Wes has over 56 years in the rescue field specializing in water, boats, vertical, cave, ground search and survival. Retired from the New Braunfels Fire Department as a Battalion Chief, he was instrumental in the development of the Swiftwater and Vertical rescue program there. Wes wore many hats in the fire service from entry level volunteer fire fighter he worked his way through every rank to Battalion Chief including Emergency Medical Technician, Peace Officer and Arson Investigator. He has been a guest instructor at the Texas A&M University Municipal Fire School, feature guest speaker at National and International conferences, consultant with FEMA for development of rescue teams in international settings, as well as consultant and instructor for numerous emergency service providers in the development of specialized rescue teams. Wes is the owner and Master Instructor with Rescue Training International and a past Master Instructor and Instructor Trainer with Rescue 3 International. He has been the Chief of Rescue Techs and Alamo Area SAR, Rescue Specialist with several Volunteer Fire Department. Developing programs tailored to the needs of the individual or agency he works with. He has also developed several training courses for Lake, Bay, Surf, Flood, Swiftwater, PWC, Boats, Vertical, All Terrain Vehicles Utility Vehicle and cave rescue. His range of Instruction now includes the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Wes was presented the prestigious Higgins & Langley 2001 International Award for his assistance with the development of the Texas State Swiftwater Strike Team and his teams response to the Tropical Storm Allison disaster in Houston, Texas. He has several other awards and decorations including the “Unsung Hero” award from the City of New Braunfels for rescuing 9 persons during the October 1998 flood in New Braunfels, Texas, USA and a Medal of Valor from Braunfels, Germany for a river rescue including family members from Braunfels Fire Department.

Camille has served our country in the US Coast Guard for a little over 5 years. She made rank as an Operations Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class and has also completed training as a Surface Rescue Swimmer, Boat crewman, Helo/Boat ops, Marine Watchstander, Search and Rescue Fundamentals, and was completing training as a Law Enforcement Officer at FLETC Charleston until an injury postponed the training. Camille was last stationed at USCG Sector New Orleans under the 8th Atlantic District based in New Orleans, Louisiana as a communications unit watch stander (heavily involved maritime emergency operations and dispatching) and was involved in advanced operational planning applications, intelligence coordination and case management functions. During her time at Sector New Orleans she conducted over 250 search and rescue cases, and was directly involved for 25 lives saved. She was also on duty in the Communication Center and was responsible for numerous lifesaving and emergency response communications the day the BP Oil Rig exploded. She was honorably discharged in November 2011 after her service was completed. During her service she served on the East Coast, West Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Camille has completed every course RTI offers making her one of the few RTI Master Technicians. She has been involved with RTI since its inception; starting at a young age acting as victim, then assisting with the courses before finally becoming an instructor.

Jason is a multi business owner who responded to and helped for weeks during the July 4th flooding on the Guadalupe River in Texas. He is a member of Guadalupe Search And Rescue with dreams of helping his own and other SAR teams get the training they want.

Chris is the new Training Officer for Shawnee Fire Department in Shawnee, Oklahoma

Steven is a Lieutenant in the Surfside Beach Fire Department.

Jonathan is a Captain in the Orange Police Department.

Brad is a firefighter with the Murrells Inlet / Garden City Fire Department in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Dusty is a Volunteer Firefighter with Mountain Home VFD in the Texas Hill COuntry.

Shon is a FAST 1 Lead Instructor and has recently been promoted to Battalion Chief in the Waco Fire Department.

Micah is a Shift Captain for Denison Fire Department. He is the shift commander. The City of Denison is developing a long hike and bike trail that may require the FD EMS to access civilians injured along the trail vis the department's new UTV. Along with that, the department is looking into adding to the UTV fleet for other FD related jobs. Micah has over 17 years experience with ATVs and UTVs.

