I was born and raised in Hagaman a small town in upstate New York. I began my ARFF career in the Airforce in 2001 graduating from Goodfellow AFB. My military career gave me the opportunity to receive amazing training and have some fantastic mentors. One thing instilled during my military time was the importance of training and education. I pursued both over time reaching National Certification in Fire Officer 4 and Fire Instructor 3, as well as earning my master’s degree in Emergency Management from the University of New Haven. After the military, I was onto the Albany International Airport, where I currently serve as a Captain in the training division.

Today, I also participate in many other things. I work as a New York State Fire Instructor teaching outreach fire training at the academy and throughout the state. I teach some courses at the Fulton Montgomery Community College as well with 139 Fire delivering ARFF training across the country. I do spend most of the time working as a part owner of Calderwood Training Solutions. We develop custom training programs across the emergency services spectrum as well as offer safety training and exercise design.

In my down time, I’m a big sports fan, the Yankees take most of my time in spring and summer, and the Redskins own the fall. I love watching my daughters play softball, basketball and volleyball coached by my wife.

Though I have had some great mentors no one had been more important to my life then my wife Nicole. She has always pushed me to achieve my goals, and supported me thru them all, from taking care of our 2 daughters Emma (8) and Avery (6) so I can attend training, or reading papers at midnight to ensure I have the correct punctuation and spellings.

I hope to be able to bring good communication and build partnerships in section 1. I hope my experience and networking will be able to help solve some of the issues we are challenged with as well as increase the profile of the ARFF community in the emergency service arena. Thank you for electing me to the position and I hope to serve the group well.

I was born and raised in the Shenandoah valley, where  My father was Career Chief of Augusta County Fire and Rescue Department for 31 years, he retired 3 months prior to 9/11, and my older brother is current Fire Chief of the City of Staunton Fire and Rescue Department.  Shortly thereafter September 11 occurred.  I was employed by the City of Harrisonburg Fire Department, as a Firefighter.  After a short 5-year stay, I was hired by the Richmond International Airport where I was employed for 14 years.  Of those 14 years, I was an ARFF Officer for 12 years of those 14, 2 as a Lieutenant, and the rest as a Captain.  I had the great opportunity to work for Retired Chief Jim Nilo, and  the current Chief Shannon Winebarger.  During My extent at the Airport I had the opportunity to grow as a person and as an ARFF Professional.  Currently I hold several Regional positions:  Operations Team Leader for the Metro Regional Foam Task Force, Assigned the Central Virginia IMT as a Logistics Chief, serve as a Virginia Fire Programs ARFF Instructor.  Regional I am assigned the Regional Radio Upgrade committee (200 million Dollar Project), work with Region in Apparatus design of foam systems, and apparatus, based on their assignments.  Statewide I am curtly assigned Logistics for the Virginia Fire Officer Academy, and Virginia Chief Officer Academy, that is held every year at the University of Richmond.  At the Airport I was assigned the following: ARFF Training of current and new employees, Apparatus design and specifications.   Assigned several other tasks with Airport Police, Communications, and Operations.  I have received several commondations while at work at the Airport.  ARFF WG Heroism Award (2011), Commodation of Service from the FBI (2017), VCU Gala Heroism Award (2013), and ccommondation of life saving award from the County Henrico Division of Fire (2013).  Thank the Chief Charles Lavene for allowing me to assit him as hid duties as the Section 2 Director.

Kevin Garber
kevin9612dawn@verizon.net
540-448-3978

Battalion Chief Rink has been a firefighter for 25 years serving various roles as an airport firefighter since 2012 with the Charlotte Fire Department at Charlotte Doug Int’l Airport.  Chief Rink currently serves as the ARFF Coordinator overseeing all training and compliance matters., the apparatus fleet and airport fire station maintenance issues.  Chief Rink has a Bachelor of Science/Business Administration degree from Western Carolina University.  Chief Rink is a Certified Member thru AAAE Airport Master Firefighter and ARFF Instructor.  Since coming to the ARFF stations, Chief Rink has been involved in every aspect of ARFF life, from foam testing to accident response to FAA inspections and attended numrous working group conferences and training opportunities.  He wants to continue this learning process and help the ARFF community.

Tony Gutierrez has been employed with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Fire Department for twelve years. He has spent the last four years as a Captain and has now been promoted to Fire Chief. Tony has 22 years in the fire service where he has been a structural and aircraft rescue fire fighter. He is a certified AAAE/ARFFWG Airport Master Firefighter, a State of Michigan certified Professional Emergency Manager and also a National Incident Management System Incident Command System 300/400 Instructor. Tony is a State of Michigan Fire Instructor II where he has been instructing in the fire service since 2005. For the last 20 years, he has been a hazmat technician on a County Hazardous Materials Response Team and has been the Hazmat Chief for the past two years. Tony is also a Hazmat Instructor and serves as the Hazmat Technician Program Coordinator for Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Training Center.  He is also a current FAA Private Pilot and is currently working on his AAAE Certified Member designation. Tony is a graduate of Columbia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Management and an associate degree from Baker College in EMS Management. He lives in West Michigan with his wife and two children. Tony is looking forward to working with the Board of Directors and serving the members of Section 4.

