Paul Capo has been a firefighter since 1996 and serves as the Training Captain with the Estes Valley Fire Protection District in Estes Park, Colorado. Paul Capo is the Founder of When Things Go Bad, Incorporated where he develops a vast compliment of firefighter curriculum and training. His diverse teaching includes, but not limited to, FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), Fire House Expo, Orlando Fire Conference, Fire Rescue East, Wichita HOT, etc. where he trains on multiple subjects in fire service academia. Paul is considered by many to be one of the nation’s leader’s in the “new vanguard” of Firefighter Rescue / Rapid Intervention Crew capabilities. He and his crew can be seen regularly on Fire Engineering’s Training Minutes as well as in the When Things Go Bad training DVD series. In addition, he frequently instructs and consults in areas of firefighter self preservation – the physiological changes during firefighter survival. Paul has achieved his B.A.S. in Public Safety Administration and instructs in all levels and topics of firefighting.
Grant Schwalbe has been a firefighter since 1994. He began his career in Northwest Ohio and has been with Estero Fire Rescue (Fort Myers, FL) since 2003 as a Lieutenant/Paramedic on Engine 43. He is an Instructor for When Things Go Bad, Inc. and Fort Myers Fire Academy. Grant has taught at The Orlando Fire Conference, Wichita HOT and Fire Rescue East. He is a regular contributor to Fire Engineering Training Community and has been published in Fire Engineering Magazine. His areas of passion include Search, Engine Company Ops, Firefighter Survival, and RIT. Grant is a FL Instructor 3 and has an Associate’s degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Brian Schonborn has been a Firefighter since 1983 and is currently the Lieutenant of T48 in Clearwater FD. He is a nationally certified Instructor I and has been teaching with When Things Go Bad, Inc. since the inception. He is the Technical Rescue team leader of Clearwater FD’s Technical Rescue Team where he develops and organizes training in all disciplines. He is also a member of Clearwater’s Dive Team. He has received numerous firefighter citations including the Firefighter of the Year award. Brian teaches FF Survival, R.I.T., and Truck Company Operations with St Petersburg Fire College and When Things Go Bad, Inc. nationally.
Tom McClave has been a firefighter since 1993 and serves as a Lieutenant/Paramedic on Engine 29C with The City of Seminole Fire Rescue in Pinellas County Florida. He also is a Hazmat Tech on The Pinellas County Hazmat Team and an 18 year veteran as a SWAT Paramedic with The Pinellas County Sheriff Office SWAT Team. Tom holds his Instructor I Certification and is an instructor for When Things Go Bad Inc and St Pete College Fire Academy.
Jon Lockwood has been a firefighter since 2007 and currently serves as a firefighter on Engine 74 with the Iona-McGregor FD in Fort Myers, FL. He is also a TRT member, dive rescue specialist and also assists the Training Division with Firefighter training programs. Jon is a FL Instructor I and is a regular instructor for the Lee County Fire Training Cooperative. He is a Florida Gulf Coast F.O.O.L.S. board member and is passionate about all disciplines within the Engine and Truck Co.
Chris started his career as a volunteer at Punta Gorda FD 2 years later Chris joined Fort Myers Beach FD. He has now been in the fire service for over 16 years. Chris worked his way up the ranks and is currently a Captain on E32 where he has been an engine boss for the past 6 years. Through his career he was a former member of SWFL USAR TF-6 as a rescue specialist. Chris has been a paramedic for the last 13 years.. He ran the business Tools of Fire which distributed and taught about fire service tools. Chris is the creator of the Buster Rex which is a fire service FE tool that is currently being sold around the nation. He has is an instructor with the Fort Myers Fire Academy where he teaches various subjects including lead for Forcible Entry. He has taught at Fire Rescue East, Lee County Fire Training Cooperative, and at local fire departments in Lee County. Chris is a husband, father of two beautiful girls, and a firefighter. His love for the job runs deep and is expressed through his consistent passion.
Dean York is currently working as a Fireman on Engine 43 at Estero Fire Rescue in Fort Myers, Florida. Dean is passionate about the Engine Company and Search. He instructs Engine and Truck Company disciplines. Dean has taught at Fire Rescue East. He is a Rescue Specialist for the Florida USAR Task Force-6 and a Paramedic on the Golisano Children’s Hospital Critical Care Transport Team.