About the Author

Rick Kolomay is a 24-year veteran of the fire service. He is an Illinois state certified field instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute and was awarded 2002 Instructor of the Year by the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors. He holds an associate's degree in science and bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University. He has instructed for several community colleges, the Chicago Fire Academy, and Illinois Fire Chief's Association. As a past full-time instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, he instituted one of the first nationally recognized hands-on training company officer courses. 
Bob Hoff is a battalion chief with the Chicago Fire Department and part-time captain of the Evergreen Park (IL) Fire Department. Previously, Hoff served two years as director of training operations at the Chicago Fire Academy, then citywide relief for ten years as a battalion chief. As director of training with the Chicago Fire Department, Hoff was responsible for the institution of the rapid intervention policy and conducted extensive firefighter rescue and RIT training of more than 4,300 personnel.