Tony Gutierrez
Fire Chief
Gerald R. Ford International Airport Fire Department
5500 44^th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616-233-6077 (office)
231-578-2870 (cell)
agutierrez@grr.org

Ronnie Tocci entered the fire service in 1985, became a career firefighter in 1992, and has been a member of the Dallas Fire Department since 2000.  He currently holds the rank of Fire Captain and is assigned to the Emergency Response and Special Operations Bureau as the Training Coordinator for the department’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Program.  He functions as the Assistant ARFF Coordinator and is responsible for management of the ARFF training program.  This includes curriculum development and revision, training record management, compliance reporting, as well as administration of both the recurrent ARFF training program as well as the ARFF apparatus driver qualification program.  He also serves as a liaison between the fire department and the Department of Aviation regarding ARFF matters at Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas Executive Airport (RBD), and the Dallas CBD Vertiport (49T).

 He earned a B.A. from Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond, Louisiana), two A.A.S. degrees from Weatherford College (Weatherford, Texas), and holds numerous professional certifications, designations, and/or licensure from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

He is also involved the following ARFF-related projects:

• Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Panel Member – ACRP 04-31
• International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) ARFF 7th Edition Textbook Validation Committee
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) ARFF Technical Committee (Alternate Member)
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection’s (TCFP) ARFF Ad-Hoc Committee

 He has been a member of the ARFFWG since 2013.  Prior to his election to the Board of Directors, he served for several years as the Texas State Coordinator and later, the Section 5 Manager.

Contact Information:

Phone – (469) 693-9876

Email – section5director@arffwg.org

Jason P Schnase joined the Port of Seattle Fire Department in 2003. Jason currently works in the Training Division leading recruit academies, in-service training, & research and development. He is the current chair of the POSFD Safety Committee.

Jason’s instructional background includes teaching within the Port of Seattle Fire Dept., the Washington State Fire training Academy and Big Bend Community College. Topics of instruction include all aspects of ARFF to include FAR 139 standards. As well as, Structural Fire Tactics and Incident Command.

 Port of Seattle Fire Department
Battalion Chief – Training and Safety
2400 South 170th St.
Seattle, WA 98158
 206-787-4087
 Schnase.j@portseattle.org

In Captain Snodgrass’s time as the ARFF Training Coordinator he has excelled at building a successful and knowledgeable ARFF training program. Brian’s involvement with the airport is remarkable and his knowledge and experience is sought after by airport administration on matters concerning not just fire but security of the airport, major event preparation and, drill planning/preparation and more.

Captain Snodgrass has co-presented at multiple ARFF Working Group Conferences on Airport Terrorism and the Changing Responsibilities of ARFF Personnel. In 2018 Brian was nominated and honored with the Brian Pugh Outstanding ARFF Training Officer of the Year Award by the ARFF Working Group for his dedication and contribution to ARFF Training.

Captain Snodgrass will bring a unique perspective as a Director for the ARFF Working Group with his experience as both a firefighter and police officer and his unique focus of airport terrorism. Brian has a true passion for the ARFF industry. His leadership and management skills will be an asset to the ARFF Working Group and Section 7. Brian has proven to be a true advocate for the ARFF industry and will be an excellent representative for airports and airport firefighters.

Brian Snodgrass
Captain/ARFF Training Officer/TLO
3547 E Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix Az. 85034
602-534-4262 Desk
602-228-9303 Cell
Section7@arffwg.org

Leah Kosolofski serves as a fire captain for the Winnipeg Airports Authority in Winnipeg Manitoba.  Leah began her career in 1993, working as a structural firefighter paramedic first then transitioned into ARFF in 2004.

Leah also volunteers as the Manitoba provincial representative for GlobalFire.  GlobalFire is a foundation that delivers humanitarian aid around the world by collecting and donating fire suppression equipment and fire gear to fire departments that are in need.

Leah is very excited and honored to be serving as the section 8 director

L.A. (Leah) Kosolofski
Fire captain
Winnipeg Airports Authority
Personal Cell #: 204.299.5048

With 5 years of experience as a Structural Firefighter in Barracks VII of the autonomous city of Buenos Aires and 15 years as an Airport Firefighter.

Certified by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) as an ARFF Operator and Certified by Oshkosh Corporation as an Operator and Basic Maintenance Personnel of the Striker.

He is currently an instructor of SSEI – ARFF operators in the institution;  He trained operators from the countries of Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and with projecting to other countries.

Married to Cintia Lopetegui and with 2 beautiful boys, Benjamin and Dante, they are his engine to continue growing professionally.

