Brent Brooks is a fire service executive, researcher, and international advisor with over 30 years of experience. He currently serves as an Assistant Deputy Chief with the City of Fredericton and previously served as an Acting District Chief with Toronto Fire Services, specializing in highrise and complex-building operations. Brent is widely recognized for bridging frontline firefighting with building design, engineering, and policy. His career includes the development of innovative high-rise tactics, response plans, and equipment packages that have been adopted by multiple fire departments internationally. He has served as a subject matter expert on national and international standards, including contributions related to NFPA integration and complex incident operations. An active leader in the global fire service community, Brent is an advisor to FDIC International, a board member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (Canada), and a member of the Tall Building Fire Safety Network (T70) based in London, England. He is also a member of the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA). He actively supports professional development and equity initiatives within the fire service, including Fire Service Women of Ontario (FSWO). And has spoken three times at the Fire and Life Safety Directors’ Association of Greater New York (FLSDA) symposium in Brooklyn. Brent is a frequent international speaker and published author, with contributions to Fire Engineering, Fire & Safety Journal, International Fire & Safety Journal, Fire Apparatus Magazine, and CTBUH conference proceedings. He is a co-author of The Book of Search and a regular panellist on Fire Engineering’s Humpday Hangout. He continues to donate his time to more than 100 fire departments worldwide in support of training, research, and firefighter safety.

@highrisefirefighting

@fdicindy

@nfpadotorg

@tallbuildingfiresafetynetwork

@fswo

@fireengineering

@countyfiretactics

@intfireandsafetyjournal

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

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Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-roll Sponsor: @rescue_squad_ironworks

@truenorthfools

@ffrescueontario

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Phil Montgomery is a Captain with Central York Fire Services with twenty three years on the job. He is energetic about teaching high rise and mid rise firefighting. and technical rescue skills. He has learned from some of North Americas best and seeks to emualte them as a motivational role model to others. Phil is passionate about building confident firefighters, who are enthusiastic, determined and hard working.

@montgomeryphilkatie

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

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Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Matthew Lysy is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Prince George's County, MD Fire and EMS Department and 10 year veteran of the emergency services.  As a second generation firefighter and continuous student of the profession, Matthew has come to recognize the need to incorporate the human element into operations. With the advancements in technology, apparatus, and PPE the human response is still largely removed from operations. Hailing from New Jersey and growing up along the beach has helped to shape an active and disciplined lifestyle. It is Matthew's belief that although we are a high performance profession in many ways there is still a lot we can learn from in the advancements of other high performing industries. Matthew holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from King's College and is a State of Maryland Level II fire instructor. Matthew is a lead fire instructor with Task Force 1 Inc and an assistant instructor with O2x Human performance. For fun Matthew enjoys spending time with family and exploring new places. Matthew currently lives outside of Baltimore, MD. 

@matthewlysy12

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Kyle Romagus is a 23-year veteran with East Montgomery County Fire Department, holds the rank of Battalion Chief and is in love with engine work.  Kyle is the owner of Smoothbore Cartel and founder of Engine Company Resurrection. 

Kyle teaches engine operations for several well-known fire service instructor groups such as:

• FD tactics

• Elkhart Brass

• Brothers in Battle

• County Fire Tactics

• Oathkeepers engine cadre 

He is also the admin of engine company resurrection.  His primary objective is to share knowledge about the value of Engine work with his fellow firefighters.

Kyle travels the country providing lectures and hands-on training on engine company skills and provides one of the most compelling lectures on fire attack in the industry.

@smoothborecartel

@firehousevigilance

@countyfiretactics

@brothersinbattlellc

@elkhartbrass

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @premiummixmarketingco

Administration: @haileyfirefit

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Aaron recently retired as a 25-year veteran of Seattle Fire and assumed the role of Assistant Chief of Training and Operations with Camano Island Fire and Rescue in August of 2025. Acknowledged by his peers at Seattle FD as Firefighter of the Year in 2011, awarded the Fire Engineering/International Society of Fire Service Instructors George D. Post Instructor of the Year award in 2017, and creator of the Nozzle Forward Program, Aaron has been described as articulate, dynamic and magnetic. He identifies most as a 'Sharer of ideas'. He and his Cadre have taught over 70,000 members of the fire service across North America since the program's inception. He has delivered a keynote at FDIC and contributed to the work of the FSRI as a member of their Fire Attack Technical Panel. He is married with two children. 

