Tal Prendergast is a lieutenant with the Urbana, IL, Fire Department. He has been in the fire service for 28 years, including 21 years as a career firefighter. Prendergast has been an instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) for 19 years where he has delivered hands-on training across the nation. He currently serves as the Firefighting Program Administrative Coordinator where he oversees several IFSI programs. Prendergast has a bachelor’s degree in Technical Systems Management from the University of Illinois.