09 Fire School Instructors
Trey Nelms
Trey is a second generation Firefighter that has been around the fire service his entire life. Trey has 20+ years in career and volunteer Fire Departments throughout Middle Tennessee. He has served in a wide variety of positions from Probie to Chief of Department. Trey is a Nashville, TN firefighter where he is currently assigned to 3's Truck , a special operations Truck Co. on the city’s lower east side.
Trey has an Associates Degree in Fire Science, is a State of Tennessee Fire Instructor, Fire Officer II, and Paramedic. He is also a member of TN-TF 2, a state Urban Search and Rescue Task Force that deploys from Nashville.
Trey is the President of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS, (a local chapter of FOOLS International) which promotes the Brotherhood, Pride, and Tradition of the Fire Service. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Tennessee Fireman’s Association.
Trey has an Associates Degree in Fire Science, is a State of Tennessee Fire Instructor, Fire Officer II, and Paramedic. He is also a member of TN-TF 2, a state Urban Search and Rescue Task Force that deploys from Nashville.
Trey is the President of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS, (a local chapter of FOOLS International) which promotes the Brotherhood, Pride, and Tradition of the Fire Service. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Tennessee Fireman’s Association.
Dave Brasells
Dave joined the fire service in 2001 and is currently on 3's Truck with the Nashville (TN) Fire Department and also part of the USAR TN Task Force II.
Dave is a state certified Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, Fire Officer I, and EMT-IV. Dave has a bachelor of arts degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting and had a 22 year career as a photojournalist and producer in television. He has had a 'back stage pass' to life in TV before starting a second career as a firefighter. Dave believes in the tradition of the fire service to 'pass it along' with the belief that training is a key tool in prevention education so EVERYONE goes home!
Dave is a state certified Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, Fire Officer I, and EMT-IV. Dave has a bachelor of arts degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting and had a 22 year career as a photojournalist and producer in television. He has had a 'back stage pass' to life in TV before starting a second career as a firefighter. Dave believes in the tradition of the fire service to 'pass it along' with the belief that training is a key tool in prevention education so EVERYONE goes home!
Scott Shaw
Scott Shaw has been active in the fire/rescue field for 20+ years. He became a volunteer Firefighter in 1986 and has served as a paid Firefighter since 1992. His past positions include: Training Officer, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He currently teaches for State Fire Rescue Training Area 14 in KY and is a firefighter for the City of Cincinnati, OH. on a Heavy Rescue Company (Squad).
Scott has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Scott has taught at both the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore and the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis.
Scott has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Scott has taught at both the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore and the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis.
Greg Wild
Greg joined the Moyers Corners Fire Department in 1989. After rising through the ranks from firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain and on many occasions riding as the Battalion Chief, Greg was able to study from some of the best in the business in this busy upstate New York fire department.
After being hired in the fall of 1997, Greg moved to Franklin Tennessee to become a career firefighter with the Franklin Fire Department. Greg now holds the rank of Captain after riding one of the city’s three Rescue Companies for almost 7 years.
Greg has certifications as a Tennessee Auto Extrication Instructor, Tennessee Fire Department Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, Rope Technician, EMT, Swift Water Rescue II, IFSAC firefighter II, AHA - CPR Instructor and has earned several Green Cross awards from Hurst.
Greg often develops and teaches State In Service training classes. Greg is also certified to travel and teach Tennessee's only portable flashover simulator.
Greg is a past instructor with the H.O.T. training at FDIC in Indianapolis, has coordinated the Franklin Fire Departments Recruit school and has been a classroom and hands on instructor for 16 years.
Greg enjoys golf, camping and spending time with his wife of 18 years and three children. Greg is a proud member of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS chapter.
After being hired in the fall of 1997, Greg moved to Franklin Tennessee to become a career firefighter with the Franklin Fire Department. Greg now holds the rank of Captain after riding one of the city’s three Rescue Companies for almost 7 years.
Greg has certifications as a Tennessee Auto Extrication Instructor, Tennessee Fire Department Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, Rope Technician, EMT, Swift Water Rescue II, IFSAC firefighter II, AHA - CPR Instructor and has earned several Green Cross awards from Hurst.
Greg often develops and teaches State In Service training classes. Greg is also certified to travel and teach Tennessee's only portable flashover simulator.
Greg is a past instructor with the H.O.T. training at FDIC in Indianapolis, has coordinated the Franklin Fire Departments Recruit school and has been a classroom and hands on instructor for 16 years.
