Executive Director, International Fire Dogs

Shane Weltikol serves as Executive Director of International Fire Dogs, providing national leadership and strategic oversight of the organization’s accelerant detection K9 program. He also serves as Battalion Chief with the Mandan Fire Department in Mandan, North Dakota, where he has been employed since 2004. Shane began his career in emergency services in 1997 and brings nearly three decades of operational, investigative, and executive leadership experience to the profession.

Shane holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and Fire Investigation. He is currently a student in the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, with graduation anticipated in 2026. Shane is credentialed as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), a Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE), and a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP).

A K9 handler since 2017, Shane works alongside his partner Webbster and remains actively engaged in fire investigation, interagency collaboration, and professional development initiatives nationwide.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Shane is a husband and father of four, with one child still at home. He and his family share their home with two Great Danes, Rhaegar and Rhaenyra.

Founder & Board Member, International Fire Dogs

Jerry Means is the founder of International Fire Dogs and served as its first Executive Director. He brings 42 years of experience in fire service and law enforcement. He currently serves as Division Chief of Investigations for Adams County Fire Rescue in North Denver.

Means also founded and served as President of the National Fire Dog Monument in Washington, D.C.

He attended the Maine State Police Academy Accelerant Detection K-9 Program three times, graduating with K-9 partners Erin, Sadie, and Riley. He has been named Colorado Fire Investigator of the Year twice and Colorado Police Officer of the Year.

In 2011, his second K-9, Sadie, received the American Humane Association Law Enforcement and Arson K-9 of the Year award. Sadie later served as a National Ambassador for the American Humane Association and as a member of the Red Star National Response Team.

Means continues to support the mission of International Fire Dogs as a member of its Board of Directors.

Co-Founder & Board Member
International Fire Dogs

Alex Limbert is a co-founder and board member of International Fire Dogs, bringing a background in the fire service, restoration, and public-safety–focused industries to the organization’s leadership. Originally from Florida, Alex moved to Colorado at age 12 and graduated from Legacy High School in Broomfield. He entered the workforce full time at 17 while earning his EMT certification through Front Range Community College.

Alex began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with the Evans Fire Department, completing the fire academy through Aims Community College and earning Firefighter I and HazMat I certifications, all while working full time in the restoration industry alongside fire investigators and emergency response professionals.

At 23, Alex founded AJL Consulting and later co-founded Colorado Premier Restoration in 2015, followed by Pure Abatement in 2016. CPR grew into a national restoration firm before being acquired in 2023. He remains actively involved in several service-based companies, including Endurance Plumbing, Envision Fabrication, Yeti Ark Electrical, and Pure Abatement.

Through International Fire Dogs, Alex supports the organization’s long-term strategy and partnerships, helping ensure continued access to trained accelerant detection canines for fire departments across the country.

Founder & Board Member, International Fire Dogs

Ryder Robison serves on the board as one of the founding members of International Fire Dogs. Robison began his career in the fire service in 2015 as a volunteer firefighter.

He currently serves as the Lieutenant of Fire Investigations for Adams County Fire Rescue in Colorado. In 2025 Robison completed a 22-week Peace Officer Standard of Training sheriff’s academy at Flatrock Regional Training Center where he received the Academy Director’s Award.

Board Secretary, International Fire Dogs

Jared began his fire service career in 2009 and currently serves as Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal for Spokane County Fire District 4. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Fire Science and has spent the past decade assigned as a fire investigator.

He maintains the professional designations of IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), IAAI Evidence Collection Technician (ECT), and NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI). His investigative work centers on origin and cause determination, evidence documentation, and application of the scientific method consistent with NFPA 921.

Jared completed Class 56, where he became an Ignitable Liquid Detection K9 handler. He currently works alongside his K9 partner, Chardonnay, conducting systematic scene examinations and assisting agencies in locating potential ignitable liquid evidence for laboratory confirmation.

Through his leadership and field experience, Jared supports the mission of International Fire Dogs and promotes disciplined, standards-based fire investigation practices.