Emergency Response Training Institute instructor John F. Berger is an expert in fire technology and hazardous materials emergency response, with over 50 years of experience in the field. He has also taught extensively at the Community College level in all aspects of emergency response.

He served as president and chief incident commander for NWFF Environmental from 1989 to 2018, and also worked as an administrative fire captain, acting battalion chief, training officer and instructor for the Orange County Fire Department and California Department of Forestry from 1970 to 1981. During that time, John taught courses in Wildland Fire Control, Building Construction, Hydraulics, Structural Fire Fighting and Fire Physics at the Santa Ana Community College.

He has earned three California Teaching Credentials for Fire Technology (Certificate 0257) and Oregon State Fire Teaching Accreditations - Levels I & II (Certificate AP5757). John's Fire Service Education includes teaching extensive course work at Miramar College, San Diego City College, San Joaquin Delta College, Santa Ana College in California and Chemeketa Community College in Oregon.

His certifications include...

•  Five Community College teaching credentials
• A 40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification
• An 8-Hour HAZWOPER Supervisor Certification
• Hazmat Trained & Certified Basic and Advanced Fire -Management Certification
• Advanced Incident Command Certification
• Incident Commander Type Ill Certification
• Plans Chief Type Ill Certification