Administration
Jordan Pollack - Chief Administrator/Instructor Coordinator
A fire service instructor since 1983, Jordan coordinates a cadre of instructors delivering fire and
medical courses around the Pacific Northwest. As one of the premiere wildland firefighting
training cadres, they work with numerous fire departments throughout the spring each year.
Beginning his career in 1978 on the Olympic National Forest, Jordan has since worked for both
the US Forest Service and National Park Service in many capacities. Working on hand crews,
engines, and helicopters during the summer fire seasons, his last years on the major fires were
spent working as an Engine Strike Team Leader. Mr. Pollack joined the fire service in 1980,
working as training officer and fire chief since 1998. He currently serves as fire chief of the Breitenbush Fire Department in the mountains of central Oregon, and is a regional representative for Firefighters Crossing Borders in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico.
Jordan Pollack - Chief Administrator/Instructor Coordinator
A fire service instructor since 1983, Jordan coordinates a cadre of instructors delivering fire and
medical courses around the Pacific Northwest. As one of the premiere wildland firefighting
training cadres, they work with numerous fire departments throughout the spring each year.
Beginning his career in 1978 on the Olympic National Forest, Jordan has since worked for both
the US Forest Service and National Park Service in many capacities. Working on hand crews,
engines, and helicopters during the summer fire seasons, his last years on the major fires were
spent working as an Engine Strike Team Leader. Mr. Pollack joined the fire service in 1980,
working as training officer and fire chief since 1998. He currently serves as fire chief of the Breitenbush Fire Department in the mountains of central Oregon, and is a regional representative for Firefighters Crossing Borders in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico.
Carrie Andrews - Office Administrator
Carrie has had a widely varied career, doing everything from working for the Department of Ecology producing public information materials to being the Communications Director at the Northwest Maritime Center. In between there she owned a web development company for fifteen years and then was the Assistant Head of School at a small alternative private school. In addition to providing administrative assistance to Jordan D. Pollack Fire-EMS Training and the Breitenbush Fire Department, Carrie runs Peace of Mind, a Patient Advocacy and Advance Care Planning practice. Carrie is also the Member and Chapter Development Director for the international Threshold Choir organization. Our Instructors
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Jason "Jay" McMillen
Jay started his firefighting career in 1992 with Skagit County Fire District 10. In 1994 he joined the US Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, working on both engines and hand crew, ultimately migrating to the WA DNR in the late nineties. He is certified as a Type 4 Incident Commander and Single Resource Boss and is a credentialed NFPA and NWCG instructor. Mr. McMillen worked as a Disaster Response Specialist and Crew Supervisor for the Washington Conservation Corps, training members in wildland fire suppression, chainsaw operation, and leading the WCC's Type 2 hand crew on wildfire assignments. He is currently a fire operations technician for the NW DNR, and enjoys instructing firefighters and spending time with his family and dogs hiking in the North Cascades.
Jay started his firefighting career in 1992 with Skagit County Fire District 10. In 1994 he joined the US Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, working on both engines and hand crew, ultimately migrating to the WA DNR in the late nineties. He is certified as a Type 4 Incident Commander and Single Resource Boss and is a credentialed NFPA and NWCG instructor. Mr. McMillen worked as a Disaster Response Specialist and Crew Supervisor for the Washington Conservation Corps, training members in wildland fire suppression, chainsaw operation, and leading the WCC's Type 2 hand crew on wildfire assignments. He is currently a fire operations technician for the NW DNR, and enjoys instructing firefighters and spending time with his family and dogs hiking in the North Cascades.
Josh Etringer
Josh started in wildland fire in 2008 with the North Cascades National Park. For the following two years he went out on state mobilizations with Skagit County Fire District 3 as a firefighter/EMT before joining the Baker River Hotshot crew in 2011. Mr. Etringer spent the next seven summer fire seasons working on the hotshot crew, gaining valuable experience and time on fires. His time with Baker River IHC was spent largely on the saw team, also serving as lead EMT for the crew. Today Josh serves as an Assistant Fire Unit Manager for NW Region DNR, and goes out on fires as an IC Type 4, Task Force Leader, or single resource boss. His wife and young son keep him a bit closer to home, as does hunting and their large garden. Josh’s instruction background includes extensive time teaching and coordinating both structural and wildland fire topics, as well as EMT level training. As an NWCG certified instructor he has led numerous training sessions for both the USFS and WA DNR in chainsaw operations, medevac, backfiring, and state fire academy, along with county fire academy instruction.
Josh started in wildland fire in 2008 with the North Cascades National Park. For the following two years he went out on state mobilizations with Skagit County Fire District 3 as a firefighter/EMT before joining the Baker River Hotshot crew in 2011. Mr. Etringer spent the next seven summer fire seasons working on the hotshot crew, gaining valuable experience and time on fires. His time with Baker River IHC was spent largely on the saw team, also serving as lead EMT for the crew. Today Josh serves as an Assistant Fire Unit Manager for NW Region DNR, and goes out on fires as an IC Type 4, Task Force Leader, or single resource boss. His wife and young son keep him a bit closer to home, as does hunting and their large garden. Josh’s instruction background includes extensive time teaching and coordinating both structural and wildland fire topics, as well as EMT level training. As an NWCG certified instructor he has led numerous training sessions for both the USFS and WA DNR in chainsaw operations, medevac, backfiring, and state fire academy, along with county fire academy instruction.
