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  Mark van der Feyst

  President

  Mark van der Feyst began his career in the fire service back in 1998 with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, Station 21 in Pennsylvania where he served as a Firefighter and Training Officer for a period of four years. From there he joined the Mississauga Fire & Emergency Services, Canada where he served for three years. Currently Mark works for the City of Woodstock Fire Department. Before joining the fire service, he was a design engineer for SimplexGrinnell for five years.
  
  Mark graduated from Seneca College of Applied and Technologies as a Fire Protection Engineering Technologist, the Justice Institute of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Fire and Life Safety Studies. He is pursuing his Masters of Science in Fire & Emergency Management Administration through Oklahoma State University.
  
  Mark is an international instructor teaching in Canada, the United States and India. Mark is a Local Level Suppression Instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. He is also a Professor of Fire Science at Lambton College and an Instructor for the JIBC Bachelor degree program.
  His certifications are as follows: (IFSAC & ProBoard)
  

  •NFPA 1001 Firefighter Level II
  •NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Level III
  •NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Level IV
  •NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer, Fire Suppression
  •NFPA 1521 Health & Safety Officer
  •NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Technician
  •NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Incidents – Commander Level
  •NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist
  •NFPA 1006 General Rescue Technician
  •NFPA 1006 Confined Space Rescue Technician
  •Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office Certifications:
  •OFM Career Firefighter
  •OFM Company Officer
  •OFM Training Officer

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  Eric Wissner

  Eric Wissner is a career fire fighter for the Allegheny County Fire Department at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Eric began his career at the airport in November of 2007 and is one of the staff instructors at their training facility training fire fighters in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and structural classes.
  
  Eric is also involved on the Volunteer side of Fire fighting where he currently holds the position of fire Chief at the Perrysville Volunteer Fire Company just north of the city of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. He has been a fire fighter for Perrysville since 1986 starting at the age of 16. He has been an officer at Perrysville for over 18 years working his way up through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief and into his current office. He oversees the training at Perrysville taking on the responsibility of maintaining the crews high standards of education, training and safety.

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  Derren Neff

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  Matt D. Wehrle

  Matt Wehrle is a full-time Firefighter with the Town of Oakville Fire Department where he works as a Training Officer. Previous to this he was a District Chief with the Grey Highlands Fire and Emergency Services. He was also the Training Officer based at Station 1. In these roles he was an active suppression officer and also responsible for the development, delivery and supervision of the station’s training program. Matt was previously contracted as a structural firefighting and aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) Instructor with the Department of National Defence, Canadian Forces Fire and CBRN Academy located on Base Borden Ontario. Matt has over 13 years of firefighting experience and has the following certifications:

  •NFPA 1001 Firefighter II
  •NFPA 1021 Fire Officer II
  •NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor I
  •NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer, Fire Suppression
  •NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations
  •Emergency Medical Responder

  He also holds certifications from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s
  Office for:
  
  

  •OFM Company Officer
  •OFM Training Officer
  •OFM Career Firefighter
  •Ontario Fire College Level 2 Associate Instructor
  

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  Craig Cunningham

  Hired in 1995, Craig is currently an Acting District Chief with the Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services. He is a former member of the technical rescue team as both a firefighter and an officer. Craig also spent time in the Training Division where he worked as a Training Officer responsible for Tech Rescue and continues to be a Fireground STI (Shift Training Instructor). His background includes Firefighter Survival, Incident Safety Officer, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Haz-Mat, Rope Rescue, Pump Operations, Aerial Operations and Driver Training. Craig also has over nine years’ volunteer fire experience as a firefighter, Captain and an instructor.

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  Fred Gillespie

  Fred Gillespie has over 20 years of emergency service experience. Becoming an emergency medical technician in 1987, he worked for a private ambulance service and was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years. Fred continues to work part time in the emergency communications field, dispatching police, fire, ems and air medical helicopter units. Fred currently is a career firefighter with the city of Erie fire department in Pennsylvania. He is a Captain assigned to Tower 1/ Engine 12. Fred is certified as an EMT, FFII, Fire Instructor 1, Basic Vehicle Rescue, Member of Erie Fire Depts Scuba Dive team and Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Local Level Supression Instructor.

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  Darin Beckes

  Darin Beckes started his fire service career with the United States Air Force in 1997. He was stationed in Alaska for 4 years but decided to get out and continue his fire service career back in Erie. Darin was hired by the City of Erie Bureau of Fire in 2002. He is currently assigned to Engine/Rescue Company 8. Darin is certified as a FF1, FF2, Hazmat Operations, Fire Instructor 1 and 2, Fire Inspector 1, Fire Officer 1 and 2, Airport Rescue Fire Fighter, Advance Rescue Diver and others.
  
