Sharpen Your Axe
Knowing our history and how to interpret the lessons learned is essential for us to be able to properly prepare and be combat ready for the challenges we face. It is also imperative for us, to be effective and impactful leaders, that we are students of the craft and can share and lead those that are entrusted to our care and leadership each day. The fire will always get a vote and we must be prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally to win!
Dan has been a student of the fire service since 1992, starting in the fire service in Howard County, MD as a volunteer. In 1995, he was appointed to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, VA and has held every rank throughout his career. He retired in July 2024 as the Assistant Chief of Operations for the department.
Dan also delivers fire service instruction around the country and taught at many national conferences covering firefighting, leadership, and officer development. He serves on the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) Advisory Board, is the chairman of the NFPA 1403 committee, and is a panel member for the Underwriter’s Laboratories Firefighter Safety Research Institute.
He co-authored the book “25 to Survive: Reducing Residential Injuries and LODD” that was published in 2013 and has also written several articles for Fire Engineering Magazine. Dan had the distinct honor of being the keynote speaker at FDIC International in 2022.
