Meet the Candidates
Five at-large directors will be elected in 2025. The three candidates who receive the highest number of votes will serve in their positions for three years. The candidates who receive the fourth and fifth highest number of votes will serve for two and one year(s), respectively, as they will be filling recently vacated terms and will only serve for the remainder of the term they are filling.
They will all begin serving during Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Assistant Chief Donald Burns, Wilmington (NC) Fire Department
With nearly two decades of experience in the fire service, I currently serve as the Chief of Training and Safety for the Wilmington Fire Department. My mission is to ensure that firefighters operate in the safest environment possible, providing them with the education, leadership, and resources necessary to reduce risk and enhance survivability. I am committed to fostering a culture where safety is not just a priority but a core value embedded in every aspect of fire service operations.
I have worked extensively to improve firefighter training, implement structured qualification programs, and enhance incident command procedures to better protect our personnel in the most challenging environments. Through my leadership, I have emphasized proactive risk management, firefighter resilience and operational excellence, ensuring that every member of the fire service is prepared to face the demands of the job and return home safely.
History should remember that in our time, we did everything in our power to bring our brothers and sisters home from every alarm. I remain committed to working alongside fellow fire service leaders to enhance firefighter safety, promote best practices, and drive meaningful change that ensures the longevity and well-being of all emergency responders.
Fire Chief Dave Emanuel, Durham (NH) Fire Department
Dave Emanuel has served as director on the SHS Board since 2021 and is a career Fire Chief in Durham, New Hampshire and a lifetime member of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department. He has over thirty years of service with volunteer and career departments since his introduction as an Eagle Scout through the BSA Explorer program.
Having served as a volunteer chief officer, Dave understands that addressing firefighter health, safety, and survival challenges are vital for both the career and volunteer fire chiefs. He strives to network and leverage connections on the local, state, and national level to build relationships and forward education and training for industry progress.
Dave takes on difficult topics and has served on the IAFC Bullying Prevention Taskforce since 2017 and as chair since 2019. He has been a presenter at FRI and a collaborator for the FRI Bullying Prevention Symposium, Workplace Bullying Institute’s train-the-trainer, and the IAFC Respect Our House bullying prevention program.
Dave is professionally credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) where he served as a CPC Commissioner, a graduate of the NFA Executive Fire Officer Program, and holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and civil engineering and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of New Hampshire. He is an instructor for the NH Fire Academy and a nationally recognized leadership speaker.
Dave considers continuing service to the Section on the board a great honor and asks the membership for their support.
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department
I have been a firefighter since 1973 and a chief fire officer since 1982. My entire focus since first being promoted to Lieutenant in 1979 has been the training and safety of those under my command. In addition to my studies and training in fireground command and survival (including being an EFO graduate), I have written hundreds of articles and instructed thousands of fire officers in the past 30 years with well-documented success. I have been honored as the recipient of several national awards for my work specific to firefighter survival, including the Congressional Fire Service Institute Mason Lankford Leadership Award, 3 IAFC Presidential Awards, the FDIC Lifetime Achievement Award, ISFSI Instructor of The Year, the FCSN Dallas Jones Leadership Award, as well as several recognitions from my fire department, all of which I am deeply appreciative of and honored to have received. The section, along with VFIS, also created an annual ""Fire Service Organizational Safety Award"" that is named after me.
As one of the founding members of the IAFC Safety Health and Survival Section, past section chair, past IAFC Board of Directors member, and current SHS Board member, my history and actions speak for themselves. I have a reputation as no-nonsense when it comes to our responsibility in taking care of and supporting our section (and IAFC) members, specifically with safety, health, and survival. I also have a well-documented history of looking inward to ensure the IAFC and its leadership focus on the membership with integrity.
Deputy Chief Matt Lopez, City of Annapolis (MD) Fire Department
Matthew Lopez is a Deputy Chief for the Annapolis (MD) Fire Department, the Capital City for the State of Maryland. He is assigned to the Administration and Professional Standards Bureau. Before joining the City of Annapolis, Chief Lopez served nearly 29-years with the Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Department and retired at the rank of Battalion Chief. In Fairfax County he led multiple sections include Safety and Training. His leadership experience included involvement in the Safety Officer Program, Hazardous Materials Response Team and the Communications Section.
Chief Lopez received a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from Saint Michael’s College, a Master's Degree in Union Leadership and Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master's of Science in Safety, Security and Emergency Management with a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Safety from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2021, Chief Lopez was awarded the Chief Fire Officer credential through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In the following year, he received the Chief Training Officer and Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer credentials. In 2024 he became a Certified Safety Professional through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Battalion Chief Kevin Moran, Chesterfield (VA) Fire and Emergency Medical Services
In December 2003, became a member of Chesterfield Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Served as a firefighter and EMS provider at stations 1, 14, and 24. Lead instructor for Volunteer Recruit School 23 and Career Recruit Schools 42 and 43. Assigned to several committees and subsequently involved in written and physical pre-employment testing, the interview process, promotional testing, and the delivery of the Applied Leadership to the Company Officer and Chief Officer Development programs. Attended leadership symposiums and conventions led by Chief Alan Brunacini, Chief Bobby Halton, Chief Billy Goldfeder, and other distinguished fire service leaders.