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-roll Sponsor: @rescue_squad_ironworks

Photo Credit: @justinidephotography

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Rob “Robbie” Fisher is a retired battalion chief from Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue. He has been a student of the fire service for over 36 years. Before his promotion to Battalion Chief, Rob spent 20 years as a company officer, 15 of those assigned to the department’s only ladder company. He was also a member of Snohomish County’s regional technical rescue team. Additionally, Chief Fisher has held multiple assignments in the Training Division, including serving as the former Chief of the Snohomish County Fire Training Academy (SCFTA) and as a cadre instructor for live-fire and truck operations.

Rob instructs with multiple cadres. In addition to Brothers in Battle, he is affiliated with County Fire Tactics, Roof Pervs, and the Highwaymen. Rob also co-founded Young Officers on Fire, an online mentoring/leadership group.

Robbie has been an active member with the Puget Sound FOOLS since 2002. He has been on the International’s E-board since 2013. He was the Education/Training Chair until he accepted a new position within the International as the West Coast Region Representative in 2022.

 When not instructing or talking about the job, Rob enjoys travelling with his wife of 33 years, Jodie. He enjoys cooking, wine, music, and spending time with his two granddaughters.

@robfisher72

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

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Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-roll Sponsor: @rescue_squad_ironworks

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Robert Policht is a lieutenant with Ladder Company 2 of the Passaic Fire Department, where he also serves on the Fire Investigation Unit.

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Policht is a former volunteer chief and has taught at academies, including the Bergen County Fire Academy, and is the President of the Liberty F.O.O.L.S. He holds a master’s in Emergency Management and Homeland Security from Arizona State University. He serves on the NJ Division of Fire Safety’s Fire Threat Task Force, is a Safety Officer for the NJ-AHIMT, and contributes to the Firehouse Magazine editorial advisory board.

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His work has been featured in Firehouse, Fire Engineering, NJFMBA newsletters, textbooks, and through the Blue Collar Firemen cadre. As founder of Flow and Vent, Policht leads international training, consulting, and podcasting focused on fireground readiness, legacy, and innovation.

@flowandvent

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Amanda Harry is a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist who specializes in supporting firefighters and other first responders through trauma-informed care. Drawing on over two decades of frontline and clinical experience, Amanda helps those who serve their communities navigate the impact of high-pressure work—addressing trauma, managing stress, and staying connected to their sense of purpose. Through evidence-based approaches like EMDR, mindfulness, and self-compassion, she equips first responders with tools to prepare for and process critical incidents, sustain emotional wellness, and continue doing the work they value most.

Beyond her clinical role, Amanda consults on mental health program design and delivery and continues to advocate for accessible, compassionate care across the fire service community.

Learn more at www.amandaharry.com or contact info@amandaharry.com.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Jeff Bryant’s fire service career began in 2007 when he joined his small town volunteer fire department as a third-generation firefighter. He served a couple suburban fire departments until 2014 when he was hired by the Aurora (IL) Fire Department. He is currently assigned to Central Station Truck 2.

Bryant’s true passion lies in training and cultivating the next generation of firefighters. He’s an instructor for the Southern Kane County Training Association, past organizer of the Amboy Fire & Extrication School and Blackhawk Firefighters Association School, founder of the Midwest Area Fire Academy & FireNuggets Search School, collaborator of the West Coast Truck Conference, FireNuggets Webinar Series, Firemanship 2024, and more. 

He started a FireNuggets affiliate for Illinois (Illinois FireNuggets) in 2018 and has brought many training opportunities to the IL area. He has assisted in the creation of multiple other state affiliations and selflessly contributed to their efforts to run their first few events. As of January 2024, Bryant has been selected by the board to serve as the President for FireNuggets, Inc. Bryant then joined Firefighter Rescue Survey in 2019 to assist with data dissemination through social media, training, and seminars. He was able to help secure a non-profit status and make FFRS a 501c3. 

He proudly joined the Brothers in Battle cadre in October of 2022.

Behind Bryant is his very supportive wife, Ashley, and three pretty cool children - Everly, Emmy, and Brody.

@jeffbryant591

@brothersinbattlellc

@thefirenuggets

@firefighterrescuesurvey

@firemanshipconference

@midwestareafireacademy

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Mitch is a 3rd generation firefighter from Ontario, Canada.He has been on the job for over a decade and has merged my passion for fitness and firefighting to found Everyday Heroes, a platform that allows first responders to realize their true potential and prioritize their physical and mental health.