Kyle Dodd
Mr. Dodd is a full-time member of the command staff with San Juan Island Fire-Rescue, an EMT with San Juan EMS, and a Type 5 Incident Commander (IC) with the county interagency wildland team. He is a certified SOLO and HSI Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) instructor, a member of our outer island training team since 2017. Kyle’s background managing multiple areas in his previous position with San Juan County Public Health and Department of Community Development gives him both the people and management skills necessary to be an excellent responder and leader. While overseeing public health, he served as the Incident Commander for the San Juan County Covid Response Incident Management Team 2019-2021.
Mr. Dodd is a full-time member of the command staff with San Juan Island Fire-Rescue, an EMT with San Juan EMS, and a Type 5 Incident Commander (IC) with the county interagency wildland team. He is a certified SOLO and HSI Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) instructor, a member of our outer island training team since 2017. Kyle’s background managing multiple areas in his previous position with San Juan County Public Health and Department of Community Development gives him both the people and management skills necessary to be an excellent responder and leader. While overseeing public health, he served as the Incident Commander for the San Juan County Covid Response Incident Management Team 2019-2021.
Erik Usher
Starting his career with the US Forest Service in 2009 on the Shasta-Trinity NF (CA), Erik spent the first two years as a member of a Type 3 engine crew. Eventually transitioning to the Shasta Lake Hotshots, he found his passion working as part of a hand crew. After six years on the shot crew, he moved back to his home state of Washington, a college football career under him, taking a position as a squad boss for the Mt Baker Initial Attack Crew. Today Erik is captain of the crew, and outside of traveling throughout the country on wildfires, he enjoys weight lifting, running, health and fitness, hiking, skiing, playing pool, international travel, and yoga.
Starting his career with the US Forest Service in 2009 on the Shasta-Trinity NF (CA), Erik spent the first two years as a member of a Type 3 engine crew. Eventually transitioning to the Shasta Lake Hotshots, he found his passion working as part of a hand crew. After six years on the shot crew, he moved back to his home state of Washington, a college football career under him, taking a position as a squad boss for the Mt Baker Initial Attack Crew. Today Erik is captain of the crew, and outside of traveling throughout the country on wildfires, he enjoys weight lifting, running, health and fitness, hiking, skiing, playing pool, international travel, and yoga.
Noel Monin
Mr. Monin is the Assistant Chief of operations and training for the San Juan Island Fire
Department. Noel is responsible for coordinating continuing education in wildland, structural,
and rescue disciplines. He is on a duty rotation as command officer, and supervises seven fire
stations and associated personnel. Mr. Monin has been in the wildland world since 1997
including time in the southwest as a member of an interagency hot shot crew. He currently
responds as a Task Force Leader on mobilizations and participates with the NW region incident
management team.
Mr. Monin is the Assistant Chief of operations and training for the San Juan Island Fire
Department. Noel is responsible for coordinating continuing education in wildland, structural,
and rescue disciplines. He is on a duty rotation as command officer, and supervises seven fire
stations and associated personnel. Mr. Monin has been in the wildland world since 1997
including time in the southwest as a member of an interagency hot shot crew. He currently
responds as a Task Force Leader on mobilizations and participates with the NW region incident
management team.
Karl Kuetzing
Karl started as an EMT with San Juan Island EMS in 2012 and eventually served as Interim Chief of that organization. He became a structural and wildland firefighter in 2018. He is currently a Lieutenant with San Juan Island Fire and Rescue and serves as the Training Officer and the Health and Safety Officer. Karl was a Senior EMS Instructor and is a First Aid / CPR / AED instructor with the American Heart Association, the Health Safety Institute, and SOLO Schools.
Karl started as an EMT with San Juan Island EMS in 2012 and eventually served as Interim Chief of that organization. He became a structural and wildland firefighter in 2018. He is currently a Lieutenant with San Juan Island Fire and Rescue and serves as the Training Officer and the Health and Safety Officer. Karl was a Senior EMS Instructor and is a First Aid / CPR / AED instructor with the American Heart Association, the Health Safety Institute, and SOLO Schools.
Sami Schinnell
Sami is a Pacific Northwest native who began her wildland fire career by following in her sister’s footsteps on the WA DNR Highlands 20 fire crew in 1998. What was intended to be a summer job to pay for college quickly turned into a 23-year addiction to the wildland fire service, which included positions on US Forest Service hand crews, engines, and in fire prevention and fuels. After taking advantage of the opportunity to travel the country (and ultimately the world) in the name of fire, Sami left the USFS in 2018 to pursue other professional passions. Starting her own prescribed fire consulting and training business in SW Washington, Sami still maintains her foot in the suppression world as a Division Supervisor and other roles on two management teams in the PNW. She also owns and manages two contract water tenders which you may occasionally see her driving on a fire when her schedule allows. In December of 2022 Sami accepted a position with The Nature Conservancy as their Central Washington Cooperative Fire Director, coordinating their prescribed fire program.
