David Cruickshank, MS, EMS-I
Department Head Mr. Cruickshank has worked in almost every facet of emergency response and brings his field experience to the classroom. He began as a volunteer firefighter which inspired him to become an EMT. He worked for Hunter's Ambulance for 10 years during which he responded to 9/11 immediately after the collapse to assist with medical care. He then worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Town of Berlin before being sworn in as a police officer. He served the department for over 12 years as a patrol officer and then as a detective where he was assigned to the Mid-State Major Crime Squad. He also served as a medical instructor, underwater response diver, and as a court liaison working closely with prosecutors and judges. Mr. Cruickshank remains close to many departments within the State of Connecticut providing him with invaluable connections to the trade.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Cruickshank also serves as a security specialist for the National Disaster Medical System under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this command role, he is responsible for coordinating the protection of government assets deployed during disaster response. He has responded to numerous natural disasters including New York for Hurricane Sandy, Texas for Hurricane Harvey, Florida for Hurricanes Irma and Ian, Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria, and most recently to California, Texas, Wyoming, and New England for COVID-19. While working in these fields, he earned a BA in Communications, BS in Biochemistry, and MS in Public Safety. While finishing his MS, he started a non-profit research organization focusing on improving internal functions of police agencies nationwide. He has been published on the cover of Police Chief Magazine twice, the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin twice, in Techniques Magazine, in the International Association of Emergency Managers Bulletin, as well as speaking at the Center for American and International Law in Plano, Texas. He also wrote Mission Support, the textbook used nationwide to teach emergency management to high school students. Mr. Cruickshank is passionate about teaching and helping the community, serving as a member of numerous civic organizations. He was recently honored by being selected as one of the nationwide 2023 Funds For Teachers Fellows. |
Joseph Linskey, BA
Instructor Mr. Linskey comes to us here at Vinal Technical High School after retiring from the Berlin Police Department after almost 21 years of dedicated service. Mr. Linskey graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology and then began his career in law enforcement as an emergency dispatcher where he was responsible for dispatching police, fire, and emergency medical services. Mr. Linskey was then hired as a police officer and was assigned to the patrol division where he took on ancillary duties as an AED/CPR instructor. Shortly after, he went on to become a firearms instructor certified by the state of Connecticut to teach pistol, patrol rifle, shotgun, and revolver. Mr. Linskey’s passion is in firearms training which is evident as he has been an avid competitive law enforcement shooter for more than 15 years, earning over 185 Major Sanctioned Match Titles including Four National Championship Titles. Mr. Linskey was the first competitor in history to win National Championship titles in both semi-automatic and revolver divisions of the International Defensive Pistol Association. He enjoys taking the lessons he develops in the classroom and applying them in a practical setting and has had great success in doing so. Mr. Linskey currently holds Eight Master Classifications, Three Distinguished Master Classifications, and One Grandmaster Classification in competitive international firearms organizations.
As he transitioned into secondary education, Mr. Linskey retired as a Shift Commander and the Commander of the Firearms Training Unit where he researched, developed, and implemented the Department’s first Patrol Rifle Program and conducted annual Active Shooter Training and Response and taught Use of Force. Mr. Linskey also held credentials as a certified instructor in Taser, Baton, OC Spray (pepper spray), and Handcuffing. He was a member of the first wave of department mentors, an awards committee member, certified bicycle officer, former member of the Midstate Traffic Enforcement Unit, the recipient of Two Life Saving Awards, and the recipient of the Merit Award. |
Danielle Lagueux, BS
Program Assistant / Substitute Instructor Mrs. Lagueux worked in emergency services for almost 10 years with the Town of West Hartford and remains close to the trade through various outside roles. Mrs. Lagueux started her career after college as a Police Officer, assigned to the Patrol Division. During her time, she earned numerous certifications including Emergency Medical Responder, Field Training Officer, Police Dispatcher, and was a member of the Department’s Peer Support Team. In 2020, she transitioned to the role of Public Safety Dispatcher where she worked primarily as an emergency call taker and fire department dispatcher. She was certified through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch in Emergency Medical Dispatch and Emergency Fire Dispatch. Mrs. Lagueux earned her BS in History with a minor in Sociology from CCSU. |
Firefighter Margo Ward
Middletown Fire Department K-9 Officer Brandon Lagueux
Berlin Police Department Staff Sergeant Ian Brown
Connecticut National Guard |
Fire Marshal Steve Waznia
Town of Berlin Paul P.
Military Special Operations, Ret. Bob Canto
Traffic Reconstructionist And many more!
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Detective Ted Fuini, Ret.
A.I. Prince Tech CJPS Dept. Head Assistant Chief Sean Delaney
Water Witch Hose Company #2 Major Corey Holmes
Connecticut National Guard |
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