  Darin keeps busy teaching with the local departments. He is also an Assistant Chief in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. With all the teaching, and Guard duties Darin does manage a lot of time for his wife, son and dogs.
  
  Darin has been certified as a Pennsylvania Suppression instructor. He has taught many classes including Truck Company Ops, Engine Company Ops, Firefighter Survival, Delmar Essentials, Pumps and others.

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  Tim Llewellyn

  A third generation firefighter, Tim Llewellyn has served as a volunteer firefighter for 19 years, starting as a junior fireman in 1989 at age 14 with the Industry VFD in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. While in Industry, he served the Department as firefighter, 2nd and 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Captain and Training Officer, as well as various business offices, including President of the Department. While pursuing his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at California University of Pennsylvania, Tim became the first ‘College Member’ of the California VFD in 1999; a successful program that allows University students, who remain in good standing with their home departments, to become active suppression members of Station 23. Currently, he is a member of the Cranberry Township Vol. Fire Company, in Butler County, Pennsylvania. Appointed to the position of Training Officer in January 2008, one of his many responsibilities include developing and administering a high quality, real world training environment for this busy, 65+ member volunteer organization. Tim holds ProBoard certifications in Firefighter I & II and Fire Instructor I and has been a member of the Pittsburgh Metro ‘Steel City’ FOOLS since 2006. Tim is employed as a Physical Therapist Assistant in a long term care nursing facility in Coraopolis, PA. He and his wife, Natalie, live in Mars with their energetic Rottweiler, Diesel.

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  Brian Kovac

  Brian has been a member of the Pittsburgh Sprinkler fitters Union Local 542 since 1996 and is currently employed by Grunau Fire Protection Co.
  
  Brian Kovac has served as a firefighter for 18 years with Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company in Butler County, Pennsylvania. He joined the department as a junior at the age of 16.
  
  Brian has served the positions of Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and is currently serving as the Chief in Cranberry Township. He holds certificates in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Instructor I, and Fire Officer I. Brian is also currently a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor.

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  David Mack

  David M Mack. Sr. has served as a volunteer fire fighter for 13 years, starting in 1986 with Kutztown Volunteer Fire Company in Berks County, Pennsylvania. While with Kutztown he served as a fire fighter and held the position of Treasurer of the Truck Crew. After a 10 year break in service, David joined the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company in Butler County, Pennsylvania in August of 1999. He is very active with the company and has served as 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and the Junior Fire Fighter coordinator. He is currently a Fire Fighter and Driver. David holds Pro Board Certifications in Fire Fighter I, Fire Fighter II, and Fire Instructor I. He is also currently a PA State Fire Instructor.

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  Jeff Wissner

  Jeff Wissner joined the fire service in 1987 with the Perrysville Volunteer Fire Company where he served as Captain for 5 years. Now Jeff is employed with the Bellevue Fire Department in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he is a Lieutenant and serves as the Borough’s Fire Marshal. Jeff has extensive experience in both fire suppression and vehicle rescue operations. Jeff has been a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor since 2002 and teaches at the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania State Fire Academies. Jeff graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree and holds the following certifications:
  

  •Fire Officer I, II (Pro-board)
  •Fire Fighter I, II (Pro-board)
  •Fire Instructor I (Pro-board)
  •Fire Inspector I (ICC)
  •Incident Safety Officer (IFSAC and Pro-board)
  •Basic Vehicle Rescue Technician (PA Dept of Health)

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  Braedan MacKenzie

  Braedan MacKenzie has served as a volunteer firefighter with Point Edward Fire & Rescue in Lambton County, Ontario since 2006.
  
  Braedan attended Lambton College to obtain his Firefighter 1 & 2. He also holds certificates in Ice/ Water Rescue, High Angle, Confined Space, Auto Extrication, and Structural Firefighting. Braedan also has his Trainer Facilitator certificate and plays a role in training with Point Edward Fire.
  
  Outside of the fire service he works for GRIP Safety and Rescue in the refinery industries of Sarnia doing on site rescue for confined space and high angle.

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  Marty Wellwood

  Marty Wellwood serves as a Captain with the Grey Highlands Fire and Emergency Services at Station 1 in Flesherton Ontario. He joined the volunteer department in 2001.
  
  He is a front-line officer, certified to NFPA 1001 and is heavily involved with the development and delivery of the station’s training program.

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  Jeff Gooch

  Jeff Gooch began his fire service career in 2001 with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company in Butler County, Pennsylvania where he currently serves as Lieutenant and Training Coordinator. Jeff holds ProBoard certifications as a Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Fire Instructor 1, and Fire Officer 1. He also holds Pennsylvania Department of Health certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and Basic Vehicle and Special Vehicle Rescue Technicians. Jeff works full time in IT as a Desktop Administrator and spends his free time doing freelance web design work, including the Fire*Star Training website.

