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| Advisory Board |
 | Warren E. Rupf, Sheriff, Contra Costa County, TAK-Response Conference Co-Chairman Sheriff Warren E. Rupf has been with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff for over forty years. He is currently the longest serving member of the agency. He has served at virtually every rank, in every assignment, beginning in 1965. Sheriff Rupf celebrated his 40th anniversary in November 2005 |
 | Gerry Kohlmann, Fire Chief, Ret., TAK-Response Conference Chairman Gerald Kohlmann has more than 34 years of experience in the fire service and private sector. He has served in positions starting with Volunteer Firefighter through career positions leading to becoming the Director of Field Operations in the San Jose, California, Fire Department. Gerry left the San Jose Fire Department to become the Fire Chief/Manager of Emergency Services in Redwood City, California, from where he ultimately retired. Working on the TAK-Response conference has provided him a meaningful avenue to contribute to the development of current and future emergency responders. |
 | Bobby Halton, Fire Chief, TAK-Response Conference Founder Chief Bobby Halton ret. is the editor in chief of Fire Engineering magazine and education director of the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) since 2005. Chief Halton is a native New Yorker whose family has deep roots in the fire service. He began his career in structural firefighting with the Albuquerque (NM) Fire Department and rose through the ranks to include chief of training. Bobby was chief of operations until his retirement from Albuquerque in 2004. He then became chief of the Coppell (TX) Fire Department, Bobby left Coppell to assume the duties as editor in chief of Fire Engineering Magazine. Chief Halton is a graduate of the University of New Mexico, left a member in good standing with the International Association of Fire Fighters, is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and has served on several of the NFPA technical committees, is seated on the National Advisory board of the Congressional Fire Services Institute. Chief Halton has worked as a subject matter expert in NIOHS firefighter Line of Duty Death investigations. He is active with the National Fallen Firefighters and the Firefighters Cancer Support Network. He has done extensive speaking and training for the fire service in the United States, Canada and internationally. |
 | Don Gulla, Sergeant, Kings County Sheriff's Department, TAK-Response Law Enforcement Director King County Sheriff’s Office 26 years, 7 Years Basic Law Enforcement Academy Instructor – Taught Traffic, Criminal Investigation, Crisis Intervention and Defensive Tactics. Founder of Arrestling a Real World Force Options Training System. He has 14 free Arrestling Force Options Training Groups - Worldwide. 40 Years of Combative Arts Training, Including Karate, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, Arnis and Brazilian JuiJitsu. 4 Time World Police and Fire Games Gold Medallist in Karate. 12 Years in Special Operations Division as Full Time SWAT Team Member. Dept Taser Coordinator, Firearms Instructor, Active Shooter Response Trainer and Master Defensive Tactics Instructor. Has taught at multiple ASLET, ILEETA and Master Taser Conferences. Senior Master Taser Instructor and Taser Advisory Board Member. Developer of Angled Drive Stun Technique 2007 and the Final Ops Backup Holster. Author of Arrestling’s Advanced Weapon Retention and Ground Survival Training Manuals. |
 | Art Hsieh, CEO, San Francisco Paramedic Association, TAK-Response EMS Director Art Hsieh, MA, NREMT-P is the Chief Executive Officer and Education Director of the San Francisco Paramedic Association. In the profession since 1982, Art has worked as a line medic and chief officer in both third service and fire-based EMS. He has directed both primary and EMS continuing education programs. A Past President of the National Association of EMS Educators, and a scholarship recipient of the American Society of Association Executives, Art is a published textbook author and has presented at conferences nationwide. |
  | Richard Hughbank, MA, CEO, Extreme Terrorism Consulting, TAK-Response Homeland Security Director Richard Hughbank is a warrior-philosopher the President of Extreme Terrorism Consulting, LLC. with over 21 years experience in the Military Police Corps, a combat veteran in the War on Terror, and an author of over forty articles and book chapters in terrorism, security, and other related topics. While deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Operation “ENDURING FREEDOM”, Richard was as a liaison between the Army and the CIA, FBI, and Special Operations Command. He has participated in the capture and the processing of over 500 terrorist combatants in that timeframe. Richard has also handled 6 of the top 10 Most Wanted from the FBI’s Terror List. He is a Certified Master Antiterrorism Specialist and Terrorologist and chairs the Terrorism Studies and Standards Committee for the Anti Terrorism Accreditation Board and is a Diplomate and Premier Speaker for the National Center for Crisis Management. Richard has a Master's degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University, a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University, a Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of Saint Andrews, Scotland, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Strategic Security at Henley-Putnam University. He is currently an adjunct for the Center for Homeland Security at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Henley-Putnam University and Fairleigh Dickinson University as a graduate course instructor in terrorism studies and homeland security where he teaches other professionals in understanding the threat. |
