Are Your Antiquated Rules Driving Volunteers Away: Panel Discussion

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.

Kenneth W. Richards, Jr. MS, EFO, CFO has been a member of the Fire Service for 47 years starting in 1976 at the age of 14 as a Junior Firefighter in Old Mystic, CT. Ken has served as the career Fire Chief / Fire Marshal of the Old Mystic Fire Department for 30 years. He is the past President of the New England Division of The International Fire Chiefs Association (NEDIAFC), and a 31-year member of the NFPA. Serving as a member of the Fire Service Training Technical Committee for 21 years and its Chair for the past 12 years. Chief Richards earned his Bachelor of Science in Fire Technology from Charter Oak State College and holds a Master of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is also a 1999 graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, a Certified Chief Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a Fire Officer IV NFPA Standards and a Fire Instructor III NFPA Standards.

Bryan Coghill has served as the Corydon Civil Defense Fire & Rescue Fire Chief managing volunteers since November 2006. Bryan is a third-generation firefighter and Fire Chief. His Grandfather Bill Coghill, served as Fire Chief for the German Township Fire Dept, while Bryan’s Father Mike Coghill is the current Fire Chief of the Smith Mills Fire Dept. Bryan began his fire career in November of 1995, prior to that he would follow his father to calls and meetings until he was old enough to join himself. He and his wife, Amanda, who also serves in the department, have been married for 16 years. They have a son, Mayson who’s 14 years old, and awaiting his 15th birthday so he can also join the fire department. Bryan has obtained numerous grants for his department, and several surrounding departments. Bryan serves on many departments in his home county and is one of the county's fire investigators. In his free time, Bryan likes to go fishing, bow fishing, and spending time with his wife and son.

Chief Jordan J. Cramer's career is marked by a deep-seated dedication to service to the community and combination fire and emergency service systems. As the current Chief at the South Strabane Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services, he brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience, a passion for leadership, and a commitment to excellence in public safety. Chief Cramer's journey in emergency services began with the Peters Township Fire Department in McMurray, PA, where he served with distinction in several roles over 14 years. His exemplary service in this role was recognized with the Firefighter of the Year Award for two consecutive years, 2014 and 2015, and a "Service Above Self" award from the Rotary in 2022. In tandem with his service, Chief Cramer demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding Cramer Facility and Grounds Solutions, growing it into a small business with 25 employees and a $3M operating budget at its peak.

In South Strabane Township, Chief Cramer has focused on creating a collaborative and respectful environment. He has been pivotal in advocating for the department's needs, leading to the acquisition of new apparatus and staffing increases vital for the safety of the diverse district he serves. His forward-thinking leadership and strategic planning have not only rebranded the department but have also restructured its operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Beyond his administrative duties, Chief Cramer is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity and teamwork. He teaches courses for the International Association of Fire Chiefs Nationally on topics including inclusivity, recruitment, retention, and building collaborative teams in combination fire systems. He enjoys sharing his expertise in creating cohesive units that operate harmoniously for the benefit of the community. His work in teaching these courses has been instrumental in broadening the perspectives of fire service professionals on the importance of diversity and collaborative practices in emergency services and creating environments where both career and volunteer firefighters can thrive.

Chief Caughey is the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire District #2 which is a growing combination fire department located outside of Cheyenne Wyoming. Chief Caughey is a long-time student of the fire service with a focus of evolving to meet the needs of the members and community. He has a bachelor’s in Fire Science and is currently enrolled in a master’s of public administration program and the NFA EFO program.