Sami is a Pacific Northwest native who began her wildland fire career by following in her sister’s footsteps on the WA DNR Highlands 20 fire crew in 1998. What was intended to be a summer job to pay for college quickly turned into a 23-year addiction to the wildland fire service, which included positions on US Forest Service hand crews, engines, and in fire prevention and fuels. After taking advantage of the opportunity to travel the country (and ultimately the world) in the name of fire, Sami left the USFS in 2018 to pursue other professional passions. Starting her own prescribed fire consulting and training business in SW Washington, Sami still maintains her foot in the suppression world as a Division Supervisor and other roles on two management teams in the PNW. She also owns and manages two contract water tenders which you may occasionally see her driving on a fire when her schedule allows. In December of 2022 Sami accepted a position with The Nature Conservancy as their Central Washington Cooperative Fire Director, coordinating their prescribed fire program.
Brian Tracer
Chief Tracer began his career as a volunteer firefighter and reserve deputy sheriff in the early 90s. He was hired by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in 1996 were he was employed as a deputy for 21 years before retuning to the fire service in 2014 as the Assistant Fire Chief for East Jefferson Fire Rescue. Amongst many assignments during his career, Chief Tracer began fire, arson and explosion investigation in the early 2000s. He supervised the county’s fire investigation task force and was the liaison between the fire service and the County Prosecutor. In addition to command and supervision, Chief Tracer has the fire marshal duties for the City of Port Townsend and Fire Code Official responsibilities for Jefferson County. He is a certified fire plans examiner and fire inspector 1 & II, has participated in NFPA leadership courses including command & control and incident safety officer, and is a blue card certified command officer. Brian began wildland fire investigations in 2017 with task book completion and peer review in 2018. He has completed the FI-310 Wildland Fire Investigation – Case Development and currently has an open task book. He has completed over 250 hours of investigation related training and investigated over 200 fires.
Chief Tracer began his career as a volunteer firefighter and reserve deputy sheriff in the early 90s. He was hired by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in 1996 were he was employed as a deputy for 21 years before retuning to the fire service in 2014 as the Assistant Fire Chief for East Jefferson Fire Rescue. Amongst many assignments during his career, Chief Tracer began fire, arson and explosion investigation in the early 2000s. He supervised the county’s fire investigation task force and was the liaison between the fire service and the County Prosecutor. In addition to command and supervision, Chief Tracer has the fire marshal duties for the City of Port Townsend and Fire Code Official responsibilities for Jefferson County. He is a certified fire plans examiner and fire inspector 1 & II, has participated in NFPA leadership courses including command & control and incident safety officer, and is a blue card certified command officer. Brian began wildland fire investigations in 2017 with task book completion and peer review in 2018. He has completed the FI-310 Wildland Fire Investigation – Case Development and currently has an open task book. He has completed over 250 hours of investigation related training and investigated over 200 fires.
Joining Us From the National Weather Service
Madelyn Kristell
With a background in emergency response meteorology, a bachelor's degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and masters in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona, Madelyn brings a wealth of knowledge to the job. After interning with the weather service during her masters program, she took a position with the National Weather Service Seattle Field Office, training to become an Incident Meteorologist (IMET).
With a background in emergency response meteorology, a bachelor's degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and masters in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona, Madelyn brings a wealth of knowledge to the job. After interning with the weather service during her masters program, she took a position with the National Weather Service Seattle Field Office, training to become an Incident Meteorologist (IMET).
Steve Reedy
Born and raised in rural Northeast Ohio, the wild and frequent fluctuations in weather caught his interest at a very early age. Although his loving parents thought this to be a mental illness at first, they soon learned to nurture this interest, as it proved beneficial for family outdoor events. Graduating from The Ohio State University in 2000, Steven went on to forecast weather in Cleveland, Ohio before suffering self-inflicted blunt force trauma to the head due to the difficulty of such forecasting. After declaring that someone had "broken the weather", he moved west to become a Fire Weather forecaster and IMET for the National Weather Service in Tucson, AZ. Weatherman in the desert...easiest...job...ever! Mostly. After having any and all moisture sucked out of his body and soul over 9 years, he was given the opportunity to transfer to the Seattle NWS office to rehydrate.
Born and raised in rural Northeast Ohio, the wild and frequent fluctuations in weather caught his interest at a very early age. Although his loving parents thought this to be a mental illness at first, they soon learned to nurture this interest, as it proved beneficial for family outdoor events. Graduating from The Ohio State University in 2000, Steven went on to forecast weather in Cleveland, Ohio before suffering self-inflicted blunt force trauma to the head due to the difficulty of such forecasting. After declaring that someone had "broken the weather", he moved west to become a Fire Weather forecaster and IMET for the National Weather Service in Tucson, AZ. Weatherman in the desert...easiest...job...ever! Mostly. After having any and all moisture sucked out of his body and soul over 9 years, he was given the opportunity to transfer to the Seattle NWS office to rehydrate.
Jordan D. Pollack | Fire-EMS Training | jdpollack@gmail.com | 360-531-2575