Chief Fulmer currently serves as the Fire Chief for a suburban fire department near Dayton, Ohio. This combination department is comprised of career and part-time firefighters that provide service to a 22-square mile jurisdiction from four fire stations.

Chief Fulmer began his fire service career in 1983 with the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department located in Steubenville, Ohio. During his tenure he held the rank of junior firefighter, senior firefighter, Lieutenant, and Captain leaving the Department in 1993.

In 1989 Chief Fulmer accepted a position with the City of Fairlawn Fire Department located West of Akron, Ohio (http://www.cityoffairlawn.com). He held the position of Firefighter/EMT-B and fire inspector. While working for the City of Fairlawn he was actively involved with the Summit County Hazardous Materials Team as a hazardous materials technician.

In October of 1993 Chief Fulmer accepted a position with the University of Illinois – Fire Service Institute [FSI] located in Champaign, Illinois (http://www.fsi.uiuc.edu). He held a faculty position as an Assistant Fire Service Education Specialist with the Fire Service Institute, which was the State of Illinois Fire Academy. During his tenure at FSI, he was a core member of the faculty for the Fire Academy that trained career and volunteer firefighters in meeting the training standards as set forth by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (http://www.state.il.us/osfm/) and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (http://www.ifsac.org). He also was responsible for the Smoke Diver’s Program and Weekend Structural Burn sessions. During his last assignment he was assigned as the program manager for the Fire Officer Development Programs and the Annual Fire College, which is the Nation’s longest consecutive run fire college.

While at the University of Illinois – Fire Service Institute Chief Fulmer served with the Village of Savoy Fire Department (http://www.village.savoy.il.us), located south of Champaign, Illinois. During his tenure with the department he held to positions of firefighter, Captain, and Assistant Chief.

In 1998 Chief Fulmer accepted the Fire Chief’s position with the City of Fitchburg Fire Department (http://www.fitchburgfire.com), which is a suburb of Madison, WI. During his tenure with Fitchburg Chief Fulmer was responsible for implementing a part-time staffing program to augment career staffing as well as completing a draft strategic plan. During that time he also served as the Secretary for the Dane County Fire Chief’s Association and as the Executive Secretary/Treasurer for the Wisconsin State Fire Chief’s Association (http://www.wsfca.com).

Chief Fulmer is a graduate of the University of Akron. He received an Associates of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technologies (http://sc.uakron.edu/?/publicservice/fp.html) and a Bachelor’s Science in Technical Education (http://www.uakron.edu/colleges/educ/) in 1992. He continued his education while serving with the University of Illinois and received his Masters in Public Administration from Governor’s State University (http://www.govst.edu), located in University Park, Illinois, in 1998. Chief Fulmer is actively working on his post-graduate studies. He is enrolled in Walden University’s School of Management. Once completed, his Ph.D. will be in Applied Management and Decision Sciences with a concentration in Leadership and Organizational Change (http://www.info.waldenu.edu/businessmanagement.php).

Chief Fulmer is a 1998 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer’s Program (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/training/nfa/efop/) and in 2002 received the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer Designee through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (http://www.cfainet.org).
Chief Fulmer is also a veteran of the Unites States Army – National Guard. He served from 1987 to 1993 with the Ohio & Illinois Army National Guard holding capacities as a radio teletype operator, transportation specialist, and infantryman.

Chief Fulmer is very active in professional organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. He is a past President of the Montgomery County Fire Chief’s Association. He also serves on the Oversight Committee for Ohio Task Force 1 (http://www.ohtf1.com), which is housed under the Miami Valley Fire Alliance (http://www.mvfea.com) and serves as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board for State of Ohio’s Regional III Strike Team. Chief Fulmer is actively involved with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (http://www.iafc.org), more specifically the Volunteer and Combination Officer’s Section (http://www.vcos.org). He has worked on numerous committees for the Section and is one of the core instructors for their leadership course that is taught across the country. He is currently co-chairing the Fire Fighter Line of Duty Death Investigation Procedure Taskforce for the International Association of Fire Chief’s – Safety Health and Survival section. He also serves as a member of the National Fire Protection Association’s (http://www.nfpa.org) 1021 Professional Qualifications for Fire Officer’s.

Fulmer has published in several professional journals including Fire Engineering Magazine and First Responder Magazine. In conjunction with several Fire Chiefs from across the country, he is co-authoring a Fire Service Management book with Jones & Bartlett Publishing Company. In 2005 Chief Fulmer received the Antioch Shrine (http://www.antiochshrine.com) Firefighter of the Year Award.

