Fire Science Faculty, Staff & Mentors

Cell Phone: (513) 470-2744
Email: lawrence.bennett@uc.edu

PDF Resume

University of Cincinnati   Professor- Educator Emeritus (5/1/2022); Promoted Professor - Educator (8/2019); Program Chair, Fire Science & Emergency Management (2009 – present); promoted to Associate Professor - Educator (2012); joined UC 2007.  

Cincinnati State         Adjunct Professor (2000 - Present)

Law   Emeritus Pro Bono attorney with the Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio (after retiring from active practice, Aug. 2023). . Former partner at Katzman, Logan, Halper & Bennett, 9000 Plainfield Road, Cincinnati, OH;

Substitute Teacher Ohio licensed substitute teacher - Indian Hill High School (Fall 2024 – present).

Education

Juris Doctor - Washington College of Law, Wash. D.C. (1970);

B.A. – Gov’t & Pol. Science, American University, Wash. D.C. (1967)

Ohio certified FF I / EMT-B (1979 – 6/2023) 

Textbooks / Other Publications       

• 2024: FIRE & EMS LAW – MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS: monthly review of recent court decisions [send e-mail if wish to be added to our free listserv]:
• 2024: FIRE & EMS LAW – RECENT CASE SUMMARIES / LEGAL LESSONS LEARNED: Case summaries since 2018 from monthly newsletters
• 2024: FIRE & EMS LAW – CURRENT EVENTS
• 2024: AMERICAN HISTORY – LEGAL LESSONS LEARNED FOR FIRE & EMS
• 2024: EMS LAW- Legal, Political, & Regulatory Environment of EMS
• TEXTBOOK: 2017: FIRE SERVICE LAW (Second Edition) (ISBN 978-1-4786-3397-6); Waveland Press:  (First Edition – Prentice Hall, 2008) 
• 2006: CHIEF FIRE OFFICER’S DESK REFERENCE: Jones & Bartlett, Chap. 4: U.S. Legal System;
• 2005: FIRE & EMS LAW FOR OFFICERS: Fire Protection Publications, Okla. State: Employment Best Practices (2005); Safety (2004).

Other Employment

• VP / General Counsel, Johnson & Hardin Printing Co.                                      1992-1997
  
• GE Aircraft Engines - Corporate Attorney/International                                   1979–1992
• Fed. Prosecutor - Assistant U.S. Attorney, D.C.                                                   1970-1977 (LEAA 1977 – 1979)
• Police Officer: Wash DC Metro Police                                                                 1968-1970; U.S. Capitol Police (1964-1967)

Current Public Service Activities

• Fire Service Psychology Associationa- Board of Advisors  (2024 - present); hanks to Burt Clark.  Fire Psychology Org.
• International Public Safety Leadership & Ethics Institute- Board of Directors (2023 - present); thanks to Kevin Brame
• https://www.ipslei.org/2019-board-of-directors
• Pet Therapy dog FRYE - serves on SW Ohio CISM team & Tri-State Peer Support Team; featured in International Association of Fire Chiefs – Amber Ribbon Report – Best Practices For Fire Service Canines (Aug. 2023 - pages 37-38). 
• FBI Cincinnati Citizens Academy Alumni Association (2023 - present)

The University of Cincinnati welcomes Adjunct Instructor Nathan Bromen as an alumnus who received his Associate degree in Fire Science Technology (1989), Associate degree in EMS Management (1998), and Bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology (2003) from the University of Cincinnati. He also received his Master’s degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership (2005) from Grand Canyon University. Mr. Bromen is also an EFO graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the US Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy, and has received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He has also received his MIFireE member designation from the Institution of Fire Engineers. He retired from the fire service in 2011, which was his 28th year, to include 25 years of full-time service with several combination departments and 12 years as a chief fire officer. Mr. Bromen is now employed full-time in the private sector as a Lead Certified Fire Investigator with Donan Engineering, Inc., serving the greater Cincinnati region. He has 30+ years of fire investigation experience.

