Faculty
The instructional staff of the Kilgore College Fire Academy offers an eclectic assortment of experience and education. The staff employed by the Kilgore College Fire Academy consists of the following professional instructors:
Dennis Gage
Kilgore Fire Dept. Operations Chief
35 years of experience
Certifications: Fire Service Instructor III, Firefighter Master, Inspector Basic, Dept. Head Suppession
Ronnie Gothard
Training Coordinator/Master Instructor Kilgore College On-line & On-site Fire Academy
Mike Fennell
Retired Longview Fire Dept. Driver/Engineer
30 years experience
Certifications: Firefighter Master, Fire Service Instructor II
Bobby O’Connor
Retired Kilgore Fire Dept. Driver/Engineer
26 years of experience
Certifications: Fire Service Instructor II, Firefighter Master, EMT Basic
James Sanders
Kilgore Fire Dept., Driver
31 years of experience
Certifications: TCFP Master Firefighter, Fire Service Instructor II, EMT Basic, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Basic Master Certificate
J. P. Steelman
Longview Fire Dept. – Interim Chief
23 years of experience
TCFP Master Firefighter/Master Instructor/Fire Officer II/Basic Fire Inspector, Licensed Paramedic, HazMat Specialist
Brian Jones
Longview Fire Department
16 years of experience
Certifications: Master Firefighter, TCFP Intermediate Instructor, Paramedic
Jimmy Purcell
Longview Fire Dept. – Fire Marshal’s Office
15 years of experience
Master Certifications: Firefighter/Investigator/ARFF/Pump Op./Paramedic/Peace Officer/Instructor
Bert Scott III
Longview Fire Dept./Elderville-Lakeport VFD Training Officer
18 yrs. Experience
Certifications: Intermediate Instructor, Fire Examiner, BCLS instructor, ACLS Instructor, Paramedic
Kevin May
Longview Fire Department
Arson Investigator Adv., Firefighter Adv., Driver/Operator – Pumper, Inspector Basic, Fire Service Instructor II
David Kidder
East Texas Regional Airport – Training officer/coordinator, Fire Investigator, Arson investigator, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, Fire Inspector Hazardous Materials Technician, Instructor III, Driver/Operator-Pumper
Reggie Cooper
Marshall Fire Department, Asst. Chief
15 years of experience
Certifications: Firefighter Advanced, Fire Service Instructor I, Arson Investigator Basic, Fire Investigator Basic, Inspector Basic
Lynn Smyers
Longview Fire Dept.- Firefighter/Paramedic
6 years of experience
Certifications: Firefighter Intermediate, Instructor I
