Main Conference Presentations

• Merrill Bone, Firefighter-Paramedic/Heavy Rescue Technician, Unified Fire Authority, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, Utah

This presentation is an introduction to the responsibilities of a Medical Specialist during disaster deployment operations. The Medical Specialist is an important component in any deployment of search and rescue resources. The primary function is the protection and treatment of task-force members before, during and after a deployment. During victim rescue and extrication, the Medical Specialist is the primary care provider for the victim. This will require performing their duties in a very austere environment and the coordination of efforts from several disciplines. Topics focus on planning for and functioning during, a disaster situation involving victim rescue from a confined space, structural collapse or any other rescue operations.

Merrill Bone is currently a Firefighter/Paramedic/Heavy Rescue Technician for the Unified Fire Authority in Salt Lake County, Utah. He has 25 years in fire service and 28 years in EMS as a member of the Heavy Rescue Program with his department, and is currently stationed at HR 110. Merrill is a member of Utah Task Force One, a FEMA US&R team. He has been affiliated with the team since 1992 and in all of its deployments including, New York 9/11, Hurricanes Katrina (Mississippi and Louisiana), Ernesto, and Rita. Merrill currently serves as the task-force Medical Coordinator and is on FEMA’s National Medical Working Group as a Central Division Representative. He participates annually in Medical Team Training as a lecturer and practical instructor and has worked in this cadre of instructors since 2002. Merrill has been an instructor in Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic programs in the state of Utah and has served as a Paramedic preceptor for new and transfer Paramedics within his own department. Merrill’s educational background consists of an associate degree in Fire Science and a bachelor’s degree in Public Emergency Service Management.

• Brian Rousseau, Deputy Chief, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control

From the smallest local capability to state and FEMA teams, the changes in organization, techniques, tactics and funding has changed the face of technical rescue in the United States and around the world. Whether your organization is involved in USAR or not, this program will give you a better understanding of what resources are available to you and what you need to know about federal and NFPA standards regarding rescue capabilities. Special emphasis will be placed on NFPA 1670, NFPA 1006 as well as the NIMS Resource Typing System and how these standards interrelate and complement each other.

Brian Rousseau has 34 years fire/rescue experience, the last 24 with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. During the last 19 years, he has been primarily involved in technical-rescue training, program development and consulting, ranging from very small organizations to some of the largest fire departments in the world as well as local, regional and national-level governments and rescue teams. He has been involved in training, consulting and exercise evaluation throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Europe. He has authored and co-authored training programs in basic rescue, rope rescue, confined space rescue, structural collapse and trench/excavation rescue and has been actively involved for more than 13 years in the development of the NFPA international standards for rescue training, operations and professional certification.

• Pat Borer, Deputy Chief, City of Lincoln, Nebraska Fire & Rescue Department

This presentation gives participants a personal perspective on pre-deployment of incident activities, setting up a base of operations, accountability of personnel, and how to report to the IC during operational periods.

Pat Borer is currently assigned to Battalion 1 C-shift. His career began in 1988 as a firefighter. He has received numerous commendations such as the Phoenix Award, Unit Performance Awards, was nominated by the American Legion for Outstanding Firefighter Award and was a KLKN Firefighter of the Month. In 1996, he was promoted to company officer assigned to Engine 14 and the C-Shift Hazardous Materials Team Captain. While at Station 14 he assumed the duties of the Station House Captain. In 1999, he moved to Captain of Engine 1. In 2002, he transferred to the Training Division where he was responsible for Incident Command Training and Personnel Development. In 2006, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and assigned to Station 1 where he is responsible for Battalion 1.

Pat has a bachelor of science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and an associate degree of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from Southeast Community College. Pat is now an adjunct instructor at Southeast CC. Pat is a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program graduate and is currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University, completing his master’s in Fire Service Leadership. He is a member of the NETF-1 Urban Search and Rescue Team and is assigned as the task force Safety Officer and leader. Pat has served on numerous committees and activities including Dive Team Coordinator, Service Gear Manager, Safety Committee Member, Station Wear Committee Member, Basic Aid Training Program, and is also a YMCA Youth Coach Volunteer. Pat is currently responsible for the Water Rescue Team, the Protective Clothing Program, and assists in ensuring the department is NIMS compliant.

• Bill Brubaker, Kansas Department of Emergency Management

This presentation will take a future look at the past New Madrid event and possible scenarios, missions and responses by Kansas response agencies by Emergency Support Function Assignments and Emergency Assistance Compact Deployments.

Bill Brubaker retired from the Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical as division chief over training, firefighter safety, fire apparatus, personnel recruitment, hiring and promotions and continuing education. Bill is also the former operations manager of Douglas County Emergency Management. He is currently with the Adjutant General’s Department, Kansas Homeland Security, and is the northeast regional coordinator for Kansas Emergency Management.

• Randy Hill, Deputy Chief, Leawood Fire Department

This presentation will provide an overview of the Search and Rescue initiative in Kansas, including an overview of the State Search and Rescue Response Plan and the state’s first USAR Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE), which was held in June 2009 at Crisis City.

Randy Hill has 29 years in the fire service, including the last 13 as deputy fire chief in Leawood, Kansas. He is currently emergency manager. He has technician certifications in structural collapse, rope rescue, and water rescue. Randy has responded to incidents including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Greensburg tornado, the Southeast Kansas flooding, and Hurricane Gustav, where he has served in multiple positions from Task Force Leader to Operations Section Chief.