FDTN Academy Training Staff
The Fire Department Training Network's staff is made up of veteran firefighters from around the country who have spent their careers mastering the art and craft of firefighting.
This well-rounded group of professionals have operated in all types and sizes of departments including volunteer, combination, and career.
Bob Pressler
Bob Pressler has been involved in the fire service for more than 40 years and is a retired Lieutenant from FDNY. Previous to FDNY, Bob was a member of both combination and volunteer departments. Bob currently serves as the Chief of the Montgomery, NY, Fire Department.
Bob was the Hands-on Coordinator for FDIC in Indianapolis from 1997-2002, and for FDIC West in Sacramento. He is a past member of the Editorial Advisory Boards of both Fire Chief and Fire Engineering magazines. Bob has spoken at FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, and Firehouse Las Vegas. He has written numerous articles for several trade magazines and lectures around the country on a wide variety of fire service issues. Bob is the author of Size-Up for First Arriving Officer, part of FDTN’s FireNotes series of training manuals.
Tim Klett
Tim Klett is a 30-year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Lieutenant with FDNY serving on 88 Engine, located in the 7th Division in the Bronx. Tim began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Newington, CT, Fire Department and worked as a full-time firefighter with the City of New Britain, CT, Fire Department before joining FDNY. As an FDNY firefighter, Tim spent 12 years on 69 Engine, one of the FDNY’s busiest Engines located in Harlem, prior to his promotion.
Tim was a lead HOT instructor for live fire training at both FDIC and FDIC West and has lectured at FDIC, Firehouse, Orlando Fire Conference, Wichita HOT Conference and many other state and national fire service symposiums. Tim is also a New York State fire instructor and an Adjunct Instructor with the Connecticut State Fire School. Tim was a member of FDNY’s research and development team responsible for the department’s PSS safety system.
Tim developed the Engine Company Operations course for the Fire Department Training Network and serves as the lead engine instructor at the FDTN Academy. In addition to being a frequent contributor to FDTN’s Fire Training, Tim has written many articles for Fire Engineering, Firehouse, Firehouse.com, the New York State Fire Chief’s Association Size-Up. Tim is also the author of Stretching and Operating the First Line and the upcoming Standpipe Operations for Engine Companies, both part of FDTN’s FireNotes series of training manuals.
Sandy Lasa
Sandy Lasa is a 33-year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Lieutenant assigned to Rescue 1 with the Boston, MA, Fire Department. Sandy is also an Adjunct Instructor with Boston’s Special Operations Division. In addition, Sandy is a member of Massachusetts Task Force 1 and has been on many deployments with the Unit.
Sandy instructs at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy as a Recruit Instructor and has conducted many fire and rescue related training sessions in the New England area.
Scott Hardin
Scott Hardin is a 35-year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Captain with the Charlotte, NC, Fire Department currently assigned to Ladder 4. Scott began his career in the area around Charlotte and served with both the Crowders Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Gastonia Fire Department.
Scott has an AAS Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Gaston College and is a NC Level II Instructor. Scott has taught at many fire conferences across the United States including the Orlando Fire Conference, FDIC, Firehouse World, and state fire conferences in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alaska.
Scott is a member of the North Carolina State Forest Service Crew and has deployed frequently to the Western United States to assist. He has also worked the Summer Olympics and G8 Conference as a Hazardous Material Technician.
Steve Dixon
Steve Dixon is a 40-year veteran of the fire service and is a currently a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis, IN, Fire Department. Prior to his current assignment Steve served as a Safety Chief and as the Chief of Training and Special Operations. Steve was assigned as the FDIC HOT Coordinator for the department and also served on the FDIC Advisory Board.
Aaron Lathrop
Aaron is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Shelbyville, IN, Fire Department and the Chief of the Moral Township, IN, Volunteer Fire Department. Aaron serves as one of three shift training officer with Shelbyville and is conducts training courses throughout the area for county departments.
Rick Van Sant
Rick is a 29-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Captain with the Indianapolis, IN, Fire Department assigned to Ladder 10 in the Brightwood district.
Dave Hayward
Dave is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as an Engineer with the Indianapolis, IN, Fire Department assigned to Ladder 7 in the downtown district.
Jerad Parker
Jerad is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Lieutenant with the Shelbyville, IN, Fire Department. Jerad is also a volunteer with the Marietta, IN, Fire Department.
Kurt Lockridge
Kurt is a 35-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Battalion Chief with the Shelbyville, IN, Fire Department. Kurt previously served as Chief of Department.
Joe Madden
Joe is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Major with the Lexington, KY, Fire Department.
Aaron Rhodes
Aaron is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and currently serves as a Lieutenant with the Orlando, FL, Fire Department. Aaron also coordinates the truck company hands-on component of the annual Orlando Fire Conference.
Mike Kirby
Mike is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and currently a Captain with the Cincinnati, OH, Fire Department. Mike was previously assigned to the Training Division with CFD. Mike is a frequent author and lecturer on both engine company operations and fire department training.
Mike Lombardo
Mike Lombardo is a 36-year veteran of the fire service and was the Commissioner/Chief of Department of the Buffalo, NY, Fire Department from Jan 2006 to Jan 2010. Mike is currently a member of the Christiana, DE, Fire Department. He is a New York State fire instructor and was a member of the development team for New York State firefighter survival and rapid intervention programs. He has been an editorial advisor for Fire Engineering magazine, a member of the Advisory Board for FDIC, and lead instructor for FDIC’s live fire training. Mike is also a lead instructor with the Fire Department Training Network.
Mike is a two time Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award recipient (1988 and 1994) and the recipient of the FDIC 1999 Training Achievement Award. Mike currently operates with the Christiana, and Rehoboth Beach Fire Departments in Delaware. He is also a consultant and instructor on fire tactics, live fire attack, firefighter survival, command and fire department operations throughout the United States.
Jim McCormack
Jim is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and President and founder of the Fire Department Training Network. Jim currently serves as a Lieutenant with the Indianapolis, IN, Fire Department assigned to Ladder 7 in the downtown district. Jim began his career with the Hopkinton, MA, Fire Department.
Jim is a past member of the FDIC Advisory Board and has conducted training at many national and state conferences including FDIC, FDIC West, Firehouse World, Orlando Fire Conference, and the Alaska State Fire Chief’s Annual Conference. In 2007, Jim was the recipient of the 2007 FDIC Tom Brennan Training Achievement Award.
Jim is the author of Firefighter Survival and Firefighter Rescue and Rapid Intervention Teams, both part of FDTN’s FireNotes series of training manuals, and the creator of FDTN’s DVDs on Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention Teams.
