Pyramid of Success

Brian P. Kazmierzak, EFO, CTO, has been a member of the fire service since 1991. Brian has an associate’s degree in Emergency Services Administration from Indiana University, an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Ivy Tech State College and a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Southern Illinois University. In addition, Brian completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in 2006, is a CPSE credentialed Chief Training Officer.He serves Director of Operations for www.firefighterclosecalls.com where he runs the day to day operations of the leading fire service safety and training website along with publishing THE SECRET LIST and recently launched the website www.ModernFireBehavior.com with Firefighter Close Calls and the UL FSRI. Brian was the recipient of the 2006 F.O.O.L.S. International Dana Hannon Instructor of the Year Award, the 2008 Indiana Fire Chiefs Training Officer of the Year Award Recipient and the 2011 Fire Engineering / ISFSI George D. Post International Fire Service Instructor of the Year Award at FDIC. He is a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, Indiana Fire Instructors Association, Michiana FOOLS and has served as a Peer Assessor and Team Leader for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.