Meet the team
Take an inside look at the instructing team of Team Blacksheep TRT
Jeff Opsatnick
CEO/Lead Instructor
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Write a bio for each team member. Make it short and informative to keep your visitors engaged.
Jason Maddams
Lead instructor
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My name is Jason Maddams, Ive been in the fire service for 10 years and currently employed with Charlotte County Fire and EMS at the rank of Lieutenant. I have been part of Special Operations since 2015. I acquired FLUSAR specialist in 2016 which led to me begin instructing TRT classes in 2018.
Since then, I have taught multiple classes across all disciplines. I recently acquired lead instructor for Swiftwater Rescue Technician. I also instruct as a sub-contractor for the DoD as a subject matter expert in TRT and search and extraction.
Teaching is a passion of mine. Fire service careers are short and come and go in the blink of an eye, and I fully believe in passing on all knowledge to help students grow and understand the TRT craft.
“Champions are made, when no one is looking”.
• 10 years of fire service
• 7 years special operation team member
• FLUSAR series technician Instructor
• Swiftwater technician Instructor
• DoD Subject Matter Expert
• Senior Instructor at Team Blacksheep TRT, LLC
Joel Baker
Senior instructor
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I began my career in the Fire Service as a volunteer in 2004 and then accepted a paid professional position in 2005 at the North River Fire District. I have held every position on the operational side of the fire service ( Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Training Officer, and Special Ops Coordinator) and am now on the Administration side, where I have the pleasure of supporting operations and serving our great members as the Assistant Fire Chief. I am a state certified Paramedic, Fire Instructor, FLUSAR Instructor, Sub-Contractor for the DoD as a Subject Matter Expert in Technical Rescue, and have a Bachelors Degree in Fire Department Administration. I spent over a decade in Local 2546 where I held the role of union steward and later, Assistant to the President, which allowed me to operate in a business agent capacity to help manage issues amongst the local. I believe that our members are the most important asset in the organization and that administrations purpose is to provide them with everything they need to do their jobs exceptionally (Servant Leadership).
I have been married to my wife (Bri) for almost ten years now, we have two boys (Caleb & Logan). We enjoy everything outdoors, traveling, anything on the water, snowboarding/skiing, and being out west.
"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you"
Cory Verne
Senior Instructor
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Write a bio for each team member. Make it short and informative to keep your visitors engaged.