He has felt firsthand how the job and life can pile up, and it’s his learned experience that he leverages to motivate others to make the shifts that have been so transformative for him

Helping the public in acute, high-stress situations is something he is proud of, but helping the helpers, coaching those on the front lines, is his passion. 

@everydayheroes.fitness

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Julie, LPC, PhD is a licensed professional counselor and professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She specializes in treating trauma, substance use disorders, and resilience-building. She has a special interest in the mental health and well-being of first responders. She is a critical incident stress debriefing facilitator with the Chippewa Valley Emergency Support Service and has conducted numerous trainings on the impact of traumatic stress throughout the Midwest.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Jacob is a Lieutenant with the Cibolo Fire Department and has been proudly serving in the fire service for over 10 years. He’s passionate about leading with strong values, building deep relationships, and helping firefighters find purpose in their work. Jacob has been married for 7 years and is a proud dad of two kids. 

His family plays a huge role in shaping who he is—both at home and at the firehouse. He brings that same sense of connection and care into his leadership, believing that when you set clear expectations, build trust, and truly care about your team, great things happen. Based in the fast-growing I-35 corridor in Texas between San Antonio and Austin, Jacob is proud to serve a community that’s expanding quickly—and he’s just as committed to growing the people around him. At the heart of everything he does is one simple belief: firefighters are here to serve, and we do it best when we serve each other first.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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THE GROWTH EXPERIENCE was born of a deep need among men for a deeper sense of connection, meaning and presence in an increasingly chaotic and lonely world.

Many of the social, tribal and cultural institutions that used to support men have lost relevance and meaning in the digital age, yet healthy spaces for men to connect are needed more than ever.

THE GROWTH EXPERIENCE empowers men and creates community through shared experiences that allow men to push beyond their boundaries and gain new skills and brotherhood to support their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

@thegrowthexperiencecollective

@thegrowthexperience_ryan

@thegrowthexperience_matt

@thegrowthexperience_nathan

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-roll Sponsor: @fhtribune

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Marcos Orozco was born and raised in Texas and became passionate about fitness at the age of 12 when his Dad bought him his first gym membership.  He played sports throughout high school and ran track for ASU (400m and 4x400m relay) where he got a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology.  

Marcos has been a career fireman for 17 years and has been training and working out in gear for about 15 + of those years.  

His passion for fitness as it relates to performance on the fire ground is what he is passionate about and what he is best known for.  He has spent the past decade plus training “tactical athletes” and helping them become the best version of themselves, making them an asset rather than a liability.  

Marcos is the owner of Hardknox Sunday where he has programs designed to help firefighters improve their fitness as it relates to performance on the fire ground.  He is a big believer in “you are either an asset or a liability, there is no in between.”

Marcos is co-founder of The Crucible with John Spera and Logan Broberg.  The Crucible is a 24hr class where the participants will do 12 in full-gear workouts over that 24hr period where a standard must be met under the required time frame.  This class is meant to help build that mental fortitude and resiliency, and to share with the participants what has worked for us, the cadre.  We will be focusing on building the participants up and helping them work through those dark moments.  In addition, The cadre will be doing the workouts with the participants, and embracing the shared suffering. 

Marcos is also co-owner of True Grit Training, where they provide realistic “live fire” trainings as well as RIT and Search and Rescue classes in the Denver metropolitan area.  

Marcos has been an instructor for over 11 years and travels all over the country teaching HOT classes and giving his lecture “Improving fire ground performance through fitness and mental fortitude” as well as being on several podcasts in the last couple of years.

@hardknoxsunday

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

Mid-Roll Sponsor - @firehumorcompany

Some of his fire conferences include:  

Ft Lauderdale Fire Expo (Ft Lauderdale, FL)

Fire Shows West (Reno, NV)

FDIC (Indianapolis, IN)

The Castillo Way, (Houston, TX)

Mile High Fire Conference (Denver, CO)

Mid America Fools OKC Conference (OKC, OK).

