Our Instructor Information

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24 years in the fire service industry, EMT, Rescue Technician, Water Rescue Technician, Land Search Technician, Hazmat Technician, Captain of the county

dive/rescue team (GASP) with ERDI training, US Diplomatic Executive Protection. Trained with a private investigation background and has taught executive protection classes, Bail Bonds agent that specialized in fugitive recovery, Phazzer instructor, and Interspiro AGA Mask technician.

Captain Rick Blandford (Ret.) began his career in the Fire Service in 1984. He was assigned to the Cabin John Fire Department, located near the Potomac River in Montgomery County, Maryland. There he was skilled in water rescue and boat operations at Great Falls Park Maryland. In 1989, Rick was assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team located at Chevy Chase Fire Department. From there, he held every rank on the HazMat Team from Firefighter to Captain. Rick retired from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services on January 1, 2017, after 31 years as a career firefighter and Hazmat Specialist. After retirement, Rick joined as a Volunteer Firefighter/Hazmat Specialist for Washington County, Maryland. Rick also serves as the Maryland State Coordinator for TRANSCAER to provide free Hazmat personnel training throughout the State of Maryland.  

Currently a helicopter mechanic with a local utility company.  Prior to working for the utility company, he was a special deputy as pilot/ mechanic for a local sheriff department aviation unit that performed a variety of missions: Aerial Patrol, SAR, Special operations mission and Aerial Firefighting. He flew all the unit's aircraft which included UH1, OH 58 and EC120. He spent  6 years with the Michigan National Guard as  a UH1 Crewchief. He spent 10 years with the Chesterton Fire Department with the rank of Captain/ EMT.  During this time, he was water rescue team leader for the department's water rescue team, and served as group leader for the Indiana Dept. Homeland Security DIstrict 1 Task Force type 3 water rescue group. 

Josh Hicken has been a career firefighter based out of Utah for the past 15 years, and is a

certified NR-AEMT. Josh has served in various roles within the fire service, but his favorite role

so far has been that of fire training officer.

Josh also serves as an adjunct fire instructor and certification tester with the Utah Fire and

Rescue Academy where he teaches Firefighter I/II, live fire attack evolutions, and forcible entry.

He has also sat on several committees to help with the development of the certification

standards and curriculum for Swiftwater Rescue, Surface Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, and Rope

Rescue for the state of Utah.

Josh also sat on the committee to help form the water rescue component for the Utah County

Special Response Team.

With over 23 years of climbing experience, and 17 years of technical rescue experience, Josh’s

true passion, has been teaching water rescue and rope rescue for the past 10 years.

Growing up in the Southern Adirondacks, Jon spent most of his life exploring everything the mountains, lakes and rivers had to offer. Joining his local rescue squad at the age of 16 he started his career as a first responder. Jon has taken the time to learn specific skill sets outside of traditional ambulance medicine including, backcountry rescue, technical rescue, and tactical medicine. Jon is currently an Advanced EMT for Essex County Office of Emergency Services and a Corrections Officer with Washington County Sheriff's Office holding a board certification as a Tactical Responder through IBSC. 

Retired Fire Captain City of Paterson, NJ. Angelo had worked for the City of Paterson Fire Dept for 29 years, spending 6 years in the Fire Dept EMS division prior to his appointment as a Firefighter in 1996. A majority of his career was spent in the rescue company. In 2012, he was promoted to Captain serving in various positions. In addition to his career with the Fire Dept, Angelo is a member of NJ-TF1 one of FEMA’s 28 US&R teams. Originally assigned as Rescue Specialist, now currently assigned as a Technical Search Specialist. Angelo also served as a Water Rescue Manager for NJ-TF1. He is a Level 3 Pro-Board Fire Instructor, FEMA Structural Collapse Instructor, Rope and Rigging, Confined Space, Trench Rescue, Tech Search and a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Water Rescue Instructor. Currently, he is working for University Hospital EMS in Newark NJ as an EMS Rescue Specialist and lead training instructor for the EMS Rescue program. 

Summer is a 16-year career firefighter, paramedic, technical rescuer, open water and

Swiftwater rescuer, public safety diver, and tactical medic with the Anne Arundle County Fire

Department in Maryland. He performs public safety support in urban, suburban, and rural

settings. Summer is a certified Technician in the following rescue disciplines: Rope Rescue, Confined

Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Boat Operations, Public Safety Rescue Diver, Vehicle Extrication and Hazardous Materials.