Greg enjoys golf, camping and spending time with his wife of 18 years and three children. Greg is a proud member of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS chapter.
Joe Polenzani
Joe Polenzani started his career in the fire service seventeen years ago as a volunteer firefighter with the Ashland City (TN) Fire Department. He spent ten years with the department, the last four as a captain.
In 1998, Joe became a full-time firefighter with the Franklin (TN) Fire Department. In the last eleven years, he has served as a rescue company firefighter, a truck company lieutenant, an engine company captain, and administrative services officer. Joe is currently chairman of Franklin’s training committee, a recruit school instructor, and has developed and taught numerous classes for the department’s state in-service training program.
Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and is a state-certified Firefighter II, Apparatus Operator, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, and Instructor. He has also earned numerous certifications in technical rescue and is a National Registry EMT-IV. In addition to his work in Middle-Tennessee, Joe has been chosen three times to teach at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis.
Joe is a member of the International Association of Fire Service Instructors and proudly serves as Vice President of the Middle-Tennessee F.O.O.L.S.
In 1998, Joe became a full-time firefighter with the Franklin (TN) Fire Department. In the last eleven years, he has served as a rescue company firefighter, a truck company lieutenant, an engine company captain, and administrative services officer. Joe is currently chairman of Franklin’s training committee, a recruit school instructor, and has developed and taught numerous classes for the department’s state in-service training program.
Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and is a state-certified Firefighter II, Apparatus Operator, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, and Instructor. He has also earned numerous certifications in technical rescue and is a National Registry EMT-IV. In addition to his work in Middle-Tennessee, Joe has been chosen three times to teach at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis.
Joe is a member of the International Association of Fire Service Instructors and proudly serves as Vice President of the Middle-Tennessee F.O.O.L.S.
Jeff Gallagher
Jeff Gallagher is a fourth generation Firefighter and joined the fire service in 1997 with the Trotwood, OH Fire Department. Jeff has served with various departments including volunteer, part-time, and career in rural and suburban settings. He currently is a career member of the Huber Heights, OH Fire Department and serves as a FFIC (Firefighter In Charge)/paramedic. Jeff is also trained in numerous technical rescue disciplines.
Jeff currently instructs for the fire academy at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH. He is also an instructor with Brigade Instructional Systems where he teaches RIT, thermal imaging, and Engine/Truck operations. He is a past H.O.T. instructor for Fire Engineering’s FDIC. Jeff also instructs at numerous local fire schools in his home area and is a founding member of Miami Valley Chapter of FOOLS international. Jeff is also a Thermal Imaging Technical Representative for Honeywell First Responder Products (Formerly Morning Pride).
Jeff currently instructs for the fire academy at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, OH. He is also an instructor with Brigade Instructional Systems where he teaches RIT, thermal imaging, and Engine/Truck operations. He is a past H.O.T. instructor for Fire Engineering’s FDIC. Jeff also instructs at numerous local fire schools in his home area and is a founding member of Miami Valley Chapter of FOOLS international. Jeff is also a Thermal Imaging Technical Representative for Honeywell First Responder Products (Formerly Morning Pride).
John Miller IV
John has been a Paramedic in Pennsylvania for 14 years. He has worked as a MICU Medic with Lifestar Air Medical and currently is working as a Paramedic with Conneaut Lake Area Ambulance and Superior Ambulance.
John also has 19 years as a volunteer firefighter. John has been a Pennsylvania Department of Health Instructor for 10 years and is also a VFIS Emergency Vehicle Driver Training instructor.
John also has 19 years as a volunteer firefighter. John has been a Pennsylvania Department of Health Instructor for 10 years and is also a VFIS Emergency Vehicle Driver Training instructor.
Charles Woods
Charles Woods is a second generation firefighter and 35+ year veteran of the fire service. He is a 32 year member of the Lawrenceburg Fire and Rescue Department, and a 7 year member of the Anderson County Fire and Rescue District Station 1 in Kentucky. Charles serves as Instructor/Firefighter/EMT with these organizations and also teaches for the Kentucky Fire Commission, KCTCS Region 15.
Charles is certified as an IFSAC Firefighter I and II. He is also a Kentucky certified and N.R. Emergency Medical Technician and Instructor. He also serves as an Evaluator in many areas (Fire, EMS, H omeland Security).
Charles is certified as an IFSAC Firefighter I and II. He is also a Kentucky certified and N.R. Emergency Medical Technician and Instructor. He also serves as an Evaluator in many areas (Fire, EMS, H omeland Security).