Doug deBest has been involved in the fire service for over twenty-nine years, with the majority of his time spent in volunteer roles within volunteer or combination departments.  He has served in many different compacities within the fire service; from volunteer & career roles on municipal departments, part-time on a private fire department, and even as an industrial fire brigade member.  Doug served on the Baroda Fire Department for fifteen years, rising from the role of firefighter to the rank of Fire Chief.  Currently, Doug serves as a Lieutenant and the Training Officer for the St. Joseph Township Fire Department – Station # 1.

Doug has earned a Bachelor Degree in Fire Science from Lake Superior State University, and a Master Degree from Western Michigan University.  He recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management & Disaster Resilience from Eastern Kentucky University.  Doug was awarded an “Alumni Fellow” from Lake Superior State University for his contributions to the Life of the University in 2005; he is the recipient of the only Alumni Fellow to be awarded to a Fire Science graduate.

Charlie Kludt is secretary and training officer for the Viborg Volunteer FD, Viborg, SD. He is a captain, FF/EMT and inspector at Joe Foss Field, Sioux Falls, SD. He is an “if needed” EMT for the Viborg Ambulance service.

He has over 30 years in fire suppression, rescue, prevention, and inspection activities. He has certifications as Rescue Technician, driver-operator, inspector, instructor, and NWCG wildland.

Charlie was elected SE District Director of the South Dakota Firefighters in 2010. He has served as President of the South Dakota Firefighters Association since 2014.

In 2015, he was appointed NVFC State Director for South Dakota. Currently serving as Wildland committee member, as well as, a representative to the NFPA Wildland PPE committee.

He and his wife, Dawn, are members of the South Dakota-Local Assistance State Team (SD-LAST).

Prior to a firefighting career, he was a Jr/Sr High School vocational instructor, coach, and Administrator. He served as mayor for 14 years; Planning and Zoning Chairman; School Board member; and church committee member (which has a “forever” term limit). 

Steve’s fire service journey began in 1978 as a Volunteer Firefighter in Nevada. He went on to serve with the Clark County Fire Department, where he held various roles, including Firefighter, Paramedic, and Engineer. Steve’s final position was as the Rural Coordinator, where he oversaw 13 volunteer departments and more than 350 volunteers. After a distinguished career, he retired in 2009. Steve has remained deeply committed to the Volunteer Fire Service, serving two terms as President of the Nevada State Firefighters’ Association. He actively represents Nevada on the National Volunteer Fire Council, advocating for initiatives that benefit Volunteer Firefighters nationwide. Steve is currently the Chair of the Wildland Committee.

 Steve is married to Marla, his lovely wife of over 20 years, has five beautiful children and two amazing grandchildren.

Started my Firecareer in 1994 in Malden Massachusetts at Malden Rescue 2 the auxiliary firedepartment for the city of Malden. Then worked for three years as a seasonalfirefighter for the Massachusetts Department of environmental management. Whilelaid off in the winters I lived in Lincoln, New Hampshire and was a member ofthe Lincoln New Hampshire fire department for 4 years. Then in 2000 joined theUnited States Army as a military police officer and was stationed at FortCarson, Colorado for 5 years. With a few deployments overseas. While in thearmy during my free time, I was a volunteer firefighter with the StratmoreHills Fire dept, southwest Highway 115 fire district and Divide Fire Dept. Wasalso a captain with the El Paso County Sheriff‘s office Wildland fire crew.Moving back to Massachusetts in 2006 as the district for fire warden for theBarnstable (Cape Cod) Dukes (Martha’s Vineyard) and Nantucket counties.Currently hold a crew boss certification and I’m also a member BarnstableCounty incident management team.