Brian Carlson is employed with Anderson Township Fire & Rescue as a Battalion Chief. Brian graduated from the University of Cincinnati (UC) Fire Science Program, completing his bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology. Brian also received an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services from UC and a master’s degree in safety, Security, and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. Brian is an Executive Fire Officer program graduate through the National Fire Academy and credentialed as an Ohio Fire Chief through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association.  Additionally, Brian is an Ohio fire instructor, a Hamilton County USAR team member, and a former Ohio Task Force One member.

Dr. Randall W. Hanifen is a Shift Captain for West Chester Fire, an Associate Professor at the American Public University’s Emergency Management Program, Adjunct Professor at University of Cincinnati, and a Fire Service Consultant. Randall serves as the Executive Chairperson of a County Technical Rescue Team, a Taskforce Leader for FEMA’s Ohio Task Force 1 US&R team, Professional Development Committee Chair of the Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch, and is the Vice-Chair of IAFC Company Officers Section.  He serves as a member of NFPA 1021 Fire Officer and NFPA 1026 Incident Management committees. Randall is credentialed as a Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and has been accepted as a Fellow to the Institution of Fire Engineers. He is the associate author of the textbook Disaster Planning and Control (2009). Randall has provided presentations and trainings for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, Fire Rescue International, Emergency Management Institute, and is a contract instructor in the Executive Fire Officer Program. He has a B.S. in Fire Administration, an M.S. in Fire Service Executive Leadership and a Ph.D. in Executive Management of Homeland Security. Randall can be reached at Randall@Hanifen.org

William A. Jetter, Ph.D., is a 36 year veteran of the fire service and is currently serving as the EMS & Fire Director/Fire Chief of Monroe Township, Deputy Commissioner Hamilton County Urban Search & Rescue, Vice President Board Member of the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit(duty officer) , and Task Force Member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Team in Hamilton County. Jetter also served 18 years as the EMS and Fire Director of Sycamore Township retiring in December of 2012. Dr. Jetter also serves as the Assistant Fire Chief with the Village of Glendale, Ohio.

Jetter was also a past member of the Board of Directors of Ameriana Bank of Ohio. Dr. Jetter is as adjunct faculty member of the National Fire Academy, State of Ohio Fire Academy, Adjunct Professor University of Cincinnati College of Engineering (Fire Science Program) and Adjunct Professor of the Fire Science program at Cincinnati State Technical College.

Dr. Jetter currently serves as a member of the Universitys of Cincinnati ERC committee that works in conjunction with NIOSH. Dr. Jetter is certified as an Instructor in the State of Ohio in Fire Safety Inspector Programs, Fire Science, Hazardous Materials and Rescue Technology. Jetter has a BS in Science, a Masters Degree (graduated 1994, Cum Laude) in Fire Safety Management, and a Doctorate (graduated 1997, Summa Cum Laude) in Fire Safety Management. Dr. Jetter has lectured on a variety of emergency service topics for State & Federal Emergency Managers, the State of Ohio and the local Emergency Planning Committee. Dr. Jetter has been published nationally and has recently written a paper for the Institute of Fire Engineers (Malaysia Branch Conference on Borderless Response to Disasters). Dr. Jetter has lecture on Borderless Disasters at the Institute of Fire Engineer 2001 annual meeting held in Nottingham, England. Dr. Jetter has author two books one on leadership title Artful Ascension the second book release in 2008 a children book called the “Little Green Fire Truck”. Dr. Jetter is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners; American Board for Certification in Homeland Security. Dr. Jetter has also been certified by the Academy of Consultant as a diplomat and expert in Hazardous Materials. Dr. Jetter now serves as Past President of the USA Branch of the Institute of Fire Engineers, today Dr. Jetter is fellow in the Institution of Fire Engineers . Dr. Jetter has received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing Dr. Jetter and his wife Judy have two sons, two grandson and a granddaughter.

