Adam Farrar is the Fire Chief of Scott Township Fire & EMS in Evansville, IN. He has been in the fire service for over 23 years. Adam has experience in the Volunteer and Combination Fire Service. Having held rank in both volunteer and career structures, starting as a volunteer with the Wadesville Fire Department in Wadesville, IN and career with Scott Township Fire & EMS in Evansville, IN.

Adam was appointed, by the Scott Township Trustee, Fire Chief of Scott Township Fire & EMS in January 2015 after the retirement of the previous Fire Chief.

Adam holds an Associates of Science Degree in Fire Science, an Associates of Science Degree in Business Management, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Fire Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Adam holds many State of Indiana certifications in the fire and EMS fields and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. In April 2021, Adam was credentialed by The Commission on Professional Credentialing as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO).

Adam is a member of many professional organizations including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Indiana Fire Chiefs Association, International Society of Fire Service Instructors, National Fire Protection Association, and many more local organizations.

Adam is the proud father of three young sons, Brady (14), Chase (10), and Gabriel (6). During Adam’s downtime he enjoys sports, especially watching his boys play and cheering on the Indiana Hoosiers and St. Louis Cardinals.

Chief Rich Cowger currently serves as the Fire Chief for the Columbus Rural Fire District # 3.

Chief Cowger is the Chair of the Montana State Fire Chief’s Association, serves on the International Association of Fire Chief’s Wildland Fire Policy Committee, is a board member of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section, and the State of Montana Wildland Committee. Chief Cowger was part of the Waldo Canyon review team sponsored by the IAFC, Forrest Service, NFPA and IBHS to look at why or why not homes burned in relation to mitigation projects during that event.

Chief Cowger has been with the Columbus Rural Fire District for 25 years and has served as the Fire Chief for the past 19 years. Chief Cowger is red carded as a Division Supervisor, a Structure Protection Specialist, Liaison Officer, Incident Commander T3, Operations Section Chief T2 trainee, and serves with a Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Chief Cowger has a wide range of experience in wildland urban interface fires as well as all hazards response and has written several articles for national publications in regards to the WUI and challenges it presents to communities as well as departments. Chief Cowger was presented with teh John Buckman III Leadership Award by the IAFC/ VCOS in 2016 ans is currently workign on his Bachelors Degree for Fire and EMS Administration.

Chief Caughey is the Fire Chief of Laramie County Fire District #2 which is a growing combination fire department located outside of Cheyenne Wyoming. Chief Caughey is a long-time student of the fire service with a focus of evolving to meet the needs of the members and community. He has a bachelor’s in Fire Science and is currently enrolled in a master’s of public administration program and the NFA EFO program.

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.