Rick Best is a nationally recognized leader in firefighter health and safety. He has more than 25 years of experience in fire service training, program development, and public speaking, and he currently serves as the Chief Training Officer for the Eastland Fairfield Career and Technologies Centers Fire Programs and previously served as the Everyone Goes Home Advocate Program Manager for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. In that role, Rick oversaw a system of more than 160 advocates who serve as volunteer trainers delivering programs throughout the United States to develop instructors for the NFFF’s Courage to Be Safe, Leadership, Accountability, Culture, and Knowledge (LACK) and other courses.

Rick Best's journey in the fire service began as a volunteer firefighter, a testament to his passion and dedication. His hard work and commitment led him to a full-time position for the City of Westerville (OH) Division of Fire, where he served until his retirement in 2019. As a Credentialed Chief Training Officer, he spent 15 years on staff at the Ohio Fire Academy, a State Fire Marshal’s Office division. Rick's expertise has been recognized through his invitations to present at various fire service events and his membership in the NFPA 1001-1002-1003-1005 and NFPA 1041 Technical Committees.

Rick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and a master’s degree in strategic and organizational leadership from Neumann University. He is the 2020 recipient of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes his significant contributions to the health and safety of America’s firefighters.