About STBT- Our Instructors

About STBT - Our Motto -"Let no man's ghost return to say his training let him down..."

Our motto is our philosophy - “Let no man’s ghost return to say that his training let him down…” . Strike The Box Training, LLC is a training organization of firefighters for firefighters. We literally bring you hundreds of years of combined experience with our diverse team of instructors. Although we are fire service instructors, we dont presume to TEACH you and your department anything. Instead, we are there to share our combined knowledge and experiences with you in the effort to enhance firefighter knowledge and safety. STB Training exists to promote good, safe, and solid firefighting practices so that Everyone Goes Home® after each alarm. Our training programs proudly meet or exceed NFPA and other industry standards. Strike The Box Training, LLC is not a certifying agency. The mission of STBT is to provide realistic, safe, and pertinent training for you and your department. Our goal is to enhance firefighter knowledge and ability in order to increase their efficiency and decrease firefighter injuries and LODD. STBT believes that there is a lot of wisdom to be gained from the “trenches”. We’re here to help keep your firefighters street-smart and safe! Call 443-944-4911 for more information

Instructor Bio - Lieutenant Chad Cox - Wichita FD - Truck 1

Chad is a 10 year member of the Wichita Fire Department, where he serves as a Lieutenant. Prior to his promotion, Chad was assigned to Firehouse 1 on Truck 1. Chad is active in the Training division, helping in truck, engine and RIT drills. He is also the Vice President for the
local Metro FOOLS chapter, FOOLS OF OZ, where they conduct training across the
state for local departments. Chad is very proud to be called, "one of those
guys"

Instructor Bio - Firefighter/EMT-P Robert "Bobby" Magee - Ocean City FD

Bobby Magee brings a fresh view to all he trains. Bobby has extensive fire service experience and knowledge and always strives to have firefighters know the "why" behind the "what" they are doing. Bobby currently is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Ocean City (MD) Fire Department. He does extensive work with the Department's Training Section. Bobby previously served as a Shift Commander with the Sussex County (DE) EMS and served several times as an Assistant Chief with the Millville (DE) Volunteer Fire Company. His passion for the Fire Service and training are immediately obvious as soon as you set foot in the classroom or on the training ground.

Instructor Bio - Firefighter Jim Martin - FDNY - Ladder 5 (Greenwich Village)

Firefighter Jim Martin has spent several years in one of FDNY's busiest Engine Companies, Engine 255 in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Now with Ladder 5 in Greenwich Village (Manhattan) , Jim brings a wide variety of proven fireground techniques and experience .

Instructor Bio - Firefighter Jonathan Moritz - FDNY - Squad 18 (Greenwich Village)

Firefighter Jon Moritz has the fire service in his blood. From his early beginnings in Baltimore County, MD Jon earned his position with FDNY spending time in FDNY 0-4 Henry in Manhattan, Engine 60/Ladder 17 in the South Bronx, an now as an experienced firefighter in SOC proudly serving with Squad 18 in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan. Jon's extensive experience, passion for the job, and genuine nature are just a few of the traits that he brings to training.

Instructor Bio - Captain James "Jimmy" Payne - Baltimore City FD - Rescue 1

James R. Payne is a 23-year veteran of the BCFD and is currently working as the Captain of Rescue 1, the only Heavy Rescue in the City of Baltimore. He has been an officer for 13 plus years. He has worked in engines and trucks as well as a member of various specialized Rescue teams such as the BCFD Dive Rescue Team, The Special Operations Team, and a member of a Type 3 Incident Management Team. Captain Payne has served with the Maryland Search and Rescue Task Force 2 Team as a Hazardous Materials Specialist. Captain Payne currently travels the country training in various disciplines. Captain Payne also instructs as an adjunct Instructor at the Baltimore City Fire Academy. Captain Payne has also traveled to France to instruct in Fire Service and Dive Rescue Team Operations, is also traveling to South Korea to assist in various training procedures

Instructor Bio - Lt. Trevor Steedman - Ocean City FD - Special Operations

Trevor Steedman is a 23 year veteran of the Fire Service and the proud Owner of Strike The Box Training, LLC. Trevor is a Career Lieutenant with the Ocean City (MD) Fire Department where he is the A-Shift Commander and heads the Special Operations section for the department. He has served as a Career officer since 1999 and has developed many of the Special Operations Teams and Training programs, including the Dive Rescue Unit, HEAT Team, SCBA Recertification program, a State recognized Fire Training Academy, Recruit testing , the Office of Training, Health, & Safety, and a variety of internal programs and drills. He also served as a volunteer firefighter, holding a variety of administrative, committee, and operational positions including several years as an Assistant Chief. Trevor has had the privilege of traveling to departments in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Mid West, and Baltimore City to instruct, consult, or speak. He was deployed as a Team Leader (Operation Lifeline) during Hurricane Katrina and served at the request of a neighboring State on their Incident Mangagement Team in the wake of a LODD . Trevor is a founding member and current President of the Ocean City FOOLS (Alpha Chapter) and strongly believes in the traditions, training, and brotherhood of the Fire Service. He says that many great people have mentored and taught him during his fire service career. Therefore, he feels that it is his obligation as a firefighter and instructor to share the knowledge that was passed along to him with his brother and sister firefighters

Instructor Bio - Firefighter Roger Steger, Jr. - Baltimore City FD - Engine 8

Firefighter Roger "little Rog" Steger, Jr has a generous variety of fire service experience that he brings to training. From his volunteer experience in Ocean City and Kentland (33) Maryland to his career in the fire service beginning with Howard County (MD) and the last several years with the Baltimore City (MD) Fire Department. Roger is one of many generations in a family of firefighters. He is a true believer in "street-smart" basics and "getting the job done".

Instructor Bio - Captain Esther Lakatos - Vaughan Fire & Rescue ; Canada

Esther is a 13yr veteran and an Captain for 5 yrs in suppression with Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service. A 9 Station Dept. that services 300,000 people she is also a Platoon trainer in Rope Rescue and is a Trench Rescue/Confined Space Technician. Esther is an Associate Instructor with the Ontario Fire College in the Volunteer modules and flashover courses. Also, as a Captain with Humber College in the Pre-Fire Service Program she instructs all fire topics specializing in Live Fire and Firefighter Survival. Esther is a past Canadian Champion in the Firefighter Combat Challenge and a two-time World Relay Champion. She started her fire service education at Seneca College and is a high honors graduate in the Fire Engineering 2yr program and continues her education at the Ontario Fire College in the Company Officer Program, University of Illinois, and FDIC annually

Education & Training Contributors

Bio - Lt. Samuel Hittle - Wichita (KS ) Fire Department

SAMUEL HITTLE is a Lieutenant with the Wichita Fire Dept., serving on the HazMat Team and is a passionate proponent of training. He has an associate’s degree in Fire Science through Butler County Community College and has been published multiple times by Fire Engineering. He takes great
pride in the job and is an active member of the FOOLS of Oz.

Bio - Chief (Ret.) Michael Lombardo - Buffalo (NY) FD

MIKE LOMBARDO is a 25-year
veteran of the fire service and currently holds the rank of captain
with the Buffalo Fire Department, Truck 11. He is a New York State
fire instructor and a member of the development team for New York State
firefighter survival and rapid intervention programs. He is an editorial
advisor for Fire Engineering magazine, a member of the Advisory Board for
FDIC and lead instructor for FDIC live fire training. He is a two time
Firehouse Magazine Heroism Award recipient (1988 and 1994) and the
recipient of the FDIC 1999 Training Achievement Award. He is an instructor
on fire tactics, live fire attack, firefighter survival, and command
throughout the United States.