In addition to the fire service, Summer, is a 28-year Airman with the Air National Guard where

he has served as an aeromedical evacuation technician with over 1000 flight hours training and

deployed in support of worldwide evacuations of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. He has

also worked on the national level where he has supported and planned large scale medical

evacuations, combat casualty care training, medical support of various domestic operations,

and planned and executed medical support and training to various national level exercises .

Christy earned her bachelor’s in Environmental Science with a concentration in fish and wildlife management and currently works with her County Government as an Environmental Specialist, CCMP (Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program) Monitor & Sampler, and HAZMAT Emergency Responder. Prior to that, she worked in Wildlife Rehabilitation for over 10 years. Additionally, she has worked as a Mountain Guide for 8 years; particularly focused on rock climbing & canyon courses, as well as instruction in the technical & safety aspects of outdoor activities. 

With nearly a decade of experience as a first responder, she has worked across firefighting, law enforcement, K9 training, and search & rescue, specializing in emergency medicine. She began her career as a volunteer firefighter in rural Colorado, where she earned her EMT certification and quickly became proficient in an area without paramedic services. She  served as a law enforcement officer, later training K9s for narcotic, explosive, human remains detection, and patrol.

Her passion for emergency medicine led her to roles in Colorado and Washington, where she contributed to Mobile Stroke Treatment and Critical Care Transport teams. She has also helped establish EMS training academies and pursued paramedic education in New England. Throughout her career, she has supported search and rescue operations, including ice, swift water, high-angle, and low-angle rope rescues, as well as K9 tracking. Currently, as a Flight Paramedic in New England, she works in both rural and high-acuity, high-volume environments. She specializes in emergency medical education, training providers from civilians to physicians. She is completing her Bachelor's in Human Sciences, focusing on Paramedicine and EMS Education, with plans to pursue a Physician's Assistant role.

 Malachi is a United States Navy veteran who served 6 years as a Naval Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmer. While stationed at HSM-37 in Hawaii, he performed a variety of missions in the MH-60R helicopter including Surface, Anti-Submarine, and Electronic Warfare, Search and Rescue, Intelligence operations, and Logistics missions. He also earned various instructor qualifications, training many aircrew members during his time in the Navy.  

Jessica served 20 years in the US Army where she has served at all levels.  She is a recently retired Master Sergeant that a multitude of experience as a seasoned leader.  She has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where served with distinction in combat.  She had a highly decorated career where she helped to develop numerous fitness platforms to include the Army Combat Fitness Test and ensuring certification of Army Fitness Trainers.  She has attended numerous courses on tactical fitness and nutrition and subsequently implemented these into Army practice at the highest levels.  Additionally, she is the 40th female in US Army history  to successfully graduate US Army Ranger School and earned the coveted Ranger Tab. She has served at tactical levels as a leader of Soldiers and at the most senior levels where she helped to develop advanced military training pathways for Special Operators.  She successfully passed US Army Advanced Land Navigation and other highly difficult courses for Special Operators.  She is has numerous awards to include the Bronze Star Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Army Instructor Badge, Basic Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge.  She is an avid firearms and fitness competitor where she focuses on Tactical Games, USPSA Pistol, Night Vision, and numerous CrossFit Competitions.

Donald serves as a Naval Aviation Rescue Swimmer and Helicopter Aircrewmen. While serving he has deployed aboard amphibious ships, and shore-based aviation units as a search and rescue crew member/instructor. He has over 1000 hours in the MH-60S conducting Search and Rescue, Logistics and SOF support. He also is a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical technician and a prior ocean lifeguard for the city of Long Beach, New York. 

Nicole has been a paramedic for northern New Jersey’s level one trauma center, University Hospital in the city of Newark since 2012. She remains an active flight paramedic with NorthSTAR, University Hospital and the NJ State Police’s joint air medical program for the last 7 years. Nicole has experience as a tactical paramedic having worked with a county-based emergency response team serving as their clinical lead from 2019-2024. Currently in the role of EMS Supervisor of training and education for University Hospital, she has her instructorship in various disciplines specializing in prehospital emergency care including TECC, PHTLS, along with other NAEMT programs and holds multiple instructorships with the American Heart Association. Nicole is also trained as a vehicle extrication technician, rope rescue technician, and confined space technician.  