  | Harvey Kayman, MD, MPH, PHMO III, TAK-Response Public Health Director Harvey Kayman, MD, MPH received his early education in Bogalusa and New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated Cum Laude in Chemistry from Cornell University in 1964, the University of Chicago School of Medicine in 1968, the University of California – Berkeley in 1999 with an MPH, completed Pediatric Internship and Residency at Babies Hospital, Columbia University, in New York City in 1971, received certificates of achievement for two year-long courses at the Management Academy of Public Health in 2002 and the South East Public Health Leadership Institute in 2004 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. In September 2009 he moved from his role as Acting Chief and Public Health Medical Officer III in the Influenza Preparedness and Response Section of the Immunization Branch of the CDPH, which he joined in December 2006 to become the Senior Science Advisor to the Communicable Diseases Emergency Response Branch of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). He is Instructor of Record for a course on ethics and public health in the Epidemiology Department and on the faculty of the University Of California School Of Public Health. Until November 2006, he was the Director of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine, and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. His experience in public health positions include 14 years as Chief of Health Education in Kaiser Permanente, Fremont, California and six years as a Public Health Officer in South Carolina (SC DHEC), including 3 years as Health Officer for a six county rural district. He was the public health representative to the South Carolina Medical Association Ethics Committee for six years. In addition, he has had many years experience as a front line practicing pediatrician, first in the United States Army (Chief of Pediatrics at the US Army Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand) and then as a staff pediatrician at Northern California Kaiser Permanente for 25 years. His wife, Susan Kayman, RD, DrPH and he have three fabulous children and two fantastic grandchildren. |
 | Lisa Larres, Chief Disaster Officer, Los Angeles County Public Health Agency, TAK-Response Disaster Director Lisa Larres is an Emergency Manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and a vital part of their Emergency Operations Unit. She has been in the Emergency Management field since 1991 where she first started with the Red Cross as a volunteer. Lisa has had a passion as a first responder and disaster preparedness expert ever since. Lisa was hired as a Disaster Preparedness Specialist by the American Red Cross from 1994 to 2003. Lisa's background in Disaster Preparedness & Response include being certified by the Department of Justice & Defense in Emergency Response to Biological, Nuclear, and Chemical Weapons. She is also a Certified Instructor for The Chemical Responder Awareness and Operations Courses. Lisa is also certified by FEMA as an Emergency Program Manager and in Disaster Exercise Design, Emergency Planning, Hazardous Materials and Volunteer Management. She has also worked for The Orange County Health Care Agency as a Bioterrorism Program Supervisor where she maintained and managed the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC ) to insure operability of all functions and equipment. She designed disaster drills and exercises, wrote disaster operations plans and as served as Technical Advisor for disaster related issues. In 1993 Lisa joined the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) CA-1 in Orange County, CA and continues to serve as a valued member to the team. Her responsibilities include administering Advanced First Aid and coordinate field hospitals during and after catastrophic disasters. She has held an Emergency Medical Technicians certificate (EMT) since 1991 as well as being a CPR Instructor for the Professional Rescuer. Lisa became a volunteer member of the National Ski Patrol in 1991 and now holds the elected position as Volunteer Patrol Director with 100 Volunteer Patrollers under her supervision. Lisa also volunteers for the American Red Cross Rio Hondo Chapter, in Whittier,CA as the Disaster Services Chairman. She supervises 50 Volunteer Disaster Responders. Lisa is a very resourceful problem solver with a strong work ethic and has strong motivation for high achievement. She prides herself on excellent time management skills, organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. |
 | Todd McNeal, Captain, City of Sonora Fire Department, TAK-Response Wildland Firefighting Director Todd McNeal has 19 years in the fire service, with a diverse background in wildland and structural fire management and suppression. He is currently a Captain with the City of Sonora Fire Department, and has been serving as the Wildland Training Officer, as well as a DIVS on a Federal Type II Incident Management Team for the last 5 years. Captain McNeal’s career began with the National Park Service working between CA and MT. After a brief time working for special districts and land management agencies, he returned to federal service once again as the Fire Cache Manager for Glacier National Park where he coordinated and delivered both wildland and structural fire operations courses. With family ties still in CA, he returned to the State to accept an Engine Captain position with the Stanislaus Nation Forest and supervised an Interagency Fire Engine Module between Yosemite and the Stanislaus. Captain McNeal has been actively instructing in the fire service for the last decade and holds numerous ICS qualifications in wildland operations. Additionally, Captain McNeal is a Registered Instructor with CA State Fire Training, a CA Fire Officer, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management. Captain Todd McNeal has joined the team of Public Safety Training Group as one of the key instructors for the Wildland fire group. |
