Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1978. He serves as Division Chief / Training & Safety with the Des Plaines (IL) Fire Department. Forest is the Fire Officer 1 & 2 coordinator for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and also serves as the Eastern Regional Director of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI). Additionally, Forest is the author of the weekly drill feature at www.firefighterclosecalls.com and at www.fireengineering.com.

He has instructed at FDIC for over 10 years and trains both locally and nationally on fire service training, safety and officer development related topics. Several articles on these programs have been published in major trade publications. Forest is a Director with the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors and has served as President. Forest served as the Fire Science Coordinator at Moraine Valley Community College for 10 years and continues to assist in course delivery and curriculum design projects at the college. Forest holds many Illinois fire service certifications including Fire Officer 3, Training Program Manager, and Fire Department Safety Officer. He has an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Department Administration from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and a Master's Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University. He was awarded the George D. Post Instructor of the Year by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors at FDIC in 2008.