Alan is a US Navy Veteran who served 5 years as a Naval Aviation Rescue Swimmer and Helicopter Aircrewman with HSC-26 on shore and amphibious ships. He has over 960 hours in the MH-60S and H-3 Helicopters conducting Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuations, Logistics, Prisoner Transport, and SOF Support. He is a HAM Radio Operator and Drone Pilot. Previously was a certified triathlon coach and ocean rescue lifeguard for the city of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. 

John Baker served in the US Navy as an Aviation Rescue Swimmer, hoist operator, and door gunner. After separating from the military, he transitioned to civilian emergency medicine, working as an EMT, medic, and Flight Paramedic, primarily on rotor-wing platforms. Over the past four years, John has undertaken CONUS and OCONUS roles as a CASEVAC Medic, Rescue Specialist, Security Medic, and medical instructor for the US Military. His career reflects a commitment to excelling in high-pressure, dynamic environments and a dedication to sharing his knowledge and experience with others.

For the last 16 years I have been in the fire service, serving over 10 years assigned to our

rescue company. In that time, also serving on former NC TF-4 USAR team, Swift water rescue

team, Dive team, mountain and wilderness search and rescue team, and as a tactical medic. I

have spent the last few years as an instructor both internally and in the community college

system as a firefighter, technical rescue, water rescue, and medical instructor. Living in close

proximity to a large military institution I have had the honor and privilege to work in the training

as well as development of programs within the DOD including JSOC, Army Special Operations,

and Airforce STS units. My passion has been to bring the practices and lessons learned from

special operations medicine to the civil service side training local law enforcement medics in

care under fire training and implementation of rope access tactics.

Joshua Keyes honorably retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of distinguished

service. He began his career as a Crew Chief on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber before

transitioning to the elite field of Pararescue. Over the course of his career, he accumulated

hundreds of combat flight hours on both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, serving as a rotary

team leader and conducting multiple combat recovery dive missions across five deployments

spanning multiple continents.

    His extensive training includes specialized expertise in confined space rescue, collapsed structure

operations, high-angle rope systems, swift water rescue, austere medicine, and other advanced

rescue techniques.

    In addition to his operational achievements, Joshua earned a teaching degree and accrued over

2,000 hours of experience in both lecture-based and dynamic teaching environments. Currently,

he serves as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Modernized Pararescue Paramedic Program,

where he also is the curriculum developer.

   Joshua's dedication, leadership, and expertise continue to shape the next generation of rescue

professionals.

As a U.S Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Kyle has over a decade of combined military,

medical, and security leadership experience. He served globally in high-risk, resource-constrained

environments, leading complex missions and providing advanced medical support to both U.S.

and partner force personnel. His expertise spans crisis response, field medicine, tactical operations, and training international special operations units. Now based in Washington, Kyle works in executive protection and risk management and continues to stay hands-on in both leadership and rescue roles. He holds multiple advanced medical certifications, speaks Mandarin, and has an MBA from Santa Clara University. Outside of work, he enjoys surfing, skiing, skydiving, and chasing my dog through the mountains.

Billy is a US Navy Veteran who served four years on the USS Essex (LHD-2) stationed in San

Diego, California. During his time there he became a search and rescue swimmer. As only one of

three qualified swimmers on a ship with 2,000 assigned personnel, it was crucial to maintain this

qualification. US Navy ships are unable to leave the pier unless at least two rescue swimmers are

on board. He learned a great deal about water rescue techniques, equipment, operations, and

planning. Billy also continued his family tradition by becoming a qualified fourth-generation firefighter,

which he's maintained for almost ten years now. He has experience and or training with structure

fires, vehicle extrication, airbag use, rope rescue procedures, HAZMAT, and more. He's always looking to expand his kno

looking to expand my knowledge in this field through various training classes and exercises.

Lastly, during his time in San Diego, he became an avid rock climber. Through top-rope, lead, and

multi pitch climbing, he gained great experience with knots, anchor points, rigging, hauling,

belaying, mechanical advantages, and more. During this time, he was also able to finish schooling

and received a BA in mathematics.