Board of Directors

Assistant Fire Chief, Kirkwood Fire Department

Brian Zaitz is a twenty-two year student of the fire service currently working as the Assistant Fire Chief with the City of Kirkwood.  Brian has worked to achieve the following degrees: a masters of science in human resource development, a bachelors of science in fire science management and associates of science in paramedic technology.  He is an active instructor, teaching for the St. Louis County Fire Academy, North County Training Association and Engine House Training, LLC.  In addition, Brian works on the FEMA USAR team Missouri Task Force I currently assigned to the Safety Officer role.  Brian holds numerous certifications including the Chief Training Officer credential and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.

Deputy Chief-Operations, Louisa County, VA, Department of Fire & EMS

Tony Carroll started in the fire service as a 15-year old junior firefighter.  He joined the Occoquan-Woodbridge-Lorton Volunteer Fire Department, in Woodbridge, Virginia, and rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Fire Chief.  Carroll continues to serve with the OWLVFD obtaining life membership in 2004.

In 1989, he was appointed to the Alexandria, Virginia, Fire Department and served there until 1992 when he received appointment to the District of Columbia Fire Department.  In May of 2021, Tony retired from the DCFD after a great career of 29-years.  With the DCFD, Carroll served with engine, truck and rescue companies and as an instructor.  As an officer, he led busy companies and served as a shift safety officer.  While a battalion chief, Carroll commanded the 1st, 2nd and 5th battalions and spent time at the Training Academy as the Assistant Training Director.

After retirement from the DCFD, Carroll took a position with the Louisa County, Virginia, Department of Fire & EMS.  Today, he serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations for this growing, rural, combination department.

In 2015, he was chosen to participate on the Technical Panel of the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Firefighter Safety Research Institute’s Study of the Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Firefighter Safety and Occupant Survival.  This was followed by his service on the panel for a new study;  Coordinated Fire Attack utilizing Acquired Structures.

Carroll splits time between Woodbridge and Mineral, Virginia, with his 4 girls (Wife, Heather, and 3 daughters, Delaney, Keagan and Taryn) and dog.  When not at a firehouse, Tony can be found at a dance studio, on Lake Anna or on I-95.

Tony believes that he has found something he loves to do and through his experience and education can help others to get the most out of their time with the fire service.

Training Chief, Northville Township Fire Department

Jesse is the Training Coordinator for the Northville Township (MI) Fire Department, where he has served since 2002. He is passionate about taking an innovative approach to training and continuing education. Jesse has presented at various state and national conferences and enjoys learning as much as he can about the fire service. Jesse has a master’s degree in Public Safety & Emergency Management and is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s Fire Staff & Command School. He is an active member of the ISFSI and currently serves as a Director at Large on the ISFSI Board of Directors. His involvement with the ISFSI also includes serving as an instructor for the Training Officer Credential Program, Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires Program, and Implementing NFPA 1700 Program. 

Jesse places an emphasis on building construction, fire dynamics, strategic level command and operational readiness. He is also a member of the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) Training Advisory Committee.  As an instructor, Jesse specializes in curriculum design, educational methodology and educational technology. He was directly involved with developing the curriculum and resources needed to implement the only Fire Officer series in the State of Michigan to receive Pro Board Certification. Jesse continues to seek out new ways to develop, master and maintain the many skills needed by today’s fire service providers.

Deputy Chief of Operations, Big Sky Fire Department

Seth Barker is the Deputy Chief of Operations for the Big Sky Fire Department in Big Sky, MT.  Chief Barker is a Logistical Coordinator for FireFighterCloseCalls.com and has contributed to the 13 Life Safety Initiatives for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.  He sits as the Vice-Chair for the Volunteer Combination Officer Section for the International Association of Fire Chiefs Cancer Alliance Committee.  Barker is one of the contributing authors for the Lavender Report issuing the 10 Best Practices of Cancer Prevention in the Fire Service.  He is a featured author in Fire Rescue Magazine over the past 4 years and delivers multiple courses on preplanning your community in an all hazard discipline environment.  Barker holds the Liver Fire Instructor certification and the Training Officer Credential through the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI).  He is part of the curriculum development team that produced projects funded by the American Fire Grants with partnerships with Underwriters Laboratories and ISFSI that included Principals of Modern Fire Attack, Safe Law Enforcement Fire Ground Operations, and recently Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires. Barker is a Blue Card Instructor, has served as an instructor for the Montana State Fire Service Training School, and is a Modern Fire Behavior Instructor.  He serves as the 1st Vice President for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.  Chief Barker holds the Fire Officer and Chief Training Officer Designation from the Center of Public Safety and Excellence. He recently received the Jim Blankenship Award from the Montana State Fire Chiefs Association for excellence in Fire Training.

Represents the membership from the following states:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Represents the membership from the following states:

Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Mississippi.

Represents the membership from the following states:

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Represents the membership from all of the Canadian Provinces:

New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territory, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory.

Battalion Chief, Oakland (CA) Fire Department

Represents:

All International countries, territories, and geographic areas outside of the United States and Canada, including federal and military fire service members.

Demond is a 22-year member of the fire service currently serving as a Battalion Chief for the Oakland (CA) Fire Department.  He is an adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy and various other universities.  Currently, Demond serves as a board member for the International Association of Fire Chiefs/Company Officer Section, liaison to the IAFC Professional Development Committee, and committee member for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.