Chief Andersen currently serves as the Chief Fire Officer of the Copenhagen Fire Brigade which is Denmark’s largest municipal fire and rescue service, serving a population of 1.8 million residents. The Brigade has a force of about 500 divided into 7 fire stations with 200 employees in administration and other services.

Prior to his appointment with the Copenhagen Fire Brigade, Chief Andersen served as the Chief of the Aarhus Fire Department where he helped implement major changes in the Department and municipality of Aarhus including risk-based design and strategic preparedness.

Early in his career, Chief Andersen served with the Copenhagen Fire Brigade which helped strengthen his interest and understanding of the Department.

Chief Andersen is a civil engineer specializing in fire engineering. He attended the University of Maryland, Lund University, and Aalborg University.

Executive Commissioner Austin was appointed to his position in August 2011. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Austin worked for 30 years in the Los Angeles Fire Department and this has provided him with a strong knowledge of what it is like to work in a major metropolitan city.

Commissioner Austin grew up in Detroit so he knows all too well the problems facing Detroit’s embattled fire department and EMS system including low staffing, battered equipment, and complaints about slow response times.

Commissioner Austin has set his number one priority to ensuring the residents of Detroit have reliable fire protection and emergency medical services.

Commissioner Austin has been quoted as saying “you expect well-trained, caring professionals to promptly respond to your call for need.” Commissioner Austin is tackling many major issues including equipment problems and complaints about slow response times and the morale issues these problems create.

Chief Fire Officer Craig was appointed Chief Fire Officer of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) in January 2011. The Chief Fire Officer is responsible for the overall management of the NIFRS and the operational delivery of fire and rescue services to the people of Northern Ireland.

Chief Craig has over 33 years of service protecting the community, joining the then Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in the late seventies. He has served right across Northern Ireland in various management positions and moved to the NIFRS Headquarters in 1997 as the Head of the Legislative and Community Fire Safety Department in Lisburn. In July 2010, he was appointed Acting Chief Fire Officer. Chief Craig is a strong advocate of Community Safety and Prevention.

Chief Craig is the Past President of the Fire Investigators Association of Ireland. He sits on several CFOA Policy Groups, and was recently appointed as a Trustee to the Firefighters Charity.

Chief Dane was appointed as Chief of the Brandon Fire & Emergency Services in May 2005. The Department has 67 employees including 56 full-time Firefighters and serves a population of approximately 50,000 residents.

Chief Dane has served in the Department as a Lieutenant, a Deputy Chief, and an Inspector in the Fire Prevention Division. He continues to set high standards for both the Department and himself. His standards are a definite asset to the improvement of the quality of life in the community. Chief Dane’s early leadership experience emerged through his role as a Union Executive. He was the President of the Brandon Professional Firefighters Association for several years and also served as the President of the Manitoba Professional Firefighters Association.

Chief Dane’s dedication, expertise, and insight were instrumental in the successful planning, building, and moving to a new, $11,000,000 fire hall in 2010. To add to this accomplishment, the project was the first Brandon Municipal building to come in under budget.

Chief Dean has been a strong leader in the Seattle Fire Department for many years. He has helped build a successful partnership between the Firefighters and the community throughout his 40 years of service to the City of Seattle. Under Chief Dean, the 1,155 member Department is organized into four divisions: Administration, Fire Prevention, Operations, and Risk Management.

Chief Dean entered the Department in 1970 as a Trainee Firefighter. He has risen through the ranks serving as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Chief. During his tenure in the Department, Chief Dean has also served in the following management positions: Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief of Administration, Deputy Chief of Personnel, and Deputy Chief of Support Services.

He was selected as Chief Officer of the Year in 2002. Mayor Schell recognized his outstanding work in the Department as the Interim Fire Chief and proclaimed July 23, 2001 as Gregory Dean Day. In October 2001, the Seattle Management Association named Chief Dean “Manager of the Year.”

Mr. Doma has worked extensively with uniformed service organizations by providing them his expertise, knowledge, and diplomatic approach in areas such as strategic planning, contract negotiations, labour relations, organizational development, executive coaching, and training & development.

In addition, Mr. Doma effectively mediates disputes by quickly identifying strategic solutions. Some of the discussions he has facilitated includes: provincial bargaining associations for fire jurisdictions, the Police Complaints Process, and by order in council, the integration of the South Vancouver Island Police Departments.

Other achievements include the development of a five-year strategic plan for the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police, the integration of the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the development of the strategic plan for the Transit Police Service.

Since his appointment as the 37th Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department in 2006 Commissioner Fraser has transformed the department from dysfunctional and outdated to a model Fire Department. He made tremendous improvements in training, maintenance and readiness and was able to streamline processes and programs resulting in millions of dollars in savings and a balanced budget with no layoffs or demotions.

Commissioner Fraser served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. Fraser was the Commanding Officer of USS UNDERWOOD (FFG 36) and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for commanding a multi-national force in the North Arabian Gulf during Operation Iraqi Freedom, protecting two Iraqi offshore oil terminals and training the Iraqi Navy. Commissioner Fraser also served as the Director of Damage Control and Firefighting Training at Surface Warfare Officers School Command. He holds a Masters Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs and Strategic Planning from the US Naval War College.

