Our staff and instructors come from a variety of fire departments in the Southern California area, and offer the students a diverse and knowledgeable background in the fire service.

Verdugo Fire Academy Administrative Staff

Victor Castellanos - Program Specialist Glendale College
Sam DiGiovanna - Academy Chief Coordinator, Monrovia Fire Department Fire Chief Retired
Tony Bagan -  Fire Technology Director, Administrator Basic Fire Academy, Captain Pasadena Fire Department
Ken Bateman - Assistant Administrator Basic Fire Academy, Captain San Marino Fire Department
Randy Souza - Assistant Administrator Basic Fire Academy, Captain Los Angeles Fire Department
Mike McGee - Assistant Administrator Basic Fire Academy, Glendale Fire Department Engineer Retired
Jim Miller - Assistant Administrator Basic Fire Academy, San Gabriel Fire Department Engineer.

Verdugo Fire Academy Instructional Staff

John Bennett - Battalion Chief United States Forest Service Retired
Robert Rebbe - Captain Los Angeles Fire Department
Dan Armillini - Captain Vernon Fire Department
Rick Burroughs - Captain Monterey Park, Fire Department
Todd Jennings - Inspector San Bernardino Fire Department USMC Retired
Mike Daoust - Firefighter Long Beach Fire Department
Gilbert Pedroza - Firefighter Glendale Fire Department
Robert Sepulveda - Firefighter Pasadena Fire Department
Chris Jackson - Firefighter Montclair Fire Department, VFA Graduate
Patrick Cates - Engineer Santa Monica Fire Department Retired
Neil Conrad - Captain Arcadia Fire Department Retired
Ted Ecklund - Firefighter Pasadena Fire Department, VFA Graduate
Dave Marquez - Firefighter Pasadena Fire Department
David Kang - Firefighter Orange County Fire Department
Steve Haleen - Engineer Glendale Fire Department
Tony Valdez - Captain Los Angeles Fire Department