William Wagner IV

William Wagner IV is the founder and owner of VooDoo Rescue, and a seasoned technical rescue professional with over 20 years of operational experience. He currently serves as a Cave-In Technician with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue and as a Rescue Specialist with VATF-1/USA-01, a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, with numerous domestic and international deployments to his credit.

William began his fire service career in 1999 in South Florida, where he developed a strong interest in technical rescue. Early in his career, he worked as an aerial rigger for Cirque du Soleil, an experience that laid the foundation for his expertise in complex rigging systems and vertical environments.

He is a SPRAT Level 2 Rope Access Technician, Tower Rescue Specialist, and certified Petzl Gear Inspector. His operational experience spans a wide range of environments, including Maritime Operator, stunt rigging, water rescue standby, and confined space standby operations.

Driven by a passion for innovation and real-world application, William has traveled extensively across the United States to train with—and teach alongside—many of the top professionals in the rescue industry. His hands-on experience, instructional leadership, and commitment to technical excellence are the driving forces behind VooDoo Rescue’s cutting-edge approach to safety and rescue training.

Above all, William is dedicated to fostering international collaboration within the rescue community. He believes in bringing rescuers together to share a common goal: to exchange knowledge and innovate as one.

Gilles Rousseaux

Gilles Rousseaux is the founder of G.Rft and a highly experienced rescue professional. He serves as the Team Leader of the GRIMP Rope and Confined Space Rescue Team with the Fire Department of Antwerp, where he oversees complex technical rescue operations.

Widely recognized as an all-around rescue enthusiast and technical expert, Gilles combines deep field experience with a passion for innovation. Through G.Rft, he delivers advanced training and consultancy services that are grounded in real-world application and the latest rescue techniques.

Gilles is not only a leader in operational rescue but also a dedicated advocate for safety and public education, continuously working to elevate awareness and professional standards in the rescue community.

Daniel Davis

Founding Member, Voodoo Rescue | Technical Rescue Lead Instructor

Daniel Davis is a professional firefighter with 25 years of experience, including two decades dedicated to technical rescue within the fire service. A founding member of Voodoo Rescue, Daniel is widely respected for his depth of knowledge and passion for advancing rescue operations through instruction and innovation.

He serves as an Adjunct Instructor with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP), specializing in Heavy and Technical Rescue. Daniel is also an active member of Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1/USA-1), one of FEMA’s elite Urban Search and Rescue teams. He holds certifications including SPRAT Level I and Ronin Team Lead, underscoring his commitment to professional development and operational excellence.

Daniel’s enthusiasm for rope rescue is evident in his role as co-lead of the Rope Core Group for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, where he teaches and mentors firefighters in advanced rope techniques. He also travels across the Commonwealth, instructing Rope Rescue courses through VDFP, and is known for his ability to make complex skills accessible and practical.

A lifelong student of the craft, Daniel continues to train globally, bringing back cutting-edge knowledge to share with the rescue community. His mission is clear: to unite rescuers, elevate training, and help evolve the technical rescue discipline through collaboration and excellence.

Alan Sunshine

Alan Sunshine is the Managing Director of his firm and a multifaceted professional with deep roots in engineering and vertical rescue. A Civil Engineer by training, Alan is also a Rope Access and Rescue Specialist, blending technical precision with real-world rigging expertise.

With a passion for problem-solving in high-angle environments, Alan is a competition rescue enthusiast, a self-proclaimed rigging nerd, and an occasional stunt rigger for film and television. His broad and unconventional experience brings a unique, high-energy perspective to technical rescue instruction.

Alan’s mix of engineering insight, rescue experience, and creative rigging makes him a sought-after instructor and consultant in the global rescue and rope access community.

Alex McKenna

VooDoo Rescue | Technical Rescue Instructor

Alex McKenna is a Cave-In Technician with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, bringing over 11 years of operational experience to the field. He also serves as a Rescue Specialist with VATF-1/USA-01, a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, with multiple domestic deployments to his name.

Alex began his fire service journey in 2009 with the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he continues to volunteer actively. His entry into technical rescue began with the Frederick County Advanced Technical Rescue Team, where he advanced to the role of Assistant Team Leader.

A SPRAT Level 2 Rope Access Technician, Alex has worked in a wide range of industrial and rescue environments, including nuclear cooling towers, high-rise construction, and confined space standby operations. He also served six years with the National Ski Patrol, where he played a leading role in lift evacuation training and operations.

