Founded in 2013, FIRE 1 is dedicated to helping communities, City and Government Agencies and businesses establish skilled teams in the fight against catastrophic wildfire. Our mandate is to educate and train at the safest and highest quality level possible in forest fire suppression, mitigation and prevention.
Fire 1 employs only the most experienced in their field. Our comprehensive team has the background and experience in wildfire suppression and behavior to meet your training needs. I invite you to read the introductory Bio’s of the FIRE 1 team. Wildland Fire Fighting is their life’s work and their passion!
FIRE 1 is accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) to deliver the SP100; 105; 106; 102; 103 and the RX100.
Kelly Bredlaw (She/Her) - Lead Instructor
While employed as an Ontario Fire Ranger on an Initial Attack Crew with the NDMNRF for 10 seasons, Kelly gained experience in Forest Fire Suppression activities in both the East and West Fire Region. On several occasions she was also deployed out of Province (British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta) and out of Country (Montana and Oregon). Roles she has held during her career with the Ontario Fire Ranger program includes Crew Member, Crew Boss, Crew Leader-Incident Commander 4, and Fire Management Technician. During which she obtained her Advanced Wildfire Behaviour Specialist certification. Kelly brings a unique insight on how wildfire could affect structures. Kelly is certified at the 1001 and Hazmat 472 Technician Level with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A member of the Fire 1 team for the last two years, Kelly is also employed as an Acting Captain at an Industrial Fire Department.
Chris Frappier (He/Him)- Unit Instructor
Chris has 10 years of experience fighting forest fires with the NDMNRF. He was based out of the East Fire Region as a crew leader and experienced deployment to fires in the USA. He has been with FIRE 1 for over 6 years as a Unit Instructor Instructor and WFX fit evaluator. In addition to being a Registered Nurse (RN) with the College of Nurses of Ontario, Chris is also currently employed as a structural Firefighter with North Bay Fire & Emergency Services.
Clark Lemon (He/Him) Unit Instructor
With 35 years of service with NDMNRF, Clark has many seasons of fire crew experience including 4 as a Crew Leader. Clark has 10 years in Aerial Fire Operations at the Region and Branch level with responsibilities that included the annual delivery of the Provincial Air Attack Course.
He was Chairman of NDMNRF's Aviation Safety Committee for 7 years and was a member of the AFFES Health & Safety Audit Team, participating in field audits at several work sites, including Fire Management Headquarters. Although retired from NDMNRF as Manager of The Aviation Services Centre, Clark remains active working in areas related to aviation, fire, and aviation safety. In addition to being FIRE 1’S Unit Instructor; Clark joins Dave each season as a WFX fit evaluator.
John Twance - Lead Instructor
Member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg with over 25 years of experience in Forest Fire fighting; John draws from over 12 years’ instructor experience (with 7 as Head Unit Instructor).
John is FIRE 1's main SP105/106 West Region Instructor.
Dave Cowan (He/Him) – Lead Instructor
Dave worked for 37 years with the Fire Management Program of the MNRF; mostly in the West Fire Region eventually retiring in the East as a Fire Management Technician .
Throughout his career he filled many roles such as: Incident commander on larger fires, Area Fire Boss, Division Supervisor, Operations Chief and Logistics Chief. In addition to front line fire duty, Dave was involved with prescribed burn planning and implementation, training development, prevention, as well as a lengthy involvement with research and development of fire fighting equipment.
Over his years of service there were numerous deployments out of Ontario to Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, and Oregon filling various functions previously listed as well as a 20-year commitment to the MNRF Peer support program.
Dave joined FIRE 1 in 2013 as the accredited WFX Fit Test Administrator, course instructor and now a Lead Instructor for the last 5 years.
He has a passion for his career and enjoys helping students achieve their goals.
Murray St. Amour (He/Him) – Unit Instructor
A newcomer to FIRE 1 but certainly not to Wildland Fire Fighting and Fire training. Murray was a Crew Leader for many years with the NDMNRF. A Fire Operations Supervisor for 5 years in Haliburton, Murray was responsible for staff training at all levels. Murray retired this January, with the IC 3 designation.
Steve Smith (He/Him) - Unit Instructor
Steve spent 12 seasons employed by the NDMNRF within the Ontario Fire Ranger Program. He started with the West Fire Region and finished the last seven years as a Crew leader in the East Fire Region. Steve Smith has over 20 years in the structural fire service holding multiple positions including Training Officer and Assistant Deputy Chief. Although a member of FIRE 1’s team, Steve is also currently employed as a firefighter at an Industrial Fire Department.
Ralph Klietsh (He/Him) - Unit Instructor
Ralph spent 15 years with the OMNR Fire program advancing through the crew system to become a full time Fire Crew Leader. This path included postings in many key areas throughout Northern Ontario in places such as Nipigon, Thunder Bay, Armstrong, and Chapleau. He has significant experience with many aspects of Fire Management including Prescribed Burning, Fire investigation, and Fire Prevention. In his final years with the Fire Program, he worked as an Air Attack Leader out of Timmins as part of a heavy water bomber package providing air traffic control, coordination with ground crews, and target assignment before moving on within the OMNR.
Douglas Woods (He/Him) - Unit Instructor
As a SP100 series Instructor, Douglas (Doug) Woods draws from 20 Years of experience in the Fire Program and 17 years as a
Resource Management Supervisor with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in Hearst District and 2 seasons in the Geraldton District.
Doug began as a Fire Crew member and ended as a Fire Operations Supervisor.
Stationed in the East Fire Region, he also was frequently engaged as a Provincial resource; deployed to various locations across the Province, Canada and into the United States, including the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Montana. Roles included Operations Chief, Division Boss, Incident Commander, Sector Boss and Air Attack Officer.
Involved in a very active Prescribed Burn Program; Doug has authored Prescribed Burn Plans and has held roles as Fire Boss, Ignition Boss and Suppression Boss.
Dan Bredlaw (He/Him)
Dan has been employed with a structural fire department for the last 23 years where he is a Platoon Chief.
He was a certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Instructor for 10 years and continues his EMR certification to date. Dan is our onsite medical responder, provides the blood pressure component and onsite administration for the WFX FIT.