Mark Johnston is the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for The Christ Hospital Health Network, a role he has served in since retiring from active fire and emergency medical services in early 2014. During a 30-plus year fire department career, mostly with the Madeira & Indian Hill Joint Fire District, he organized and served as Team Captain for state championship advanced life support teams in 1989 and 1992. Mark also served as the Emergency Services Director for the City of Wyoming in 2000-2001.

Mark is also a long time EMS Instructor and previously served on the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Team as the Medical Team Leader and the Red Cross Medical Assistance Team. He currently serves on the NFPA EMS Committee. Mark attended the University of Cincinnati before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at Miami University in 1992 and a Masters of Health Administration from Ohio University in 2020.

In his current role for The Christ Hospital, he provides education to EMS agencies in a multi-county region around Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana on left ventricular assist devices for heart failure patients and uses high fidelity simulation to create a variety of educational experiences for first responders of all levels.

Steve Kelly is the Fire Chief for Miami Township Fire & EMS in Clermont County, Ohio and is a 23-year veteran of the fire service. Steve serves as the Southwest District Director for the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, the secretary of the Clermont County Fire Chiefs’ Alliance, and is a founding member of the Butler County/State of Ohio Type III Incident Management Team. Steve has an associate’s degree in Emergency Medical Services, a bachelor’s degree from UC in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology, and a master’s degree from Northern Kentucky University in Public Administration. He enjoys the challenge of working to develop the next generation of leaders in the Fire & EMS industries.

Thomas Lakamp is a 32-year veteran of the City of Cincinnati's Fire Department.  He now is the City of Fairfield's Fire Chief. Tom holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Tom is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and was formerly a Task Force Leader for FEMA Ohio Task Force 1 – Urban Search and Rescue team and currently the Commissioner for the Hamilton County, Ohio - Region Six USAR Team.

Adjunct Professor; (retired) Captain Kirk McKinzie,  Cosumnes Fire Dept., 911-GO concept developer. 

Capt. McKinzie is a SMART First Responder Technologist, a 31 year fire service veteran and is working with international teams of teams, focused on Next Gen solutions.  He functions as a SME, advisor, speaker and author to government, enterprise, academia, start-ups and operators focused on SMART community risk reduction, digital innovation, venture capital and agnostic standard development, for safe and secure SMART regions.  His areas of focus and expertise include, remote sensing, digital twin concepts, bio-telemetry, artificial intelligence, IOT, mixed physics computational fluid dynamics, holographic light display, haptic feedback, 3D+ Virtual/Mixed/Augmented Reality and related lifesaving technological solutions. Noted success includes: collaborator to AUDREY the DHS funded artificial intelligence for first responders’ platform, via the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), National Institute of Standards and Technology Virtual Reality Grant recipient,  Revolutionary Technology Award recipient, Public Sector Partners - RevTechX , Edge of Government-SME adviser to Finalist, World Government Summit Dubai-Advisor Board- Qwake Tech-computer vision solution, Contributor to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Next Generation First Responder Program (NGFR)-Project Responder 5, .  His equity interest is life-the goal is to save one.

He holds Certifications from the California State Fire Marshall Office in:

