Instructors
Ryan Gates - Owner
Ryan Gates entered the fire service in 2005 and is a passionate craftsman of the trade. Ryan has a diversified background in developing and instructing firefighting, EMS, and organizational leadership training programs to both municipal and industrial organizations. He loves the challenge of being a part of and building high-performance teams. Ryan is currently the Assistant Chief of a municipal fire department in South Carolina where he responsible for operations, training, and officer development.
Along with a handful of other mavericks, rogues & go-getters, Ryan helped create & currently hosts the Truck Company Misfits Podcast. He earned his A.S. in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, is a devoted husband to his far too supportive wife Paige and is the father of two beautiful daughters.
Jason Joannides - Owner
Jason Joannides is a 20-year veteran of the fire service and currently works at a large county fire department. Jason has extensive experience in developing acquired building programs, truck academy, command simulations, and shift training officer duties. He has been an adjunct instructor with the South Carolina Fire Academy since 2007. He is a member of the Palmetto F.O.O.L.S and Lexington County Professional Firefighter's: Local 4529.
Jason also co-hosts the Truck Company Misfits Podcast. He is happily married to his wife Candice and they have two energetic children together.
Julio Ramos
Stephen Eller
Chris Carter
Stephen is has been a passionate firefighter for 10 years and specializes in forcible entry and saw work. He is a founding member of the Upstate Rogues and Julio's Padawan.
Joshua Barnes
Chris is former Marine and connoisseur of crayons (green is his favorite). Search, VES and R.I.T. operations Chris's forte'. But, deep down he's a hose jockey at heart.
Brian Evans
Barnes has 12 years experience working for serval agencies. Barnes is a master of the single man 35' ladder, making ground ladders and OV work his main focus.
Brian has 11 years of experience, serving in both volunteer and career systems.