John Matier is with the Cleveland Fire Department (OH), since 2000. He is a Lieutenant. Most recent assignment, he was in the Fire Training Academy Division as a Lead Instructor. He rode tailboard on Engine 11 for over a decade at Firehouse 11, the home for Engine 11 and Truck 11. Together, the two companies work between 400 to 500 working structure fires annually. His experience on Engine 11, allowed him to practice what SFT teaches in the real work environment. Jeff Shupe was John's 'Senior Man' on Engine 11. As a student and teacher of the trade, John is a committed disciple of Shupe's lessons. He is a perfect role model for every engine company firefighter both in skills and looks.

He is married with four children, two older boys and two younger girls.

Jeff Diederich is with the Bedford Fire Department (OH), since 1995. He is a lieutenant and a member of their Technical Rescue and Haz-Mat Team. He has been a fire instructor for over thirty years. His fire service experience on his one (1) station department in the suburbs of Cleveland, validates SFT's big city strategies for small town approach. He is a true ambassador for aggressive engine company operations, while keeping it safe and simple. Don't be fooled by his humbleness, he is witty and sophisticated. He has been published by Fire Nuggets, The Harrisburg Fireman's Journal and the FDTN Training Bulletin. He exemplifies his street experiences in many ways, including publishing intellectual articles, which are located under “Resources” drop tab “PDFS.”

​He is married and has three very active teenagers... yes teenagers!

​

Chad Gruver is with the Addison Fire Department (TX), since 1999. He is a native Texan who has been a firefighter/paramedic for over 25 years. Currently, he is a Captain and has over fifteen years on Engine 101. Although he is a Captain by title, he is a true firefighter at heart. the City of Addison is densely packed with several high-rises and large apartment buildings. He applies the SFT's philosophy and big city tactics to his suburb of Dallas fire department. He is true in his spirit and passion for the trade, including his thick southern accent.

He is married and has four children. Needless to say, he is very busy. In a previous life he was a professional drummer, not a musician. Micah hopes to recruit his children to attend Kansas State University.

Micah Hydeman is a former captain of the Manhattan Fire Department (KS), from 2006-2021. He recently discovered his true calling... a traditional blue-collar firefighter and joined the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT, since 2021. He is assigned to Pumper 1 in downtown KCK. His transition from a moderate size city to a large size city will be a testimony to the disciplines and skills that the SFT group practices. He is a certified fire investigator, 1403 Live Fire Instructor-Fixed, Rescue and a Haz-Mat technician. He is passionate about being a well-discipline and aggressive engine company firefighter.

He is married and has three children. They all bleed purple for the Kansas State Wildcats. Oddly enough, his favorite bird is the flamingo.

Jerry Knapp is a 43 year veteran Firefighter/EMT with the West Haverstraw (NY) Fire Department. He is a training officer at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona, NY. He is the Chief Officer for Rockland County Hazmat Team and a former Nationally Certified Paramedic. He is the author of the "Fire Attack" chapter in the FF I-II manual published by Fire Engineering. Other publish works including numerous articles on the subject of 'house fires' and 'engine company operations.' He is a member of the technical panel for the UL Study on Fire Attack at House Fires. He is retired from the US Military Academy, West Point as the Plans Officer and Director of Emergency Services. In 2017, he was featured in the Elkhart Brass "Brass Tacks, Hard Facts" series. Recently, he is a co-author of the Fire Engineering book[s] House Fires and Tactical Response to Natural Gas Emergencies.

He is married with one son, Kyle.

TIM PILLSWORTH has been active in the volunteer fire service since 1986 is an active member and EMT with the Winona Lake Engine Company #2, Orange Lake Fire District, Newburgh NY. A past chief and life member of the Winona Lake Engine Company, Orange Lake Fire District in Newburgh (NY). He has presented at FDIC, FDIC East, NYS Chiefs, and numerous times as well as at other local and regional conferences on engine company operations and leadership in the volunteer fire service. Authored and coauthored many articles on personal protective equipment (PPE), volunteerism, engine company operations, attack system flow testing and volunteer fire department management and planning. Tim is the author of the PPE chapter in the Fire Engineering Firefighter I & II Training Manual. Tim is a Scoutmaster Emeritus for Troop 416. He is currently a facility engineer for the US Mint at West Point, New York.