Capt. Jonathan E. Kjaerulff, President, Fremont Maritime Services, Inc.

Capt. Kjaerulff holds a U.S. Coast Guard-issued license as Master of inspected vessels to1600 tons, and Chief Mate of inspected vessels of any tons. He is a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., and has sailed as captain and licensed ship's officer on a variety of civilian and naval vessels operating in numerous trades all over the world. His last two years of active sailing were spent as captain of the 155' salmon and herring processor Aleutian Dragon, operating in waters throughout Alaska.

In 1989 Jon founded Fremont Maritime Services to provide safety and survival training to mariners sailing in Alaska and along the Pacific Coast. His first fishing vessel safety program, the Survival Afloat Seminar was specifically designed to provide training to crews of fishing vessels under 100 feet. This program delivers packaged training programs directly to the vessel and crew, and utilizes actual equipment and training aids to make the training more realistic and memorable. In September of 1992, the Survival Afloat Seminar became the first program approved by the Coast Guard as meeting the fishing vessel drill conductor training requirements of 46 CFR §28.270 (a) and (c).

Jon is the author of all course handbooks used in FMS training programs, as well as five industrial safety workbooks and videos recently produced for the American Factory Trawler Association Industrial Safety Program. He has helped produce and was the narrator/consultant on a fishing vessel man overboard recovery video produced in 1992 for Port Supply Co. of Watsonville, CA.

Jon was a member of the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium's Curriculum Advisory Committee, which helped design a national standard Personal Safety and Emergency Drills course for the U.S. Coast Guard. Jon is also a consultant to other organizations involved with emergency drill and safety training, including the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, Seattle Central Community College Maritime Training Center, Washington Sea Grant, Oregon Sea Grant, and Clatsop Community College. He has published articles on safety training in Marine Digest and Workboat Magazines, and presented a paper on marine fire training at the 1995 SASMEX conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

Jon and his wife Maria share their home in Gig Harbor, Washington with three dogs, four cats, two goats, a box turtle, and two tanks of fish.

Randall Hyde, Senior Fire Fighting Instructor

Randy is a Federal fire fighter who currently holds the rank of Captain in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Fire Department. A skilled fire officer, Randy provides fire protection, inspection, emergency medical aid, and hazardous materials response to all shipyard resources. These include buildings, shops, warehouses, piers, fuel and hazardous material storage facilities, as well as nuclear, steam, and diesel-powered ships in various stages of repair. Randy is also serves as a substitute assistant fire chief, assuming those duties in his absence and operating at the strategic level as incident commander.

As a trainer in his department, Randy instructs fire fighters in all aspects of shipboard fire fighting, in classroom environments and practical training. He oversees training exercises and actual fire scenes ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment and property. He monitors the safe practices of his subordinates and safety of the work area, ensuring personnel are thoroughly trained in the use of protective clothing and equipment.

Randy's professional experience also includes six years in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a fire fighter and crew chief at Air Force bases in the U.S. and Korea. His extensive professional training includes Instructor Training at the Washington State Fire Training Academy and Marine Fire Fighting and Emergency Training at Texas A&M University.

Ray Church, Facilities Manager

A gifted welder and fabricator, Ray helped build the current Fire Dragon mockup in 2001, and has stayed with Fremont Maritime ever since. Ray is responsible for keeping the ship as seaworthy as possible (considering she catches fire on a regular basis), and keeping all systems on line.

Phil Baumgrass, Senior Instructor

Phil Baumgras is a Federal fire fighter who currently holds the rank of Captain and EMT in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Fire Department. 

Phil is a twenty-nine year veteran of the fire service, having served the last sixteen at in the federal Fire Service at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.  He is the department’s training officer, and as such is responsible for the training of personnel in all areas of ship and structural fire fighting.  He possesses an extensive knowledge of both nuclear and conventional powered vessels stationed at PSNS, and the appropriate strategies to control fire and perform rescue operations.

Phil is certified by the State of Washington as a Fire Service Instructor and Level III SCBA technician, and by the Department of Defense as a Fire Inspector and Fire Officer II.  

Phil has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2001.

Lisa Marie Whitley, Senior Instructor, First Aid, Sea Safety and Survival

Lisa Whitley holds a Mates license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a former Air Force Security Police Airman, and the daughter of a tugboat Captain. She began her own maritime career in 1987, starting out in the Steward’s Department aboard large passenger vessels. In 1991 she joined NOAA, serving as an Ordinary and later Able-Bodied Seaman. In 1996 she transferred to the Washington State Ferries, working her way up to the positions of Boatswain and Quartermaster. During her time off from sailing, she pursued community college courses towards an Associate’s Degree in Law enforcement. Along the way, Lisa also obtained certifications as a Rescue Swimmer and Fast Rescue Boat operator.

After serving with the ferry system for ten years, Lisa relocated to Arizona where she used her military experience and education to serve the public as a commissioned law enforcement officer.

In 2008, Lisa returned to the Northwest, sailing once again as A.B for NOAA aboard the Okeanos Explorer. Pursuing further professional qualifications, she obtained American Red Cross certification and part-time employment with the City of Seattle as water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor.