 | Conrad Salinas, MD, ED Director of Loma Linda Veterans Memorial Hospital, TAK-Response Medical Director Undergraduate: Universty of Texas BA in Chemistry, Medical School: UCLA MD degree 1977, Internship and Residency San Beranardino County Medical Center Family Practice 1977 to 1980. Boarded in Family Practice 1980 to the present. Boarded in Emergency Medicine 1986 to the present. Chairman Department of Emergency Medicine San Bernardino county Medical Center 1982 to 1999. Medical Director San Bernardino Count Sherrif 's Flight Nurse program 1987 to 1989. Team Commander CA-2 Disaster Medical Assisstance Team (DMAT) 1987 to present. CoCommander National Medical Response Team (NMRT) 1997 to present. EMS Medcial Director San Bernardino, Inyo, and Mono Counties (ICEMA) 1984 to 2006 Chief Emergency Medicine Loma Linda VA 2006 to the present. COL California National Guard |
 | Jeff Seaton, Fire Engineer, Trainer with Lee & Associates, TAK-Response Firefighting Director Jeff Seaton has been a career firefighter and student of the fire service for over 15 years in the United States and Canada. Jeff works for the City of San Jose, which is the 10th largest city in the US, he currently is assigned to Truck Company 18. In 2005 he received the San Jose Fire Department “Firefighter of The Year” Award. Jeff is a California State Certified Company Fire Officer, department and recruit academy adjunct instructor. Jeff has written, developed and implemented various training programs, SOP’S/SOG’S for his department and others. Jeff is a published writer for various Fire Service publications. He is a hands-on-training instructor and featured speaker at various Local, State, National and International training symposiums including FDIC, British Columbia Fire Training Officers Association, Strathcona Fallen Firefighters Memorial Training Symposium and Fire Nuggets. In 2008 he traveled to Vietnam with other Fire Service professionals to review their current fireground operations, training, tools and equipment and to make recommendations towards improving their Fire Service. He co-founded the “Nobody Gets Left Behind” Training Group, he possesses a B.A. in Physical Education and is a former Western Regional Director for the International Society of Fire Service. |
 | Bob Atlas, Fire Captain, CEO, Public Safety Training Group Bob Atlas is a Captain with The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. He entered the fire service as a Community Fire Aide for the Milpitas Fire Department in 1996 and completed an internship with the South Santa Clara County Fire Protection District and the California Department of Forestry in 1997. Bob was then employed as an Emergency Medical Technician for American Medical Response. He was hired by the The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District in 1999, promoted to Fire Engineer in 2002 and Captain in 2005. Captain Atlas has instructed at the CCCFPD Fire Academy and other fire academies in the area. Bob is certified by the California State Fire Marshal as a Fire Instructor I. He is a member Of FEMA California Task Force 4 and The CCCFPD Technical Rescue Program, leading their Trench Rescue program. Atlas is a Certified Oral Board Rater for the fire district and has been coaching entry level candidates since 1999. Mr. Atlas instructs Command and Management courses for the California State Fire Marshal and has aligned with Tak-Response to deliver education to the first responder. Bob Atlas is Co-Owner and Director of Planning & Finance for Public Safety Training Group based in Brentwood, California. Bob holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from The University of Massachusetts and an Associates of Science in Fire Science from Mission College. |
 | Sam Bradley, EMT-P, CQI Consultant Sam Bradley has been in EMS for 30 years as a Paramedic, Clinical and Educational Services Coordinator, Regional Educator, preceptor, and ambulance company field supervisor. Sam has taught Emergency Medical Technician Courses in the State Community College system for 25 years, and has a part time vocation as a freelance writer for EMS related journals, online publications and textbooks. She recently had a story published in an anthology of disaster stories, has completed a novel, and has recently started podcasting. She has done workshops for national EMS conferences, and is the Training Officer for the federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team, CA-6. Sam is also a Medical Team Leader for the state Wildland Fire Medical Support Program through the California Disaster Medical Services Association. She serves as the vice-chair for the Interstate Disaster Medical Services Cooperative and works as a QI and trauma consultant for NOR Cal EMS. Other roles include QI consultant and educator for Contra Costa County Fire Communications Center, and EMS educator, QI Consultant and Infection Control Officer for the East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. She is the Special Program and Project Coordinator for Public Safety Training Group based in Brentwood, California and is providing social media support for the TAK Response 2010 conference. |
