Roundtable Talk - Training Under Pressure — Addressing Volunteer Firefighter Training Challenges

David is a 22 year member of the fire service and currently serves as a Lieutenant and coassigned to the Training Division with the Columbia County Fire Rescue (Ga.) and a part time Firefighter with Grovetown (Ga) DPS. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia State Firefighter's Association, National Volunteer Fire Council State Director, Georgia Pipeline Emergency Response Initiave Board of Directors, NFPA’s Working Group on Flammable Refrigerants, Alternate to NFPA 1021 and 1056 Committees, and was Secretary of IFSTA's Pumping Apparatus Driver Operator 3rd Edition Curriculum Committee, contributor to the “Training Officer’s Desk Reference”, and is a Safety and Health coordinator with HEPACO LLC. As an active instructor for the Georgia Fire Academy with Firefighter Basics, David is constantly engaged with teaching live fire, leadership, HAZMAT, and Firefighter Survival/RIT classes.

Jeff Cash, CFO, has over 43 years in the fire service and is the retired City Manager/Fire Chief of the City of Cherryville, North Carolina, his hometown. Currently, Chief Cash serves as the Training and Education Coordinator for Volunteer Fire Insurance Services of North Carolina (VFIS of NC).  Jeff also serves in the track services division, including fire protection/emergency medical services for the Speedway Motor Sports, (Charlotte Motor Speedway). He holds a degree in Fire Protection. He is a Past President of the NC State Firefighters Association. He has received the following recognitions: Cherryville FD Firefighter of the Year, Western NC Association Fire Officer of the Year, NCSFA Firefighter of the Year, NC Association of Fire Chief’s Career Chief of the Year, NC Society of Fire & Rescue Instructors, Instructor of the Year, the IAFC-VCOS-John Buckman Leadership Award, and the NVFC-James Monihan Leadership Award.  He also received the North Carolina American Legion Fire Service Person of the Year Award. Recently, upon his retirement, he was awarded the NC Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Roy Cooper.

He served on the Executive Committee (Secretary-Treasurer) of the National Volunteer Fire Council as North Carolina’s Director. Chief Cash is a previous member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors. He also served as a principal committee member of NFPA 1021 and a Board member of the IAFC-Safety Health & Survival Section (NVFC Liaison).  He is an active fire service instructor, teaching since 1983. Chief Cash has testified twice before US Congressional Committees on Fire Service issues.  Chief Cash has spoken or taught in 36 states. Chief Cash also serves on the Caromont Health System Board of Directors, as Chairman.

Brian Focht CFPS, CFEI, is a 40-vetern of the fire service and Past Chief of the Willow Grove (Fire Company and a Career Lieutenant with the Horsham Fire Company serving as shift supervisor and Training Officer. He is a Pro Board level 3 fire instructor and teaches at several academies. He is a PA Department of Health Paramedic and Instructor. He has authored articles on Natural Gas and Electrical Emergencies and Designed a Training Video and Program for Emergency Services on dealing with Autism. He co-authored a book on Tactical Response to Natural Gas Emergencies by PennWell.  He was the 2014 OCAILA Community Achievement Award, 2016 Recipient of the Garry Breese IAFC Safety Performance Award, 2017 Liberty Museum Valor Award for Community Betterment and 2019 PA Department of Health Instructor of the Year.   A NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist and many other professional credentials and meritorious citations. 

I believe in training today for tomorrow’s emergencies. I have made it a career goal to continually better myself and those I mentor. I teach leadership development, Incident Safety, Auto and Machinery Rescue and Utility response on a regular basis. 

Robbi King serves as the Director of Public Safety Solutions Engineers at Vector Solutions, where he is focused on delivering tailored safety and operational solutions to public sector clients. With a robust background in public safety, including roles as the Deputy Coroner at the Camden County Coroner’s Office and Assistant Chief of Fire at Camden County Fire Rescue, King plays a pivotal role in aligning agency needs with scalable, effective software from Vector Solutions that improve outcomes and operational readiness.

Matthew Shronts is a seasoned senior solutions engineer and accredited chief fire officer with extensive experience in fire service leadership and public safety operations. He earned his master’s degree in public administration with a focus on Firefighting and Protective Services from Southern Illinois University, equipping him with advanced expertise in emergency management and organizational leadership.