Lessons Learned from a Line of Duty Death

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.

Jason Reese has over 25 years of experience in both the career and volunteer fire and EMS service. He currently holds the rank of Battalion Chief with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue and is assigned to the operations division leading the 3rd Battalion. Chief Reese has held several positions during his career, to include Systems support overseeing Planning and Logistics, Recruit Training, Advanced Leadership Training, Safety Officer as well as numerous operational positions. He has overseen the Swift Water Rescue Program and is the Chair of the Valor Awards Program. Chief Reese holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and serves as a member of the uniformed company officer to company officer program for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. He has been part of the NFFF weekend co-workers support group and is a member Prince William County’s peer support team.