Anthony J. VanBuskirk

Tony VanBuskirk is a thirty-two year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. He is currently a Deputy District Chief assigned to the First District. This district covers the five battalions that encompass the entire central business district. The thirteen years prior to this assignment he was assigned to City-wide Relief. In that capacity he was in charge of every battalion in the city on a rotating basis, meeting the variety of emergencies that can occur in this diverse city. For seven years prior to that, he served as a company officer in various downtown fire companies. He also spent a year in the downtown office of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Tony attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD, and serve as an instructor at the Chicago Fire Academy. He was the training coordinator for the John J. Maroney Company. Tony is a graduate of Lake Forest College.

Leo J. Cox

Leo Cox is a recently retired thirty-four year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department.  At the time of his retirement he was assigned as the Battalion Chief of the 9^th Battalion.  This battalion includes the area from Lawrence Avenue north to the border with Evanston, and from Lake Michigan west to Kedzie Avenue.  As first or second due high-rise chief he responded to any high-rise fire that occurred north of Belmont Avenue.  Prior to his promotion as Chief, he was the company officer on busy engine companies on the West and South sides of the city.  He is a member of the Education Section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Additionally, he has been certified as a Certified Fire Protection Specialist by the NFPA.  He is a graduate of Elmhurst College.

Thomas M. Lynch

Tom Lynch is a thirty one year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department.  He is currently a Deputy District Chief (DDC) assigned to the Second District.  In his position he is responsible for the operations of four battalions, including those covering the Lincoln Park and Lakeview areas.  Tom was a company officer on Squad 1, the Rescue Company covering the central area of the city.  He is a specialist in hazardous materials.  He attended numerous courses in hazardous materials operations at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He attended the U.S. Department of Justice’s Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings School in New Mexico. Tom has conducted tenant, staff, and building management fire safety seminars in various cities throughout the United States.  Tom is a graduate of Loyola University.