Fire Investigation

Advanced Rescue Skills

Rescue Systems II

Hazardous Materials Technician

Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator

Fire Instructor

Fire Officer

Confined Space Rescue

Fire Management

Fire Command

Fire Prevention

Fire Fighter II

Fire Fighter I

Fire Prevention 

Will Mueller is an Assistant Fire Chief with the Colerain Township Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services located just northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is a 24-year veteran of the fire service and holds certifications as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Instructor, and EMS Instructor. He is a national speaker on topics such as interdisciplinary approaches to opiate addiction, older adult fall prevention, and fire service education. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Cincinnati’s Fire and Safety Engineering Technology Program teaching courses in Community Risk Reduction.  Chief Mueller is a member of the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and National Fire Protection Association. Chief Mueller is a graduate of the Ohio Fire Chief’s Ohio Fire Executive Program earning him the Ohio Fire Executive designation.  He also serves on many national, statewide, and regional committees including the Public Health and Emergency Medical Services Director’s Advisory Council, Regional Community Paramedicine Advisory Board, Ohio Fire Chief’s Education Committee, Ohio Older Adult Falls Prevention Coalition, and the Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership serving as Co-Chair of the Falls Awareness Committee.  Chief Mueller holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Services Management and is in the process of obtaining a Master’s degree in Higher Education specializing in Adult Education.

Todd Owens is a 34-year veteran of the Reading (Ohio) Fire Department, he was promoted to Fire Chief in 2014, and has served the community as a police officer since 2001.  Chief Owens possesses multiple professional certifications and designations.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in fire & safety engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Kentucky University.  Todd is a member of the Ohio Fire Chief’s Legislative committee and has testified before the Ohio Senate Criminal Justice Committee on arson law changes.  He currently serves on the board and is a past President of the International Association of Arson Investigator’s, Ohio Chapter.  Chief Owens is a past Commander of the Hamilton County Fire Investigative Unit, and currently serves as the unit’s Special Operations Committee Chair. He is the Treasurer of the Hamilton County Fire Chief’s Association.  Todd is the Southwest Ohio Protocol Compliance Chair for the Emergency & Disaster Services Committee of the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati.   Chief Owens is active with multiple other local, regional, and state fire/EMS committees as well. 

Eric Reiners was appointed to the position of Township Administrator by the Board of Trustees on January 1, 2017. Mr. Reiners has been with Deerfield Township since 2006, working in numerous leadership roles. He holds Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University and has also earned a Bachelor of Science.

Mr. Reiners serves as the chief administrative officer under the direction of the Deerfield Township Board of Trustees. He leads and manages the daily operations of the township; providing operational and safety services for 40,000 residents.  A former United States Marine, Reiners brings to the position extensive knowledge in executive level project management, and overall organizational leadership. He has successfully managed many large scale infrastructure and development projects over the years. Reiners' experience also includes budgeting, community planning, contract negotiation, and right-of way acquisition. He also serves on various boards throughout the County, including the Hamilton Township Zoning Commission Board, Warren County Transportation Improvement District Board,  Warren County Area Progress Council Board, West Chester Hospital Community Advisory Board, and the Warren & Clinton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.

Mr. Reiners is focused on working collaboratively with all community stakeholders to deliver quality services in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Demond Simmons began his fire service career in 1997 as a firefighter with the Burlingame (CA) Fire Department. In 1999, he was part of the first firefighter-paramedic recruit class with the Oakland (CA) Fire Department. During his tenure with the Oakland Fire Department, he has served as a firefighter-paramedic, engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and adjunct instructor for the OFD Recruit Academy. He is currently on detail as the special operations chief.

Demond is a member of several fire service and public sector organizations: International Association of Black Professional Firefighters; IFSTA; International Association of Fire Chiefs/Company Officer Section; National Forum For Black Public Administrators; International Society of Fire Service Instructors; International City/County Management Association; and the Alameda County Training Officers Association.

Demond has an Associate Science Degree (Fire Science), Bachelor of Science (Marketing), MBA, and a Doctor of Business Administration.

Demond’s motto is, “be a student of your profession.”

In March of 2019 Robert Warfel became Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety at Xavier University Police Department.  Prior to serving as Xavier's Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, he was an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for approximately 22 years developing experience in case management, program management, and security operations including national and regional programs of diverse FBI security initiatives in both international and domestic environments. Chief Warfel's experience and specialized knowledge developed expertise in Crisis Management, Media and Public Relations, Critical Incident Response, Continuity of Operations Planning, and large scale special event security operations, including team and human resource management.  Chief Warfel received his BA from Butler University and his JD from Ohio Northern College of Law and practiced law in Ohio before entering the FBI in 1997.

