Greg Patterson
Gregg Patterson has dedicated more than two decades to the fire service, beginning his journey as a junior firefighter in 2001 and steadily rising through the ranks to his current role as Assistant Chief. Along the way, he served as a company officer for 13 years, including 9 years as a captain under 4 different chiefs, gaining valuable experience in leadership, mentorship, and organizational growth.
In 2018, Gregg was awarded the Valor Award for his lifesaving actions during a choking emergency. Equally passionate about prevention as response, he has spent years educating both children and adults on fire safety, earning the prestigious Robert E. Kerns Award for Fire Prevention in 2025 for his outstanding community outreach efforts.
An advocate for education beyond the fireground, Gregg is the author of Ella Learns Fire Prevention, a children’s book designed to make fire safety engaging and accessible for young readers. He is also currently writing a leadership book focused on developing the next generation of fire service leaders.
When he’s not serving his community, Gregg enjoys writing, playing music, building models, running, and cheering on Florida State football. His passion for training, mentoring, and helping others grow continues to drive his commitment to the fire service and the communities it serves.
Scott Hoke
Scott Hoke is a Fire Apparatus Operator/Paramedic with Douglas County Fire/EMS in Georgia, where he has served for nearly five years. Growing up in a firehouse, Scott was introduced to the fire service at an early age by his father, whose career shaped his passion for serving others and ultimately led him to follow the same path.
Holding certifications as Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, Incident Safety Officer, Pressurized Container Live Fire Instructor, Paramedic, and EMS Instructor, Scott brings a diverse blend of operational, instructional, and leadership experience to the profession. Over the past several years, he has served in an acting officer role, where he discovered one of the most important leadership lessons of his career: people respond best when leaders take the time to understand them as individuals.
When he’s not serving his community, Scott enjoys riding motorcycles, playing guitar, reading, and spending time with his wife, Anna, and their two children, Elizabeth and Grayson, in the mountains of North Georgia. Through his work and leadership philosophy, Scott remains driven by a simple belief: while you may not change the world, positively impacting one person can mean the world to them.
Scott is particularly passionate about crew welfare, the continued relevance and advancement of EMS within the fire service, and developing healthy ways to navigate the mental and emotional challenges that come with the job. A recovering alcoholic, he openly advocates for honest conversations, seeking help when needed, and finding productive outlets to manage stress and adversity.
Jim Dignan
Jim Dignan is a lifelong student of leadership whose experience spans emergency services, local government, business ownership, and corporate leadership. A fire chief for more than a decade, Jim has also served as an EMA Coordinator, fire company president, mayor, mentor, trainer, and entrepreneur.
His leadership journey began with a hard realization: a title does not automatically create influence. That lesson sparked a passion for leadership development that continues to drive his work today. Through years of coaching employees, mentoring aspiring leaders, and working with businesses and organizations, Jim has dedicated himself to helping others grow into effective, servant-minded leaders.
Professionally, Jim serves as Director of Technology for the largest independent franchisee of a globally recognized brand. Outside of work, he has spent more than 20 years teaching Judo, coached youth baseball, and enjoys spending time with his two grandchildren.
Known for his belief that leadership is a skill that can be learned, refined, and passed on, Jim is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders through reflection, mentorship, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
CJ Dickinson
CJ Dickinson is a Battalion Chief with more than 26 years of progressive leadership experience spanning both the fire service and the business world. Beginning his journey as a junior firefighter at the age of 16, CJ has built a career defined by service, accountability, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement. His expertise includes budgeting, personnel management, emergency management, resource allocation, and the development of training programs that enhance both organizational effectiveness and frontline readiness.
Known for his ability to lead under pressure, CJ has guided teams through complex operational challenges while fostering collaboration, professional growth, and a culture of excellence. He is passionate about using coaching principles to improve every aspect of life, believing that intentional leadership and personal development have the power to transform individuals, organizations, and communities.
Beyond the badges and titles, CJ is a powerful advocate for mental health awareness within the fire service. Drawing from his own experiences with severe depression and cumulative post-traumatic stress, he openly shares the lessons he learned about vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of seeking help before reaching a breaking point. His honesty and willingness to challenge the stigma surrounding mental wellness continue to impact those both inside and outside the profession.
Outside of work, CJ enjoys coaching, hiking, and being fully present with his family. Guided by mentors who shaped his own leadership journey, he remains driven by a simple but profound mission: to leave the fire service better than he found it.
Jorge Urrutia
Jorge Urrutia is a firefighter, entrepreneur, and the founder of StationIQ, a platform dedicated to preserving knowledge and advancing training within the fire service. His journey began in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and had the unique opportunity to work alongside Hotshot crews while witnessing missile and rocket launches firsthand.
After separating from the military, Jorge transitioned into federal civil service, serving as a firefighter in San Angelo, Texas, earning promotion to Engineer in Corpus Christi, and later continuing his career in Omaha, Nebraska. Over more than 12 years in the fire service, he has built a reputation for embracing growth, mentorship, and finding innovative ways to better prepare the next generation of responders.
Driven by the belief that valuable experience should never be lost when firefighters retire or move on, Jorge founded StationIQ to intentionally capture and share the lessons, knowledge, and practical wisdom that shape the profession. He is passionate about using technology and social media as tools for education, leadership development, and strengthening fire service culture.
Outside of the station, Jorge is a devoted husband and father of three. He enjoys golf, fitness, traveling, content creation, and studying leadership, performance, and team dynamics. Whether through the firehouse, entrepreneurship, or mentorship, his mission remains the same: leave the fire service better than he found it.