Lieutenant Colonel Isler was appointed to his position in 2009. His two primary roles are Chief Fire Officer and Chief Civil Defense Officer at St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Following an early career as a teacher and carpenter, Lt. Col. Isler joined the Professional Fire Brigade of St. Gallen in 1990 as Officer responsible for Intervention Planning. From 2000 to 2009, he led the Professional Fire Brigade in this city. During this period he built, along with his commanding crew, considerable knowledge in Tunnel Fire Service.

He has shared this knowledge since 2002 with many Fire Services from all over Europe into the Hagerbach Facilities in Switzerland. This instruction included presentations to Fire Services from the Netherlands and also those from Dublin and Limerick. Lt. Col. Isler became affectionately known as “Chisler, the Swiss Tunnel Rat.” In 2005, after studies he received a Swiss diploma in Business Engineering.

Chief Superintendent Laguna was appointed in January 2011 as Chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Capital Region (NCR), a place considered in the Philippines as the “combat zone” in the Fire Service. He is a graduate of the Philippines National Police Academy (PNPA). Chief Laguna holds a Masters Degree in Management which he took at the Trinity University of Asia, Philippines.

Chief Laguna is veteran Firefighter who has been in the service for 25 years. He started his firefighting career as a Sub-Station Commander. He became a Directorial Staff in the Bureau of Fire Protection, National Headquarters and has been assigned for 13 years as Regional Director to different regions all over the Philippines prior to his current position.

Chief Laguna has been actively involved in disaster, relief, and rescue operations during his stint as Regional Director in the southern part of Luzon, Philippines. He is the recipient of numerous awards, commendations and medals including the “Lakan Distinguished Award” given by the PNPA, as an outstanding alumnus for demonstrating exemplary contribution in the field of public safety services.

Director Lo joined the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSD) in 1975 and was appointed the Director in 2007.

During his 36 years of service, Director Lo made notable contributions to enhance the emergency response capabilities, public fire safety awareness, and fire safety standards in the territory.

The HKFSD has a complement of approximately 9,100 uniformed personnel and about 600 civilian members. It is divided into three operational Fire Commands: Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Director Lo commanded a staff of more than 9,500 and was assisted by a Deputy Director.

He was elected President of the Institution of Fire Engineers (Hong Kong Branch) in 2004. Instrumental in establishing a Fire Discipline within the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, he was elected Fellow Members in 2009.

Chief Fire Officer Lupton was initially appointed as the Chief Fire Officer of the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service in March 2002. He was reappointed for a second five-year term in March 2007. Prior to his appointment in South Australia, Chief Officer Lupton was the Deputy Fire Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia, Canada.

Chief Lupton has served as a Director of the International Fire Chiefs Association of Asia and contributed to the initial development of the Asian Fire Service Standards. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and the International Fire Marshals Association. Chief Lupton is also an Honorary Life Member of the Fire Prevention Officers Association of British Columbia.

He has been awarded the Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia Certificate of Merit for his contribution to the British Columbia Fire Service as well as the Canadian Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal. Chief Lupton has helped initiate a collaborative approach to sector-wide emergency service reform and contemporary industrial relations in South Australia.

Chief MacDonald was appointed Chief of the Charlottetown Fire Department (CFD) in August 2009. Chief MacDonald has 28 years of fire service experience in fire inspection, investigation, prevention, and education. He has served numerous positions within the former Parkdale and CFD, most recently as both Fire Inspector (1995-2007) and Deputy Chief (2007-2009).

Throughout his career, Chief MacDonald has been instrumental in the introduction of numerous initiatives in the CFD, including the uniting of CFD Station #1 and Station #2 to work as a cohesive and highly functional unit. His research and development of the Incident Command and Personal Accountabilities System has helped to improve the safe and effective operation of the Department.

Chief MacDonald has demonstrated through his dedication and initiative his ability to provide the residents of Charlottetown with top quality fire protection and emergency services.

Chief McKearney joined the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services in 1980 and served in several divisions including as Deputy Chief Emergency Services for 5 years. Chief McKearney was appointed Fire Chief by Mayor and Council in July 2009. He brings a strong record of achievement, leadership and commitment, with over 30 years of experience.

In addition to his fire service career, Chief McKearney has been very involved with the community and other professional activities. He is a leader with the United Way Cabinet and is involved with the Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia and the Office of the Fire Commissioner’s Diversity Committee. Chief McKearney has obtained a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

As the Chief Officer, his vision is to lead the Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services as a collective of public safety practitioners serving our communities with excellence as responders, educators and fire safety inspectors. In 2011, Chief McKearney completed a Harvard University Senior Executive Fellowship program.

Chief Simonds is Chief of the Hamilton Emergency Services and President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. Chief Simonds is the Past President of the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs and Past President of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association.

Prior to his appointment, and after starting out as a Firefighter and working up the ranks, Chief Simonds was the Chief and Deputy Chief in Saint John, New Brunswick for 13 years.

