Staff

Mission Leader

EJ has more than 25 years of professional experience in the engineering and design of fire protection, plumbing, and process systems for the pharmaceutical, technology, commercial, high-rise, and health care industries. His experience includes system design, calculations, field work, cost estimating, client interfacing, and construction supervision. Systems designed include: fire protection (wet, dry, and pre-action), fire suppression (clean agent), domestic water, process water, sanitary waste, lab waste, waste neutralization, storm drainage, natural gas, compressed gases, and medical gases. He is currently a Senior Engineering Operations Manager working with a team to deliver plumbing and fire protection designs for a wide range of commercial construction projects. 

For more than 10 years EJ has served as a volunteer firefighter and has held the rank of Captain having an active role in the training program. He has achieved numerous certifications including Firefighter II, Fire Officer I, and Fire Instructor I. EJ is active in the fight against firefighter cancer through efforts with the IAFC and running a  firefighter Relay for Life challenge.

EJ became the Mission Leader for Building Firefighter Development which is a grass roots effort to educate the fire service about building systems from an engineering perspective though classes, articles, and blogs. He has presented at Firehouse Expo and multiple fire departments. His articles have been published in Fire Engineering and Firehouse magazines. EJ also regularly contributes to The Firehouse Tribune.

He enjoyed 16 years serving in various leadership roles with a Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop in the Boy Scouts of America.

EJ is happily married to his beautiful wife of more than 25 years and has three wonderful sons.

Contributor

Nick is a lieutenant in charge of training for Piscataway Fire District #2 in New Jersey. With over 20 years of service, Nick is a NJ State Fire Instructor, an advocate for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and an international speaker. Nick has shared his message to the fire service speaking on many firefighting related topics at many state and national conferences such as FIREHOUSE and has been a guest on many fire service podcasts such as "5-Alarm Task Force", "Firefighter Success" & "Crew1stCulture". 

In addition, Nick is the founder of The Firehouse Tribune, co-host of "Station Talk Podcast" and the host of "The 5-Tool Firefighter Podcast". Nick has authored two books, "The 5-Tool Firefighter" and "The 5- Tool Firefighter Tactical Workbook" and is published in Firefighter Nation.

Outside of the fire service, Nick has been guest speaker at Hillsborough County College in Florida where he mentors and speaks to students about life after college and how to excel in the professional world. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting along with certifications as a nutrition coach and battle ropes instructor.

Contributor

 Tom Marchiano is a dedicated fire service professional with 21 years of experience. Currently, he serves as the Chief of the Chester Fire Department in Chester, NY, and is an active member of the Technical Rescue Team in his county. With 15 years of experience as a 911 dispatcher, Tom is well-versed in emergency response.

He holds Fire Instructor certification at both the National and New York State levels, reflecting his commitment to training and leadership. Tom is passionate about helping first responders enhance their skills and grow both personally and professionally. Recently, he returned to school to pursue a degree in Emergency Management & Homeland Security and created a leadership presentation aimed at guiding firefighters into officer positions.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Tom enjoys supporting his favorite sports teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Dallas Cowboys, Syracuse Orange, and New York Yankees. He values time spent with family and friends and loves visiting locations near the water.