David can be reached at david.fulmer@fulmer-shawconsulting.com or at 937-312-9434.

Timothy A. Shaw joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation in March of 1985. He retired from active service in February, 2006 and is a twenty one year veteran of the FBI.

As an FBI agent, Mr. Shaw investigated complex criminal and terrorism matters. During Mr. Shaw’s career he received three Awards for Exceptional performance, two Outstanding Law Enforcement of the Year Awards, from the Southern District of Florida, and sixteen different Letters of Commendation for investigative, administrative and tactical efforts. Through out Mr. Shaw’s career he provided training to all levels of law enforcement. Mr. Shaw has provided training in the areas of Legal Instruction, Major Case Management, Street Survival, SWAT Tactics and Terrorism. Mr. Shaw has written affidavits for Federal Search Warrants, Criminal Complaints, Title III Wire Communication Intercepts, and affidavits for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court. Mr. Shaw has investigated white-collar crimes, violent crimes, narcotic crimes, cyber crimes, and for the past three years he has investigated domestic and international terrorism matters. His experience with terrorism investigations has enabled him to work through out the United States and with investigators in the Middle East and Canada.

Mr. Shaw was also a FBI SWAT Team member for over 17 years both in the Miami Office and the Cincinnati Office. He was the Senior Assistant Team Leader for the Cincinnati Field Office upon his retirement. As a SWAT team member and team leader he wrote and planned several complex operational plans for high risk missions, including drug operations, motorcycle gangs, and violent felons. Mr. Shaw participated in several major events as a SWAT team member. These include Central American – Caribbean Games, Summit of the Americas, siege at Waco, Texas, several Super Bowls and All Star Classics, protection details for the Attorney General of the United States and the Director of the FBI.

Mr. Shaw has been certified as a Tactical Air Officer/Rappel Master, WMD HAZMAT tactical operator and was also an Assistant WMD Coordinator in the Cincinnati Office. He conducted several SWAT and Street Survival schools in South Florida and Ohio. Mr. Shaw helped establish the Greene County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team, by conducting a week long training course. This enabled the Greene County Sheriff’s office to have there own operational team.

Mr. Shaw received his BA from Muskingum College in Education in 1977. While at Muskingum he participated in varsity track and was three year letter winner. Upon His graduation, Mr. Shaw was sworn in as a United States Marine Corps officer in June 1977 and resigned his commission in March 1985. Mr. Shaw attended the basic school and was then assigned to Fort Sill, Okalahoma, for artillery training. After graduation he was assigned to the Second Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Mr. Shaw was assigned as a forward observer and Fire Support Coordinator Liaison Officer while twice deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. He was transferred to the 6th District Marine Corps Recruiting district where he served as the Assistant Contact Team Leader. Mr. Shaw trained and inspected recruiters in the seven southeastern states.

Mr. Shaw left active duty for the Marine Corps to attend Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit School of Law. He remained in the Marine Corps reserves where he served as the Weapons Officer for Weapons Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines in Toledo, Ohio. During his tenure at Weapons Company the company was awarded the outstanding reserve company of the year. Mr. Shaw was promoted to Captain and assigned as the Company Commander of Headquarters and Service Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines, in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Shaw completed law school and was awarded a Jurist Doctorate degree from Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit School of Law. Mr. Shaw was admitted to the West Virginia state bar in 1983. He served for a short period of time in the Hardin County Prosecutors Office as a Special Investigator assisting in the prosecution of cases.

Mr. Shaw is a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. He is also an Adjunct Professor for Wright State University School of Liberal Arts, where he developed a course on terrorism and is teaching Criminal Justice courses.

Tim can be reached at timothy.shaw@fulmer-shawconsulting.com or at 937-307-0004.

Glenn Jirka currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations for a suburban fire department near Dayton, Ohio, a position he has held since 30 June 2003. This combination department is comprised of career and part-time firefighters that provide service to a 22-square mile jurisdiction from four fire stations.

Chief Jirka began his fire service career with the Savoy, IL Fire Department in 1990. There, Jirka rapidly progressed through the ranks serving as a Fire Fighter, Engineer and Captain before being promoted to Assistant Chief. During this same period, Jirka served first as a Structural Burn Assistant and then as a Field Instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute where he taught in the industrial fire training, live fire training, breathing apparatus specialist and hazardous materials response programs.