Some of his podcasts include:

Behind The Shield Podcast

Tailboard Misfits Podcast

Fit to Fight Fire Podcast

Student of the Game Podcast

Undisclosed Agents Podcast

The Sheepdog Society Podcast 

 Some of his “HARD” accomplishes include completing the Dunes 100-mile Ultra Race (2019-FL), completing the Georgia Smoke Diver Program at age 45 (2022-GA), running Pikes Peak Ascent (13.3 miles up to 14,115ft of elevation) in bunker coat/pants (2023-CO), and completing OBT 6 (2024-FL).

Challenging himself and others is what Marcos is passionate about, and he enjoys showing others what is possible. 

Marcos moved from south Florida to Colorado in January of 2023 and has been working for Brighton Fire District where he was in the Training Division for all of 2024 teaching at The North Area Fire Academy (NAFA 14 & 15), sharing his knowledge and passion. 

Marcos believes you must do HARD things you do not want to do daily; you are only as good as what you are currently doing, and what are you currently doing to make people around you better.

“It is our responsibility to show them what is possible.”

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Andrew Pristach is a 14 year firefighter, currently a Sergeant on a heavy rescue with the City of Spartanburg Fire Department in Upstate South Carolina. He is an instructor with the Mississippi State Fire Academy, a founding member of Dixie Firemanship, the owner of Tradesman Fire & Fabrication, and the co-designer of the Council Tool TD30 halligan bar and FE6 and FE8 axes.

@andrew.tff

@tradesman_fire

@dixiefiremanship

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Nick Ledin is a Captain with Eau Claire (WI) Fire Department, currently assigned to Truck 8. Ledin has been a student of the job for 18 years and is a contributor to ‘Firefighter Rescue Survey’, was the former president of the Northland FOOLS, and is a board member of FireNuggets. He’s a technical committee member for NFPA 1700, was a former technical panel member for UL FSRI’s PPA/PPV Study, and is a co-host of the FireNuggets Podcast and GRABS Podcast. Nick is also lucky enough to be a small part of UL FSRI’s Public Education Advisory Committee. He can also grow a pretty legit ‘stache.

@nick.ledin

@ulfsri

@firenuggets

@firefighterrescuesurvey

@northlandfools

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Darren was born and raised in a small town in Saskatchewan. With 25 years of experience in the fire service, he has taught and mentored at various level, always striving to pass on his knowledge and passion for the job. For the Past 16 years, Darren has been a proud member of Oakville Fire. He began as a training Officer, where he helped shape the next generation of firefighters through recruit training, firefighter survival programs, and the development and delivery of technical rescue disciplines. Now serving in Operations, Darren continues to protect the community of Oakville with the same drive and heart that brought him to the service all those years ago.

Darrens love for teaching and mentoring lives on beyond his department. He is an instructor at the South West Fire Academy, where he works hands-on with firefighter boot camps and technical rescue training, and he also teaches technical rescue for the Ontario Fire Marshel’s Office. His mission is simple to give back to the job he loves by preparing others to thrive in it.

Before joining Oakville Fire, Darren spent 18 years in the Canadian Armed Forces first 9 years with the Princess Patrica Canadian Light Infantry (P.P.C.L.I.) and 9 years as a military Firefighter. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for the fire service.

Fitness and performance have always been central to Darren’s dedication. He has proudly represented both the military and Oakville Fire in the Firefighter Combat Challenge, becoming a Muti-time national and world champion. For Darren, its not just about competition, its about pushing limits, leading by example, and showing what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his wife and two beautiful daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves hunting, fishing, and camping, and he keeps active playing hockey in his spare time.

Whether he’s on a call, in the classroom, or out in the woods, Darren lives everyday with heart, grit, and gratitude for the career that has given him so much, and for the opportunity to keep paying it forward.

@dvanzandbergen

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy 

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileygreenfitness

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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Born and raised in El Paso Texas, Bobby Reichardt began his fire service journey at West Valley Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 17 and left 14 years later at the rank of Captain. He currently serves as a Logistics Lieutenant with the El Paso Fire Department and is a licensed Paramedic. He holds a Masters degree in Public Safety Administration and Leadership from ASU, a Bachelors of Emergency Management from West Texas A&M University, and is pursuing his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership. Bobby is married and the father of two daughters. Being the best husband and father are at the top of his to-do list, followed closely by leaving the fire department better than he found it. He’s the founding President of ChucoTown FOOLS.

@chuco_town_f.o.o.l.s.

Sponsorship: @southwest_fire_academy

Editing: @bradshea

Marketing: @m.pletz

Administration: @haileyfirefit

Partnership: @firefighternationhq

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