JBCourse Manager: Structural Firefighting

National Fire Protection Association

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, building, electrical, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden for fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating scientifically-based consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Developer of the National Electrical Code®, and 300 other codes and standards through a full, open-consensus process, NFPA also produces educational curricula, including the Risk Watch® community-based injury prevention curriculum and the Learn Not to Burn® fire safety curriculum. NFPA headquarters is in Quincy, Massachusetts.

Bernard J. Klaene

Ben Klaene developed curricula and taught a wide variety of fire-related courses including Fire Tactics over his 27 years with the University of Cincinnati. He has served as an adjunct instructor and subject matter expert for the National Fire Academy where he revised courses for the Degrees at a Distance program. He has also done extensive work as a fire safety consultant in the area of training industrial fire brigades and surveying community fire protection. Before his retirement as the Training & Safety Chief of the Cincinnati Fire Department, he rose through the ranks to fire apparatus operator, lieutenant, captain, and district chief. Chief Klaene’s 30 years of experience included working as a firefighter and company officer on engine, truck, and heavy rescue companies. He was also a graduate of the first paramedic class in Cincinnati where he functioned as paramedic supervisor. Chief Klaene holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Industrial Safety, and a Masters in Education from the University of Cincinnati. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

Russell E. Sanders

Russ Sanders serves as NFPA’s Central Regional Manager, Executive Secretary of the NFPA/IAFC Metropolitan “Metro” Fire Chiefs Association and as an NFPA representative to the European Fire Service. In addition, Mr. Sanders serves as one of six Vice Presidents on the International Technical Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire (CTIF). The CTIF, which currently includes 52 member countries, was founded in 1900. Mr. Sanders graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Master of Education Degree, and a Master of Science Degree. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and Harvard University’s Senior Executive in State and Local Government Program. Prior to joining the NFPA staff in 1995, Mr. Sanders was Chief of the Louisville (KY) Fire Department (LFD). He served 29 years in the LFD, his last nine as Chief of the Department.