In 1996, Jirka accepted a position with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute, Missouri’s state fire training system. Jirka was initially stationed in the St. Louis metropolitan area where he served primarily in the industrial emergency response training program. He was later transferred to the Institute’s main office in Columbia, MO where he assumed responsibility for the hazardous materials and counter terrorism training programs as the program manager. Jirka later assumed responsibility for the Institute’s live fire training program. Chief Jirka also held an appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering with the University of Missouri-Columbia.

During his tenure in Missouri, Jirka also served the St. Charles Fire Protection District and then the Boone County (MO) Fire District as a Fire Fighter, Lieutenant, and then as a Division Chief. He also served Missouri Task Force One (MO TF-1) Urban Search and Rescue Team, a division of Boone County Fire Protection District, as the Hazardous Materials Lead for the team. Jirka served with MO TF-1 during the World Trade Center disaster from 11 September through 21 September 2001.

Jirka briefly served in the power generation sector, serving as the Senior Environmental and Safety Engineer for the University of Missouri Energy Management. At Energy Management, Jirka was responsible for safety programs and environmental compliance for the power generation facilities, potable water, power and steam distribution systems, and potable water production facilities.

Chief Jirka is active professionally at the local, state, and national level. He currently serves as Chairman of the National Fire Protection Association’s Hazardous Materials Protective Clothing and Equipment Technical Committee (http://www.nfpa.org) and as a member of the NFPA Fire and Emergency Services Protective Clothing Technical Correlating Committee. Jirka is a member of the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability where he serves as the State and Local Co-Chair for the Standards Coordination Committee. Jirka also serves as a member of the West Virginia High Technology Foundation’s Emergency Response Technology Program advisory board (http://www.htfwo.org/ertProgram) and on the Editorial Advisory Board for Advanced Rescue Technology Magazine.

Chief Jirka previously served on the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) (http://www.ifsta.org) Hazardous Materials Operations and Technician Committees; and the National Fire Service Incident Management Consortium Model Procedures Group (http://www.ims-consortium.com).

Jirka has been published in several professional journals including Advanced Rescue Technology and Fire Chief; and authored several chapters in compilation works including and a chapter in the NFPA/IAFC Fire Fighter Skills, the Science and Technology of Terrorism and Counter Terrorism, and the National Safety Council’s upcoming release of Training Public Sector Employees as well as numerous articles in peer reviewed chemical science journals. He has also presented as an invited speaker at many conferences and meetings.

Chief Jirka, a Chicago area native, received his BS (’88) and MS (’89) in chemistry from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (http://www.science.siu.edu/chemistry/index.html) where his studies focused on organic and analytical chemistry. Jirka continued his work in chemistry with post graduate work at the University of Illinois-School of Chemical Sciences (http://www.scs.uiuc.edu) where he taught courses and conducted research in analytical chemistry. Jirka has been recognized by the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) for his service and by the Greater Montgomery County Fire Chief’s Association as the 2005 Fire Fighter of the Year.

Glenn can be reached at glenn.jirka@fulmer-shawconsulting.com.

LTCOL Joseph Strohman, [USMC – Ret.] – Senior Consultant

Joseph R. Strohman currently serves as a police officer for a large county police department in Virginia. He has served in this capacity since 2006 following his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. While serving in this capacity he logistically coordinated local and State deployment of law enforcement officers to Katrina relief effort and assisted in the procurement of global positioning systems, communications, and night vision goggles for the deployment. He also negotiated procurement contracts for the police department’s secondary communications system.

Lieutenant Colonel Strohman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November of 1982. Following graduation with his Bachelor’s of Art’s degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of Northern Iowa, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC.

Lt Col Strohman attended the USMC Leadership School and finished in the top 10% of his class and also attended the Naval Aviation Flight School in Pensacola, Florida where he graduated top in his class and earned his flight wings for the USMC’s UH-1N combat helicopter. Lt Col Strohman served as a combat helicopter pilot from 1986 through 2006. During that time he logged 2,500+ flight hours. He participated in air and ground combat operations in Liberia, Kuwait, Somalia, and Iraq. He also served as Weapons and Tactics Instructor, logistics officer, and operations officer.

From the period of 1994-1996 he served with a Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company [ANGLICO] as a Team Leader and Platoon Commander. This was in direct support of U.S. Army Rangers & Special Forces; British Royal Marines; German Special Forces; and Norwegian Infantry.

From the period of 1996-1998 he served with Commanding Officer Headquarters Squadron 26 where he was administratively responsible for 2,250 marines. He also served on the MV-22 cockpit development group and the UH/AH upgrade and cockpit development group.