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  Bill Hayes

  Bill became a student to the fire service starting in 1985 at the age of 16 as a junior fire fighter with the Mars Vol. Fire Co. Mars is located about 25 miles north of the City of Pittsburgh in Butler County, PA. In 2007 Mars Vol. Fire Co. merged into what is now called the Adams Area Fire District. Through the years, he has worked his way up through the ranks from Lieutenant up to and presently Chief. He is also a firefighter for the Wexford VFC which is located just south of Mars in the northern tip of Allegheny County. Bill holds Certifications in Firefighter I and II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, and is a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor amongst other certificates of training.
  
  Bill is currently employed as the Director of Security for the St. Barnabas Health System where he manages a staff of 20 Security Officers. Bill lives in Mars with his wife Renée and 3 children. When he is not at the fire station or training you can normally find him at one of his 3 children’s various sporting events.

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  Mike Langford COTU

  •Started Toronto Fire Department 1991
  •Currently Acting Captain Rescue Squad 313 Toronto Fire Services

            •high angle, ice water, swift water, elevator rescue, auto extrication,            personal entrapment, trench rescue, confined space

  •Strategies of Instruction Toronto Fire
  •Competent supervisor Toronto Fire
  •Instructor of RIT, fire ground survival, Live Fire, ventilation strategies (PPV,PPA,Saw ops), fire behavior, subway fire operations, ice water rescue Toronto Fire
  •Proboard certified NFPA 1041 Instructor II, NFPA 1006 Vehicle and Machinery rescue Tech level I
  •Instructor Flashover, NFPA 1403 live fire, elevator rescue, High Rise operations

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  Dave Connors

  Dave Connors is a Deputy Chief of Training and Operations with the Petrolia Fire Department. He is a 13 year veteran of the fire service serving the constituents of his home town. He is a Nationally Certified Fire Service Instructor I, Fire Officer II and an OFM Trainer Facilitator. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife Nicole and his two daughters.

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  Owen Johnston

  Owen Johnston currently holds the position of Fire Chief on the Chippewas of Nawash F.N.. He started his firefighting career as a volunteer recruit in 1999. In addition to his Trainer Facilitator certificate he has also acquired certificates in High Angle Rescue, Auto Extrication, Fire Suppression, Firefighter I & II and Flashover Recognition. He also serves his community as a Secondary Guidance Counselor. He enjoys Cycling, Crossfit, Tough Mudder and traveling with his Wife and Daughters.

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  Aaron Reppington

  Aron has been a full time firefighter for 19 years and has spent the last 17 with Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services. He is a Captain currently working at one of Mississauga's tech rescue stations. His experience include auto extrication, high angle, water/ice rescue, hazmat, confine space and trench rescue. He is Pro board certified in Vehicle Rescue 1006 and Fire Instructor II.

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  Stephen Hilton

  •10yrs FF with the Ingersoll Fire and Emergency Services.
  •Member of the Ingersoll Fire and Emergency High Angle/Confined Space Rescue Team.
  •NFPA 1001 FF 1 & II
  •OFM Company Officer Level One Certified.
  •NFPA Fire Instructor II certified.
  •NFPA Vehicle Rescue Technician Level 1 certified.
  •Rope Rescue Technician Level.
  •Ice/ Water Rescue Technician Level.
  •NFPA HazMat Operations Level.
  •Certified Evaluator with the OFM for FF I & II Practical Testing.
  •IMS200 and BEM200 certified with Emergency Management Ont.
  •Aerial work platform and basic fall arrest certified.
  

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  Steve Bull

  I began my career as firefighter for the City of Toronto in 2000. Since 2002 I have been assigned to a heavy rescue unit where I have trained as a technical rescue operator with specialized disciplines including industrial and confined space entrapment, high-angle rope rescue, swift water and ice water rescue, and motor vehicle accident extrication.
  
  In 2002 I completed my Competent Supervisor certification under the Ontario Health and Safety Act, and was certified by the Ontario Fire Marshall as a trainer/facilitator for Toronto Fire Services. I provided instruction and skills maintenance to firefighters and fire crews in Firefighter Survival and Rescue. I have also been endorsed by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's base hospital program to provide instruction in Pre-Hospital Patient Care, and Cardiac Defibrillation.
  
  From 2003 through 2010 I was involved in the Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training course offered through Toronto's Humber College School of Social & Community Services where I instructed various disciplines including pre-hospital patient care, confined space, and fire ground operations.
  
  I am now currently enrolled in the Ontario Fire Marshall Company Officer Development module program with areas of study incorporating legislation, leadership and communication, fire prevention, pre-incident planning, incident management, specialized operations, training and development, public education and applied administration. The completion of this modular certification program is required for eligibility as a company officer.

Firestar Services Inc. 27 Golfview Crescent, London, Ontario, N6C 5N2                                                                              Copyright © 2010 Firestar Services Inc.