About STBT -
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 don't 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, ability, performance and safety.
STB Training exists to promote good, safe, and solid firefighting practices with the goal 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
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 don't 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, ability, performance and safety.
STB Training exists to promote good, safe, and solid firefighting practices with the goal 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
Our Instructors
Instructor Bio - Lieutenant Robert "Bobby" Magee - Ocean City FD
Bobby Magee brings a fresh view to everyone 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 Lieutenant 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 serves with the Millville (DE) Volunteer Fire Company where he has held the position of Chief, Deputy Chief and Assistant Chief several times. 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 - Lt. Jonathan Moritz - FDNY - 35 Engine (East Harlem)
Lieutenant Jonathan Moritz has the fire service in his blood. Jon got his Fire Service beginnings in Baltimore County, MD before earning his position with FDNY. He served in 0-4 Henry in Manhattan, Engine 60/Ladder 17 in the South Bronx, and is an experienced SOC firefighter who proudly served with Squad 18 in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan. Jon is a Lieutenant on 35 Engine in housed in East Harlem. His extensive experience, passion for the job, and genuine nature are just a few of the traits that he brings to training.
Instructor Bio - Chief Trevor Steedman - Palm Beach Shores (FL) Fire Department
Captain (Ret.) Ocean City Fire Department - Special Operations
Trevor Steedman is a 32 year veteran of the Fire Service and the proud Owner of Strike The Box Training, LLC. Trevor is the Chief of the Palm Beach Shores Fire Department. He retired as a Career Captain (Batt. Chief) with the Ocean City (MD) Fire Department where he served as the Commander of the Office of Training, Health & Safety, City-wide Shift Commander, and Head of 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 Re-certification 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 all over the U.S. 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 Management Team in the wake of a LODD . Trevor is a founding member and past 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 - Lieutenant (Ret.) Del Baker - Ocean City FD - Water/Dive Rescue Team Commander
Lieutenant Del Baker spent 28 years with the Ocean City (MD) Fire Department. During his tenure, Del served in many capacities including Firefighter/Paramedic, Rescue Diver, Rescue Swimmer, Dive and Water Rescue Team Commander; retiring at the rank of Lieutenant in 2015. Lt. Baker remains one of the most highly decorated members of the Department with many commendations for Lifesaving, Heroism and Outstanding Service. He is a veteran of many significant incidents and was instrumental in building the Department's Dive Rescue Team and Rescue Swimmer Program to where it is today. Del is a USCG Licensed Boat Captain and remains active in the Fire service sharing his vast knowledge, skills and experience with his Fire Service Brothers and Sisters.
Instructor Bio - Captain Chad Cox - Wichita FD - Station 10
Chad is a 18 year member of the Wichita Fire Department, where he serves as a Captain at Firehouse 10. 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". Additionally, Chad has traveled to the East Coast to teach ladder work and VES.
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 - Captain (Ret.) Mike Collins - Montgomery County (MD) -
Maryland Task Force 1
Maryland Task Force 1
Instructor Bio - Captain Esther Lakatos - Vaughan Fire & Rescue ; Canada
Esther is a 20 yr veteran and an Captain for 15 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.
Instructor Bio - Firefighter Kevin Cooney - Baltimore City Fire Department (Engine 51)
Instructor Bio - Captain Ben Waples - Salisbury (MD) Fire Department
Ben has volunteered in the fire service for 15 years. His service began in north central Pennsylvania during high school. While working toward his Bachelors and Masters degrees he continued to learn and grow as a fireman in various departments, finally finding home in the Salisbury Fire Department district. After joining the Salisbury Fire Department Ben became an EMT and later a paramedic. He has grown as an officer, earning the titles of Lieutenant and Captain and currently holds an Acting Assistant Chief position. Ben is passionate about training and mentoring new members, helping them develop their skills and guiding them as they enter the fire service. His responsibilities prove his passion as he is the Department’s cadet program coordinator and training officer for the volunteer membership. In addition to Ben’s volunteer experience, he served the Town of Ocean City, MD, as a firefighter-paramedic, driver operator, and a rescue swimmer for the past ten years.
Ben has volunteered in the fire service for 15 years. His service began in north central Pennsylvania during high school. While working toward his Bachelors and Masters degrees he continued to learn and grow as a fireman in various departments, finally finding home in the Salisbury Fire Department district. After joining the Salisbury Fire Department Ben became an EMT and later a paramedic. He has grown as an officer, earning the titles of Lieutenant and Captain and currently holds an Acting Assistant Chief position. Ben is passionate about training and mentoring new members, helping them develop their skills and guiding them as they enter the fire service. His responsibilities prove his passion as he is the Department’s cadet program coordinator and training officer for the volunteer membership. In addition to Ben’s volunteer experience, he served the Town of Ocean City, MD, as a firefighter-paramedic, driver operator, and a rescue swimmer for the past ten years.
Education & Training Contributors
Bio - Captain Samuel Hittle - Wichita (KS ) Fire Department
SAMUEL HITTLE is a Captain 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.
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 35-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 adviser 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.