Chief of Fire Protection and Chemical Response.
Richard Shannon Draper
Richard Shannon Draper has worked in the fire service for 16 years, 6 of those years he worked for Halliburton as the chief of training for overseas operation. Currently he works with the Grandview fire department and is an IFSAC instructor for the DOD.
Vicki Schulte
Vicki Schulte is a Captain and Public Information Officer with the Fulton FD. She also has recently been appointed as a Missouri State Regional Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Everyone Goes Home Safe Program. This course is true to Vicki’s heart since the Fulton Fire Department experienced a Line of Duty Death of one of the department’s own due to a heart attack. Vicki holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science Administration from Eastern Kentucky University as well as many State of Missouri Certifications. She is also a part of the Fulton Fire Department’s Hazmat and Dive Team.
Jason Webb
Jason Webb is the Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal of the Belton Fire Department. He has over 20 years in the fire service, beginning his career as a volunteer in high school. Growing up as a son of a construction superintendent and owning and operating a general contracting firm has provided him with a unique perspective into fire prevention and risk reduction. Assistant Chief Webb currently serves as President of the Fire Marshals’ Association of Missouri and is a certified Inspector, Investigator, Firefighter I, Instructor and until recently, paramedic.
Larry Wilson
Larry Wilson is currently a Specialist Emeritus for MU FRTI, where he has been a chief instructor for the past 10 years. He has been in the fire service for over 40 years, starting out as a firefighter working his way through the ranks to safety officer. He holds many certifications, including instructor II from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, fire brigade instructor from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and Pro-Safe Fire Emergency Response Training (Aircraft Fire Trainer Operator). Larry has helped with publications and articles for the Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s Health and Safety magazine.
Mike Wieder
Mike Wieder serves as Assistant Director, as well as, managing editor at the IFSTA/Fire Protection Publications at Oklahoma State University. He has written or edited over 30 books on fire service training and education. He serves as a principle member of the NFPA Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications committee and chairs the NFPA IMS Positions Professional Qualifications committee. He was recently awarded the George D. Post National Fire Instructor of the Year award by the ISFSI.
William Zieres
William Zieres is the Deputy Chief of Investigations for the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He has served with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office Investigation Unit since 1978. Previously, he was assistant chief with the Pettis County fire district. He is certified by the Division of Fire Safety as a fire fighter I/II, fire investigator, fire inspector, fire officer II, and fire service instructor IV.
