2020 Fire School Instructors
#3 Advanced Topics in Fire Officer Development
In March of 1981 Chief Ramm was appointed to the department as a volunteer fireman. Chief Ramm was hired full time in 1995. In 2000 he was promoted to Lieutenant. Then in March of 2013 promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations. On March 17, 2017 Chief Ramm became the Chief of the Department. Chief Ramm has an associate’s degree from Owens in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University graduating from both with honors. Chief Ramm also has his Executive Fire Officers training completed through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association. Chief Ramm likes to pride himself on his ability to lead by example. Chief Ramm will be working with both The Operations division and The Risk Reduction division of the Fire Department. Chief Ramm will report directly to John Zeitler the Township Administrator. Chief Ramm has also spent many years teaching in the EMS field at all levels including Paramedic entry and continuing education currently working for Lucas County Ems as a CE instructor. Chief Ramm has also been a Flight Medic working for Mercy St. V’s at several of their flight locations along with the Mobile Life units. Chief Ramm is married with three children, wife Mary Ann married for 30years, sons Jason (30) and Cody (29), and a daughter Courtney (21) still at home and currently enrolled at The University of Toledo in Nursing. The Ramm’s are also now expecting their first grandchild in May of 2020. Chief Ramm is a second generation Chief in Sylvania, following his dad Burt. Chief Ramm’s main goal is to make the community of Sylvania a safe and enjoyable place to live, visit and raise a family.
9.New Vehicle Safety Systems for the Rescuer
Dan Strayer started his career in the fire service in 1994. During his time he has served with volunteer, combination and full time departments. His current role is that of Assistant Fire Chief of The Margaretta Township Fire Department located in Erie County.
For the past five years,Dan has been the Northwest Ohio sales representative/trainer of Holmatro Rescue Equipment through employment by Sutphen and Herb Fire. He provides area departments with on site demos and trainings per their request.
Besides equipment demonstrates Dan is also an instructor of extrication classes for multiple agencies, including The Northern Ohio FOOLS, EHOVE Fire Academy and is an adjunct instructor for BGSU Fire School.
#12 Ohio Fire Incident Reporting (OFIRS) Class
Anita Metheny. I am the Assistant Chief in the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Ohio Fire Incident Reporting System (OFIRS), Program Manager. I have been in the fire service for 30 years starting out in a volunteer fire department in my home town, working my way up through the ranks. I worked in Nevada as a career Firefighter/Lieutenant/Paramedic for 16 ½ years and took an early retirement to move back to Ohio.
#14 Street Smart HAZMAT and Technical Rescue Awareness
Jake Hoffman is a Toledo Firefighter assigned to Rescue Squad 7. He is a member of OH-TF1 FEMA USAR and co-owner of Squad 5 Fire Training.
Jamie Morelock is a firefighter in the City of Toledo assigned to the Special Operations Bureau. He is a member of OH-TF1 FEMA USAR and an instructor for Squad 5 Fire Training.
#15 Back to Basics Rescue
Jake Hoffman is a Toledo Firefighter assigned to Rescue Squad 7. He is a member of OH-TF1 FEMA USAR and co-owner of Squad 5 Fire Training.
Jamie Morelock is a firefighter in the City of Toledo assigned to the Special Operations Bureau. He is a member of OH-TF1 FEMA USAR and an instructor for Squad 5 Fire Training.
Joe Hoffman is a Toledo firefighter assigned to Engine Co. 21. He is a member of TFD’s HAZMAT and Technical Rescue Teams and is a co-owner of Squad 5 Fire Training.
Mark Hoffman retired as a Lieutenant from the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad and is an instructor for Squad 5 Fire Training.
Chris Hartford is a Toledo firefighter assigned to Engine Co. 21. He is a member of TFD’s HAZMAT and Technical Rescue Teams and is a co-owner of Squad 5 Fire Training
#17 Command Officer Boot Camp - Developing a Winning Incident Action Plan
“Iceberg, Dead Ahead” - Leadership Lessons From The Titanic Disaster
Matt Beakas - currently serves with Waterville Fire Department & Middleton Township Fire & Rescue. He holds a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership from Bowling Green State University. His primary mission is to bring mentoring and leadership skills from his education background to improve and strengthen volunteer departments across the area.
