Staff

Tom Wood is the Industrial Project Manager for Harken. A 20 year veteran of the Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen, Colorado, he also serves as a Terrestrial Rescue Delegate to the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) on behalf of the Mountain Rescue Association and is certified to American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 2. Medically certified as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), he is a Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) Level 3, a SPRAT Board member and a SPRAT Evaluator. A National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) Practical Examiner, Tom is also a freelance writer, published author and photographer. He has a degree in Photojournalism from Kent State University and is a former Combat Photographer for the USMCR. He lives with his wife Maren and their three children in Morrison, Colorado.

Tom Served in the US Marine Corps Reserves from 1985 to 1991.

Bachelor of Science (BS): Photojournalism from Kent State University

Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor | SPRAT

Certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) | National Registry (NREMTs)

Level 2 | American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE)

Practical Examiner | National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA)

Board Member | SPRAT

Terrestrial Rescue Delegate | International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR)

H.O.T. Instructor | F.D.I.C. – Tower Rescue Operations

Combat Photographer | US Marine Corps Reserve

Sean is a highly experienced Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor that is our lead rigging supervisor for work on spans and elevated structures. Sean has traveled across North and Central America with Elevated Safety working with inspection teams on various unique structures.

Bachelor of Science (BS)

SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor

Bridge Lead – Elevated Safety

Dale is a Level III SPRAT Rope Access Technician and Lead Instructor for Elevated Safety, serves as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the suburbs outside of Chicago, Illinois, and is an active member with the MABAS Division 1 Technical Rescue & Dive Teams. Dale is a member of Elevated Safety’s Difficult Access & Rescue Team and works throughout the country working as a Level III providing rigging/rescue services. Dale has a passion for Marine Salvage operations, Welding/Fabrication, and basically anything mechanical.

Dale began working for Elevated Safety in 2014 in addition to working as a Technical Rescue Instructor for the Northeastern Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA). Since then, Dale has taught technicians across the world and also at different conferences like FDIC since 2017.

Outside of Elevated Safety, Dale enjoys spending time with his family and working as a welder/fabricator and heavy equipment mechanic/EVT.

• SPRAT Level III Rope Access Technician
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician
• Confined Space Operations & Technician
• Tower Rescue Technician
• Elevator Rescue Technician
• Structural Collapse Operations & Technician
• Trench Rescue Operations & Technician
• Vehicle/Machinery Operations & Technician
• Swiftwater Technician
• Certified Fire Officer I & Instructor II
• Licensed Paramedic
• Fire Apparatus Engineer
• FEMA Heavy Equipment & Rigging Specialist
• Certified Heavy Rigger Level II
• Certified Welder/Fabricator (D1.1, 1.7, 3.6, 8.8)

• Career Firefighter/Paramedic
• Lead Instructor – Northeastern Illinois Public Training Safety Academy (NIPSTA
• Instructor/Rescue Technician – START Group
• Technical Rescue Instructor – LCARTA
• Technical Rescue Technician – MABAS Division 1 & 4
• Dive/Swiftwater Team – MABAS Division 1 & 4
• TRT Instructor Committee – MABAS Division 1
• Rope Rescue Coordinator – MABAS Division 4
• Rescue/Heavy Equipment & Rigging Specialist & Instructor, IL-TF1
• H.O.T Instructor – FDIC, 2017- Present

Dave is the Sprat coordinator for Elevated Safety Chicago, a Sprat level 3 supervisor,
and leads the NFPA confined space rescue class at NIPSTA. Dave is a Captain with
Westchester Fire Dept, fire dept training officer, team coordinator for MABAS Div. 20
TRT, and a rescue specialist for ILTF-1.

Dave’s professional history, in addition to the fire service is working the private sector confined space rescue industry and teaching all technical rescue disciplines at fire academies in the Chicagoland area.

Outside of work Dave enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, traveling, home improvement projects, working out, and being a hockey dad.

