Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Places

Gary Ludwig is recognized as a respected national fire and EMS leader, author, public speaker, and expert who has managed two award-winning metropolitan EMS systems (Memphis and St. Louis) and an ISO Class 1 fire department. He has pioneered many concepts which are now standard practice in fire and EMS systems today. Chief Ludwig has over 45 years of fire, rescue and EMS experience - and over 43 years’ experience as a paramedic. He currently serves as the fire chief of Champaign, Illinois and was President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs during the 2019-20 term. In 2022, he was appointed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to the National Advisory Council for FEMA.

http://garyludwig.com/about-gary-ludwig.html

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.