Chief (ret.) Rick Lasky, a 34-year veteran of the fire service, served as chief of the Lewisville (TX) Fire Department for 12 years. Chief Lasky followed in his father’s footsteps, beginning his career as a firefighter in the suburbs on the southwest side of Chicago and has been a line firefighter, firefighter-paramedic, company grade officer, training officer, and command-level officer. Lasky is the author of the best-selling book Pride and Ownership: A Firefighter’s Love of the Job (Fire Engineering Books & Videos, 2006) and is the cohost for the radio show The Command Post heard on Fire Engineering Talk Radio.
Battalion Chief (ret.) John Salka served 33 years with the New York Fire Department (FDNY), rising from firefighter to the rank of battalion chief and holding assignments in some of FDNY's most active and specialized units: Rescue Company 3 in upper Manhattan, Squad 1 in Brooklyn, Engine 48 in the Bronx, and the 18th Battalion in central Bronx where he attained the designation battalion commander. Chief Salka is the author of two books, First In, Last Out: Leadership Lessons From the New York Fire Department (Penguin Publishing, 2004) and The Engine Company (Fire Engineering Books & Videos, 2009).
