Meet Your Candidates
Three at-large directors will be elected in the 2022 SHS Section Election. All positions will begin at Fire-Rescue International and are three-year terms. Candidates listed here alphabetically by last name.
Dave Emanuel
Fire Chief, Durham (NH) Fire Department
Dave Emanuel is seeking re-election to the SHSS Board of Directors.
Dave is a career Fire Chief in Durham, NH on the campus of the University of New Hampshire, has served on the SHSS Board since 2021, and is a lifetime member of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department. Since his introduction to the fire service as an Eagle Scout through the BSA Explorer program, he has over thirty years of service with volunteer and career departments.
Dave has contributed to the SHSS with his work on the IAFC Bullying Behavior Prevention Taskforce since 2017 and chaired the Taskforce since 2019. He has been a regular presenter at FRI, collaborator for the 2018 FRI Bullying Prevention Symposium, contributor to the SHSS virtual training programs, and helped bring the Workplace Bullying Institute’s train-the-trainer to FRI in 2019 and the Bullying Prevention program pilot deployment in 2021.
Dave is credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), a graduate of the NFA Executive Fire Officer Program, an Incident Safety Officer, and holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire. He is an instructor for the NH Fire Academy and a nationally recognized leadership speaker.
Having served as a a career and volunteer chief officer, Dave understands addressing firefighter safety, health, and survival challenges are essential for our first responders in all levels of emergency services. He strives to network and leverage connections on the local, state, and national level to build relationships and forward education and training for industry progress.
He would consider the opportunity to continue service to the Section on the board a great honor and asks the membership for their support.
William Goldfeder
Deputy Chief, Loveland-Symmes (OH) Fire Department
I have served on the IAFC’s Safety, Health and Survival Section Board as a founding member, vice chair, chair, and am currently representing IAFC SHS on the IAFC Board of Directors. My focus is, has been and will always be on firefighter safety, health and survival – and my history of work and applicable recognitions reflect that. I would be honored to continue serving as a member of the SHS Board and would appreciate your vote and support.
Stan Mettinger
District Chief, Brooksville (FL) Fire Department
My fire service journey began in 1971 in Warrenton, Virginia with the Warrenton Volunteer Fire Company. I served that department for 28 years in many capacities, including Fire Chief for two years. I entered the career service in 1979 with Prince William County Fire & Rescue, retiring from there as a Captain. Additionally, I worked for a Federal Fire Department in Virginia (Military Base). I have been with my current department for over 19 years. I currently serve as a District Chief. In 2017, I was Interim Fire Chief for ten months. My fire service career spans over 50 years. I hold an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration. I am credentialed as a CFO by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. I am a certified Fire Officer IV, Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector and Instructor III in Florida and Fire Instructor IV through the Pro Board. I am a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Advocate in Florida. I am a Safety, Health and Survival Section member and continue to work on the Bullying Behavior Prevention Task Force doing curriculum development for the “Respect Our House -Extinguish Bullying” course.
If successful at gaining an At-Large Director seat, I pledge to continue to support the section and their work to improve firefighter health and safety as well as the mission to reduce Firefighter LODD. The work of the section is critical, and I will continue to do my part towards improving Firefighter Health Safety and Survival.
Ken Morgan
Fire Chief, Meriden (CT) Fire and Emergency Service
I have 44 years in Emergency Services, 42 of which are in the fire service, first as a Volunteer, then as a Career. I ascended the ranks to Deputy Chief of Operations in Clark County, NV moving to Meriden, Connecticut to lead a 115-member combination department. My Doctorate and Masters Degrees are in Public Administration and I am a 2009 graduate of the EFO program, and a CFO Designate since 2008. I am on the Board of the Connecticut Career Chiefs (treasurer) and (Safety and Health Sub-Committee). I am a member of the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, the FDSOA, and the NFPA. I am an adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven (CT) teaching research methodology. I have been a NREMT-P for 38 Years.
I have served on the SHS Board. Whether you are a career or volunteer this section has a direct impact on the health and safety of the members of the fire service. I am energized by the impact the SHS section has on the fire service physical, and mental health platforms.
As fire service leaders, we must stay ahead of the potential occupational threats. As your board member, I pledge to continue the work to strengthen our safety posture towards cancer, and encourage the fight for firefighter mental health. I want to advocate for you, and I am asking for your vote to continue to fight for our brothers and sisters in the fire service who risk their health to carry on our critical mission.
John Schmidt
Division Chief, Paso County (FL) Fire Rescue
John Schmidt, a 35-year fire service veteran, is currently serving as the Health, Safety, and Wellness Division Chief. His roles and responsibilities as the Health, Safety, and Wellness Chief include the Decontamination program and members, Rehabilitation program, Air Truck program and members, Peer Fitness program, and the Infection Control Officer. Chief Schmidt is privileged to be part of the Pasco County Fire Rescue On-scene Decontamination program team. A program that delivers clean gear to the fire scene and provides an opportunity for all members to change duty uniforms and begin the process to remove contaminants from their skin. A dedicated apparatus and staff provide this service. They are creating a robust training program for all firefighters and PCFR Decon Technicians. Chief Schmidt believes in educating firefighters about cancer risks and the ever-increasing engineering processes to reduce that risk. He continually researches opportunities to improve their operation. Protecting the health and safety of our firefighters is his primary focus.
Chief Schmidt will be a valuable member of the IAFC Safety, Health, and Survival committee. His past personal experiences allow him the unique perspective to provide in-depth conversations about changing processes to protect our firefighters.
Chief Schmidt earned his associate degree; additionally, he holds Fire Officer III, Fire Training Instructor, Live Fire Training Instructor, Hazardous Materials Technician, and FDSOA Health and Safety Officer. He maintains a variety of memberships within the industry.
At-large Director Eligibility:
At least six of the nine at–large directors of the Section’s Board of Directors must be non-retired, current Regular Section and IAFC members at the time of their candidacy and, if elected, must maintain IAFC and Section memberships for the duration of their term. No more than three of the at-large directors may be retired chief officers. There is currently one retired At-Large Director.
Any at-large director of the Section’s board who retires while in office shall be permitted to remain in office for the duration of his/her term as long as the number of retired directors on the board does not exceed three. If a retirement causes this number to rise to four, the director shall remain in office until the next regular annual meeting of the Section, when a new director shall be elected by the membership.
Section members who are Associate members of the IAFC may not serve on the Section’s Board of Directors.
Eligibility for an at-large director seat:
At least six of the nine at–large directors of the Section’s Board of Directors must be non-retired, current, Regular Section and IAFC members at the time of their candidacy and, if elected, must maintain IAFC and Section memberships for the duration of their term. No more than three of the at-large directors may be retired chief officers.
Any at-large director of the Section’s board who retires while in office shall be permitted to remain in office for the duration of the term as long as the number of retired directors on the board does not exceed three. If a retirement causes this number to rise to four, the director shall remain in office until the next regular annual meeting of the Section, when a new director shall be elected by the membership.
Section members who are Associate members of the IAFC may not serve on the Section’s Board of Directors.