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Payne picks up another supporter in WWESI

Written by Dynamic Marketing & Media Solutions

Nick Coutsouvanos never misses out on an opportunity to help out his brother firefighters.

While in Indianapolis watching a recent NHRA drag race, Coutsouvanos, a 16-year veteran firefighter and Director of Operations at World Wide Emergency Services Institute, was blown away by the sensory overload that comes with a visit to the drag strip. He also recognized an opportunity to pass along his knowledge and expertise to the local emergency service personnel who make the racetrack a safer place for drivers and fans alike. "I was thrilled to experience NHRA drag racing for the first time," Coutsouvanos said. "There was a lot to absorb. It's everything you would expect and so much more. All of your senses are assaulted. It's quite a visceral experience. "I also saw where we could get involved with the first responders at the racetrack to prepare them for what to do when something bad happens -- anything from a fire to a high-speed accident that requires extrication. They have to be prepared for so many things."

Coutsouvanos spent much of his time in the pits of Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Mod driver Jay Payne, who is sponsored by FireIce, a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly fire suppression gel that World Wide Emergency Services Institute utilizes in its training. He was so impressed with drag racing and the program Payne has put together with FireIce that he immediately became an associate sponsor of the team. "Jay is taking a personal interest in FireIce because I think he realizes the good it can do in communities across the country," Coutsouvanos said. "FireIce is a going to revolutionize fire service and it's going to change how we provide those services to the community. It's going to lower equipment costs, water usage, and the manpower we use to fight fires. It'll allow us to be more effective and more efficient at our jobs. Most of all it gets firefighters out of dangerous situations faster, thereby making them safer." A national champion in 1995 with 11 divisional crowns to his credit, including the last five Southeast Division titles in a row, Payne's 36 national event victories ranks him 24th on NHRA's all-time list, which dates back to 1951. He's had FireIce as the title sponsor of his racecars since the spring of this season.

FireIce, a subsidiary of GelTech Solutions Inc., a publically-traded corporation (OTCBB: GLTC), is a corporate partner to the Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which helps firefighters in need. GelTech CEO Michael Cordani says his company uses World Wide Emergency Services Institute as the training arm of his company. "Nick and his staff are very professional and have done an outstanding job in educating our nation's first responders," Cordani said. "He's also done a great job of spreading the word about the benefits and safety features of FireIce. First and foremost, he's a fireman who never wants to see his brother firefighters get hurt. "When he saw the response Jay Payne's racecar had with the large group of firefighters from the Brownsburg Fire Department we honored in Indy it really opened his eyes. He immediately realized the impact a platform like the NHRA can have in helping bring awareness to the fire industry. "NHRA drag racing offers a very unique and powerful marketing tool. People never forget a day at the races. We're very glad to have Nick and World Wide Emergency Services Institute as part of our team." by Rob Geiger www.go2geiger.com

Nicolas A. Coutsouvanos - Director of Operations

Nick is the Director of Operations of the World Wide Emergency Institute. His 18 years of experience in Emergency Services comes from serving as a Flight Paramedic for Miami Childrens Hospital transporting Neonatal infants, followed by 16 years with the City of Boynton Beach as an Officer, Paramedic, Rescue Diver, and Florida USAR Technician for Team 746; a regional Type II USAR team. Nick was deployed for Operation Fire Storm during the Volusia Florida wildfires in 1998 as well as several major hurricanes in South Florida throughout his career.

Following the attacks on September 11th, 2001, Nick enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserve as a Hospital Corpsman where he completed recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois. There he completed basic training as the Recruit Petty Officer in Charge (RPOC) and was awarded Distinguished Graduate. He later volunteered to join the 4th Field Service Support Group as a combat medic with the Fleet Marine Force after Field Medical Service Support training in Camp Johnson, NC.