Steven Bay, Training Equipment Manager and Firefighting Instructor

Steven retired from the U.S. Navy in January of 2009 after 20 years of service as a Damage Controlman.  Qualified as a Master Training Specialist with over 18 years of instruction and teaching experience, Steven is passionate about firefighting and damage control instruction.  Aboard his last command, the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, he was the leading petty officer for Damage Control Division, and was qualified as the ship's underway Fire Marshall.

Steven has served as the training equipment manager at Fremont Maritime since January of 2009, and has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2009.

Ginger joined Fremont Maritime at the start of 2009. Hers is most likely the friendly voice you hear when you call Fremont Maritime, and she will help you sign up for the course you need.

Having recently completed all elements of the Basic Safety Training program, she is well-qualified to answer your questions about the course content and activities.

Aaron Adkins, Firefighting and First Aid Instructor

Aaron is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from November of 1994 to November of 1998.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in March of 1995, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Carl Vinson.

In April of 2002, after attending Fire Science classes at Olympic College in Bremerton, Aaron was hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest.  In the time since he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Fire Instructor I.

Aaron has been approved to teach Jon has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2007.

Ryan Anderson, Firefighting and First Aid Instructor

Ryan has served as professional firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Tacoma, Washington since 2003.  He has been approved to teach First Aid and CPR for Fremont Maritime since 2009, and Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2011.

Chris Burt, Firefighting Instructor

Chris started as a volunteer for the Granite Falls Fire Department in 1999, was hired full time in 2003, and promoted to Lieutenant in 2006.  He holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science. He has been certified as Fire Instructor I since 2004. He has been approved to teach Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2011.

Corey Caulk, Firefighting and Damage Control Instructor

Cory is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from August of 1995 to December of 1999.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in March of 1996, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Stetham (DDG-63).

In April of 2001, Cory was hired by the City of Kirkland, Washington as a Firefighter/EMT.  In March of 2004 he was certified as a Fire Instructor I.

Kyle Higgins, Firefighting and Damage Control Instructor

Kyle is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, having served from September, 1997 to September, 2001.  After graduating from Damage Controlman “A” School in May of 1999, he spent the rest of his enlistment aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Active.  He remains active in the Coast Guard Reserve, and currently holds a Commission as Ensign.

In December of 2001 Kyle was hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest.  In July of 2005, he transferred to the City of Kirkland, Washington Fire Department, where serves as a Firefighter/EMT. During his career he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor I and Fire Instructor I.

Michael Kazicewicz, Firefighting and First Aid Instructor trainee

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, "Kaz"served as a Hospital Corpsman and member of the Firefighting and Damage Control Flying Squad aboard the U.S.S. Pogy (SSN-647).

After departing the Navy, Kaz received training in Fire Science at Olympic College and worked part-time for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue as a Firefighter/EMT.  In 2001 he was hired as a Firefighter/EMT with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard detachment of the Federal Fire Service.  In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and transferred to the Everett, Washington Naval Station. He is certified as a Fire Instructor I and II.

Kaz has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2009.

Lonny McKinney, Firefighting Instructor

Lonny has been a professional firefighter since 2001, serving first with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard detachment of the Federal Fire Service, and since 2005 with the City of Bremerton, Washington Fire Department.  He is certified as a Fire Instructor I.

Lonny has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2009.

Jeran McCormick, Firefighting Instructor

Jeran is a career firefighter with advanced certifications in Hazmat and Confined Space rescue.  He has observed and assisted with all Fremont Maritime’s approved fire training programs, and is qualified to teach both the U.S. Navy’s Basic and Advanced shipboard firefighting programs.

Jeran has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2011.

Corey Palmer, Firefighting Instructor

Daryl Whitley, Firefighting and Instructor

Daryl has been employed as a professional firefighter with the City of Seattle, Washington since 1998, where he currently serves as an acting Lieutenant.  Prior to that he spent ten years working as a merchant mariner.  He currently holds a 1600 ton Coastal Mate license. 

Lonny has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2011.

Jim Whitsett, Firefighting Instructor

James has been a professional firefighter since 1998, serving first with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard detachment of the Federal Fire Service, and since 2007 with the City of Poulsbo, Washington Fire Department.  He is certified as a Fire Instructor I.

James has served as a training assistant at Fremont Maritime since September of 2008.  He has observed and assisted with all Fremont Maritime’s approved fire training programs, and is qualified to teach both the U.S. Navy’s Basic and Advanced shipboard firefighting programs. 

Shawn Williams, Firefighting Instructor

Shawn is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from June of 1998 to June of 2002.  After completing Boot Camp, Shawn spent the balance of his enlistment aboard the U.S.S. Ogden, where he achieved the rate of Damage Controlman 2nd Class.

Following his separation from the Navy, Shawn attended and graduated from the firefighter training program at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington. In 2004, he was hired by hired by the United States Federal Fire Service as a firefighter for Navy Region Northwest. In the time since he has achieved certification as Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Fire Instructor I.

Shawn has been approved to teach Fremont Maritime’s Basic and Combined Basic and Advanced Firefighting since 2007.

Matt Wright, Firefighting Instructor

Matt serves as a Firefighter/EMT in the Federal Fire Service. He is stationed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.