***The New Executive Board Will be Installed the Week of July 6, 2008***
President Eric DePoto Firefighter, Charlotte, NC Past President, Central Florida FOOLS
Eric DePoto is currently a firefighter with the Charlotte, NC Fire
Department. Prior to joining Charlotte he was a firefighter in central Florida with Orange County Fire Rescue. He started his fire career as a volunteer in Osceola County Florida. He was the founding Vice President for the Central Florida FOOLS which after one month became the President of the chapter. He has been a certified instructor for six years and has had the privilege to teach around the country in various disciplines.
Vice President Eric Hankins Captain, Yuba City, CA
NorCal FOOLS
Eric is a 16 year veteran of the Fire Service and is currently a
Captain on Engine 1, Downtown, with the Yuba City Fire Department in Yuba City, CA. Captain Hankins has been an active member of the FOOLS International since 2001 and is a past Secretary for the NorCal Chapter. Captain Hankins has taught at various fire academies for the last 10 years, and has assisted nationally known instructors teach at various trainings across the country. Eric is married to his wife Machelle and has two lovely daughters. Mary, 9 and Sarah, 6 who was born on the morning of the horrible 9-11 attacks. Captain Hankins is also a Tech Rep for the Thermal Imaging division of Total Fire Group.
Secretary / Treasurer Rich Stack Firefighter, Chicago IL
Southside FOOLS International
Rich is a 14 year veteran of the fire service. He started out as a
volunteer for 6 years with the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department. The last 8 ½ years he has been with the Chicago Fire Department, assigned to Engine 63. He also works part-time for the North Palos Fire Protection District. Rich is an instructor for the Chicago Fire Department, Illinois Fire Service Institute, and College of DuPage. Rich teaches at various academies as well as a variety of other fire related classes.
Rich is married to his wife Jill and they have two daughters, Carly and McKenzie. Rich has been a member of FOOLS since 2003 and is currently the President of Southside Fools.
1st Trustee (Membership) Ben Shepard Training Officer, Ayr, NE
Ayr Head FOOLS
Ben Sheppard has been in the fire service for 8 years, 6 of them with Hastings
Rural Fire Department in Hastings Nebraska and 2 years with the Department of Defense as a Lt. in Iraq. Ben teaches various fire courses in Nebraska and is active in many state and national organizations. Ben is married to Kristi and they have 2 daughters, Kristina 6 and Madison 3. Ben was one of the original founding members of the Bucca chapter in Iraq and is currently the chapter president of the Ayr Fools Chapter in Nebraska.
2nd Trustee (Merchandise) Lee Hudson Captain, Hernando County, FL
Hernando Hommteam FOOLS
Lee has been a member of Hernando County Fire Rescue for 17
years, where he holds the rank of Captain/Paramedic and is a member of Engine 12. He is a Florida State certified Fire Instructor and Burn Instructor. In his department, Lee is involved in the training with other FOOLS members and teaching extrication, and is on one of the extrication engines.
Lee is one of the founders and President of Hernando Hommteam FOOLS. He has been involved in various training and fund raising events for the FOOLS, and the charities they support.
Lee is married to his wife Jennifer and has a lovely daughter Sydney who is 8 years old.
3rd Trustee (Internet Operations) Andy “Sippy” Biron Firefighter, Manchester, NH
New England FOOLS
Andy “ Sippy” Biron is a Firefighter with the City of Manchester in
New Hampshire, currently assigned to Engine Co. 11. As a 12 year member of the fire service, he has instructed at both FDIC and Fire House Expo in Truck Company operations and Flashover. As a Staff Instructor for the State of New Hampshire Fire Standards and Training he delivers both Firefighter I/II programs and also administers the annual firefighter entrance testing for new hires state wide. Andy also has been involved in the training team for To Hell and Back 1, 2 and 3, an educational program released to every fire department in the United States on firefighter burn prevention through the People’s Burn Foundation in Indianapolis.
4th Trustee (Education) Mike Dugan Captain, FDNY
Suffolk County FOOLS
Michael M. Dugan is a 24-year veteran of the FDNY, serving as the
Captain of Ladder Company 123, in Crown Heights Brooklyn. As a Lieutenant, Dugan served in Ladder Company 42 in the South Bronx. While assigned as a firefighter in Ladder Company 43, in Spanish Harlem, Firefighter Dugan received the James Gordon Bennett medal in 1992 and the Harry M. Archer Medal in 1993, the FDNY’s highest award for bravery. He is also a former volunteer firefighter, in the Halesite FD, in N.Y. He has been involved with the Fire Service for 33 years. He was an instructor at the inception of the FDNY’s Annual Education Day and has developed programs currently taught to all FDNY members during Annual Education Day. He is the lead instructor of the “Firehouse Expo” and “Firehouse World” Engine and Truck Company HOT program and a “HOT” instructor at the “FDIC.” He is a contributing editor to “Firehouse” magazine. Captain Dugan has been a featured lecturer around the country and at both the “Firehouse Expo” and the “FDIC” on topics dealing with Truck Company Operations, Building construction, size up and today’s fire service.
