Meet the O.G. 6 Cadre

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Fire Chief 

Billings Fire Department, MT

Matt Hoppel has 30 plus years of fire service experience. Matt has been deeply involved in all the FSRI studies and ISFSI/FSRI programs being covered in this class. He is a lead instructor for the Live Fire Fixed Facility Instructor Curriculum and serves on the ISFSI teaching cadre for ISFSI Engine Operations/Water Mapping grant funded deliveries. Hoppel served on the development team for the ISFSI/FSRI Basement Fire hands on training curriculum. Hoppel currently serves as a board member for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

Assistant Chief 

South Metro Fire Rescue, CO

Kevin Milan is an AC overseeing training, special operations and emergency management. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy (NFA) Executive Fire Officer Program and possesses Chief fire Officer Designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Kevin holds a Master of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership and holds a PhD in Fire and Emergency Management through Oklahoma State University. Milan is Past President of the Colorado Training Officers & Fire Marshals Associations of Colorado, former director for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, State Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Governors appointee to the Colorado Fire Safety Advisory Board. He is a recipient of two NFA outstanding research awards and Colorado Fire Instructor of the year.

Fire Chief (ret.)  

Tinley Park, IL

Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1978 and retired as Fire Chief of the Tinley Park (IL) Fire Department in 2021. He has worked extensively in the areas of instruction, firefighter safety and officer development and earned his Master of Science Degree in Public Safety Administration in 2004. He is the co-author of Fire Service Instructor Principles and Practices now in its 3rd edition. Forest presents nationally on fire service leadership, safety and instructor development. He was inducted into the Moraine Valley Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2020 and awarded the Distinguished Alumnus award in 2021. In 2008, he received the ISFSI George D. Post Instructor of the Year, considered to be the highest recognition for fire service instructors in the nation.

Captain/Paramedic (retired)

Billings, MT

Sean Biggins has been in the fire service for 30 plus years serving in many roles from firefighter to training officer. Sean retired as a Captain / Paramedic for the Billings Fire Department. Sean has spent his entire career gaining knowledge in all facets of his craft and sharing that knowledge with firefighters around the nation. Sean is a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) and has taught as a contract instructor for the society for many years. The ISFSI has had a strong collaboration with UL-FSRI, and he has been privileged to be a part of many of the teaching cadres including the Basement Fire Study, NFPA 1700 (Guide to Structural Firefighting), Engine Company Operations / Water Mapping, and is a NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor.highly trained firefighters.

Deputy Chief

Northville Township, MI

Jesse is the Deputy Chief for the Northville Township (MI) Fire Department, where he has served since 2002. With a master’s degree in public safety & emergency management, he is dedicated to innovative training and continuing education. Jesse serves as the 2nd Vice President on the ISFSI Board of Directors and is a lead instructor for various ISFSI programs, including the Training Officer Credential Program, Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires Program, Implementing NFPA 1700 Program, Engine Company Operations Program, and ISFSI NFPA 1400 - Roadmap for the Modern Fire Instructor Program. He emphasizes evidence-based tactics, fire dynamics, strategic-level command, and operational readiness. Jesse currently serves as a Senior Education and Training Coordinator for the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) and previously served as a member of the FSRI Training Advisory Committee. He specializes in curriculum design, training program management, and instructor development.

Interim Fire Chief

Highlander Fire Protection District, In 

Jake Barnes’ career started in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for five years as a fire protection specialist. After leaving the military, Barnes worked as a firefighter in Lexington, Kentucky, for seven years and in southern Indiana, for 20 years, where he retired as Battalion Chief of Training. Barnes is aproud member and instructor for the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, teaching NFPA 1403, Fixed Facility, NFPA 1700, and Basement Fire classes Jake also serves as the host of 3 Point Firefighter, a podcast focused on pride, training and physical fitness.Jake is a very handsome man, and he is super smart…like….community college .kindasmart. He is deeply admired by all of the cadre and is the go-to guy for all things fire. Genius? Probably. Hero? Definitely. Is he the one that takes care of this website? Uh, yup!

Battalion Chief

Riverside Fire, OH

Scott Wallace, 30-year veteran of the Fire Service. My profession in the Fire Service began as a Volunteer Firefighter with Farmerville Fire Department in 1993. I have worked with several departments as a part-time firefighter from 1995-2007. I worked for the City of Moraine, West Carrollton, Trotwood, Brookville and Miami Township. In 2007 I started my full-time career with the City of Dayton Fire Department and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2018 where I was assigned at Training Center. I worked for the City of Dayton for 17 years before accepting the Battalion Chief with the City of Riverside. I am currently assigned Battalion Chief on 3 rd Platoon assigned Fire Training, Prevention, Inspection, Investigation and Part-Time Hiring. I have worked as Adjunct Fire Instructor for ISFSI (Basement Fire HOT, NFPA 1700 HOT and Engine Operations HOT, Roadmap for The Modern Fire Instructor HOT), Former Lead Instructor for Sinclair Community College (Lead Instructor for FF 1 & 2 Courses), and Former Asst. Instructor for Miami Valley CTC (Asst. Instructor for FF 1 & 2 Courses). I am currently delivering a Hot class title “Modern Fireground

Operations.”I serve on the Board of Directors with the International Society Fire Service Instructors.

My term is April 2024-2026, and I am committee chair for Publications andMembership Engagement.

Captain 

City of Springfield, OH

 Scott Rupp began his fire service career in 1998 and currently serves as a Captain with the Springfield (OH) Fire Division. Over his 27-year career—including 25 years in Springfield—he has worked extensively in firefighter training, rescue operations, and program development. He is certified as a Fire Service Instructor, Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, Rescue Technician, and FF/Paramedic.

Scott led the department’s training bureau for three years and managed five fire academies. He is the founder of the Springfield Firefighters IAFF Local 333 Fire Conference and has presented at the Ohio Fire Chiefs Conference and the Columbus Fire Code Academy Conference.

His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including ISFSI Fire Service Instructor of the Year, Local 333 Firefighter of the Year, and awards from the American Legion and Rotary Club. He has also received Distinguished Service, Meritorious, and Unit Citation awards for lifesaving rescues. He remains deeply committed to training excellence and modern fire behavior education.  

Firefighter/Paramedic

Northville,MI

 Pete Michalak is a career firefighter with nearly nine years of experience, currently serving as a firefighter/paramedic with the Northville Township Fire Department in southeast Michigan. In addition to his frontline duties, Pete is a dedicated instructor, teaching HAZMAT and technical rescue courses throughout the metro Detroit area. He is a certified Fire Instructor I and EMS Instructor Coordinator, and has presented at FDIC and other respected fire service conferences. Pete is committed to advancing firefighter training and safety through both hands-on instruction and continued professional development.