Associates in applied science (AAS): Fire Science technology from College of DuPage

• SPRAT level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Trench Rescue Operations and Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Hazardous Materials Technician (NFPA 1670)
• State Certified Firefighter (Illinois)
• State Certified Fire Officer (Illinois)
• State Certified Instructor (Illinois)
• Licensed Paramedic (Illinois)

• Lead Instructor- Romeoville Fire Academy
• Team Leader- MABAS Division 20 Technical Rescue Team
• Instructor- FDIC Tower Rescue HOT class
• Career Fire Officer/Firefighter/Paramedic- Suburbs of Chicago
• Training Officer- MABAS Div. 20/Westchester Fire dept. (IL)
• Rescue Specialist- IL Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team

Ken is a SPRAT Level 1 rope access technician, 30-year fire service veteran and former Battalion Chief from the Chicagoland area. Ken served as Rescue Manager for Illinois Urban Search & Rescue Task Force as well as Fire & Technical Rescue Program Director for one of Illinois’s three largest fire academies.

B.S. Fire Service Management, Southern Illinois University

• FEMA/NFA Command and General Staff
• FEMA US&R Task Force Leader
• FEMA US&R Task Force Safety Officer
• FEMA USAR Task Force Heavy Rigging Specialist
• FEMA US&R Task Force Plans Manager
• NFPA Fire Officer II
• NFPA Rope, Confined Space, Collapse and Trench Technician
• NFPA Vehicle & Machinery Technician

• Battalion Chief, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department
• Fire & Tech Rescue Director, Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy
• Task Force Rescue Team Manager, IL-TF-1
• Collapse Instructor, Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI)
• Technical Rescue Instructor, Spec. Rescue International
• Instructor, Arlington Heights Fire Academy

Adam is the Technical Curriculum Coordinator of Elevated Safety, a SPRAT certified Level 3 Rope Access Technician, and works with the team to develop and implement courses for Elevated. Adam is also a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Palatine Fire Department, a member of the department Technical Rescue Team (TRT), a member of the MABAS Division 1 technical rescue team and training committee, and an emergency room nurse. Adam began instructing for Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA)’s technical rescue programs, and taught EMS continuing education in the Northwest Community EMS System. When not working with rope systems and program development, Adam is usually found enjoying the outdoors with his wife and four kids.

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Olivet Nazarene University
• Associate in Applied Science: Fire Science Technology, Harper College
• Certificate: EMS Paramedic, Harper College

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Elevator Rescue Operations & Technician
• Arborist Rescue Specialist
• Hazardous Materials Operations (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Swiftwater Technician (Dive Rescue International)
• State Certified Firefighter (Illinois & Indiana)
• State Certified Fire Officer (Illinois & Indiana)
• State Certified Fire Instructor (Illinois)
• Certified Paramedic (National Registry of EMTs)
• Licensed Paramedic (Illinois & Florida)
• Licensed EMS Lead Instructor (Illinois)
• Licensed Registered Nurse (Illinois & Florida)
• Licensed Trauma Nurse Specialist (Illinois)

• Career Firefighter/Paramedic in NW Suburbs of Chicago, IL
• Curriculum coordinator — Elevated Safety
• Emergency Room RN – St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, IL
• Lead Instructor — Northeastern Public Safety Training Association (NIPSTA)
• Lead Instructor- EMT-Basic Class NWCEMSS
• Member of Training Committee — MABAS Division 1 Technical Rescue Team
• Instructor- FDIC Tower Rescue HOT Class

Kelly is a SPRAT Level 3 and has been working in and intensively studying the subject of rope for the past 20 years. He is a retired firefighter from Washington DC Fire Department where he spent 22 of his 25 years there on Rescue Squad 2, the last 8 of them as the driver. In addition, he is the owner of Rescue 2 Training and focuses on the subject of rope rescue in the urban environment.

Kelly has had some unique experiences in DC having, performed rope rescues at the US Supreme Court, rigged highlines from the top of the dome of the US Capitol, and has practiced his rope skills on any structure in DC that looked fun enough to do it from. He finds the most enjoyment in rope access when rigging cable stayed bridges.

His primary goal in life is to be a good husband to his wife (also named Kelly!!) and a good dad to his two daughters, Corrina and Jilian.

