Elected Officers

President - GARY HALE

Gary hale began his Fire and Emergency Medical Service career in 1974 in Colorado, serving as an Engineer/Medic, providing an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Engine. In 1986 he left West Adams County Fire Department and moved to Alaska, where he became a member of Kalifornski Fire Department. In 1989, he furthered his career by joining Central Emergency Services, serving as a fire fighter/EMT. In 1990, he transferred into the Bureau of Fire Prevention where he currently serves as Fire Marshal.

Fire Marshal Gary hale has investigated fires since 1984, serving on a 12-member fire investigation team for West Adams county Fire Department in colorado, and continuing his career in fire investigation with Kalifornski Fire Department and onto Central Emergency Services. Today, he oversees and supervises an 8-member certified fire investigation team for Central Emergency Services. Along with duties as the fire marshal for CES, he holds certifications as Fire Inspector II, EMT II, and plan reviewer.

Vice President - BRIAN BALEGA

Brian has been an investigator with the Anchorage Fire Department since February 2008. Prior to joining AFD, he was employed as a Police Officer with the Anchorage Police Department (APD). He is currently the only fire investigator for the Municipality of Anchorage.

Brian started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter at Derry Township Volunteer Fire Department Company #1 in Bradenville, PA. He served with the fire department for 2 1/2 years prior to obtaining an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice and joining the US Army. Brian served 5 years on active duty with the US Army, and was assigned to Fort Richardson, AK for 3 years of his enlistment. In April 1996, he was hired by APD and worked 4 years as a patrol officer prior to being assigned as a Detective. Under this reassignment he investigated fraud, theft, burglary, assault, sexual assaults, drug related crimes and drug related homicides. Brian's last 6 years with APD was conducting undercover drug investigations and technical surveillances. Brian was also a deputized Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Brian is a certified IFC Fire Service Instructor 1, NAFI Fire Investigation Instructor, and a NAFI Fire and Explosion Investigator. Brian is certified as a Clandestine Laboratory Supervisor. Brian holds an Advanced Peace Officer Certificate with the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC).

Secretary/Treasurer - LESLIE QUELLAND

Central Emergency Services Captain/Paramedic: Lesley Quelland. Born and raised in Oregon and came to Alaska in 1984. She started with the Soldotna Fire Department in July 1985 as an administrative assistant. After completing FFI and EMT II, she attended Swedish Medical Center in 1989 at Englewood, Colorado for her Paramedic licensure. She started on shift in 1991, promoted to Engineer in 1996, and Captain in 2002. She joined the AAFAI in 1993 and is honored to have been a part of the growth and change for fire and arson investigation in Alaska. She is currently 1 of 7 state certified fire investigators for CES.