SHAN RAFFEL has been a career firefighter for 33 years. As an operational officer, he maintains a strong practical focus and is dedicated to improving operational efficiency and safety. He has conducted international study tours and was instrumental in introducing new training methods and tactics for compartment firefighting to Australia in 1997. In 2010, he conducted research relative to planning, preparation, and response to emergencies in tunnels as part of a Churchill Fellowship, which involved visits to fire services, counter-disaster organizations, and training centers in the United States (FDNY), Canada, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Switzerland. His honors include an Australian Fire Service Medal, “Companion Fellow” of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a national bravery award known as the “Commendation for Brave Conduct.” He has presented at numerous conferences worldwide