As a 29-year veteran of the fire services, Chief Simonds has a strong background in leadership having completed a Master’s program in leadership studies at Royal Roads University and being the only Canadian Fire Chief in 2010 to receive a Harvard Fellowship to attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Chief Simonds has completed Advance Incident Command Training at the United States National Fire Academy and Special Operations Training at Texas A&M University.

Chief Soptich entered the Fire Service in 1975 and was promoted to Chief in 1986. Eastside Fire & Rescue consists of 150 career employees and 70 on-call volunteers serving four cities and two fire districts, protecting 190 square miles of eastern King County, Washington.

Chief Soptich holds a Degree in Fire Command and Administration. He was a 2008 recipient of the NFA-EFOP Outstanding Research Paper Award.

Chief Soptich is currently serving as President of the King County Fire Chiefs Association.

The King County Fire Chiefs Association (KCFCA) promotes fire prevention through legislation and education of the fire service, and the general public. The organization consists of 34 departments that span across King County, Washington. KCFCA strives to cultivate a closer fraternal fellowship between the branches of the Fire Service that serve King County, including EMS, Fire Prevention, Fire Suppression, Chief Officers, and Emergency Management personnel.

Chief Stewart was appointed Chief of the Toronto Fire Services in May 2003. Chief Stewart is a 38-year Fire Service veteran having served in the former City of North York Fire Department for 26 years prior to the amalgamation of the new City of Toronto on January 1, 1998. Chief Stewart has served as an Operations Firefighter, Captain, Administration Chief, Assistant Deputy, and Deputy Chief.

Chief Stewart served as a member of the Ontario Fire College Professional Standards Setting Body in the review of all standards for Firefighter training in Ontario. He is the Past President of the Institution of Fire Engineers (Canada Branch). Chief Stewart also serves as the Immediate Past President of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Past President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs/National Fire Protection Association. Chief Stewart is a graduate of the Ontario Fire College, Technology Diploma Programs, Executive Development Program, and the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College.

Directeur Tremblay began his fire service career in 1979 and became Montreal’s Fire Chief in 2004. He heads the sixth largest fire department in North America. It is comprised of 2,300 uniformed firefighters and 400 support staff who work out of 66 fire halls protecting 1.8 million residents.

Through his leadership, the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal has become recognized for its professionalism and dedication. Directeur Tremblay’s ability to communicate, his honesty, integrity, and his commitment to being close to his firefighters at major incidents has earned him widespread respect within the Department.

Directeur Tremblay’s record of accomplishment includes being named Canada’s “Full-Time Fire Chief of the Year.” He has served as President of both Quebec’s Provincial Fire College and the Association des chefs en sécurité incendie du Quebéc.

During his tenure as President of the Association des chefs en sécurité incendie du Quebéc, Directeur Tremblay was instrumental in creating the Provincial Fire College and in establishing training requirements for all Quebec Firefighters.

Chief Fire Officer Treviño joined AssetCo in 2011. He has 36 years of experience in the Fire and Rescue Service. Prior to his appointment with AssetCo, he was Fire Chief of the City of Bellevue, Washington, Fire Chief of the City and County of San Francisco (2001-2004), and Fire Chief of the City of Las Vegas (1996-2001), where he managed budgets of up to $235 million and up to 1,950 staff. Previously, he was a Firefighter at the Seattle Fire Department and progressed through the ranks to Deputy Chief (1973-1996).

Chief Treviño founded and developed the Seattle Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, under the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He led the team to respond to the Northridge Earthquake in Los Angeles. Chief Treviño served as a change-agent for the San Francisco Fire Department, successfully balancing a $227 million budget for the first time in ten years, implemented Paramedic Engine Companies - and introduced significant safety and modernization programs.

Dr. Trider joined Canadian Professional Management Services in 1999 upon his retirement from the Halifax Regional School Board as Superintendent.

His education career spans over 32 years and includes many high profile roles and responsibilities including President of the Canadian Association of School Administrators.

Since joining Canadian Professional Management Services, Dr. Trider has been instrumental in the development of the annual International Conference for Police & Law Enforcement Executives as well as the annual International Conference for Fire & Rescue Executives. These executive education conferences are recognized for the relevance of their programs and the quality of their speakers.

Dr. Trider’s responsibilities include the development and presentation of leadership programs for uniformed services and governance boards, as well as assistance in strategic planning.

Chief Washburn-Livingston was appointed Chief of the Davenport Fire Department in October 2011. Prior to her appointment, she spent 29 years with the Rockford, Illinois Fire Department. Chief Washburn-Livingston holds a Bachelor’s Degree, with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science. She works as an Adjunct Instructor in Fire Science at Rock Valley College and is furthering her own career with the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy.

Chief Washburn-Livingston spent close to three decades working her way up the ranks on the Rockford Fire Department prior to her appointment to the Davenport Fire Department. Chief Washburn-Livingston was the first female to be promoted to Captain in the Rockford Fire Department. She was also the first female District Chief at the Rockford Fire Department. The Davenport Fire Department consists of a complement of 139 uniformed personnel, a physician Medical Director, an Emergency Medical Services Coordinator and, two civilian secretaries. The Department has served the residents and visitors of Davenport for over 123 years.