AA from Montgomery County Community College in Fire Science

• SPRAT L3
• Rope Rescue L2 (NFPA 1006)
• Confined Space (NFPA 1006)
• Trench Rescue (NFPA 1006)
• Structural Collapse Rescue (NFPA 1006)
• Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (NFPA 1006)

• Airborne Infantryman — United States Army
• Instructor — CMC Rescue School
• Career Firefighter with Washington DC Fire Department

Chad is a SPRAT Level 3 rope access supervisor and a retired Firefighter / Paramedic with nearly 30 years of experience in fire, EMS, and rescue services in the Chicago suburbs. Chad served as a member of the MABAS Division 1 and Division 12 technical rescue teams during his career where he was a frequent trainer within these organizations and a state validation evaluator. He has also served as a subject matter expert and guest lecturer for college level fire science programs. Prior to his career in the fire service and again more recently, Chad worked in the entertainment industry as a rigger, carpenter and electrician. Chad has a tremendous amount of experience working with OSHA/industrial confined space, lockout/tagout, fall protection, and trench compliance. His industrial experience includes confined space supervision and rescue standby as well as rope access supervision and fall protection system and equipment inspection. Chad is a lead instructor for NFPA Rope, Confined Space, and Tower Rescue programs. Chad also competes in international rescue competitions with the Yardbirds Rescue Group. When he is not working, Chad can usually be found supporting his wife and 2 children as they perform in concerts, theater productions, and horseback-riding competitions. Chad also enjoys touring the countryside on his bicycle whether riding across Iowa or France.

• Associates of Science – Elgin Community College
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) — University of Iowa

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Operations & Technician (FEMA) (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Hazardous Materials Operations (NFPA 1670)
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Operations &Technician
• State Certified Advanced Firefighter (Illinois)
• Licensed Paramedic (Illinois)

Career Firefighter/Paramedic in NW Suburbs of Chicago, IL

Born and raised in sunny South Florida, I’ve had the privilege of calling several vibrant cities home, including Nashville, Chicago, DC, and now West Palm Beach. My journey as a firefighter spans over a decade, beginning in the DC area before I made the move to West Palm Beach, Florida, where I continue to serve the community with dedication and passion.

During my career, my pursuit of continuing education within the fire service ignited a profound interest in rope rescue techniques. This led me to discover SPRAT and Elevated Safety, where I honed my skills and expertise in advanced rope rescue training as well as industrial rope access.

My role has taken me nationwide, collaborating closely with engineers on critical inspections of bridges and buildings, ensuring safety and structural integrity. Additionally, I have had the privilege of training crane riggers and operators in emergency rescue and evacuation procedures, further enhancing safety protocols across various industrial settings.

Associates of Sciences – Lynchburg College

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Operations & Technician (FEMA) (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Operations & Technician
• State Certified Firefighter (Florida)
• Nationally Registered Paramedic
• Certified ERDI Public Safety Rescue Diver
• State of Florida Certified Fire Instructor

• Career Firefighter – Fairfax County Fire Rescue / West Palm Beach Fire Department
• FLUSAR Rescue Instructor – Palm Beach State College

Rich is a SPRAT Level 3 rope access supervisor and firefighter based in South Florida. His journey into rope rescue began with his NFPA 1006 courses. While serving on his department’s technical rescue team he found a passion for the craft, prompting him to seek further training and knowledge. Rich has traveled the country to participate in classes, aiming to broaden his expertise and refine his skills. His pursuit for continuous learning led him to Elevated Safety, where he achieved SPRAT Level 1 and Tower Rescue Technician certifications. He progressed to obtain SPRAT Level 2 and eventually Level 3 certifications. Rich currently serves as a rope access supervisor involved in infrastructure inspections, building maintenance, and is a member of our marine salvage team. With experience spanning industrial, urban, backcountry, and recreational caving environments, Rich integrates insights from diverse facets of rope work. He leverages these diverse experiences to develop a comprehensive approach that he applies both in his teaching and professional endeavors. Additionally, Rich leads the rigging efforts for his competition team, Yardbird Rescue Group, which took 3rd place in their debut at Grimp Day South America. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Florida with his wife, Cori.

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Operations Technician (FEMA) (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Operations Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Hazardous Materials Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Operations Technician
• State Certified Firefighter (Florida)
• Licensed Paramedic (Florida)

Ryan is a Firefighter in Central Florida with Orange County Fire Rescue with 20 years of experience in the fire service. Ryan grew up in Southern California and started working as a volunteer firefighter in Huntington Beach CA. Ryan is heavily involved in Orange County Fire Rescue’s Special Operations programs including its Theme Park Rescue Team, Dive Team, Squad, and Truck Program. Along with being a SPRAT Level 3 rope access supervisor, he teaches USAR class at the local Fire Collage, and is a member of Florida Task Force 4.