Jonathan M. Westendorf currently serves as the Chief of Fire & Emergency Medical Services with the City of Franklin (Warren County), a position he has held since September 2000. Previously, Chief Westendorf served the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department as a Lieutenant/Training Officer and Blue Ash Fire Department, where he first joined as a Fire Explorer before climbing the agency’s ranks.

Chief Westendorf is a professional firefighter, certified Paramedic, and holds a number of specialized training certificates. He has a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Southern California. While studying at USC, Chief Westendorf was the Recipient of the John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation Award for the 2015-2016 outstanding capstone project, Visualizing the Future: An Exploration of Augmented Reality Technology in Emergency Management © 2016. Demonstrating that continuing education is a vital component to personal growth and discovery, Mr. Westendorf is a candidate for the Doctor of Public Administration at West Chester University, Pennsylvania. Chief Westendorf has a unique skillset as a result of pursuing all of his advance and graduate level education through distance learning.

Professional associations include current service as Past President of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association and long-term member of the Board of Directors. Chief Westendorf began serving as the Legislative Committee Chairperson in 2015 and launched the OFCA Policy Committee in 2020. Additionally, Chief Westendorf is professionally recognized as a credentialed Ohio Fire Chief and Fellow. The chief also serves the regional Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Material Unit as Vice-President and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Warren and Clinton County Mental Health and Recovery Board.

Mr. Westendorf resides in Franklin, Ohio with his wife Betsy, two daughters Cayden and Kyndal, and his beloved plot hound, Quint.

I am a career fire fighter, paramedic with the Truro Township Fire Department in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  My current rank and position is battalion chief assigned to 1-Unit.  I have been in the fire service since 1991.  I began in the fire service as a volunteer and was hired as a career fire fighter in 1996.  I earned my associates degree from Hocking College in 2007 and my bachelor degree from The University of Cincinnati in 2013.  Most recently, I graduated from the Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) program, Class 17, in 2019.

My name is Jason Buss.

I work as a firefighter paramedic in Northeast Ohio. I am a part-time Fire Chief for a small community of 4000 residents and am a full-time Fire Lieutenant for a larger urban community just east of Cleveland, Ohio. I started my career in the fire service in 1999 and have been working full time in public safety since 2001. I am a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Firefighters. I served as a labor union Vice President for ten years and have worked throughout the region in regard to settling labor disputes and helping fire departments and public organizations secure grant funding.

I recently returned to school to finish my Bachelor's Degree requirements at the University of Cincinnati. I finished an Associate's of Applied Science Degree at Cuyahoga Community College in 2003 which I transferred to the University of Cincinnati in the fall of 2018. I am hoping to graduate at the end of this year and am down to my last three courses. It has taken a lot of work to make the adjustments in order to go back to school in my late 30s and all online, but I feel in the end the completion of my degree will be worth the work. I am hoping the degree will help me in my professional development and set an example for my children. In addition to my college education, I hold several technical certifications. I am certified by the State of Ohio as a Paramedic, Firefighter, Fire Safety Inspector, EMS Instructor, Fire Instructor, and Live Fire Training Instructor. I have attended the National Fire Academy to study special topics such as Leadership & Administration as well as Firefighter Safety.

I married my wife in 2013 and together we raise five children; ages 8, 13, 13, 13, and 16. Yes, there is a set of triplets in there. If working both full and part-time and working to complete my degree didn't keep me busy enough, the five kids sure do. Our daughters are involved in equestrian and gymnastics and the boys keep busy playing baseball, soccer, and competing on the swim team. Everyone in our house loves animals and we are very active in a local 4H group. This summer our house will be like a mini zoo. We will have a dog, a horse, a mini horse, a rabbit, a bearded dragon, six ducks, 12 laying hens, 40 market chickens, and 15 market turkeys. Luckily, after the fair in early September, we will no longer have the market chickens and turkeys so there will be 45 less mouths to feed. When we are not running the kids around or working, we love to travel. Each year we take our kids on a family vacation and then each year my wife and I take a vacation together. This year we are heading out to Yellowstone, the Badlands, the Grand Tetons, and more as a family. My wife and I are avid runners and have completed several half marathons and try to set time aside each week for us to hit the trails together. Life is short and our family likes to try and make the make the most out of the experiences we encounter together.

