Our Team
When you train with Trident Rescue, you train with a crew that understands the first responder life. We are proud to be first responder family-owned & operated since 1996. All of our current Instructors are also first responders.
David Cruz
David served his community for 23 years as a firefighter paramedic for Cottleville FPD and currently volunteers with New Haven FPD. He has reached Instructor Levels in Swiftwater Rescue, Boat Operations, Personal Watercraft Rescue, and Instructor Trainer for Scuba Diving. David’s entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to saving lives, and passion for water led to the founding of Trident Rescue, LLC in 1996. He was originally trained and mentored by Jim Segerstrom, who is considered the founding father of organized training for flood and swiftwater rescue. David is proud to be a first responder and small business owner. He leads with integrity, grit, and has created a first responder family culture within Trident Rescue. In his spare time, David enjoys white water rafting, scuba diving, boating, and spending time with his family.
+1 (844) 833 7833
cruz@tridentrescue.com
Dave Struckhoff
Master Instructor
Struckhoff is a second-generation firefighter that has served his community for over 50 years. He followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the fire service at the age of 18 as a volunteer firefighter with the Augusta Fire Department, where he later served as Fire Chief for 15 years. Struckhoff then made a move to become a career firefighter, working his way through the ranks to become Captain at Cottleville Fire Department. Struckhoff has served the St. Charles County Fire Protection Association as president, the St. Charles County Fire Academy Board, and the St. Charles County Ambulance District. He has been an instructor for Trident Rescue for over 10 years. Since his retirement in 2018, Struckhoff enjoys volunteering with the Augusta and Marthasville Fire Departments, camping, and spending time with his wonderful wife, children, and five grandchildren.
Lauren Neustaedter
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING MANAGER
Lauren graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has a background in retail management and corporate marketing. The daughter of Trident Rescue’s Founder, David Cruz, she grew up in a first responder family and understands the immense importance of continuous training in the public safety field. Chances are if you are interacting on the business social media accounts or sending emails, Lauren is behind the screen typing back to you! Along with all of that, she is also a public safety grant writer & strategist. In her spare time, Lauren loves traveling, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family & sweet puppy dog, Olive.
+1 (314) 956 6529
lauren@tridentrescue.com
Sam McKeough
Instructor, SOUTHEAST REGION (USA)
Sam is a second-generation firefighter and started in the fire service straight out of high school. While serving his community with the City of Fayetteville Fire Department, he obtained his NPQ FF1 FF2 and three Hazmat certifications.
He later moved to Georgetown, KY to work alongside his uncle. This was truly a dream come true because he was fighting fires with the man that inspired him in his career. During his time in Kentucky, he obtained his EMT B.
Eventually, Sam moved back home to Georgia where he serves with the City of Riverdale Fire Department. Since his return home, Sam has moved up through the ranks of Sergeant and is currently a Lieutenant. Always dedicated to continuous learning and training, Sam is on his way to becoming a paramedic.
Robert Greif
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Robert Greif is a firefighter from Wickliff, KY with over 25 years of experience. He graduated from Heath High School in 1989 and then attended West Kentucky Technical College and National Fire Academy. Since 2001, he has been employed at Jackson Fire Rescue, where he holds the rank of Captain/EMT. Additionally, he has been a Kentucky State Fire Rescue Instructor since 2008 and a Fire Fighter Instructor 2 in both Kentucky and Missouri. He is an active member of the Region E Homeland Security Response Team and holds technician certifications in hazmat, rope rescue, swiftwater rescue, and ice rescue.
Brian Windle
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Brian has been in the fire service since 2008 and began his career as a firefighter with the Cuba Volunteer Fire Department. He later moved into a paid position at Scott AFB, and currently volunteers as a firefighter with the Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Association. Brian joined the Trident Rescue team in 2020.
Ryan Hardy
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Ryan has been in the fire service for 23 years and is currently the volunteer Chief for Irondale Fire Protection District. His goal is “to provide the best quality of service to his community and department!” After earning his Swiftwater, Boat Ops, and Ice Rescue Technician certifications all in one year, Chief Hardy decided it was time to become an Instructor! He loves teaching water rescue and is a fantastic addition to our team of Instructors.