Tel: (+549) 11 3594 8644.

alejandromonte@hotmail.es

Peter joined his local volunteer fire brigade as an 18 year old and served there for 20 years, rising to Deputy Chief. During this time he signed up with the Christchurch Int’l Airport Fire Service where he has worked for the last 42 years and has been the Chief Fire Officer for the last 16 years. He also spent two years seconded as Manager, Rescue Fire Service, Rarotonga, Cook Islands where he oversaw the successful transition from expatriate control to local management.

Chirstchurch Int’l Airport
PO Box 14001
Christchurch 8053
NEW ZEALAND
64-21990921
peter.moore@cial.co.nz

My involvement as a participating vendor representative with the ARFF WG dates to 2004, serving on several site visit groups to evaluate and provide feedback to the board for their choice of venue, food, exhibit hall layouts, and entertainment. It’s the details and work accomplished well in advance and behind the scenes that makes all the difference for the overall experience of the attendees and vendors once the registration desk opens at each conference.

A brief bit of detail about my experience and qualifications to serve on the board.  I have been involved in the fire industry for 25 years, serving in several escalating roles of responsibility within not only E-ONE, Inc. but also our entire group of fire apparatus companies.

2002- 2004, Senior Customer Service Representative, E-ONE
2004- 2008, ARFF Technical Application Manager, E-ONE
2008-2018, Sales and Product Manager for U.S. Gov’t. and Airport Products, E-ONE
2018-2021, Aftermarket Key Account Manager, REV Fire Group
2021- June 2022 – Director of Sales- U.S. Gov’t. and Airport Products, REV Fire Group 2022 –  Present – Director of Business Development – Ward Diesel Filter Systems.

I am also an active principal member of the Technical Committee on Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting AIR-AAA, since March 2009.

Ronald “RJ” Jones
Director of Business Development
Ward Diesel Filter Systems

PH: 607-438-7313 

Scott started working at Ward Diesel Filter Systems in April of 2007 as Vice President. In 2013 he purchased the company along with several other manufacturing companies. Ward Diesel is very active in many advocacy aspects within the fire industry and local, state, and national government on the health and safety concerns for the Fire and EMS Industry.

As President and Owner of Ward Diesel Filter Systems Scott helps coordinate several health and safety efforts across the US within the Fire/EMS Industry. His goal is to drive awareness of the extremely harmful issues facing Firefighter and EMS Personnel.

He is currently involved in many Fire/EMS Industry Organizations, Committees, and events. Here are a few of the key Organizations:

• NFPA 1585 Technical Committee
• ARFF Working Group – Section 13 Section Manager
• ARFF Working Group – Health & Safety Sponsor/Committee
• VCOS Cancer Committee Sponsor Member (R & D, Marketing and Committee Strategy)
• VCOS – Assists in the coordination of all sponsors for VCOS Symposium
• VCOS West – Key Sponsor – one of the first sponsor initiating the program
• NVFC – Sponsor Member
• Lavender Ribbon Report – 11 Best Practices for Firefighter Cancer Prevention Chair, Author and Steering Committee Member
• IAFC – Current Member as a Health & Safety Products Manufacturer
• IAFC – FSTAR Health & Cancer 360 – Get Checked Campaign Key Supporter
• Metropolitan Fire Chiefs – Gold Level Sponsor
• FAMA – Current Member as a Health & Safety Products Manufacturer of equipment for emission systems within apparatus

• FAMA – Technical Committees for both Chassis and ARFF
• FAMA – Government Affairs Committee Member
• Fire Service Conference and Trade Event Sponsors – Participate in over 70 Fire Chief Conferences, Seminars and Trade Events annually

In addition to Ward Diesel Scott has a family of companies located at BEST Corporate Park (formerly the Schweizer/Sikorsky Aircraft Manufacturing Facility) in Horseheads, NY. Our other companies are Ward Apparatus, Ward Clean Air Products, Filter Cleaner, EL Manufacturing, Sealmaster Clamps, BOSS Security & Automation, and BEST Corporate Park.

Scott is looking forward to having meaningful dialog if elected to the ARFF Working Group Board of Directors on how we can make an impact within the fire service to mitigate the risk of exposure to carcinogens and other toxic conditions.

Juan R. Espinosa, a native of Dallas, Texas, is a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marine Corps serving at the Pentagon as the Deputy Director of Aviation & Expeditionary Firefighting & Rescue Chief for Installations & Logistics. His primary military occupational specialty is Expeditionary Firefighting & Rescue (7051) and has served in numerous billets, stations and squadrons as an ARFF marine. He has served in protection for American embassies around the world, including Yemen, Damascus, Syria, Bahrain, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom with the Department of State and as an instructor at the Marine Security Guard School in Quantico, Virginia. He also served as a congressional defense fellow for Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) managing foreign relations, veteran and emerging threats policy. He has completed multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

Juan R. Espinosa, MGySgt USMC
Deputy Director Aviation (Ground)
Expeditionary Firefighting  & Rescue Chief 🚒
Marine Corps Installations Command (MCICOM)
Installations & Logistics (I&L), HQMC
3000 Marine Corps Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-3000
Pentagon, Room 2D153A

703.439.7124
juan.espinosa@usmc.mil