Ryan has a great passion for Rope Rescue and Rope Access. Being a firefighter in Central Florida poses a unique rescue challenge, Ryan travels the county speaking about and teaching Theme Park Ride Rescue. He has competed in Rope Rescue competitions in both the United States and Japan. Ryan is one of the founders and leaders of the Central Florida Rope Rescue Challenge, a rope rescue competition which started in 2023. When Ryan is not working, you will find him spending time with his wife and 2 children. He enjoys traveling with his family and going to the beach to surf.

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Technician
• Confined Space Technician
• Vehicle and Machinery Recue Technician
• Trench Rescue Technician
• Structural Collapse Technician
• Hazmat Technician
• Tower Rescue Technician
• Instructor 1
• Live Fire Instructor
• Emergency Medical Technician

Awards

• Medal of Valor OCFR, Fire Chiefs Award OCFR, Life Safety Award OFCR, 3 Unit Citations OCFR, 2
• Community Service Awards OCFR, Medal of Valor Orange County Sheriff’s Office, EMT of the Year
• Florida Dept of Health, Patriots Day Award for Heroism, American Legion Firefighter of the Year, Fire
• House Magazine Valor Award Winner

Eric Christensen graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry. In addition to his chemistry degree, he also holds an Associates from Casper College in Biology and many technical certifications in industrial and fire based rescue services. Eric started his career in chemistry but made a career change in Jan 2006 when he pursued a career involving firefighting, hazmat, confined space and high angle rescue with the Los Alamos County Fire Department in New Mexico. After obtaining a Department of Defense Federal Q Security Clearance, Eric was able to provide ALS ambulance services, confined space, high angle rescue, and other firefighter services for the city of Los Alamos and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Eric later relocated back to his hometown of Casper, WY and currently serves as a Firefighter/EMT-I for the Casper Fire Department. He is now the department’s lead trainer in high angle and confined space rescue and serves as an instructor here at Peak Rescue.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Chemistry from Colorado State University
• Associate’s in Biology: Casper College

• Firefighter/EMT-I for the Casper Fire Department
• Lead trainer in high angle and confined space rescue for the Casper Fire Department

Tye is a Casper native and has grown up exploring the Wyoming mountains and wilderness. He enjoys camping, skiing, hiking, climbing, and mountaineering in his spare time. Tye has two sons and a daughter with whom he loves to teach and share his passion for outdoor sports and nature. Tye is a 17-year veteran on the Casper Fire-EMS department in Casper, WY. He is an Engineer EMT-I on Rescue 1 where his experience responding to various rescue emergencies, including High Angle, Structure and Trench incidents, brings “real world” know how to teaching courses. Shortly after finding his calling as a Firefighter, Tye began teaching Technical Rescue to aspiring Firefighters at Casper College. His expertise led him to positions of leadership on the rescue teams with the fire department. Tye holds several certifications in the field of technical and wilderness rescue, and he still loves learning about new techniques and equipment.

• Engineer EMT-I on Rescue 1 for the Casper Fire Department
• Technical Rescue Instructor at Casper College

Toph spent most of his childhood in the Wyoming outdoors enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and exploring. While going to college he worked as a wildland firefighter for the BLM and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s in resource management. Many years later he transitioned into the structure firefighting world and found his passion for technical rescue. He holds many certifications and has obtained invaluable knowledge through training and real-world experience. In addition, he serves on an extrication module specializing in removing injured firefighters and civilians from remote areas of the backcountry.

Toph has been to countless 80s rock concerts and brings an upbeat positive attitude to every situation he encounters. He lives by two credos in life; you can’t have no in your heart and life is a garden…dig it! He enjoys anything outdoors and spending time with his family.

Education
Bachelor of Arts (BS): Resource Management from the University of Wyoming

Cody spent over 23 years in the military, most of it as a Force Recon Marine. After he retired, he spent a year on the Loveland Fire Department in Colorado as a Firefighter/EMT-W, before transitioning back to work as a military training provider. During his time in the military, he deployed to lovely places like Iraq, Afghanistan and PACOM. He has held billets from team member to platoon commander and has in-depth knowledge of team tactics and the application of mountaineering skills to the military mountaineering team. He holds the military qualifications of Mountain Leader, Free-Fall Parachutist, Combat Diver, Dive Supervisor and currently moonlights as a SOF Level 1 Sniper Instructor. He is a current TS/SCI clearance holder and a deployable advisor. For the last several years he has worked extensively in jungle terrain, developing mobility and jungle warfare programs for the Tactical Tracking Operations School, where he currently holds the title of VP and delivers jungle specific training to special operations teams.

