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2023 RFT Featured Instructors
Anthony Rowett
Anthony Rowett, Jr. is a Captain with the Mobile (AL) Fire Rescue Department. He has been in the fire
service for 15 years. He spent his first 3 years in the fire service as a firefighter with the Ogdensburg (NJ)
Volunteer Fire Department before being hired by the Mobile Fire Rescue Department, where he has
worked for the past 13 years. He has multiple degrees in both fire science and emergency services
management. He is a graduate of the Alabama Smoke Diver course. He is the owner of Port City Fire
Training. He is also an industrial firefighting instructor at Gulf Coast Emergency Response Academy. He is
a contributing author for multiple fire service publications including Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue,
Firehouse, Fire Department Training Network, and Firemanship Journal. He has instructed at multiple
fire service conferences including FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Water on the Fire, High-Rise
Operations Conference, 3rd Coast Conference, and others as well as for individual fire departments. He
is a member of the NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems Committee.
He is also a co-host on the Generation Engine podcast on Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio.
service for 15 years. He spent his first 3 years in the fire service as a firefighter with the Ogdensburg (NJ)
Volunteer Fire Department before being hired by the Mobile Fire Rescue Department, where he has
worked for the past 13 years. He has multiple degrees in both fire science and emergency services
management. He is a graduate of the Alabama Smoke Diver course. He is the owner of Port City Fire
Training. He is also an industrial firefighting instructor at Gulf Coast Emergency Response Academy. He is
a contributing author for multiple fire service publications including Fire Engineering, Fire Rescue,
Firehouse, Fire Department Training Network, and Firemanship Journal. He has instructed at multiple
fire service conferences including FDIC, Firehouse Expo, Firehouse World, Water on the Fire, High-Rise
Operations Conference, 3rd Coast Conference, and others as well as for individual fire departments. He
is a member of the NFPA 14: Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems Committee.
He is also a co-host on the Generation Engine podcast on Fire Engineering Blog Talk Radio.
Benjamin Martin
Benjamin Martin has over seventeen years in public safety and currently serves as a Captain with a large metro fire department in Virginia.
His leadership articles have appeared in publications including Fire Engineering, FireRescue, Fire Department Training Network (FDTN), International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), FirefighterToolbox, and FirefighterWife. He is the founder of EmbraceTheResistance.com which features leadership training for existing and aspiring leaders.
His leadership articles have appeared in publications including Fire Engineering, FireRescue, Fire Department Training Network (FDTN), International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), FirefighterToolbox, and FirefighterWife. He is the founder of EmbraceTheResistance.com which features leadership training for existing and aspiring leaders.
Bobby Eckert
Bobby Is a Second-Generation Fireman from Collingswood, NJ. Getting his start in the Fire Service as a
Junior in 1996. In 2006 he left Collingswood as career Firefighter/EMT to pursue a career in the Camden,
NJ Fire Department. Bobby spent 10 years as a private being assigned to Engine 9, Ladder 1, & Squad 7.
In 2016 he was promoted to Captain and is currently assigned to Ladder Company #1 at Fire
Headquarters. He is a Pro Board Level II Instructor, and has a B.S. in Public Safety Administration from
Neumann University. Along with his wife they own and operate Eckert Fire Tactics LLC, an Experienced
Based Street-Smart Approach to Fire Ground Tactics, Leadership, and Fire Training. He currently resides
in Bellmawr, NJ with his wife Brynlee, and their children Bobby, Ryan, Kennedy, and Reese.
Junior in 1996. In 2006 he left Collingswood as career Firefighter/EMT to pursue a career in the Camden,
NJ Fire Department. Bobby spent 10 years as a private being assigned to Engine 9, Ladder 1, & Squad 7.
In 2016 he was promoted to Captain and is currently assigned to Ladder Company #1 at Fire
Headquarters. He is a Pro Board Level II Instructor, and has a B.S. in Public Safety Administration from
Neumann University. Along with his wife they own and operate Eckert Fire Tactics LLC, an Experienced
Based Street-Smart Approach to Fire Ground Tactics, Leadership, and Fire Training. He currently resides
in Bellmawr, NJ with his wife Brynlee, and their children Bobby, Ryan, Kennedy, and Reese.
Chief Rob Fisher
Rob is a suburban firefighter and has been a student of the fire service for over 30 years. He is currently a Training Chief of a regional training consortium and was most recently a shift Battalion Chief with a medium sized suburban department 25 miles north of Seattle. Prior to being promoted to Battalion Chief, Rob spent 20-years as a Company Officer with 15 of those years as a Lieutenant assigned to the department’s only ladder company – L72. He has also accepted multiple assignments to the department’s Training Division and is the West Coast Regional Rep for the F.O.O.L.S. International. Rob is an instrumental portion of the Brother's in Battle cadre and an extremely well regarded and tenured firefighter.
