Lifesaving Resources (www.lifesaving.com) announces its faculty for the 2026 INTERNATIONAL ICE RESCUE INSTRUCTOR ACADEMY to be conducted February 19 - 22, in Portland, Maine (USA).  This intensive 4-day Academy is designed to provide First Responders with the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively respond to emergencies on and through the ice, as well as to train them as Ice Rescue Instructors.  Upon successful completion of the 4-day training program, graduates will be authorized as Ice Rescue Instructors who will then return to their own departments to conduct ice rescue training for their members, as well as for surrounding departments.  

The faculty for the 2026 Academy will include the following:

Gerry Dworkin - A professional Aquatics Safety and Water Rescue Consultant for Lifesaving Resources of Kennebunkport, Maine.  Dworkin has been a firefighter and licensed EMT for over 50 years; has published numerous articles in Fire, Rescue, EMS, Aquatics and Recreation publications, as well as several instructional guidebooks; and has consulted as a Forensics Expert in over 600 drowning and aquatic injury cases.  Dworkin has conducted training throughout the U.S., as well as Internationally.

Jason Fedler - Jason Fedler has been a first responder in New York since 1996.  He has served in multiple departments, was a NYS EMT for 10 years, and was a certified federal wildland firefighter for 10 years.  For the last 19 years he has climbed the ranks of his current department located in Cossayuna NY.  Having held the position of Captain, Training Officer, Assistant Chief, he currently holds the position of Chief of the department and has held the position for the last 4 years.  Throughout his time as a firefighter and a commanding officer he has responded to multiple water and ice rescue events well as recovery operations.  Jason started training with Lifesaving Resources in 2014 and has conducted multiple training sessions and has served on faculty for multiple Ice and Water Rescue Instructor Training Academies for Lifesaving Resources.

Justin Cooper - Fire Chief of Kennebunk Fire Rescue, a 27-year member of KFR worked the majority of his career with the City of Biddeford, Maine as well as having worked both for Amherst, Massachusetts and Kennebunk Fire Rescue.  Chief Cooper has been an instructor for the bulk of his career and finds that continual training is paramount to the success of public safety.  Chief Cooper attends or instructs classes weekly to always stay current and to lead by example.  Chief Cooper started as a Lifeguard for both municipal pools and as an Ocean Guard before entering the Fire Service and becoming a Paramedic/Firefighter.   Chief Cooper's career has always been surrounded by water and water rescue from freshwater, swiftwater, ocean water, and as a Coast Guard Captain, having operated the rescue boat for his respective agencies. 

Michael Flynn - Assistant Chief for the Walpole (New Hampshire) Fire EMS Department, and works as the Director of Pharmacy and Oncology Services for Monadnock Community Hospital.