Cody is passionate about transferring the technical mountaineering and rope related skills to our military clients. He believes that these skills give commanders access to terrain that would be considered “denied” by most and that these skills open the playbook for operational access.

• Mountain Leader
• Free-Fall Parachutist
• Combat Diver
• Dive Supervisor
• SOF Level 1 Sniper Instructor

Force Recon Marine

With nearly two decades in the rescue industry, Jon has trained, instructed, competed and responded in nearly every terrain type available. He began his rescue career in 2006 when he entered the fire service and spent most of his time away from work in the Rocky Mountains or the canyons of the southwest. During that time, he has served on local and regional response teams participating as a team member, trainer, lead and manager.

Jon’s instructional focus is rooted in helping align an organizations profile with its mission profile while emphasizing personal competencies melding skillsets from all types of technical rescue.

Throughout his time in technical rescue Jon has committed to staying up to date with robust continuing education, field work and regularly responding to all types of technical emergencies.

Jon holds certifications in rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench and collapse rescue as well as rope access.

• Rope rescue
• Confined space rescue
• Trench and collapse rescue
• Rope access

Jim is the Gear Sales Manager for Elevated Safety and currently leads the gear team as they connect with and support our working partners both locally and internationally. Jim is a SPRAT Level 1 technician. Additionally, he serves as a Fire Lieutenant in the NW suburbs of Chicago, a rescue member for IL Task Force 1 & both a rescue member and instructor with the MABAS Division 1 Technical Rescue Team.

Jim worked for several years on industrial standby rescue teams, and as a lead trainer for both public safety and industrial rescue professionals. His years of experience working in a wide variety of hazardous environments with differing techniques, managing budgets, and testing equipment makes him a great resource when purchasing equipment needed for your industry. At Elevated Safety we support the products that we use and that we believe in. We take pride knowing that each of our working partners are collaborating with experienced end users of those products.

• B.S: Business Administration – Finance from Saint Louis University
• A.A.S.: Fire Service Operations – Morraine Valley Community College

• SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access Technician
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Swiftwater Technician (Dive Rescue International)
• Hazardous Materials Technician (NFPA 1670)
• State Certified Fire Officer (Illinois)
• State Certified Fire Instructor (Illinois)
• State Certified Firefighter (Illinois)
• Licensed Paramedic (Illinois)

• Career Fire Officer & Paramedic – Arlington Height Fire Department (IL)
• Instructor & Rescuer – Illinois Task Force 1 (US&R)
• Instructor & Rescuer – MABAS Division 1 Technical Rescue Team
• Instructor & Rescuer — START Group
• Technical Rescue Instructor — Northeastern Public Safety Training Association (NIPSTA)

Matt is a SPRAT Level 1 certified technician and instructor and has worked with Elevated Safety for 7 years. With experience in Tower Rescue, Rope Operations, Confined Space Operations, and SPRAT he is at the forefront of new equipment and rescue techniques. In addition to instructing with Elevated Safety Matt is a Lieutenant with the Palatine Fire Department, the team leader for the Palatine Fire Department Technical Rescue Team, and also serves on the MABAS Division 1 Technical Rescue Team.

In addition to instructing Matt also works in the gear shop and helps to outfit fire departments and private industry with equipment to meet challenging situations. He is in a unique position to be able work with and understand limited budgets while also having a solid grasp of what will be needed by the user. With a specialty in building personalized kits and equipment caches Matt is available to work with any customer to build a system that will be a cost-effective and simple solution to a complicated problem.

Kallie is a Customer Service Supervisor for Harken Safety & Rescue, and the Elevated Safety team. Kallie specializes in supporting the sales team and technicians, managing gear orders and inventory, answering customer service-related questions and helps ensure things run smoothly.

Kallie attended Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI and received a bachelor’s degree in business and management. While in college her tenure with Harken Safety & Rescue began as an Intern in the Inventory Management Department. After graduation she moved to the Customer Account Specialist Role for the Harken Safety and Rescue team.

Kallie has over 10 years of experience in Customer Account Management and has in-depth knowledge of Harken Safety & Rescue products, Elevated Safety courses and a multitude of other safety and rescue products.