 | Micheal H. Corcoran, Ph.D. Dr. Michael H. Corcoran was in the law enforcement field for over 34 years beginning in 1968 and the threat assessment field since 1970 when he entered the United States Secret Service. Completing his doctorate in 1979 in Behavioral Science, and utilizing his law enforcement experience, he specializes in identifying and handling potentially violent subjects. He does threat assessments, determination of true potentials of violence and criminal profiling for governmental agencies, law enforcement, Fortune 500 companies, school districts and healthcare providers around the world. Maintaining liaison with the intelligence community since 1970, Dr. Corcoran is able to obtain critical information and intelligence concerning terrorists and other “high-risk” developments as well as travel safety details for both foreign and domestic locations. He has spoken internationally on all these topics, co-authored the text: “Violence Assessment & Intervention, The Practitioners Guide”, and has been “voir dired” as an expert witness on identifying violent individuals. Lastly, Dr. Corcoran was appointed President to Henley-Putnam University in 2004, the only accredited school of its kind in the world granting bachelors and masters degrees in Protection Management, Intelligence Management and Terrorism/Counterterrorism Studies as well as a Doctorate in Strategic Security. |
 | Brian Helmick, Fire Battalion Chief, Public Safety Training Group Brian Helmick is a progressive Battalion Chief with the ECCFPD (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District) with a variety of experience over the past 13 years. Chief Helmick’s current operational assignment with ECCFPD is “A” Shift Battalion Chief, with the administrative duties of managing and supervising the ECCFPD’s Fire Prevention Bureau, Reserve Program and Training Division. Battalion Chief Helmick is a credentialed vocational instructor through the state of California and a co-founder of the Contra Costa County ROP High School Fire Science Program established in 2000. The ROP Fire science program has expanded to five High Schools since the year 2000. Battalion Chief Helmick is also the founder of CPR Fast, an American Heart Association Training Center. Helmick is certified through the California State Fire Marshal to instruct Command and Management classes. Chief Helmick is a certified Company Officer and Chief Officer through the California State Fire Marshal. Brian Helmick has aligned with Tak-Response to deliver education to the first responder. Mr. Helmick is Co-Owner and Director of Operations & Logistics for Public Safety Training Group based in Brentwood, California. |
 | Greg Kennedy, RN, CQI Director, REACH Air EMS CQI RN Greg Kennedy started in EMS back in 1984 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Greg specialized as an Air Force medic and Air Force Flight medic where he graduated top of his class through the United States Air Force at Sheppard AFB Texas. His eight-year military career was very successful with Greg being Honor Graduate in all his technical and NCO Leadership schools. He was promoted below the zone to Staff Sergeant and received the Military Air Command Professional Image Award, Military Air Command Airman of the Quarter, Military Air Command Sergeant of the Quarter, and Military Air Command Instructor Medic Preceptor of the Quarter Award. He also was awarded for his performance in the line of duty USAF Commendation Air Medal and during his Patient Care leadership. During Desert Storm Gulf war 1990-1991 and received a second USAF Commendation Air Medal along with a Humanitarian Air Medal and Two Air Force Good Conduct Medals. Greg was sent to the University of Southern Illinois where he completed his major in Human Resource Training and Development and was top of his class. He also became a licensed Medic and a licensed Vocational Nurse in 1985. He worked part-time as a medic in Oakland, California for years. He worked part-time at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California as an ER nurse. He was awarded a nursing scholarship by the hospital and attended Sacramento State University where he graduated as a RN at the top of his class and received Outstanding College Student of America Award in 1989 and 1990. He was then hired by John Muir Medical Center as a Trauma RN/MICN/Charge Nurse. He worked at JMMC for approximately 10 years and lived in San Ramon, California. He also flew full-time and part-time with Cal Star as a flight nurse for 5 years and with REACH as a flight nurse for 2 ½ years. While there, Greg received Performance Awards for Patient Care. While at John Muir, Cal Star and REACH as a RN he accomplished numerous credentials: CEN, CCRN, TNCC, TNCC Instructor, PHTLS, PHTLS Instructor, BTLS, ATLS, FNATC, NALS, ACLS, ACLS Instructor, PALS, PALS Instructor, BLS, BLS Instructor, CISD, Leadership 2000 Certificate, EMTP Instructor, EMT Instructor, Reserve Fire Fighter Instructor Moraga/Orinda. In 2001, Greg moved to Brentwood, California and went to work at Sutter Delta ER as a RN. Greg was awarded Hospital Employee of the Year Award in 2002-2003 and in 2006 Clinical Excellence Award by Sutter. He also worked part-time at Benicia Fire as EMS CQI Coordinator. Greg was hired by ConFire on June 6, 2006. |