Colin is with the Galveston County ESD 2 at Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula. He is also a Firefighter with Kemah Fire Department

Larry started out with Magnolia FD and took classes before I started RTI. He moved to Waco FD and has been there since. Now a FAST 2 Lead Instructor and Instructor Preceptor.

Billy is a firefighter with Waco FD.

Melissa served in the Army National Guard, and is currently a Firefighter with Parker Co ESD 6

Grady served in the United States Navy from 1996-2018 retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. During his career he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification, advanced shipboard firefighter, flight deck firefighter, conning officer, Craftmaster, small boat coxswain, flight deck officer, landing signalman enlisted, well deck control and docking officer, safety officer, quality assurance inspector, waterfront readiness duty officer, command duty officer, and a variety of other shipboard and shoreside qualifications. He served in the capacity of Command Safety Leading Chief Petty Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Emergency Management Coordinator, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Casualty Assistance Calls Officer, and Departmental Leading Chief. During his career Grady deployed several times including being the first ship on station during the Kosovo Conflict in '99, 3 times to the Persian Gulf during Operations OEF and OIF, and Korea for JLOTS exercises with the Korean Marine Corps and Navy. During his career Grady worked with several Fire Departments across the country including the Ingleside On The Bay VFD, Ingleside VFD, Turtle Creek VFD, Howard County Fire/Savage VFC, Ann Arundel County Fire/Arnold VFC, and Naval District Washington Fire/ US Naval Academy Fire Department. Additionally he attended and graduated from the CERT Academy in San Diego County, CA under the umbrella of the San Diego County Fire Authority/CALFIRE. During his time as a CERT Team Member he deployed to Butte County during the aftermath of the Camp Fire as a dog handler, and several welfare check evolutions during Santa Anna wind events. Grady is also a member of Team Rubicon where he worked directly with state and local agencies during the Lilac Fires in San Diego County, CA. He as been an active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1985, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1992, has served in many different leadership roles from the Council to Troop levels, and is currently an Assistant Scoutmaster in Bullard, TX. Grady attended Central Texas College where he completed his Certificate in Emergency Management. His present qualifications include Lake Boat Rescue Technician 1, Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Ground Search and Rescue Technician 1, and Ground Search and Rescue Technician 2. He is a member of the Bullard Fire Department where he is the Rescue LT with additional qualifications of FF1, ECA, Structural Collapse Technician, K9 Handler (with a new SAR dog coming online in the next 15 months), Agro-Rescue, WMD, ARC Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer Instructor, CPR/AED for the Healthcare Provider Instructor, Stop the Bleed Instructor, and is the Chief Advisor for the Bullard Junior Firefighter Program. Grady is located in Bullard, Texas and always looks for a means to educate, demonstrate the how, guide the skill, and enable the citizens in his area in the realm of emergency preparedness so they are better prepared in the event of any emergency.

Ray is a paramedic engineer with the Victoria Fire Department. He has been involved in Search and Rescue for many years. Starting out as a Swiftwater Technician, he has worked his way up t0 lead instructor and team leader. He has certifications in FAST1, FAST2, RBO1, VRT1, VRT2, GSAR1, GSAR2. Ray is a lead instructor in FAST1,FAST2, RBO1,VRT1 and GSAR1. He was the Swiftwater Rescue Team lead for VFD and is also on the Technical Rescue Team. Ray has been vital in forming the Cuero EMS rescue team. Ray is a prior U.S Marine and was Honorably Discharged after serving 8 years. Ray was previously an active member of the Texas State Guard, where he has been on several SAR missions as a team leader and team medic. Ray maintains his skills throughout the year by attending classes and training sessions, which sometimes become real-life rescues. One lucky piglet was saved by his recent adventures. In all seriousness, Ray is passionate about sharing his expertise and knowledge with anyone interested in learning different survival and rescue skills.

KB is the Chief of the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in San Antonio. He has completed Vertical Rescue Tech 1, 2 & 3 through RTI. He is a Lieutenant in the Sand Hills VFD where he completed FAST 1.

