Charles "Chip" Rielage, Assistant Chief (Ret.), MPA, OFE
Chief Operating Officer
With over 35 years of unwavering dedication to the fire service, AC Rielage has served as a steadfast steward of public safety, rising through the ranks to the role of Assistant Chief. Known as a dynamic change agent, he has revitalized organizations that were not meeting the evolving needs of their communities—transforming them into responsive, service-driven departments.
A passionate mentor and educator, AC Rielage has trained hundreds of fire officers and provided professional development opportunities to countless firefighters and leaders. Among his many contributions to the profession, he developed the world’s first Pro Board Certified Incident Command Course meeting NFPA 1026—a landmark achievement in fire service education.
In recognition of his decades-long commitment to excellence and leadership, AC Rielage was honored in 2023 by his peers with induction as a Fellow of the Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association, a distinction awarded for exceptional contributions to advancing the fire service in Ohio.
AC Rielage has over 23 years of instructional experience, focusing largely on leadership development and incident command. AC Rielage earned his Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Walden University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Safety Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He is also a graduate of the esteemed Ohio Fire Executive Program.
Todd Owens, Chief, MPA
Director Assessment Centers
Chief Owens, a 35-year veteran of the Reading (Ohio) Fire Department, he was promoted to Fire Chief in 2014 and has served the community as a police officer since 2001. Chief Owens possesses multiple professional certifications and designations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in fire & safety engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati and his master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Todd is a member of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Legislative Committee and has testified before the Ohio Senate Criminal Justice Committee on arson law changes. He currently serves on the board and is a past President of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Ohio Chapter.
Chief Owens is a past Commander of the Hamilton County Fire Investigative Unit and currently serves as the unit’s Special Operations Committee Chair. He is the Treasurer of the Hamilton County Fire Chiefs’ Association.
Owens is the Southwest Ohio Protocol Compliance Chair for the Emergency & Disaster Services Committee of the Academy of Medicine of Cincinnati. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati, teaching EMS management, capital budgeting, and the leadership section of the Fire Science programs’ capstone project. Chief Owens is also active with multiple other local, regional, and state fire/EMS committees.
Rob Morton, Deputy Chief, MBA, CFO, CTO
Training Program Coordinator
Rob Morton is a highly respected leader in the fire service with over 20 years of dedicated experience. He currently serves as Deputy Chief with a central Ohio fire agency, where he plays a key role in strategic operations, training, and leadership development.
Deputy Chief Morton is credentialed by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) as both a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Chief Training Officer (CTO), underscoring his commitment to excellence and professional standards. He also holds multiple Pro Board certifications, reflecting his deep technical expertise and broad operational knowledge.
Throughout his career, DC Morton has prioritized continuous professional growth through formal education, advanced leadership programs, and immersive field training. He is an experienced instructor and mentor in Pro Board-certified Fire Officer Courses and brings extensive hands-on experience in critical areas such as Incident Command, Live Fire Instruction, and Incident Safety Operations.
Known for his strong leadership, instructional acumen, and unwavering commitment to safety, DC Morton continues to shape the future of fire service through mentorship, innovation, and service excellence.
Andrew J. Register, MS, GSP
Contracted Instructor – Safety Programs
Andrew Register brings over 30 years of leadership and hands-on experience in fire and emergency medical services. A retired fire officer, he has served as Fire Marshal, Training Officer, and Lieutenant—leading operations, training programs, and fire prevention efforts in diverse communities.
Register currently serves as Assistant Business Manager and Instructor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, where he develops and delivers customized HAZMAT, rescue, and safety training for both public and private sector organizations. Register also teaches at Great Oaks Public Safety Services, where he helped create the first Pro Board-accredited Incident Command course in the world to meet NFPA 1026 standards.
Register holds a Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration. He is a certified Fire Officer IV, Incident Safety Officer, and Hazardous Materials Technician, with credentials from IFSAC and Pro Board. He is also recognized as a Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
As an instructor, Register combines real-world expertise with a passion for mentorship and professional development. His training emphasizes leadership, critical thinking, and operational readiness—values that align with Ascent FD’s mission to raise the bar for fire and emergency services education.
Ron Stenger
Lead Instructor Technical Rescue and HAZMAT Programs
Firefighter/Paramedic Ron Stenger is a 30-year veteran of the fire service. He is a member of the Colerain Township Department Of Fire EMS where he's been assigned to the departments rescue truck. He is also a member of the Ohio Task Force One Urban search and rescue team and Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Team and a member of the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Material Response Unit. He is also an instructor at Cincinnati State College.
Stenger is a constant student of rescue disciplines and hazardous materials technology, making him one of the foremost experts in the craft. With this knowledge, he teaches throughout the country educating members of health and safety teams in private industry, as well as, in the public sector.
He is married for 28 years and has two daughters.