From the period of 1999-2002 he served as the Director, Aviation Branch of the Special Operations Training Group. He worked directly for agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation assigned to the USMC. In this capacity he coordinated special operations training for the East coast. He routinely met with and collaborated with Mayors, County Administrators, Community Leaders, Fire & Police Chiefs, local, State, and Federal agencies.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom he served as the Commander of a Forward Arming and Refueling Point [FARP]. He commanded up to 1,200 marines and sailors during these operations. For actions during this period of service he was awarded the Bronze Star.

From the period of 2004-2006 he served as the Director of Aviation Doctrine for the Marine Corps Combat Develop Command in Quantico, Virginia and was responsible for researching, writing, and editing military publications. Lt Col Strohman retired from the USMC on January 24th 2006 following a 23-year. During his career he was awarded: Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; Combat Action Medal x 2.

Since 1997 he has served as a liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding military tactical issues involving sensitive air space, un-manned aviation vehicles [UAV], balloons, and laser operations.

In addition he also serves as Product and Market Adviser for Sprint/Nextel, Garmin, a position he has held since 1998. He is directly responsible for new market development and innovative approaches to emergency support. He has worked with a variety of companies to develop corporate partnerships to combine technologies and design new products.

Joseph has done presentations on: Combat Leadership; Recruiting; Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Leadership USMC Style. He has conducted programs for Virginia Police Chief’s Association, Rotary Clubs, LUCK Stone Corporation, and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Joseph has also developed Special Weapons and Tactics [SWAT] programs for State SWAT teams to include: airborne sniper program; tactical aviation program; and has conducted equipment reviews and made purchasing recommendations for tactical weapons and equipment.

Joe can be reached at joe.strohman@fulmer-shawconsulting.com.

Eric Hall currently serves as Shift Commander – Operations for a suburban department of public safety (the department trains members to be certified as firefighters, police officers, and either emergency medical technicians or paramedics) near St. Louis, Missouri, a position he has held since 14 January 2002.

Shift Commander Hall began his fire service career with the Villa Hills Fire Protection District, Belleville, Illinois, in 1992. At this same time, Hall began his career in law enforcement as a police explorer with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, also located in Belleville, Illinois. Hall then served with the Northwest St. Clair County Fire District, and continued his active participation with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department in the capacity as an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff.

In 1995, Hall accepted a position with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department as a police officer. Upon completion of recruit training he was assigned and worked his tenure in District One. During this time at the St. Louis Metropolitan PD Hall served in differing capacities outside the normal patrol duties. These included narcotics investigations and the serving of search and/or arrest warrants, special detail investigations including Burglary and Auto Theft, and the most visible was his partnership with district neighborhoods in reducing crime and nuisance violations. This was evident when Hall received a special award from the Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association for his work in reducing crime and increasing the citizen police department partnership. In addition, Hall spoke often at community meetings discussing department operations and services that were available to residents.

In 1997, Hall accepted a position with the City of Des Peres (http://www.desperesmo.org) as a Public Safety Officer. The City of Des Peres Department of Public Safety is the only department in the St. Louis Metropolitan area where employees are cross-trained to perform as Police Officers, Firefighters, and either Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics. During this time Hall received many awards for service in the line of duty, including a Life Saving Award from the St. Louis Metro Area Fire Chief’s Association for a rescue involving a tree trimmer that was electrocuted.

In November 2001, Hall was promoted to Assistant Shift Commander – Corporal, and served in this capacity until January 2002 when he was promoted to his current position of Shift Commander.

In this position Hall is responsible for supervising a duty shift, including direction of emergency response for Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services, and Police Services. Other duties include coordinating scheduling, training, and support operations for all personnel over the 24-hour shift, and perform administrative duties including writing Standard Operating Guidelines, creating training curriculum, supervising station, equipment, and vehicle maintenance; public fire education activities, fire inspections and pre-planning of businesses, community relation’s activities, and other administrative tasks as directed by the Chief. In addition, Hall Serves as Acting Deputy Chief in supervising the department’s overall fire and emergency medical services operations.

Hall served with the O’Fallon Fire Protection District as a volunteer firefighter from January 2001 to May 2002. During this time Hall was active in community relations for the district and served on the district’s future planning committee. This committee was vital to managing the growth of the district as the O’Fallon area remains on the fastest growing area in the State of Missouri.