David started out in the fire service in New Jersey. He is now Training Captain with Surfside Beach, Fire Department in South Carolina.

Isaac is an Officer in the Orange Police Department CID.

Andy is a Firefighter with the Iola Fire Department. He is working on his FAST 1 Instructor certification.

Keiffer is a firefighter with the Shawnee Fire Department in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He has taken FAST 1, FRBT 1 and recertified 4 times.

Keiffer is a firefighter with the Shawnee Fire Department in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He has taken FAST 1, FRBT 1 and recertified 4 times.

Marissa is a member of the Civil Air Patrol, TEXSAR, Paramedic

Joshua is an Officer in the Orange Police Department CID.

Dean has worn many hats. He has been a police officer and SWAT team member, worked for Boots and Coots and a number of other oil well fire fighting companies. He has also been involved in the oil field industry before securing the position of Lead Instructor for Odessa College.

Jesse is a is a combat vet who has served 18 months in Iraq and is now a SWAT medic for Liberty County SWAT team. Jesse has over 20 years of firefighting / rescue experience and is now a Captain of Liberty County HazMat team and Captain/K9 in one of the volunteer fire departments in Liberty County. Lead Instructor: FAST 1, FAST 2, FAST Rescue Boat 1 & 2, Lake Rescue Boat 1 & 2, Surf Rescue Boat 1, Vertical 1 & 2, Slope Evacuation, SAFERIDE OHV Training, ATV/SxS OHV Public Safety, GSAR 1 & 2

Nick is a Firefighter / Paramedic with Saratoga Springs Fire Rescue

Joey is with the Galveston County ESD 2 at Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula.

Austin resides in Colorado, but works for Spartan Alert in North Dakota as the company training officer. He is working on becoming a Lead Instructor teaching Confined Space in North Dakota.

Chris has certifications in GSAR1, GSAR2, FAST1, FAST 2, and FRBT1. He is a Lead Instructor in GSAR1, FAST1, FRBT1, SAFERIDE OHV Training and an Apprentice Instructor in GSAR 2. Chris is an engineering manager during the week and enjoys his time spent "outside of the office." He became a volunteer firefighter at 19, progressing into rescue then EMT and Paramedic school. Chris is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army as well as a martial arts Senior Instructor who holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Cane. He is also certified as a Tactical Pistol and Rifle Instructor.

Vernon served in the military before becoming a Deputy Sheriff in Bell County Texas. Vernon is certified in FAST 1 & 2, GSAR 1 & 2, FAST Rescue Boat 1, and SAFERIDE

Brennan is a Battalion Chief with the Murrells Inlet / Garden City Fire Department in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Kipp is a volunteer Firefighter with the Junction VFD. He has certified as FAST 1, FAST 2VRT 1, Slope Evacuation. Currently working on his certification as Lead Instructor in VRT 1 .

Alex is a Lieutenant for the Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Department. He was put in charge of developing the HWEV program for the department.

Daniel is a Battalion Chief with the Murrels Inlet Garden City Fire Department.

Besides his full time job with Discount Tire, he has been a member of the Texas State Guard, ESD 2, as well as an on call for several other rescue teams when disaster strikes. Joe is also a fixed wing pilot, drone pilot and an avid motorcyclist.

Mark is the 1st Assistant Chief of the Elgin Fire Department. He currently holds RTI Technician certifications in FAST 1 & 2, FAST Rescue Boat 1, GSAR 1 and VRT 1. Mark works full time for Recon Services out of Del Valley, Texas As a Supervisor.

Donathan is an Officer in the Orange Police Department CID.

Patrick is with the Shawnee Fire Department

Justin is the Fire Chief of Concan Fire EMS, EMS Director for Real County and a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He has commanded many incidents of all kinds over the years but very notable he was overall commander for flooding in both July 2025 and 2026 on the Frio River in Concan and surrounding area.

Lane is a Lieutenant with the Shawnee Fire Department in Shawnee, Oklahoma