Not every life-saving decision begins in the middle of a disaster.

Long before Capt. Dan Ripley helped lead response efforts following hurricanes, tornadoes and floods across the United States, he learned leadership principles and technical expertise that would guide those moments as a student in the Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology program in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

Today, the 2003 Oklahoma State University graduate serves as a fire captain with Lincoln Fire & Rescue in Nebraska. He is also a task force leader with Nebraska Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team, a board member of the International Fire Service Training Association and a representative on several National Fire Protection Association committees.

“Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology is truly the West Point of the fire service,” Ripley said. “It draws students from around the world, and those relationships become lifelong professional connections.”

The program immerses students in real-world fire protection, life-saving scenarios and research, all while making it clear to students that firefighters have a unique responsibility to save lives.

“The faculty stresses the uniqueness of the profession in our ability to have a direct impact on the safety of people throughout the world,” Ripley said. “That mindset has stayed with me throughout my entire career.”

Ripley joined Lincoln Fire & Rescue immediately after graduating. The transition to full-time firefighting felt seamless due to the high standard set by FPSET.

“When challenging situations have arisen, I’ve been able to rely on both my education and my training to make all the sound decisions,” he said. “The program prepared me to think outside the box and make split-second decisions based on my education and experiences at OSU.”

That preparation was vital when he helped respond to disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, Ida and Fiona; the 2013 Moore tornadoes; the Boulder, Colorado, floods; and many others across the country.

As a task force leader with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ripley oversees the coordination of structural engineers, rescue specialists, physicians, logistics personnel and other experts. His FPSET training gave him the skills needed to coordinate a multidisciplinary team of first responders, all in the name of saving lives.

“The people we are there to help don't care about our rank or title — they simply want someone who is capable, compassionate and ready to help,” Ripley said.

He has dedicated much of his career to advancing firefighting education through IFSTA, an OSU organization that develops training materials used by fire departments worldwide.

“I believe IFSTA makes good firefighters into great firefighters,” Ripley said. “Walk into nearly any fire station in America, and you’ll find IFSTA manuals on the shelves.”

These training materials are among the best in the world, thanks to experienced firefighters like Ripley, who help ensure the next generation of firefighting professionals has the most current, research-based information.

“If experienced firefighters fail to contribute to that process, we fail not only the next generation of firefighters, but also the citizens who depend on us to provide the highest level of service possible,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ripley believes the profession’s greatest challenges will be the rapidly evolving construction methods, new building materials and emerging technologies such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Understanding hazards such as thermal runaway and how to respond will require continued research and education.

“The best part of the fire service is that every incident is different,” Ripley said. “You have to be continually learning the best way to ensure the emergency is handled the best way possible.”

His advice to current CEAT students is to take advantage of every opportunity available, from internships and student organizations to various certifications.

“Four years may seem like a long time, but graduation comes much faster than you think,” Ripley said. “Ask your professors and upperclassmen how you can become involved. It will set you up for success more than you’ll ever realize.”

As he continues to make an impact on the lives of his fellow citizens, Ripley said the education he received at OSU continues to influence every call he responds to and every firefighter he leads.

“My education at OSU shaped the firefighter and leader I am today,” he said. “It gave me knowledge, skills and relationships that continue to have a direct impact on public safety every day. There may not be a greater gift FPSET can give its graduates than the opportunity to serve their communities and our nation by doing two simple things: run calls and help people.”

Whether leading disaster response teams, mentoring firefighters, or helping develop training materials, Ripley’s commitment to integrity, service and leadership demonstrates how OSU influences alumni far beyond the classroom.