Back To Basics Fire Training Instructors
James Seney Jr - Founder
Serving Since 1991
Instructor since 2001
At the age of 16, I started serving in the fire service at my local volunteer fire department as a Junior Firefighter. During those years I worked my way from Lieutenant to Fire Chief. I am currently serving as a Firefighter at East Putnam Fire Department. I have been a career firefighter for 25 years and I currently hold the rank of Battalion Chief at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department.
I am a part-time Fire Marshal and recently retired from 26 years as an emergency telecommunicator at a regional 911 dispatch center.
I started instructing FF1, FF2, RIT, and other smaller classes independently with a group of peers until in 2019, Brian Pepin and I began Back To Basics Fire Training.
Brian Pepin - Founder
Serving Since 1986
Instructor since 2003
I grew up in the fire house along side of my father. At the age of 16, I started serving at my local volunteer fire department. I worked my way from Lieutenant to Fire Chief. I have been a career firefighter for 21 years and am a Firefighter/EMT with the rank of Lieutenant in the Town of Ledyard. I am also a licensed paramedic.
I started instructing FF1, FF2, RIT, and other smaller classes independently with a group of peers until in 2019, James Seney Jr and I began Back To Basics Fire Training.
Lindsay Rhodes
Serving Since 2008
Instructor Since 2019
I am a full-time career Firefighter/EMT at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department and work part-time at Voluntown Fire Department.
I started instructing at Back to Basics Fire Training in 2023.
Anna Grudzinski
Serving Since 2016
Instructor Since 2019
I am a career Firefighter at UCONN Fire Department and volunteer at Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association and Bungay Fire Brigade.
I began instructing at Back to Basics Fire Training in 2020.
Tyler Rupert
Serving Since 2012
Instructor Since 2018
I work as an Industrial Fire Brigade member for a research facility and volunteer at East Putnam Fire Department.
I starting instructing with James Seney Jr and Brian Pepin independently prior to the establishment of Back To Basics Fire Training in 2019.
Dylan Vincent
Serving Since 2018
Instructor Since 2022
I am a full-time career Firefighter/EMT at Mansfield Fire and Emergency Services. I also volunteer at the Thompson Hill Fire Department.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in 2022 and assisted with their operations prior.
T.J. Edwards
Serving Since 1994
Instructor Since 2014
I am a career Firefighter/Paramedic at Southbridge Fire Department and volunteer at Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department.
I started instructing with James Seney Jr and Brian Pepin independently prior to the establishment of Back To Basics Fire Training in 2019.
Matt Grauer
Serving Since 2017
Instructor Since 2022
I am a career Firefighter/EMT at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department and Attawaugan Fire Department. I volunteer at Thompson Hill Fire Department.
I started instructing at Back To Basics Fire Training in 2022. I assisted them prior to this.
Emma Hutchinson
Serving Since 2011
Instructor Since 2023
I am serving at Plainfield Fire Department.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in May 2023.
Constantino "Dino" Galasso
Serving Since 2005
Instructor Since 2013
I am the Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Thompson and the Fire Marshal for the Town of Plainfield.
I have been instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training since 2013.
Justin Yong
Serving Since 2017
Technical Support Engineer
I am serving East Putnam Fire Department as a Fire Lieutenant.
"I have a passion to pass my knowledge onto the next generation of firefighters. I believe it is the basic skills that we teach and learn that allow us to adapt and be successful in every situation we face."
David Geric
Serving Since 2009
Instructor Since 2015
I am serving at Plainfield Fire Company #1 and hold the rank of Captain.
I started instructing at Back To Basics Fire Training in 2023.
Jeremy Knapp
Serving Since 1990
Fire Instructor Since 2002
EMS Instructor Since 2005
I am a career Firefighter/EMT at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department with the rank of Lieutenant and volunteer at the Mystic Fire Department.
I started instructing at Back To Basics Fire Training in March 2023.
Joseph Saccoccio
Serving Since 2016
Instructor Since 2023
I am a career Firefighter/EMT at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department and volunteer at Plainfield Fire Department.
I started instructing at Back to Basics Fire Training in August 2023.
Christopher Daley Jr.
Serving Since 2018
Instructor Since 2023
I am a career Firefighter/EMT at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department and volunteer at Central Village and East Brooklyn.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in June 2023.
Zachary Miles
Serving Since 2012
Instructor Since 2023
Growing up in a 3rd generation first responding family instilled the importance of serving our communities. I volunteer and hold the rank of Lieutenant at South Killingly Fire Department. I also work as a fire alarm technician.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in November 2023.
Steven Keller
Serving Since 2021
Instructor Since 2024
Growing up with both parents being first responders, they instilled the importance of serving our communities. I volunteer and hold the rank of Lieutenant at Bungay Fire Brigade as well as Deputy Dive Commander for the Woodstock Dive Team.
My instructor experience includes: Military, Law Enforcement and Helicopter Flight Instruction.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in 2024.
David Elliott
Serving Since 2000
Instructor Since 2019
I embarked on my firefighting career in 2000, committing myself to enhancing public safety through service and leadership. I currently serve as Chief of the Bungay Fire Brigade. With over a decade of experience as a fire marshal, I have gained extensive knowledge in fire prevention, investigation, and safety regulations.
I also instruct at the State of Connecticut Fire Academy and serve as a career firefighter with the Fairfield Fire Department.
Additionally, I partner with my K9, Finley, as part of the crisis and therapy team for the Fairfield County Peer Support team.
I started instructing with Back to Basics Fire Training in September 2024.
Carl Sposato
Serving Since 1996
Instructor Since 2009
I have been a career firefighter for 21 years and currently hold the rank of Lieutenant at Mohegan Tribal Fire Department. I am also a licensed paramedic.
I started instructing with Back To Basics Fire Training in November 2024.
Bryan Erickson
Serving Since 2010
Instructor Since 2024
I am currently serving as Captain with the Thompson Hill Fire Department in CT. I also serve as a call/per diem Firefighter/EMT at Dudley Fire Department in MA.