Frank Viscuso

Deputy Chief Frank Viscuso (ret.) served more than 26 years as a professional firefighter in New Jersey. He is a columnist for Fire Engineering magazine and the author of twelve leadership books, including Amazon best-sellers Step Up and Lead, Step Up Your Teamwork, Flash Point: Ignite Your Team and Forge a Winning Culture and Common Valor: True Stories from America’s Bravest.
Frank is a highly sought after, internationally recognized speaker who has the ability to move people to action. Over the past two decades he has spoken to audiences on many topics that include leadership, team building, officer development, and customer service (1,000+ presentations in 47 States and 4 Countries). Frank travels throughout the United States, Canada and Europe providing leadership and team development training to firefighters (more than 500,000), as well as emergency service workers, sales teams, U.S. Armed Forces, the healthcare industry, small businesses and large corporations (including Exxon/Mobil, Jersey Mike’s, SERVPRO, Crossroads Realty, and RWJ Barnabas Health). Frank has presented keynotes and seminars at dozens of prestigious Universities including Stanford, Princeton, Northwestern, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, and West Point Academy. He has also provided leadership training on US military bases throughout the United States and Europe (Including Camp Pendleton; NSA Souda Bay on the island of Crete, Greece; and NSA Naples, Italy). His keynotes, seminars and workshops are designed to introduce people to the top traits associated with leadership and to equip them with the skills needed to lead, inspire, and motivate their teams.
Deputy Chief Viscuso was honored as an opening ceremony Keynote speaker at FDIC International in 2022, and the 2025 International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) George D. Post Instructor of the Year. This award recognizes individuals for extraordinary accomplishments in fire service training.

Dylan Briggs

Dylan Briggs is a Captain with the Morrisville (NC) Fire/Rescue Department where he is currently assigned to Rescue Company 21. He is also a member of the Northwest Harnett Vol. Fire Department.  Dylan is a lover of the fire service and prides himself on being a student of the craft.  He is an NC Fire Instructor Level-3, SPRAT Instructor, serves as a Fire Academy Instructor, as well as national speaker at many fire conferences.  Dylan is also the Owner and Operator of GSF Training & Equipment Solutions.  In addition, Dylan has a passion for firefighter mental/physical wellness; since 2018 Dylan has been a member of the North Carolina Peer Support Team (NCPS) where he currently serves as the Central Regional Coordinator.  Dylan is also an instructor for FRCE (First Responder Center for Excellence).  In his time away from the firehouse Dylan enjoys spending time with his wife Carla and daughter Kensley.

Chris Thwaits

Southeast Regional Manager for Clarience Technologies Fire, EMS and Industrial Division with Elkhart Brass, Fire Research Corp, FoamPro and R.O.M. Covering Florida and Georgia. Providing education and knowledge to many of the dealers and departments in both states with Know Your Flow, Specialty nozzles, Specialty appliances, attack packages, Lighting packages, Foam systems, Roll up door maintenance and repairs.

Third Generation Firefighter with 30 years in the Fire Service in New York State from 1988-2018, has served in ranking positions as well as Chief of Department and State Instructor. 19 years in the Fire Industry both part time and full time in equipment sales and apparatus territory sales manager.