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Operational Officers

FRIENDLY FACES READY TO HELP

Meet FCSN’s Operational Officers that manage the FCSN. Combined they have more than 200 years of experience in the Fire Service and more than 100 years serving the mission of the FCSN. We call them our firefighter cancer crusaders. Many of them are cancer survivors and are responsible for ensuring that all firefighters, EMS providers and immediate family members  diagnosed with cancer that seek our services are cared for from the time they reach out to us for help, through the entirety of their treatment and recovery.

Bryan Frieders

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BFRIEDERS@FCSN.NET
Bryan Frieders is the retired Fire Chief of the Pasadena (CA) Fire Department.  He is also the President of the nationwide non-profit Firefighter Cancer Support Network.  Bryan has more than 31 years of Fire/EMS experience in a variety of assignments ranging from operations to emergency management.  He is a well-known speaker on the topic of firefighter health and safety, leadership, and cancer risk reduction.  Bryan holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education, and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology.  He has also been designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).

Joe Schumacher

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

SECRETARY@FCSN.NET
Joe Schumacher is the Secretary and Chief Operations Officer (CFO) for the FCSN and the Assistant Virginia State Director. Joe started volunteering with FCSN in 2013 after his second battle with cancer. Joe was first diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer and again in 2013 with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Joe is currently managing two exciting projects for FCSN which will expand FCSN’s reach and ability to better serve firefighters both in the United States and internationally.

In 2018 Joe retired from the City of Fairfax Fire Department at the rank of Captain after a wonderful thirty-year career. During Joe’s career, he was awarded both the department’s Lifesaving Award and the Silver Medal of Valor. Prior to being hired in 1988, Joe was a volunteer firefighter with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department where his passion for firefighting began.

Joe remains an active member of the City of Fairfax Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association. He is also a member of the National Capital Region Incident Management Team where he operates as a Safety Officer and Public Information Officer. Joe is also a member of the Sons of the American Legion and volunteers at the FISH Food Pantry in his area. When not working or volunteering, Joe enjoys SCUBA diving and traveling with his wife of thirty-four years, Carol.

Tony Cruz

VICE PRESIDENT – EAST

TCRUZ@FCSN.NET
Tony Cruz retired from the FDNY, where he was assigned to Res2cue, and is the fomer fire chief for the Smithtown (NY) Fire Department. Cruz launched FCSN’s New York operation in 2008 with fellow prostate cancer survivor Ron Barz. Cruz now works more than 40 hours a week to further FCSN’s support, awareness, and prevention missions.

Curtis Dunn

VICE PRESIDENT – WEST

CDUNN@FCSN.NET
Curtis Dunn is a retired lieutenant at the Arlington Texas Fire Department and has more than 36 years’ experience in the fire service.  Curtis has also been a member of the International Association of Firefighters for 43 years and was a District Vice President for the Texas State Association Firefighters for 18 years.

Curtis is the state director in Texas for the FCSN and has been helping firefighters in Texas diagnosed with cancer for over 15 years. Curtis has been instrumental in launching the FCSN/IAFF Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, that premiered in January of 2021. His tireless and dedicated efforts have increased public awareness to occupational cancer in the fire service and will help generate greater legislative support for states and provinces to establish presumptive disabilities for all cancers affecting fire fighters.

Russ Osgood

VICE PRESIDENT – EDUCATION

ROSGOOD@FCSN.NET
Russell has been a firefighter for over 30 years, currently serving as the Chief of Department in Ogunquit, Maine. Russell has been in the forefront of the fire service cancer epidemic since 2011 and was a key developer of the FCSN cancer prevention education program, Taking Action Against Cancer in the Fire Service, piloted in Boston, MA now delivered across the nation. He is a member of the DetecTogether Fire Service Advisory board and, serves on several study panels focused on reducing cancer among firefighters. He presents to thousands of firefighters from large conferences to small firehouse talks. He has published several articles on how firefighters can reduce the risk associated with cancer in the fire service.

Scott Jennie

NATIONAL STATE DIRECTOR

SJENNIE@FCSN.NET
Scott Jennie is the National State Director, California State Director, and a seated member on the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Committee. Scott has over 35 years of fire service experience and recently retired as a Fire Captain/Paramedic from the Laguna Beach Fire Department.

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