Firefighter Paul J. DeBartolomeo
Paul has been a member of the fire service for more than 30 years in both the career and volunteer ranks. He started his career as a volunteer in 1990 in Stamford C.T. He is also a 25 year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), where he is assigned to Ladder Company 28 in Harlem. DeBartolomeo is a nationally certified Pro-Board instructor, and provides lectures and hands-on training nationwide. DeBartolomeo has been featured in Fire Engineering’s Training Minutes video series, was a lead instructor for an F.D.I.C. H.O.T. class, was an F.D.I.C. classroom presenter, and is a contributing author for Fire Rescue Magazine.
Captain Matt Beatty
Matt is a 30 year veteran of the F.D.N.Y. assigned to Engine 42 in the Bronx. Prior to his promotion, Matt was assigned to Ladder Company 103 in Brooklyn, & later transferred to Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. Captain Beatty is also an instructor at the FDNY Bureau of Training working in tactical training & the technical rescue school. Matt is also an adjunct instructor for the CT Fire Academy, and was a H.O.T. instructor at the Firehouse Expo teaching forcible entry & heavy vehicle rescue.
Captain / Firefighter Anthony “Tony” Leca
Tony has been a member of the fire service for nearly 40 years. He began as a volunteer in Clinton CT in 1977, and joined the Airforce in 1982 as an Airforce Rescue Firefighter. Tony served both actively, and as a reservist for 10 years and attended several military firefighting courses. Leca was hired as a career firefighter by the City of Waterbury CT. in 1988, and was a charter member of the heavy rescue, serving more than 20 years as both a firefighter & Lieutenant in R-9. In 2012 Leca was promoted to Captain and was assigned to Ladder Company 2. Leca retired from Waterbury after 25 years, and currently works in West Hartford assigned to quint 3. He has been an adjunct instructor with the CT Fire Academy since 1997 teaching numerous firefighting courses, and specializing in various technical rescue disciplines.
Lieutenant Ed Burwell
Ed has over 25 years as a firefighter serving both in Connecticut & New York. He started his career as a volunteer in East Haven CT, and was later hired as a career firefighter with the Milford Fire Department. In 1997 Ed was appointed to the F.D.N.Y. and was assigned to Ladder Co. 28 in Harlem where he served for 9 years. In 2008 Burwell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and is currently assigned to Ladder Co. 19 in the South Bronx. LT Burwell has also been assigned to the F.D.N.Y. Division of Training where he helped develop, and instructed department members in the use of the P.S.S. system. Ed is also an adjunct instructor for the CT Fire Academy where he has served for more than 20 years. LT Burwell has traveled throughout the country teaching various subjects as a H.O.T. Instructor at Fire House Expo, F.D.I.C. International, and Fire Rescue Magazine.
Firefighter Mark Kuhar
Mark began his fire service career as a volunteer at Glenbrook Fire Department in Stamford CT in July of 1986. In 2002 he was hired as a career firefighter by The City of Stamford Connecticut where he is assigned to Rescue Company 1. Mark is a Nationally Certified Fire Instructor, Fire Officer, and Safety Officer and holds several other certifications in various disciplines. He was published in Fire Engineering Magazine and worked on a video series for Fire Engineering’s Training Minutes.
Captain Jim Plaster
Jim has been a member of the fire service since 1994 when he joined the fire department in Cheshire (CT) as a volunteer. In 2001 Jim began his career with the Bristol (CT) fire department, where he currently serves as the Captain of Tower 1. He is also an adjunct instructor with the Connecticut Fire Academy and the Wolcott State Fire School. Jim also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the NFPA in the development and delivery of training materials related to alternative fueled vehicles and energy storage systems.
Deputy Chief Ted Borowski
Ted started his career in the fire service in 1987 with the Hartford (CT) Fire Department. In 1989 he was assigned to the Tactical Rescue unit as a firefighter and later went on to become an assigned driver of the T.A.C. He was promoted to the rank L.T. in 1998, and achieved the rank of Captain in 2007, where he commanded Ladder Co. 3 in the cities North End. In the fall of 2015 Ted was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief assigned to District 2 in the cities North End. In addition to his fire service career, Ted has served as an adjunct instructor with the CT Fire Academy since 2001 teaching in various disciplines including Recruit Firefighter, Technical Rescue Programs, and Fire Officer Programs.
Captain Tim Papp
Tim began his fire service career in 1996 as a volunteer in South Windsor CT. In 2005 Tim joined the CT National Guard as a firefighter, where he received certification in numerous training classes. In 2008 he was hired by the City of New Haven (CT) Fire Department where he was assigned to Engine 10 prior to his transfer to Squad Co. 1. Tim was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2015, assigned to Engine Co. 8, and has since been promoted to Captain and is assigned to Rescue Company 1. He is a certified Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer, and a Hazardous Materials Technician.
Captain Joe Dombrowski
Joe has been a member of the fire service since 1997 staring as a volunteer with Rowayton Hose Company no. 1. In 2004 he began his career as a firefighter with the Stamford (CT) Fire Department and was assigned to Rescue co. 1 and Engine co. 5. Dombrowski was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and assigned to Truck co. 1 and Engine co. 1 and in 2017, was reassigned to Rescue co. 1. He is a nationally certified Pro Board instructor, an adjunct instructor for the CT Fire Academy, and a lead instructor with the Stamford Regional Fire School. Joe holds many state and national certifications including Officer, Safety Officer, Pump/Aerial Operator, Rescue Technician and other disciplines. Dombrowski also sits on Stamford's Apparatus and High rise committees.
Captain Clint Haverkampf
Clint is a Captain with the Guilford Fire Department in Connecticut, where he has served since 2002. He is a nationally certified Fire Service Instructor III, and a rescue squad officer for the DHS/FEMA US&R Program currently assigned to Massachusetts Task Force 1. Clint is also an adjunct instructor for the Connecticut Fire Academy, teaching in the recruit firefighter and technical rescue disciplines.