Brian is currently an Adjunct Professor for the University of Cincinnati Fire Science & Emergency Management Program. He is also currently serving as a safety professional after he retired, after 25 years, from the Center for HAZMAT, Rescue & Safety Program Manager as the Lead Instructor for the Workforce Development Center at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. Prior to assuming this position, he was a Department Manager for Safety & Training at the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Facility, Fernald, Ohio. During his career at USDOE Fernald, Brian was responsible for the development and implementation of all safety training for new radiological clean-up programs. Brian served 6 ½ years on active duty with the US Army prior to starting his civilian career.

In his former role at Cincinnati State, Brian’s focus was working closely with businesses and public sector emergency services (Fire & Police) to develop and deliver hazardous material response, occupational safety, technical rescue and risk based disaster response management related training solutions that help organizations improve safety and organizational efficiency.

Brian has over 30 years’ experience working in industry (manufacturing & construction) and the Emergency Services sector. Brian has multiple teaching and training certifications in the areas of Occupational Safety, Hazardous Materials Response, and Disaster Response Management. He is a certified as an instructor for the US Army Command & General Staff College. His professional memberships include the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). He has proven strengths in leadership, communication, developing and executing plans, client understanding, process development, and quality improvements. Brian retired in 2013 at the rank of Colonel from the U.S Army Reserves after 30 years of service. He has held numerous leadership and senior staff positions to include: platoon leader, Field Artillery Battery Commander, Battalion Command and Task Force Command. His last duty assignment was as the US Army North/NORTHCOM State Emergency Liaison Preparedness Officer (SEPLO) to the state of Ohio. In that position he was the US Title 10 officer working directly with the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio EMA to coordinate Department of Defense forces in support of disaster response operations in the state of Ohio. Brian also served two operational assignments in Iraq. Brian is a 25-year member of the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Material Unit (NIMS Type 1 Regional Team).

Brian holds an M.B.A. (Summa Cum Laude) in Organizational Behavior & Development from the Oklahoma City University. He is also a graduate of the U.S Army Command & General Staff College and the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) & Homeland Defense program. Brian has numerous military awards and citations to Include the Distinguish Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (6 awards), Army Achievement Medal (7 awards), and many other service-related awards and citations

I have over 12 years of experience in the fire service and currently work for Strongsville Fire having prior fire department service with the cities of Ashland, Sandusky, and Munroe Falls. I hold certifications as a Paramedic, hazmat technician, fire inspector, and fire instructor certification and hold a bachelor's degree in Fire and Safety Engineering through the University of Cincinnati. I enjoy teaching and hope to serve in a training position at some point in my career.

Prior to fire service, I served eleven years in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard with deployments to Iraq and Eastern Europe. Outside of work I enjoy physical fitness, MMA and being active outdoors. I live in Amherst, OH with my wife, Ashley and daughters, Mattie, and Jackie.

Adam D. Howard

Professional Employment

Fairborn Fire Department – Fairborn, Ohio 2003-Present

Currently hold the position of full-time Battalion Chief, responsible for the direct command of a four-station platoon and management of the Life Safety Division. Serving to meet the overall mission of ensuring the delivery of highly skilled emergency and non-emergency fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the citizens, businesses, and visitors of the City of Fairborn. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2005. Promoted to current rank in March of 2013.

