Instructors

Richard Alamo

Biography : Instructor Bio: Richard Alamo Fire Captain, Behavioral Health Coordinator — Sacramento Fire Department Hazardous Materials Specialist / 20-Year HazMat Team Member Richard Alamo is a 27-year veteran of the Sacramento Fire Department, serving as a Fire Captain and the department’s Behavioral Health Coordinator. A certified Hazardous Materials Specialist with 20 years on Sacramento Fire’s HazMat Team, he brings a rare combination of technical operational expertise and behavioral health leadership. He also serves as the handler for Ember, the department’s Critical Incident Stress K9 (CISK), who accompanies him during trainings and operational support, providing comfort, connection, and a calming presence for responders during and after stressful incidents. He oversees behavioral health and peer support services for more than 700 members and their families and has played a key role in expanding Sacramento Fire’s Behavioral Health Unit. His approach is grounded in both professional training and personal lived experience—having overcome childhood trauma, job-related PTSD, alcoholism, and a life-altering personal crisis that ultimately reshaped his career and purpose. Outside the fire service, Richard Alamo is a 15-time Ironman finisher, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona—a 140.6-mile endurance triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon run. These accomplishments deepen his understanding of human performance, stress physiology, and resilience. He holds a B.S. in Health Science from Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Counseling Psychology at Jessup University, further strengthening his ability to support first responders and partner agencies. He is also a dedicated husband and father, which fuels his commitment to ensuring responders go home healthy—mentally, physically, and emotionally. His mission is simple: to protect the people who protect the public.

C Scott Bunning

Biography : Scott has been with AristaTek for nearly 10 years as their Director of Marketing and Sales. In that time, he has trained 1000's of PEAC users all over the world on best practices in using the PEAC software in hazmat and CBRN scenarios.

Robert Dunivin

Biography : Robert Dunivin has over 30 years fire service experience 22 of it with the Los Angles Fire Department. Currently Robert serves as a Fire Captain and has been assigned to the LAFD CBRNE/Hazmat Section JHAT Unit for the last 7 years. Robert has been a Hazmat Technician/ Specialist for most of his Fire Service Career and is also a Hazmat Specialist on CATF-1. He is also is a CSTI and CSFM Certified instructors and teaches a variety of subject throughout the State. Robert also serves as the Secretary for the Firescope Hazmat Sub-committee.

Patrick A. Ryan, CIH, CSP, CHMM

Biography : Patrick A. Ryan is the Hazardous Materials Manager at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. His responsibilities include oversight of hazardous waste on campus, and at related offsite locations. He has worked at MSU for over 18 years and has actively worked with Hazmat over 31 years. He has extensive experience with large-scale chemical lab cleanouts and hazardous materials and waste management. His training company, RIH Hazmat www.rihhazmat.com specializes in training simplified, rapid and highly practical Rapid Threat Assessment (RTA) chemistry to professional first responders. He is a certified industrial hygienist (CIH), certified safety professional (CSP), and certified hazardous materials manager (CHMM). He is an active technical presenter with CUHMMC, was part of the ANSI/ASSP Z10 committee from 2021 to 2024 and is a current member of the Institute for Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) textbook committee and CHMM exam committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Occupational Health, from Cal State University Northridge, and has a strong passion for continuous learning and improvement.

Robert Wise

Biography : Robert Wise has been a Federal On-Scene Coordinator with EPA Region 9 Emergency Response. Robert has 35 years experience in Superfund Emergency Response. 15 years as an EPA ER contractor and 20 years as an OSC. Robert is considered a national level expert on Mercury Response and serves on the EPA's Mercury Response Workgroup. Robert is also the Radiation Response Coordinator for EPA Region 9 and serves on the National Radiation Protection Work Group. Robert has designed and presented a number of classes at the Continuing Challenge, the CUPA Forum, Hazmat Explo conferences to name a few. During the COVID pandemic, FOSC Wise was instrumental in preparing the EPA Region 9 virtual 8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Training, Mercury Response and Cleanup and the Descent into Madness Classes that was made available for local, state and federal agencies nation wide. Robert has extensive experience in response operations. Robert was the Deputy Incident Commander for the Palestine Collection Base for the 2003 Space Shuttle Disaster, the Division Supervisor for the 2007 EPA San Diego FEMA Fire Recovery Fire Response, Deputy Area Commander for the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill and the High-Hazard Team Leader for a number wildland fire recovery operations in Northern California. Robert has also conducted over 100 CERCLA and OPA Removal actions over his 35 year career.