In December 2010, promoted to Lieutenant and served as a first-line supervisor at stations 5 and 9. Acting Captain assignment at station 11 before being promoted in October 2013. Served in this capacity before being selected as Executive Officer to the Fire Chief. In May 2016, promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to the operations division, where I led the officers and firefighters of the Southern Battalion for five years. In October 2021, my assignment was moved to the Training and Education Division, fulfilling my current role as the Director of Training and Education.
As an adult learner, obtained a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Management and was designated as an Executive Fire Officer (EFO) by the National Fire Academy. Finally, in late 2024 received a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and currently enrolled at Arizona State University, working toward a Certified Public Manager designation.
Managing Director Dave Pickhardt, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
Dave Pickhardt has enjoyed a 34 year career in the fire service. His career duties included serving as a firefighter/paramedic, EMS Division Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Interim Fire Chief.
Dave graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Fire Service Administration and Business Administration. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. Dave has been a paramedic for 33 years.
Dave serves as the Managing Director of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association. Currently Dave is the board chairman of the Central Oregon Public Safety Chaplaincy and is the past president of the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association Health and Safety Section. Dave has served both groups for over 10 years.
Currently working as a Risk Manager and Fire District Health and Wellness Consultant. This amazing job allows Dave to focus on fire districts and other public entities to support them and focus on health, wellness, and safety for the respective organizations.
My passion is the health and wellness of firefighter- having the opportunity to connect with many experts across the country to focus on physical and mental health challenges faced by fire service members both current and retired drives me every day.
Increasingly engaged in supporting the mental health needs of firefighters is a passion for Dave. A champion for organizational change that supports values focused on health and wellness is the priority.
Extremely qualified and seeking an opportunity to serve the IAFC SHS. Thank you for the consideration and opportunity.
Director of Cancer Prevention John Schmidt, Florida Fire Fighter Safety & Health Collaborative
Recently, he served as the Founding Fire Chief of McLemore Fire & Emergency Services Department. Before that, he served as the Health, Safety, and Wellness Division Chief with Pasco County Fire Rescue. His roles and responsibilities included the Decontamination program and members, the Rehabilitation program, the Air Truck program and members, the Peer Fitness program, and Infection Control Officer.
Chief Schmidt is privileged to be part of the Pasco County Fire Rescue On-scene Decontamination program team, delivering clean gear to the fire scene and allowing all members to change duty uniforms and begin removing contaminants from their skin. They are creating a robust training program for all firefighters and PCFR Decon Technicians.
Chief Schmidt believes in educating firefighters about cancer risks and the ever-increasing engineering processes to reduce that risk. He continually researches opportunities to improve their operation. Protecting the health and safety of our firefighters is his primary focus.
Chief Schmidt will continue to be a valuable IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival committee member. His personal experiences give him the unique perspective to provide in-depth conversations about changing processes to protect our firefighters.
Chief Schmidt earned his associate degree. He also holds the titles of Fire Officer III, Fire Training Instructor, Live Fire Training Instructor, Hazardous Materials Technician, and FDSOA Health and Safety Officer. Chief Schmidt also serves as a Director for the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health Collaborative and on the Board of Advisors for the Firefighter Cancer Initiative. He maintains various industry memberships.
Deputy Chief Tim Wayne, Goodyear (AZ) Fire Department
Dear IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section Members,
I am honored to submit my application for the At-Large Director position. With 30 years of fire service experience, a master’s degree, and credentialed as a CFAI Peer Assessor, CFO, and Certified Public Manager, I am eager to contribute to the section’s mission. The profound impact of losing a member to occupational cancer has fueled my resolve to drive cultural change and promote best practices in firefighter health.
I have dedicated my career to ensuring the highest standards in leadership, safety, and operational excellence. My passion lies in mitigating occupational health risks, particularly through cancer reduction initiatives. I have led efforts in award winning station design improvements, clean cab implementation, and policy development to protect firefighters from harmful exposures. Additionally, I play a key role in the development of a regional decontamination apparatus, a first-of-its-kind initiative to enhance firefighter safety in Phoenix Metro area.
As a presenter at the Station Design Conference, I have shared innovative solutions and advocated for safer work environments. Serving as an At-Large Director would allow me to further these efforts on a broader scale. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my experience and dedication to the IAFC Safety, Health and Survival Section.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Eligibility
At-Large Director Eligibility
Candidates must be current SHS Section and IAFC members. If elected, they must maintain IAFC and Section memberships for the duration of their term. Members who are Associate members of the IAFC are not eligible to be SHS Section directors.
Retirees
At least eleven (11) of the fourteen (14) members of the Section’s Board of Directors must be non-retired, current, Regular Section and IAFC members at the time of their candidacy and, if elected, must maintain IAFC and Section memberships for the duration of their term. No more than three of the individuals serving as at-large directors, secretary, or treasurer may be retired chief officers.
If the Chair or Vice Chair retires while in office, he or she shall be permitted to remain in office until the next regular annual meeting of the Section, when a new Chair or Vice Chair shall be elected by the membership to fill the vacancy.
At least eleven (11) of the fourteen (14) members of the Section’s Board of Directors must be non-retired. There are currently three retirees serving on the board, so no additional retirees are eligible to be seated on the SHS Section Board beginning in August 2025.