Heather Herbold
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Heather is a first-generation firefighter/paramedic from South St. Louis County. She has 25 years of experience in EMS and 8 years of experience as a firefighter. Heather is currently serving the community of Valley Park Fire Protection District.
Heather has certifications in Swiftwater, Boat Ops, Ice Rescue, Mo Instructor 1, and Officer 1 & 2. In her spare time, Heather volunteers her time as a mentor with Camp Fury STL. Heather enjoys spending time with her two kids and two dogs, as well as hiking, working out, clay target shooting, boating, water sports, or doing home improvements.
Jimmy Hubbard
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Hello! My name is Jimmy, and I am a firefighter with Shawnee Heights Fire District in Tecumseh, KS. I have been with the department for about 4 years now and it was my love of the water that first sparked my interest in becoming a firefighter. In my last year of 24+ years of serving my country in the US Army, I was looking for something to keep me busy when I heard about my department’s water rescue team. As an avid boater and diver, this was right up my alley. In my time at the fire department, I have also become a team leader for our water rescue and recovery team. I am also a CPR Instructor, and teaching is a passion of mine because I feel you can never stop learning enough. I also do local scuba dives for our county’s Parks & Recreation team to help them maintain up-and-coming waterway activities for our local lakes.
In my downtime, my wife and I run our own home business. I also love to spend time traveling with our son and daughter, going boating/skiing on the lake, or just being at home together with our kids and dogs. I have two great quotes I believe in: “Train to standard, not to time,” and “Train as you fight, fight as you train.”
Scott Nengel
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
My name is Scott Nengel and I have been in the fire service for 34 years. I am a 3rd generation firefighter. I have been with the Antonia Fire Disctrict for 29 years and spent 4 years with Crystal City Fire Department. I first became interested in swiftwater rescue in 1995 after we had flooding in our district. I took my first swiftwater class in 1999, and have continued to update my skills over the years. I am a member of the St. Louis USAR Team 5. I enjoy spending time outside hiking, fishing, hunting, and teaching firefighters. I have 2 sons, one who is a full-time firefighter, and a daughter.
Ashley Engler
Instructor, MIDWEST REGION (USA)
Firefighter/Paramedic Ashley Engler has been in Emergency Services since 2009 and is on the Lincoln Fire & Rescue Department in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ashley has progressed throughout her career from being a Firefighter/Paramedic on the busiest Engine in the city to being a firefighter, certified driver & certified acting captain on a Ladder Truck, and gaining experience in Technical Rescue Operations. Ashley currently holds additional job duties as the Training Manager for Urban Search & Rescue Nebraska Task Force One that is 1 out of 28 FEMA recognized federal teams. She is trained as a Medical Specialist, Rescue Technician Specialist, Plans Team Manager, Water Rescue Specialist & Boat Operator. She was the first to develop a Technical Rescue Program in her fire department and continues to play an intricate role as both the Technical Rescue Coordinator & Lead Instructor. Ashley is on Lincoln Fire & Rescue’s Water Rescue Team as a Diver, Swiftwater Technician, Surface Water/Flood Technician & Ice Rescue Technician. Ashley has a Master’s degree in Emergency Medical Services. She is an IAFF Master Instructor with Fire Ground Survival Program. She is on the Fire Department Honor Guard and multiple committees for LFR. Ashley is a consummate student of the fire service. Ashley is married, has two kids and two Golden Retrievers that both she & her husband spend all of their free time with.
Ryan Eaton
Ryan Eaton is a first-generation firefighter paramedic. Ryan started his career serving the residents of Lincoln County at Lincoln County Ambulance District for 2 years. Ryan currently works at Central County Fire and Rescue and has been there for 4 years. He holds certifications as MO Fire Instructor I, MO Fire Officer I, Rescue Boat Technician, and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. Ryan specializes in teaching Swiftwater Rescue for Trident Rescue. In his free time, he loves riding his motorcycle and spending time with his fiancé and dog named Bocephus.
New Instructors Coming Soon!
To apply, please email your resume to info@tridentrescue.com.