He is currently working towards a Bachelor's in Fire Science and Emergency Management and earned dual Associate degrees in EMS and Fire Science. Florida State certifications include Firefighter II, Fire Officer II, Fire Investigator I, Fire Instructor II, Live Fire training Instructor I, US Coast Guard approved STCW-95 Advanced shipboard fire instructor, Paramedic, ACLS, BLS, and PALS instructor. In addition, he received National Pro Board accreditation as Fire Officer II and Fire Instructor II. Nick has completed several courses offered through the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium for Homeland Security training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP), Energetic Materials Research Testing Center (EMRTC) at New Mexico Tech, Counter Terrorism Operations Center (CTOC), and the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at the Texas Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX). He has been trained in Incident Response to Terrorist bombings (IRTB), WMD Nuclear/Radiological Haz Mat response, and instructor for the National Incident Manangement System by the CDP. He is fluent in English and Spanish.

Roman Bas - Instructor/Consultant
Fire Training Division

Capt. Roman Bas has 23 years of service with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. He has a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from Barry University and an Associates Degree in Fire Science Technology from Miami Dade College. He has a very accomplished career and his success stems from a strong commitment to excellence. Capt. Bas has overseen several department bureaus and has served as spokesperson for both MDFR and FEMA worldwide. He has a vast understanding of the integral role that the fire department plays in our local communities. He built partnerships with various private sector organizations and fostered positive relationships with community leaders, elected officials and the news media.
Roman Bas responded to New York City, following the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. He worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Incident Support Team at Ground Zero. Following the Colombian earthquake in January of 1999, Bas responded as part of the Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) to serve as the departments’ PIO between multiple agencies on the scene, emergency responders, and international media outlets. During the Florida wildland fires in the summer of 1998, Bas was requested by the State of Florida’s Office of Emergency Management, to serve at the state capitol during emergency operations. As part of the USAR Team responding to the November 1996 building explosion in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and served as a member of the Public Affairs Team for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Bas was deployed by FEMA's Office of Emergency Information and Public Affairs to serve as a member of the Incident Support Team in upstate New York following the major storms and flooding of the Northeast in early 1996. Bas was a Lead Public Affairs Officer at the Value Jet Aircraft Crash. He worked with various Federal, State and Local agencies at the Joint Information Center. He responded to the April 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, he served as a member of FEMA’s Public Affairs for USAR operations. Activated by FEMA as a Public Affairs Officer with Florida Task Force 1; the USAR Team was deployed to the Florida Panhandle in the aftermath of Hurricane Opal in October 1995. As the Program Manager, for the Motorcycle Emergency Response Team, he is responsible for having created the Motor Medic Program for MDFR. He established the Policies and Standard Operating Procedures for all motorcycle operations. The Motor Medic program is the first in the nation to incorporate motorcycles into their daily fire rescue operations. As a result of the program’s success, he received a special recognition award by the Office of the Miami-Dade County Manager and was named MDFR “Employee of the Year.” The Motor Medics program has garnered international acclaim, and has become the model for all other fire rescue departments. Capt. Bas has become an international subject matter expert on Motorcycle Emergency Response.

Rob Rosovich - Instructor/Consultant
Fire Training Division

Eduardo Cagnin - Instructor/Consultant
Tactical Weapons Division

Obie Frometa - Instructor/Consultant
Fire Training Division

Chris Benemio - Instructor/Consultant

Mark Fowler Instructor/FireIce - Technical Advisor

Mike Giovanetti Instructor/Consultant

Alison Lazarini - Instructor/Consultant
Fire Training Division - Brazil (Forestry)

Walter "Phil" Thomas
Tactical Weapons Division Coordinator

Phil has been a Police Officer in South Florida for nearly a decade. During this time he has attended training schools all over the country and worked as an instructor in Firearms, TASER, OC, ASP Baton, FX Simunitions, Building Searches/Room Clearing, Force-on-Force, Dignitary/Executive Protection, and In-Custody Death Prevention. He currently holds factory armorer certifications from Glock, H&K, Colt, SAGE, Remington, Ruger and TASER. Phil education includes a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and he is a graduate of the Miami Dade College Police Academy. He has also done product testing/consulting work for Cheytac, H&K, Glock, ATK (Federal and Speer Ammunition), LEMAS Ammunition, Point Blank Body Armor and Gatorhawk Body Armor. During his career he has won numerous Gold Medals in the Florida Police Olympics in Handgun, Shotgun, and 3-gun matches.