Five Fire Service Leaders Named to Emergency Responder Safety Institute

The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association announced today the appointment of Chief Alan Brunacini, Assistant Chief David Lewis, Chief Rich Marinucci, Chief TJ Nedrow, and Executive Director Mike Wieder to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute. The new appointees join a blue ribbon team of public safety professional s who are dedicated to protecting emergency responders on the roadway. “We are pleased to welcome these fire service leaders to the Institute” said Steve Haines CVVFA President. “They join a host of other committed public safety professionals who give their time helping to prevent injury or worse to those who operate on the highways helping others.”

Alan Brunacini is one of the most highly respected figures in the fire industry. He has served as fire chief of the Phoenix Fire Department and as the Chairman of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Technical Committee for Fire Service Organization and Deployment Projects. He was the first active fire service member to hold the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NFPA. His impact on the fire industry is widespread. Brunacini has authored or co-authored a total of nine books, including "Fire Command." Used by fire departments across the nation, "Fire Command" explains precise procedures for approaching and diminishing a hazardous situation.

After serving as a firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief and assistant chief at the Phoenix Fire Department, Brunacini was named chief in 1978 after more than 20 years in the fire industry. Brunacini is a graduate of the Fire Protection Technology program at Oklahoma State University and a graduate of Arizona State University where he earned a degree in political science. He completed the Urban Executives Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a master's in public administration from Arizona State University. Chief Brunacini will serve ERSI as Senior Fire Service Advisor.

*David Lewis *is the Distance Education Training Coordinator at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. David is a life member of Odenton Volunteer Fire Department where he served in several capacities including Assistant Fire Chief. He is a Past President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. David will serve as ERSI Continuing Education Manger and will be responsible for organizations who wish to grant continuing education credits for successful completion of ResponderSafety Learning Network modules. David holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies from the University of Maryland and an Associate of Arts degree in Computer Science from the Anne Arundel Community College. David serves on several boards and committees of national interest including IFSTA Technical Committee for the Emergency Response to Terrorist Attacks textbook, and NFPA’s Technical Committee on Incident Management Professional Qualifications.

*Rich Marinucci *is the Fire Chief at Northville Township Fire Department in Michigan. He retired from the Farmington Hills MI Fire Department where he was Chief for 24 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Cincinnati in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology; a Bachelor of Science at Madonna College in Fire Science - Occupational Safety and a Bachelor of Science at Western Michigan University in Secondary Education. Rich was Acting Chief Operating Officer of the United States Fire Administration while serving as a Senior Advisor to the FEMA Director. Rich holds a Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Rich also served as the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – Everyone Goes Home Program Manager. Rich is no stranger to ERSI productions. He narrates the video “Marked and Seen” on the ResponderSafety website. He will serve as Liaison to the Federal Highway Adminstration.

T.J. Nedrow is the Washington State Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council. T.J. served several terms as President of the Washington State Fire Fighters Association. T.J. is a Senior Planner for the Washington Department of Transportation where his career spans 34 years. He is the Vice Chair of the National Traffic Incident Management Committee. T.J. has served as a Volunteer Fire Officer at the Lacey Fire Protection District. He is a member of the NFPA Traffic Control Incident Management Professional Qualifications Committee (NFPA 1091). He has chaired the WA Governor's Fire Protection and Policy Board and the Firefighter Certification and Accreditation Committee. In his 37 year membership with Washington Fire Service he received many commendations including Fire Chief's, Fire Fighter of the year, Fire Commissioner's and President's Awards . T.J. is a recognized Traffic Incident Management expert in the transportation industry he couples that experience with his broad fire service background. He is responsible for TIM issues at the National Volunteer Fire Council.

*Mike Wieder *is Executive Director, International Fire Service Training Association and the Associate Director/Managing Editor, Fire Protection Publications (IFSTA). Mike has authored over 100 articles in various fire service publications. He is a nationally known speaker and lecturer. He began his fire service career at Pennsburg PA Fire Company #1. Mike is a member of the NFPA Traffic Control Incident Management Professional Qualifications Committee (NFPA 1091). Mike has received numerous awards including the prestigious George D. Post Instructor of the Year Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and the IFSTA Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award. Mike earned an M.S. Degree – Occupational and Adult Education; B.S. Degree – Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology

A.D. Degree – Fire Protection Technology from Oklahoma State University.

Created as a Committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association, the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) serves as an advisory group of public safety leaders and transportation experts committed to reducing deaths and injuries to America's emergency responders. To see the full ERSI membership list click here.