Additional Involvement: • Supervisor of the Life Safety Division, 2016 – 2017 & 2019 – Present • Supervisor of the Training Division, 2018 – 2019 • Supervisor of the EMS Division, 2013 – 2015 • GMVEMS Council’s Community Paramedicine Committee Co-Chair, 2014 – 2016 • Greene County EMS Committee Secretary, 2013 – 2015 • Ohio EMFTS Critical Care Subcommittee Member, 2013 – 2015 • IAFF Local 1235 Treasurer, 2007 - 2013

Sidney Fire Department – Sidney, Ohio 2002 - 2003 Held the position of full-time Firefighter/Paramedic, providing highly skilled emergency and non-emergency fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the citizens, businesses, and visitors of Sidney. Participated as a member of the technical rope rescue team. Successfully completed the one-year probationary period.

Miami Township Fire Department – Miami Township, Ohio 2001 - 2002 (Montgomery County) Held the position of part-time Firefighter/EMT-Basic, providing highly skilled emergency and non-emergency fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the citizens, businesses, and visitors of Miami Township. Attended paramedic training program, while gaining EMS experience, during this tenure of employment.

Learning Credentials

Master of Organizational Leadership 2020 Waldorf University – Forest City, IA

Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program 2019 National Fire Academy – Emmitsburg, MD

Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) 2014 Fire & Safety Engineering Technology University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH

Associate of Technical Study 2004 Emergency Medical Technology & Fire Administration Sinclair Community College – Dayton, OH

Incident Safety Officer 2016 Ohio Fire Academy – Reynoldsburg, OH

Fire Investigations I 2013 Ohio Fire Academy – Reynoldsburg, OH

EMS Instructor 2013 Ohio Fire Academy – Reynoldsburg, OH

Fire Officer I – IV 2013 Sinclair Community College – Dayton, OH

Fire Instructor I & II 2012 Clark State Community College – Springfield, OH

Fire Safety Inspector 2006 Ohio Fire Academy – Reynoldsburg, OH

EMT – Paramedic 2001 Sinclair Community College – Dayton, OH

Firefighter Level II 2001 Sinclair Community College – Dayton, OH

Professional Awards

2018 Outstanding Research Award 2019 National Fire Academy

2012 Employee of the Year in Public Safety & 2013 Blue Coat Award 2013 City of Fairborn & Knights of Columbus, Fairborn Council 3724

Life Saving Awards 2004 & 2016 Fairborn Fire Department

Lt Gary Kautz served 20 years with Burton Fire & Rescue, 10 years as a lieutenant, and retired in 2006. He has been a fire service instructor since 2002 and teaches Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I and III, and Company Officer I & II classes in Genesee County. He served on the Genesee County Training Committee from 2003 to 2015 where he served as secretary for 7 years. In 2015 he was hired by Delta Community College as an adjunct faculty to teach in their Fire Science Academy.

He has an Associate degree in Fire Protection Technology from Mott Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety and Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati. In his first semester at UC his term paper “Full Stop Policy: Apparatus Response Safety” was chosen as Best Term Paper for the Fall Semester 2011.

In addition to teaching fire science classes, Lt. Kautz enjoys bicycling, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. He is a huge college football fan! He may be a UC Bearcat, but the Michigan Wolverines is still his favorite team! He lives in Burton, just east of Flint, with his wife Karen and their cat Newman.

Dr. Krause is currently assigned to the Operations Bureau as a Senior Battalion Chief with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department (OH).   He's an active firefighter, fire officer, paramedic, EMS instructor, firefighting instructor, lecturer, researcher and published author. Krause has also held positions as an Engine Company Officer, Fire Training Officer, Fire & EMS Academy Program Director, Fire & EMS Communications Supervisor, Chief of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Medical Services Educator. Dr. Krause's doctoral research focused on firefighter fatalities, identifying common themes, related causes and the development of potential methods to minimize the risk of a fatal incident for firefighters. As an author, Dr. Krause's work has been published in professional journals, magazines and textbooks.