Chris Kessinger
Chris Kessinger has been a student of the craft for 19 years. Chris serves as owner of Citizens First Fire Training in addition to the role of training officer/instructor for numerous schools, training facilities and
departments. Chris has a deep passion for this job and making sure that that the blue-collar traditions of
our foundation stay alive and well. As an active member for the Central Ohio FOOLS chapter, Chris is
able continually spread those traditions and keep our service headed in the right direction. His passion,
that one thing on the job that drives his soul will always be with truck company operations. Be
aggressive in the search, aggressive in throwing ladders, aggressive in ventilation but most of all be
aggressive in LOVING the job! Those core values is what Chris lives by. Chris is a nobody from nowhere
that just loves the job and spreading the passion everywhere he goes. Our citizens are our absolute
number 1 priority, anything other than that is simply unacceptable.
departments. Chris has a deep passion for this job and making sure that that the blue-collar traditions of
our foundation stay alive and well. As an active member for the Central Ohio FOOLS chapter, Chris is
able continually spread those traditions and keep our service headed in the right direction. His passion,
that one thing on the job that drives his soul will always be with truck company operations. Be
aggressive in the search, aggressive in throwing ladders, aggressive in ventilation but most of all be
aggressive in LOVING the job! Those core values is what Chris lives by. Chris is a nobody from nowhere
that just loves the job and spreading the passion everywhere he goes. Our citizens are our absolute
number 1 priority, anything other than that is simply unacceptable.
Craig Haigh
Craig A. Haigh began his fire service career in 1983 as a volunteer in his hometown of Hampton (IL). He served as Hampton’s volunteer fire chief from 1991 – 1995. During that time, he developed and implemented their EMT-Intermediate/Advanced EMT program. In 1988 he was hired full time as a firefighter with the City of Rock Island (IL) Fire Department. He ultimately was appointed as their first EMS Coordinator and as such developed and implemented the department’s paramedic program. He left Hampton and Rock Island in 1995 to become the first paid fire chief of the King (NC) Volunteer Fire Department. There he was tasked with transitioning the all-volunteer department into a combination agency (volunteer and paid employees). While in King he served as the primary architect responsible for merging the independent volunteer department into the City of King making it a municipal government agency.
He returned to Illinois in 2002 to serve as Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management for the Village of Hanover Park. He was the 2012 Illinois Career Fire Chief of the Year. Chief Haigh also works as a Field Staff Instructor with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) where he has been since 1995. In his work at the University of Illinois he is a regular partner with IFSI Research and Skidmore College First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory. He is the recipient of the 2019 International Association of Fire Chiefs -Chief Alan Brunacini Executive Safety Award given for his work in developing operational practices based on scientific research in an effort to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries due to cardiovascular/medical events.
In addition to his duties as Hanover Park’s Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management, Chief Haigh has served as the Interim Village Manager and was also tasked with the creation of the Inspectional Services Division. This new division merged fire prevention, the building department, and the health department into a single agency under the control of the fire department. He also created, implemented, and has managed the Village’s strategic planning program. He frequently does work as an independent fire service consultant working on a variety of management/leadership projects. He presents and speaks internationally. He has written numerous training programs for the fire service and is the author of more than thirty fire service trade journal articles. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership. He is a graduate of the United States National Fire Academy – Executive Fire Officer Program, is a nationally certified paramedic, an accredited Chief Fire Officer, and a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers. He is married to his wife Beth and they have two adult children, Melody and Lee.
He returned to Illinois in 2002 to serve as Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management for the Village of Hanover Park. He was the 2012 Illinois Career Fire Chief of the Year. Chief Haigh also works as a Field Staff Instructor with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) where he has been since 1995. In his work at the University of Illinois he is a regular partner with IFSI Research and Skidmore College First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory. He is the recipient of the 2019 International Association of Fire Chiefs -Chief Alan Brunacini Executive Safety Award given for his work in developing operational practices based on scientific research in an effort to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries due to cardiovascular/medical events.
In addition to his duties as Hanover Park’s Fire Chief/Director of Emergency Management, Chief Haigh has served as the Interim Village Manager and was also tasked with the creation of the Inspectional Services Division. This new division merged fire prevention, the building department, and the health department into a single agency under the control of the fire department. He also created, implemented, and has managed the Village’s strategic planning program. He frequently does work as an independent fire service consultant working on a variety of management/leadership projects. He presents and speaks internationally. He has written numerous training programs for the fire service and is the author of more than thirty fire service trade journal articles. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership. He is a graduate of the United States National Fire Academy – Executive Fire Officer Program, is a nationally certified paramedic, an accredited Chief Fire Officer, and a Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers. He is married to his wife Beth and they have two adult children, Melody and Lee.