Firefighter Steve Miller
Steve began his fire service career in 2005 by joining the Brewster Volunteer Fire Department in Brewster NY. In 2007 Steve was appointed to FDNY EMS where he rose to the rank of Paramedic, and in 2013 he transferred from EMS to Fire Suppression within the FDNY. Steve is currently assigned to Hook & Ladder Co. 39 in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. Steve is currently a Chief with The Brewster Volunteer Fire Department.
Captain Andrew Beliveau
Andrew started his fire service career in 1999 as a volunteer in East Granby, CT. Continuing in the tradition of his grandfather, father, and uncle he began his professional career in 2006 when he was hired by the City of Norwich, CT. In 2008, he was hired by the City of Hartford, CT. and assigned to Ladder Co. 3. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015 and was assigned to Engine Co. 2. In 2019, Andrew was promoted to Captain, and served two years as the Captain of the Department Drill School and is currently the Captain of the city's heavy rescue company, Tactical Unit 1. Andrew holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology and Administration from Capital Community College, is an EMT, and is a certified Fire Instructor III and Fire Officer IV. He also holds technician level certification in Haz-Mat, Rope Rescue, VMR, Swift Water, Trench, Confined Space, Structural Collapse, and is SPRAT Level I certified. Andrew is also an apprentice instructor for the Peak Rescue Institute in Washington State.
Lieutenant John Cafazzo
John began his fire service career in 1995 as a volunteer in Glastonbury, CT. In 2008 John was hired by the Hartford Fire Dept. where he was assigned to Ladder Co. 3. In 2016 John was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to Engine Co. 5. One year later he was reassigned back to Ladder Co. 3. John has assisted in the instruction of multiple HFD recruit classes and is a certified Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer, Aerial Operator, and a Hazardous Materials Technician.
Firefighter James Doherty
James began his fire service career in 2008 with his appointment to the Stamford Fire Department. His previous assignments have included Truck 1, E-5/R-1, before becoming the assigned driver on Ladder Co. 3 in the City's West Side.. James has also taken details to the training division serving as a lead instructor & P.T. director for Stamford’s recruit firefighter program. James has been an adjunct instructor at the CT Fire Academy since 2011 teaching many of the Tech Rescue disciplines as well as the recruit firefighter program. James holds several recognized accreditations including Rope Technician, Haz-Mat Tech, Confined Space Tech & Vehicle/Machinery Tech.
Firefighter Doug Gollogly
Doug is a 17-year veteran of the FDNY, assigned to Ladder Co. 55 in the South Bronx, as well as an instructor in the FDNY P.S.S./Rope unit & Ladder Company Chauffeur Training Unit. Doug began his fire service career in 2001 with the Yorktown Heights Fire Department in Westchester County NY and is a member of the YHFD Water Rescue & Dive unit. He is a nationally certified fire instructor.
Fortunato “Fort” Capomolla
Fortunato has over 30 years of experience in the fire service. He started his firefighting career in 1993 as a volunteer with the Belltown Fire Department in Stamford CT at age 16. In 2001 he was hired by the Norwalk Fire Dept and was assigned to Engine 2. In 2011 he was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Engine 2. In 2017 he was promoted to Captain, and is currently assigned to Rescue Company 2, the cities heavy rescue unit. He is the lead instructor for several training programs within the department. Fort is a member of the apparatus committee, the cadet training program and has served for 8 years as head of the training committee for the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident Response Team (FCHIRT). He is an adjunct instructor with the CT Fire Academy and is a certified Fire Service Instructor, Fire Officer and Hazmat Technician.
Ryan McGlew
Ryan started his fire service career in 2007 with the Newington Volunteer FD. In 2011 Ryan was hired by the Hartford Fire Department and is currently a driver for Tactical Unit 1, the cities heavy Rescue Company. Ryan spent most of his probationary period assigned to Engine Co 2 before sliding the floor to Ladder Co 3 where he remained until his promotion to driver. Ryan holds certifications for Fire Instructor 1, Fire Officer 2, as well as numerous Technical Rescue and Hazmat certifications. Ryan holds an associates degree in Occupational Safety and Health and has worked as a confined space standby rescue technician and an emergency equipment lead inspector. Ryan has also assisted in teaching several recruit classes for the City of Hartford Fire Academy.
Anthony Papacoda
Anthony began his fire service career as a volunteer with the Noroton Heights Fire Department (Darien, CT) in 2010. In 2013, Anthony was hired by the City of Norwalk Connecticut Fire Department. Since being hired he has been stationed at headquarters and is currently assigned to Rescue Co. 2, the citywide Heavy Rescue Unit. He is a certified Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Incident Safety Officer among several other certifications.
Gustavo Claudio
Gustavo has been a dedicated member of the fire service since 2009 in the Air Force (Air National Guard) as a firefighter, where he continues to serve as a firefighter and has had the privilege to work with fellow firefighters across the world serving multiple deployments. In 2012 Gustavo was hired by the City of Hartford Fire Department starting at Engine 8 and for the last 5 years has been on the Tactical Unit 1 (the city's Heavy Rescue). Gustavo holds many state and national certifications such as; Fire Instructor 2, Fire Officer 2, EMT, and numerous rescue certifications including Rope Tech, VMR, Trench, Confined Space, Structural Collapse, and Swift Water.
Ronald Fraioli
First entered the fire service in 2006 as a volunteer with the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department. In 2012 he started his career with The City of New Rochelle Fire Department where he worked for six years. In 2019 he was appointed to the Fire Department City of New York, and is currently assigned to Engine Company 63 in the Wakefield section of the Bronx.