When she is not working, Kallie can be found spending time with her husband and two kids. They love camping and spending time outdoors.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Management, Alverno College

Josh is a gear sales representative, SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access Technician, Instructor, and serves as a Lieutenant with the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District. Josh is also a Squad Officer with the Illinois US&R team and the lead for the MABAS Division 16 Technical Rescue Team. Josh has a passion for anything rescue related, including rope, con-space, swift-water, dive, collapse, etc.

In his time off you’ll find him spending time with his family, checking out new gear, and assisting with special projects.

Associates Degree (Fire Science)

• SPRAT Level 1 Technician
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Technician (FEMA) (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Hazardous Materials Operations (NFPA 1670/1006)
• State Certified Firefighter (Illinois)
• Heavy Equipment Rigging Specialist
• Swiftwater Technician (Rescue 3)
• State Certified Fire Officer (Illinois)
• State Certified Fire Instructor (Illinois)
• Licensed EMT-B (Illinois)

• Instructor — Northeastern Public Safety Training Association (NIPSTA)
• Team Coordinator – MABAS Division 16 Technical Rescue Team
• Rescue Squad Officer — Illinois Task Force 1 USAR Team
• Career Fire Officer/EMT-Basic for Lisle-Woodridge FD

Erik Baynard is a Level III Rope Access Technician and West Coast Gear Sales Representative for Elevated Safety. He is an 18 -year merit Lieutenant with the Indianapolis Fire Department and member of the IN-TF1 as a Rescue & Medical Specialist.

• Ivy Tech
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University – Purdue University
• Indiana Public Safety Dive School
• Louisiana State University

• SPRAT Level III Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Confined Space Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Trench Rescue Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Structural Collapse Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Extrication Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Hazmat Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Public Safety Diver (DR1)
• Elevator Rescue Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Tower Rescue Operations and Technician (NFPA)
• Cave Rescue Level 1 (NCRC)
• Swiftwater and Boat Operator Technician
• Licensed Paramedic (Indiana)
• Merit Firefighter/Lieutenant (Indiana)

• Elevated Safety L3 Supervisor
• Lieutenant — Indianapolis Fire Department
• Firefighter/Paramedic
• FDIC Tower Rescue Hot Class Instructor
• Indiana Public Safety Diver
• Rescue & Medical Specialist — Indiana Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Team

Charles is a SPRAT Level 3 rope access supervisor and a Firefighter/ Paramedic with over 25 years of experience in fire, EMS, and rescue services in both Ohio and Florida. Charles is a member of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Technical Rescue Team, serving as an instructor specializing in Rope, Structural Collapse, and Heavy Vehicle Extrication. He is a member of FEMA FL-TF1 (Florida Task Force 1) Urban Search and Rescue team, serving both as a Heavy Rigger and a Rescue Specialist.

Charles has a tremendous amount of experience working in both urban and suburban departments. He has multiple nationwide deployments with FEMA, including the Champlain Towers collapse in Miami. Charles is a lead instructor/ evaluator for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Rope and Tower Rescue programs. He is a FEMA instructor for FL-TF1. Charles also competes in rescue competitions with the Elevated Safety Team.

Charles is also a certified USCG Master Captain with Mariners Towing Endorsement, qualifying on a 90-ton vessel. An avid diver, he also possesses an Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification from both PADI and NAUI. When he’s not working, you can usually find him on his boat with his wife, kids, and dogs engaging in some ocean-related activity.

Associates of Science — AMA, Miami

• SPRAT Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor
• Rope Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Confined Space Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Tower Rescue Technician (NFPA 1670/1006)
• Structural Collapse Operations & Technician (FEMA) (NFPA 1670)
• Trench Rescue Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Hazardous Materials Operations (NFPA 1670)
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Operations & Technician (NFPA 1670)
• Rescue Specialist (FEMA)
• Heavy Rigging Specialist (FEMA)
• State Certified Advanced Firefighter (Ohio and Florida)
• Rapid Response Boat Operator and Auxiliary Crew (MDFR)
• Licensed Paramedic (Florida)
• FEMA Structural Collapse Instructor
• State Certified Instructor (Florida)
• Certified Forklift Operator

• Career Firefighter/Paramedic in Ohio (1998-2005)
• Career Firefighter/Paramedic in Florida (2005- Current)