Thinking Critically About "Adaptive" Challenges is Key to a Chief Officer's Success

Landon Churchill grew up in the mountains of Western Colorado and began his public safety career as a volunteer firefighter with Colorado River Fire Rescue, where he had the opportunity to serve as an engineer, paramedic, and lieutenant. He spent time as an educator serving as EMS program coordinator and adjunct faculty at Colorado Mountain College and as a consultant for his own company, Big Red Fire Training. He serves now as the Deputy Chief of Planning and Governance for Spring Fire Department in Spring, TX, and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, especially cooking, playing music, and exploring the outdoors.

Ms. Kate Marquis is an expert on critical thinking to support decision making, with a focus on the public safety and national security spheres. She has served in a variety of roles in the US federal government and is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. Ms. Marquis has taught critical thinking skills to local, state, federal, and international government and public safety audiences.

Chief Yancey is the fire chief at Minooka Fire Protection District in Illinois since 2003. Chief Yancey started his fire service career in 1988 as a volunteer. He holds a bachelor's degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and is a 2009 graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. Chief Yancey is currently a Director on the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section of the IAFC, is the Volunteer/Combination Director for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Assoc., and is President of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 15.

Chief Yancey has presented at various local, state and national conferences on the subjects of leading a combination fire department, health and wellness in the fire service, and recruitment and retention

Chief Yancey is married to Kristen and they have two children.. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, swimmimg, exercise, camping, being outdoors.

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.