Butch Cobb served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1970, including tours in Vietnam in 1968-1969 with the 225th Surveillance Airplane Company Blackhawks OV-1. He was awarded seven Air Medals for meritorious actions during sustained aerial operations supporting combat ground troops, and his company was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Gold Star.

In 1975, Butch Cobb joined the Jersey City, Fire Department and served as a firefighter and captain in some of its busiest units including Rescue 1. As a deputy chief, he was assigned to chief of training, citywide tour commander, and deputy coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. On Sept. 11, 2001, Chief Cobb, along with other Jersey City resources, responded to NYC and spent hours assisting injured FDNY firefighters and other 1st responders, searching through the collapsed buildings, and helping to decontaminate survivors.

In 2009, Deputy Chief Cobb retired from the Jersey City FD and joined the Insurance Services Office (ISO). As the national director, he was responsible for directing ISO’s public fire protection information-gathering and analysis process, including all field operations. On Sept 28, 2022, Chief Cobb was inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame at the Firehouse Expo in Columbus, OH.

“From the Battleground to the Fireground, what today’s firefighters need to succeed.” Chief Cobb will discuss the importance of followership and leadership, building resilience, and overcoming adversity. He will share his failures and successes after facing traumatic events while in a war zone and later at Ground Zero.

Dave McGrail “INTO THE JOB” and proud of it! A 41-year fire service veteran, having served with the Aurora, CO Fire Department from 1982 - 1987, and the Denver Fire Department (DFD) from 1987 - 2023. Dave was assigned to some of the busiest fire companies and fire districts within the DFD. From Nozzleman to Incident Commander, Dave responded to and operated at thousands of fires and emergency incidents, including high-rise fires, plane crashes, technical rescues, and all of the other daily incidents that occur in a big city. Chief McGrail earned fifteen meritorious commendations for his actions at various incidents on the DFD. Dave retired from the DFD in 2023 but continues to provide educational programs and hands-on training to firefighters all across the American Fire Service, and Internationally.

Dave is the author of the popular textbook “Firefighting Operations in High-Rise and Standpipe Equipped Buildings”, published by Pennwell, Fire Engineering Books, 2007.

Chief McGrail will present a motivational leadership program, including many of his personal and professional experiences. The primary focus of this program will be the need to fight human complacency by establishing and maintaining an “Into the Job” mindset. He will discuss what it really means to be “Into the Job”, and why the best firefighters we know, and should associate ourselves with, are “Into the Job”. Most importantly, he will provide affirmation for attendees to stay the course, don’t give up, and never apologize for your passion and love for “The Job.”

Pete Blaber commanded at every level of one of the most elite counter-terrorist organizations in the world during some of recent history’s most significant military and political events (Panama, Colombia, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq). In 2006 he retired from the military and transitioned from leading elite combat teams around the globe, to leading elite corporate teams for one of the world's largest and most innovative Biotechnology Companies.

“After 21 years of using the term ‘common sense’ to describe the way I lived and led in the military, this was the first time I actually paused to ponder what ‘common sense’ actually is and why people seem to recognize, respond to, and appreciate ‘common sense leadership’ whenever they experience it. I didn’t have to look far to find the answer. The answer is both all around and inside us. It’s not political, or religious, or philosophic. It’s biologic. Biology reveals that life always finds a way. It’s the "Common Sense Way.”

Pete is the best-selling author of two leadership books: “The Mission, The Men, and Me, Life Lessons From a Former Delta Force Commander”; and “The Common Sense Way, A New Way to Think about Leading and Organizing.” Recently, in 2023 Pete

released his new book “Common Sense Leadership Matters, Toxic Leadership Destroys.” This is the third in a series of three leadership books. It provides the never before heard story of what happened to Pat Tillman and his Ranger platoon in

Afghanistan and what we the people can learn from it.

In his presentation, Pete will discuss how to use ‘common sense’ to make good decisions and solve complex problems to set the stage in helping first responders succeed.

Dr. Jake Clark is a U.S. Army Veteran of the Cold War era and the California Army National Guard during the Post 9/11 era. During a lengthy break in military service, Jake served with the U.S. Secret Service, the Los Angeles Police Department, and as a

special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Following the events of 9/11 he reenlisted in the Guard, completed Officer Candidate School, and served multiple Peacekeeping tours to the former Yugoslavia where he witnessed the aftermath of genocidal atrocities, greatly impacting his worldview. While an MBA student at Pepperdine University, he interrupted his studies to found Save A Warrior in 2012 in Malibu, California. Jake’s novel and disruptive approach in the areas of reintegration and PTS-related suicide prevention, inspired the creation and informs the curriculums of several derivative resiliency programs across the country and abroad.

As a sought-after public speaker on the challenges of Veteran transition and reintegration, as well as his work with First Responders exposed to workplace trauma, his passion for serving those who serve has inspired several films and major news articles. In 2015, he received the WebMD Health Hero Award for his work in Veteran advocacy. In 2017, Save A Warrior was declared a winner at the second annual VA BrainTrust: Pathways to Innovation for its disruptive and pioneering approach to ending Veteran suicide. In 2024, Jake completed his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Design Thinking for solving Grand Challenges; wicked and intractable problems plaguing today’s society.

Save A Warrior

Pioneered by experienced warriors, SAW is an evidenced-based intervention for active duty military, returning Veterans, and First Responders who feel desperately alone. A holistic approach integrating proven methods and a supportive community to address the challenges related to Complex-Post Traumatic Stress, SAW represents a heroic invitation for healing that has resonated with you throughout your life.

“Give us 72 hours and you will change the way you see - and live - your life”

-Jake Clark, Save A Warrior