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Master the Art of Fire Safety
Expert training for fire safety. Torch & Tame offers NWSA/NWCG basic wildland firefighter and prescribed fire training.
Why Choose Torch & Tame RX Training?
Ryan Rickerson: Director, Instructor, and Wildland Fire Operations Specialist
Ryan Rickerson brings over a decade of hands-on experience in wildfire suppression, prescribed fire operations, and ecological restoration. As the founder and Director of Torch & Tame RX, he combines deep operational expertise with a passion for training the next generation of wildland fire professionals.
Ryan previously served as Director of Operations at Integrated Lakes Management, where he led prescribed fire programs, coordinated safety training, and managed complex field logistics across municipal and private landscapes. His leadership has guided teams through hundreds of successful burns while maintaining a relentless focus on safety, communication, and environmental stewardship.
Prior to ILM, Ryan held key field leadership roles at Semper Fi Land Services, Tallgrass Restoration, and the Deerfield Park District. He has collaborated under several Burn Boss’s and instructed alongside respected area trainer--Ken Terrill. His technical background includes chainsaw safety instruction, GIS mapping, and equipment logistics for burn and restoration crews.
Ryan is a certified Fire Service Instructor and holds federal wildland firefighter qualifications (NWCG S-130/S-190). He is also a National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA) Lead Instructor, certified to teach the following NWCG courses:
L-180: Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
RT-130: Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training
S-130: Firefighter Training
S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
S-211: Portable Pumps and Water Use
S-212: Wildland Fire Chainsaws
In addition, Ryan holds certifications in OSHA/PDRMA safety protocols, Chicago Wilderness Burn Crew and Brush Pile Boss, and is licensed as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Class A CDL driver.
With Torch & Tame RX Training, Ryan is committed to empowering both individuals and organizations to build safer, smarter fire programs rooted in continued education, training, and respect for the land.