Todd Wilson
Contracted Consultant
With 35 years of dedicated service in the fire service, Todd Wilson brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and specialized knowledge to the field. For the past 25 years, he has served as an instructor for highly respected institutions including Cincinnati State College and Great Oaks Career Campuses, focusing on hazardous materials response and safety—training countless firefighters and first responders to operate more effectively in high-risk environments. Wilson instructors all disciplines related to the fire service including prevention, instructor, live fire, technical rescue, and driver/operator.
Now retired from active duty, Wilson devotes his time to education and mentorship, continuing to support the fire service community through teaching and consultation. His experience and real-world insights make him a respected educator in hazardous materials training.
Kevin Murphy
Contracted Consultant
With over 29 years of service, Kevin Murphy is a seasoned and highly credentialed drone pilot with extensive experience in unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations. Certified by the FAA under Part 107 and holding multiple ProBoard certifications—Murphy brings a deep commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and mission success in both operational and training environments.
As a UAS Instructor, Murphy is dedicated to developing the next generation of drone pilots. He provides comprehensive instruction in UAS safety, airspace regulations, emergency procedures, and mission planning. His training approach emphasizes real-world application, including hands-on experience with multi-rotor platforms and rigorous adherence to FAA standards.
In his role as Remote Pilot in Charge (RPIC), Murphy ensures full oversight and accountability for flight operations, enforcing safety protocols and maintaining mission integrity.
Murphy has served with distinction as a drone operator for the Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue Aerial Reconnaissance Unit, the Blue Ash Fire Department, and the Blue Ash Police Department. His work has included aerial support for critical missing persons cases, search and rescue missions, disaster response, and civil unrest monitoring.
Combining technical expertise with a passion for teaching, Kevin Murphy is a trusted leader in the rapidly evolving field of drone operations.
Allen Scott, Chief, OFE
Instructor Leadership Programs
Chief Allen Scott has dedicated 42 years to the fire service, leading the Prairie Township Fire Department in Franklin County, Ohio.
A graduate of the Ohio Fire Executive Program, he holds an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and numerous certifications, including Firefighter II, Paramedic, Fire Officer I and II, Emergency Services Instructor II, and Fire Safety Inspector.
As a U.S. Army veteran, Chief Scott combines disciplined leadership with a passion for firefighter education, shaping the next generation of emergency responders through instruction and mentorship.
Trevor Frodge, Training Chief
Contracted Consultant
Trevor Frodge brings over 20 years of experience in the fire service to his role as an instructor. He currently serves as the Training (Bureau) Chief for a local fire department, where he oversees the development and implementation of training programs for fire and emergency personnel. In addition to his departmental role, BC Frodge is the Training Team Manager for Butler County Technical Rescue and the Butler County Regional Hazardous Materials Team. He also serves as a Hazardous Materials Specialist with Ohio Task Force One, part of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue System.
BC Frodge has extensive expertise in incident command, hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, vehicle extrication, and leadership. He has taught a wide range of courses including fire officer development, emergency services instruction, firefighting, strategy and tactics, incident safety, hazardous materials and WMD response, and technical rescue operations.
Outside of his professional commitments, BC Frodge enjoys spending time with his wife and their five young children.
Brian Taylor, Chief, OFC, OFE
Instructor Leadership Programs
With over 35 years of service to the citizens of Ohio, Chief Brian Taylor began his career fire service with the Bazetta Township Fire Department. Demonstrating leadership and dedication, he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000 and to Captain in 2009.
In May 2014, Chief Taylor was appointed Fire Chief of the Marion Township Fire Department in Marion County. He served in that role until June 2016, when he became Fire Chief for Pleasant Township in Franklin County. After more than 25 years of service as a firefighter, officer, and chief, he retired from Pleasant Township on May 27, 2022.
Following retirement, Chief Taylor continued his commitment to public safety by serving the City of Riverside, Ohio, as a Battalion Chief and most recently as Chief of the Berlin Township Fire Department in Delaware County.
He holds certifications as an Ohio Firefighter II, Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, Fire and EMS Instructor, and Live Fire Instructor. A 2014 graduate of the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Ohio Fire Executive Program, he also maintains Chief Fire Officer Credentialing through the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. Academically, he holds four associate degrees and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration.
Chief Taylor is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association—where he chaired the Education Committee—and served on the Board of the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation. He is also affiliated with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Central Ohio Fire Chiefs, Southwest Fire Chiefs, the International and Ohio Association of Fire Service Instructors, and the Fire Department Safety Officers Association.
He has served twice as a peer review panelist for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and was selected to serve on a national technical committee with the UL Fire Safety Research Institute to study basement fires in modern home construction.
Chief Taylor has been married to his wife Christina since 2009. They live in Orient, Ohio, with their two daughters, Julia and Leanna, and their Boston Terriers, Olive and Willow. In his free time, he enjoys sports, weightlifting, family camping trips, and supporting other Ohio fire departments through grant writing services to help secure funding for vital equipment.