Our People

As Roco Rescue’s Director of Training, Chris Carlsen is responsible for all aspects of the training segment of the business. At a high level, Chris’ focus is on ensuring that Roco’s courses meet customer needs and exceed their expectations. Chris oversees the development and evolution of the entire curriculum, and is also charged with making sure Roco courses are taught by a world-class team of instructors.

In order to accomplish this, his duties include regular assessment of the rescue techniques being taught to make sure they incorporate the latest best-practices and are in line with Roco’s “keep it safe and simple” philosophy, and that they are compliant with relevant standards and regulations. Similarly, Chris oversees evaluations of new equipment and determines what equipment will be included in Roco’s curriculum. Chris’ role also requires that he keep in close contact with clients to understand their training goals.

Chris was previously a Chief Instructor for Roco Rescue, serving in that capacity since 2012. Prior to that, he was an instructor and a standby rescue team member dating back to 2004. Up until his appointment as Director of Training in 2020, Chris worked full-time for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, achieving the rank of lieutenant and  serving as Technical Rescue Program Manager, where he oversaw a broad range of training sub-specialties for the department’s varied technical rescue needs.

Chris is a self-proclaimed “technical rescue geek.” In addition to graduating from the National Fire Academy’s Special Operations Program Management course, he also is SPRAT Level II certified, an ITRA qualified instructor and assessor,  technical rescue trainer for a National Lab, and has taught fire science at Central New Mexico Community College.

Chris lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with his wife and two teenage daughters.