Best Practices for Developing and Implementing Technology

Ms. Jill Cotton is the Marketing and Customer Service Director for the web-based inspections report management systems company, InspectionReportsOnline.net (IROL) based in Aurora, IL. She develops and implements marketing strategies, conducts and leads large group presentations, participates in trade show/conference sessions, and works directly with IROL customers for service and training. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Aurora University. Contact Jill at jcotton@irol-llc.net.

Fire Captain with education and talent for data analytics, engineering and problem solving. Strong knowledge of Technical Rescue and incident mitigation. Communicative and team-oriented with proficiency in technology. Proven history of fostering training to meet team, individual and management objectives.

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.