Hall is active professionally at the local, state, and national level. He currently serves as a member of the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committee’s on Parking Structures, Assisted Living Facilities, and Exposure Protection. Hall is a member of the National Fire Protection Agency (http://www.nfpa.org), International Fire Chief’s Association, National Society of Executive Fire Officers, National Fire Academy Alumni Association, Safety Officers Association, and Professional Fire and Fraud Investigators Association. Additionally, Hall is active in community and civic organizations as a past member of the Rotary Club of Des Peres, and currently a volunteer coach with the City of O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Department.

Hall graduated from Concordia University, St. Louis, Missouri, in 2000 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Management, and completed his Master of Science Degree in Management from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri, in 2005. Hall was selected for the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in 2005, and has completed two of the four required courses and two of the four required applied research projects. Additionally, Hall has attended the National Fire Academy for Command and Control courses and remains active in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Independent Study Program. Hall plans achieving Chief Fire Officer Designation through the Center on Public Safety Excellence in June of 2007.

Additionally, Hall has completed numerous courses through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, including Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Inspector, Fire Instructor I and II, Fire Officer I, and Fire Officer II, which is the highest level of officer certification in the State of Missouri.

Hall has been published through the National Fire Academy in completing the Applied Research Projects for the Executive Fire Officer Program. The first project examined the processes of Strategic Planning for Fire and EMS organizations, and the second project examined the need for operational enhancements or emergency response plans for shopping centers. Additionally, Hall has provided a study guide to the Fire Department Safety Officers Association for the National Incident Safety Officer Exam.

Eric Hall can be reached at eric.hall@fulmer-shawconsulting.org.

In May of 1986, Scott C. Robertson started his law enforcement career with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (http://www.summitcountysheriff.gov). While working as a Deputy Sheriff, Scott Robertson worked as a primary and secondary patrol deputy in northern and southern Summit County. He also worked in the Summit County Jail as a range officer before accepting a position with the Fairlawn Police Department [www.cityoffairlawn.com] in September of 1989.

In 1992, the Fairlawn Police Department became a participating agency in Metro SWAT, which permitted Scott C. Robertson to become an active member. With the completion of the LAPD Basic SWAT School in November of 1992 and LAPD Advanced SWAT School in June 0f 1993, Scott C. Robertson was assigned to an entry position on Metro SWAT (formally Critical Response and Rescue Team / CRRT).

While acting as a tactical operator, Scott C. Robertson completed classes in Explosive Handling and Entry Techniques (1995), Team Interior and Linear Tactics (1997), the National Tactical Officers Association NTOA (http://www.ntoa.com) Tactical Sub-gun Course (1998), Rapid Deployment (Active Shooter) Courses 1999 and NTOA Advanced Tactical Training in 2004.

In January of 2002, Scott C. Robertson assumed the position of Team Commander on Metro SWAT. During his 15 years with the team, Commander Robertson has completed several tactical management classes, which include: NTOA Tactical Commander Track (1999), SWAT Supervisors Tactics and Management (2001), NTOA Crisis Negotiations Workshop (2002), NTOA Command and Decision Course (2002) and Use of Force Liability Reduction (2002).

Commander Robertson is also a graduate of the University of Akron. In May of 1999, Commander Robertson received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and hopes to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Education in the near future.

The role of law enforcement in all cases, including riotous activity, anti-terrorist activities, insurrection, barricaded subjects, execution of narcotics warrants, arrest of dangerous felons and the rescue of hostages or endangered persons, is for the protection of lives and property. In the pursuit of this goal, Metro SWAT (http://www.otoa.com) was established in December of 1990.

With the inception Metro SWAT in 1990, the team consisted of 7 police agencies and 10 members. Today, Metro SWAT covers a population of over 350,000 throughout two counties and consists of 20 police agencies and 48 members. Metro SWAT is a team of specially trained police officers from participating political subdivisions, which will respond to any incident where special weapons and tactics are needed within the member jurisdictions.

The unit consists of highly trained personnel with specific skills in the areas of marksmanship, tactical response and containment, emergency medical response, deployment of specialty munitions and hostage/crisis negotiations. Metro SWAT is under the direct supervision of a unit Commander and Assistant Commanders with governing authority derived through the Metro SWAT Board of Directors.

The purpose and intent of Metro SWAT is to serve as a specialized, flexible and mobile unit, activated to assist member departments in the containment, de-escalation and ultimate control of all situations beyond the capabilities of today's police officer.

Scott can be reached at scott.robertson@fulmer-shawconsulting.com