Committed to continuous learning, Alex has traveled across the U.S. to train under some of the top names in technical rescue. His hands-on experience, leadership background, and passion for the craft make him a valuable asset to the VooDoo Rescue team of experts.

Peter de Vries

Peter de Vries brings over 18 years of experience in the at-height safety and rescue industry. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, SPRAT Level 1 Rope Access Technician, and NFPA-Certified Firefighter and Rope Rescuer. Known for his precision and deep technical knowledge, Peter is also a respected rope-splicing specialist, offering custom splicing services through his company Designs by de Vries, and in collaboration with Maple Leaf Ropes.

Peter currently serves as a Product Specialist for Courant Vertical Living, a role that takes him across North and South America and Europe to support industry events, product demonstrations, and technical outreach. He also plays a key role in shaping Courant’s presence on social media, sharing expert insights and engaging with the global at-height community.

Based in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, Peter is a proud husband to his wife Emma of 19 years, and together they are raising two sons. His passion for safety, innovation, and education make him a valuable member of the VooDoo Rescue team of experts.

David Bulman

VooDoo Rescue | Technical Rescue Instructor | IT Architect

David Bulman brings over 22 years of experience in fire and emergency services, including the last 12 years as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. He currently serves as a Lieutenant with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, where he has been a dedicated member for the past 11 years.

With a strong background in technical rescue and special operations, David spent six years specializing in complex rescue disciplines and seven years as a deployable member of Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1/USA-01). As part of FEMA and the INSARAG Urban Search and Rescue System, he has participated in numerous high-profile domestic and international deployments.

David holds advanced certifications in rope rescue (including SPRAT), confined space, trench rescue, swift water and boat operations, and heavy vehicle extrication, and is a FEMA-certified Structural Collapse Specialist. As an experienced instructor, he teaches rope rescue, swift water rescue, and boat-based operations to emergency responders across the region.

In addition to his operational and instructional roles, David offers a unique perspective as an IT architect, leveraging technology to improve communication, training delivery, and operational effectiveness within the rescue community. His vision is to bridge information and relationships through more accessible and integrated platforms, enhancing how responders learn, connect, and collaborate.

Matt Burns

Fire Chief, Bryan County Fire & Rescue – Georgia

Matt Burns serves as the Fire Chief of Bryan County Fire & Rescue in Georgia, bringing over 30 years of fire service experience and a deep commitment to technical rescue, leadership, and training. He began his career in 1991 and retired from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue as a Battalion Chief after more than 26 years of distinguished service.

During his tenure in Fairfax County, Chief Burns served as Program Manager for the department’s Technical Rescue Operations Team, where he led training initiatives, oversaw incident responses, and supported rescue company operations. He was also a long-standing member of Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1 / USA-01), the elite Urban Search and Rescue Team. Over 22 years with VA-TF1, he held key leadership roles as Task Force Leader and Operations Chief, deploying on numerous domestic and international missions.

Chief Burns has a strong legacy of instruction and mentorship. He served as an Adjunct Instructor for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, teaching courses in Heavy & Tactical Rescue and Firefighter I & II. He also worked as a Lead Instructor for FEMA’s Structural Collapse Specialist program, furthering the capabilities of responders nationwide.

Recognized for his passion for technical rescue and teaching, Chief Burns continues to share his expertise in rescue company operations and rope rescue with the next generation of technical rescue professionals.

Our Technical Rescue Training Consultants Network

At VooDoo Rescue, we are proud to be supported by a robust network of approximately 50 independent technical rescue instructors—each a seasoned professional with deep-rooted expertise across a wide range of disciplines, including rescue operations, fire services, emergency medical response, tower rescue, and rope access.

This diverse and highly skilled team forms the foundation of our technical excellence, positioning VooDoo Rescue as a recognized leader in safety and technical rescue training services.

What truly sets our network apart is not just operational experience, but instructional capability. Every consultant is trained in effective adult education principles and instructional techniques, ensuring they can translate complex field knowledge into engaging, accessible, and impactful learning experiences.

By combining real-world expertise with a commitment to education, our consultants deliver training and advisory services that are practical, comprehensive, and educationally sound. This powerful blend makes VooDoo Rescue the trusted partner of choice for organizations seeking the highest standards in technical rescue and safety training—regionally and beyond.