 | Carl Kustin, Fire Captain, Lee & Associates Carl Levon Kustin, a 29-year veteran of the fire service, is a Fire Captain with the City of San Mateo Fire Department. He is a Senior Rescue Systems Instructor for the State Fire Marshall’s Office responsible for Instructor Training, Student Training, Curriculum Development and Training Facility Development. He teaches throughout the United States and is a primary instructor for the San Mateo County Fire Academy. Carl is a Rescue Specialist for the Central San Mateo County Type 2 Rescue Team. Carl is also one of the team’s program developers/managers. For the past 19 years Carl has been assigned to FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Program and is presently is a Rescue Team Manager/Task Force Leader with FEMA USAR Task Force III. His deployments include: Hurricane Iniki in 1992 as a Logistics Group Supervisor, the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 as a Rescue Squad Officer, the New York City Trade Center Attack 2001 as a Rescue Team Manager, The Walnut Creek Pipeline Explosion in 2004 as the Rescue Operations Group Supervisor and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as a Rescue Team Manager. As a Rescue Team Manager During Hurricane Katrina Carl was responsible for rescue team operations including all joint agency assignments that included Military, Coast Guard, Police, Fish & Game protection and amphibious units. This responsibility included management of all May Day and medical evacuations of rescue personnel during his three-week assignment in New Orleans. In the United States there are 28 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams. Eight of these teams reside in the State of California. Carl is a Confined Space and Structural Collapse Rescue Instructor for the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Program and is responsible for training California team members as well as other teams throughout the county. Carl is also President of Lee & Associates Rescue Equipment, Inc and oversees the Training, Consultation, Equipment Sales, Service and Stand By Rescue Divisions. Lee & Associates has been in business for over 30 years. |
 | Marianne Miller, Program Coordinator, South Bay Regional Public Safety Training |
| Gail Porto, MSN, Educator | |
 | Matt Powers, RN, Battalion Chief ENA National Director (Three-year term: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2012) Matthew F. Powers, RN, MS, CEN, MICP, Battalion Chief, Emergency Medical Services, North County Fire Authority, Daly City, California and Assistant ED Manager, Kaiser Permanente, Walnut Creek, California Matthew F. Powers is the ENA representative appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Emergency Medical Services Commission, and has served as president and treasurer of the ENA California State Council. He has been published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing and received the 2003 ENA Rising Star Award. Powers has also been elected the Emergency Nurses Association Board of Directors as ENA National Director (Three-year term: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2012) Powers is the Battalion Chief of Emergency Medical Services for North County Fire Authority and North Zone JPA EMS Supervisor overseeing Emergency Medical Services for the cities of Brisbane, Colma, Daly City, Pacifica and San Bruno, as well as the Assistant Emergency Department Manager at Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek and Vacaville California. Powers holds a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University-Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from San Jose State University-San Jose, California. |
 | Mark Roberts, President, SCCBFA Mark Roberts has been in Fire Service since 1995 and was hired by the San Jose Fire Department in 1997. He currently works as a Fire Engineer at Truck 18 C. Mark is the President of the Santa Clara County Black Firefighters Association. His training and certifications include the following: Firefighter Survival, Rescue Systems, Swift Water Rescue, ICS, Command Prevention, National Association of Professional Drivers, Wildland Firefighting Trainer. |
 | Joey Rubio, CEO, CQB City Joey M. Rubio is the creator and owner of CQB City, located in Stockton, CA. CQB City is Northern California’s newest Law Enforcement Training Center using Airsoft technology to revolutionize Close Quarter Battle training. Founded in 2006, his vision of providing law enforcement officers and private security personnel with a one stop training area has come to life. CQB City is used by Bay Area SWAT teams and private security companies to hone their CQB (close quarter battle) skills. Joey served in the United States Army where he completed Helicopter Flight School and the Army Ranger course and then worked with Army Special Operations units for 12 years in South and Central America, Korea and finally with the 7th Infantry Division (L) at Ft. Ord, CA. He graduated from Emery Riddle Aeronautical University and is a POST certified instructor. |
 | Wayne Womack, SBFD, TAK-Response Conference Director For over 22-years, Wayne Womack has served the first response community via his dual capacity as a 20+ year firefighter/paramedic with San Bernardino City FD, as well as, his 13+ years in conducting large training events specific to Firefighting, EMS, Homeland Security, and Disaster. Wayne's commitment to "service," high ethical standards, deep introspection, and family - serves has his day-to-day compass in navigating the hurdles of life. |