David Pruitt
David Pruitt has been with the City of Hillsboro Department of Public Safety for 20 years. A second-generation firefighter, his formative years were spent around the firehouse watching his father, who spent 38 years on the job, and the other firefighters honing their skills. He currently holds the rank of Major and is the Chief Officer over all Fire, EMS, and Special Operations personnel. David has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Dallas Baptist University. He also maintains state and national certifications as a Paramedic, Tactical Medic, Fixed and Acquired Structure Instructor thru the ISFSI, Instructor I and II, Officer I and II thru the Texas Fire Commission. He holds a deployable status with the State of Texas in both the Texas Emergency Management Assistance Team and the All Hazards Incident Management Team. He has received national and international attention for his work in the area of acquired structure training. Firefighters and companies from all over the U.S., Canada and France have come to train, teach and demo their products in realistic settings with him.
When not learning, teaching or traveling, David can be found with his family enjoying the peace and quiet that only comes with raising teenage boys.
When not learning, teaching or traveling, David can be found with his family enjoying the peace and quiet that only comes with raising teenage boys.
Dogtown Hose and Irons
Josh Cox is a 3rd generation firefighter with a passion for engine work. He began his career as a volunteer in 2000 and has been with the North Little Rock Fire Department since 2004 where he serves as Captain on Engine 6 C-Crew. He is a member of Arkansas Task Force 1 USAR Team and operates the Facebook page Engine Company Specialist.
Captain Sean Walker is a 20 year veteran of the North Little Rock Fire Department. He is a Paramedic assigned to the city's technical rescue and USAR unit, Rescue 1. Cpt. Walker is also a Technical Search Specialist and Rescue Specialist with Arkansas Task Force 1 Blue Team. Cpt. Walker has a degree in Fire Science, a certified IFSAC instructor, and an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Fire Academy.
Captain Sean Walker is a 20 year veteran of the North Little Rock Fire Department. He is a Paramedic assigned to the city's technical rescue and USAR unit, Rescue 1. Cpt. Walker is also a Technical Search Specialist and Rescue Specialist with Arkansas Task Force 1 Blue Team. Cpt. Walker has a degree in Fire Science, a certified IFSAC instructor, and an adjunct instructor for the Arkansas Fire Academy.
FAST Rescue Solutions Cadre
Eric Allen, has 27 years with Philadelphia Fire Dept. 20 years in PFD Special Operations. Creator of the FAST Board.
Michael Horst, 46 Years in the fire service. Chief officers with Harrisburg Fire Department.
Jeremy Mathis, 21 years in the fire service. Captain in Georgia.
Devin Craig, 22 years in the fire service. Georgia Smoke Diver. Captain in Texas.
Michael Horst, 46 Years in the fire service. Chief officers with Harrisburg Fire Department.
Jeremy Mathis, 21 years in the fire service. Captain in Georgia.
Devin Craig, 22 years in the fire service. Georgia Smoke Diver. Captain in Texas.
Jeremy Sanders
Captain Jeremy Sanders that has 18 years in the fire service and has joined the Wood’s FE Team. Jeremy is the creator of Crew 1st Culture and podcast. Jeremy has written a article published by Fire Engineerings community along with several published on Firehouse Vigilance website.
Jonah Smith
Jonah grew up in Richmond, VA where his exposure to the fire service began in the Church Hill area of the RVA with some of the best firefighters in the city. Jonah attended the University of South Carolina for both a Bachelors and Masters and started with the Columbia Fire Department in 2003. After a few years, Jonah pursued a career with the Charlotte, NC Fire Department where he began in 2005. He has served as a Captain since 2010 serving on Engine Companies on the City’s South side. He is currently assigned as a shift Safety Officer, responding to all working incidents in the City on C Shift. Additionally, since the day he received his certifications in 2003, he has volunteered with departments including the Lexington County FD and Columbia Fire Department. Currently he serves as an Assistant Chief at the Pleasant Valley Fire Department in South Carolina. Jonah is a 6 time FDIC instructor and has presented at numerous conferences to include: Firehouse Expo, Fire Rescue International, South Carolina Fire Rescue, Metro Atlanta Firefighters Conference and the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo. He is married with 2 children.
Jonathan Brumley
Jonathan is a career firefighter with the Denver (CO) Fire Department. He has served in both volunteer and career departments in three states. In 2008, he graduated with a BBA in Finance and he also hold various fire service certifications, including Firefighter II and Fire Instructor II, . Previously, Jonathan served as the Training Officer for the Westfield Fire Department (Harris County, TX) and is also a founding member of the Space City FOOLs chapter.
Jonathan has been instructing on the national level since 2016, both as an individual and as part of a cadre member with Fire by Trade, LLC.
Jonathan has been instructing on the national level since 2016, both as an individual and as part of a cadre member with Fire by Trade, LLC.
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