He also serves as a Fire Instructor with Four County Career Center and also serves on the “Volunteer Issues” and “Health and Wellness” Committees with the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association. In addition, Matt has also had several articles featured in FireRescue Magazine and by FireEngineering related to the volunteer service.
Ron Kay - is the Fire Chief for Washington Township and is a Health & Safety Officer with the Toledo Fire Department. Ron is an experienced Health And Safety Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry. Skilled in Research, Management, Emergency Management, Leadership, and Team Leadership. Chief Kay had the opportunity to present this past summer at the National Volunteer Fire Council’s National Training Summit.
Chief Kay brings over 30 years of fire service experience in both the career and volunteer realm. His department is one of the few in Northwest Ohio to establish a formalized Employee Assistance Program dedicated to volunteers. This program can be used by its members, their spouses, and their children.
Brandon Westerman - serves as a full-time Firefighter / Paramedic with the City of Bowling Green. Brandon is a USMC Veteran and completed several deployments to Iraq as a platoon leader. He brings a wealth of leadership and fire service knowledge to our group.
Brandon also serves as a tactical medic on the Wood County SRT and as an Arson Investigator for Bowling Green Fire Division. Brandon has completed the arson program at the National Fire Academy and is a graduate of Fire Science program at Bowling Green State University.
Brandon currently serves on Woodville Fire Department and also works as a certified rescue diver for the county response team.
Doug Meyer - is the Interim Fire Chief at the City of Waterville. Chief Meyer brings his leadership experience from his military background and his time serving as a Deputy Chief.
He’s responsible for creating a family-first concept that has revamped Station 77’s culture. Chief Meyer is in the process of working through a proposed fire-district with Station 85, Whitehouse Fire Department.
Chief Meyer has witnessed Waterville transition from an all-volunteer department, to a part-time, and now to them hiring their first, full-time members to serve the city.
Chief Meyer currently holds Fire Officer I-IV Training in the State of Ohio and has completed the Maxwell Leadership studies program.
#21 What’s New? Preparing yourself of Battle,
Are you ready?
Mark Briggs. I began my fire career in 1980 with Rossford Fire Department. I was with Rossford for 25 years, during that time I received my 240 hour Professional Fire Fighter and my paramedic certifications. I was promoted to the positions of Fire Lieutenant and Fire Captain which included departmental training.
I also worked as a paramedic for Mobile Medic Ambulance service and was assigned to Lake Twp Fire Department’s Medic 50 as the Primary ALS unit.
In 2002, I began working for Village Ottawa Hills Fire Department. In 2011 the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department took over fire service for the Village and I continued with TFRD. I have been involved with the Training Bureau as an Academy Instructor, Lead EMT Instructor, and a Paramedic Instructor. In 2017 I was appointed to a fire review committee by the fire chief. This committee looks at fires to improve operational efficiency, safety, and continued line education.
I have given time to the community where I live as a member of the Troy Township Volunteer Fire Department for the last 14years. I have served as an EMS Captain, their Training Officer and their Fire Safety Inspector.
I spent 15 years teaching at Owens Community College in the Fire Science Program and 4 years as the Fire Training Coordinator for the Center of Emergency Preparedness.
Educating fire fighters has been a passion of mine for the past 29 years.
#24 Suburban to Rural Engine Companies
#25 Talking TIC
Jordan Hempker, Firefighter/Medic with American Twp Fire Department (Lima, Oh) with 12 years in the fire service. Served with departments in rural, suburban, and urban settings with Volunteer, Part-time, and full-time positions. Owner and operator of Western Buckeye Training.
#27 Cancer-proofing your career in the Fire Service
Steve Westcott, MS, EMT-P, is a retired Career Firefighter/Medic from Northeast Ohio and third-generation firefighter with 18 years in the fire service. Westcott is a two-time leukemia survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, along with having 10 years with the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) as the state director of Ohio and a member of the National Board of Directors. In addition to the FCSN, for the last 15 years, Westcott has served as an Instructor at the Ohio Fire Academy and faculty for the Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain County Community College as a professor in all the fire and EMS programs. In addition to all state and national certifications, Westcott has an A.S. in Fire Science, B.S. in both Fire Engineering (Minoring in Leadership) and Applied Sciences, and an M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.