Jerry “Whaler” Whaley
Co-Owner/Instructor [link to more info]
Jerry has been involved in Search and Rescue (SAR) since 2005 and is the Co-Owner/Operator of Buckeye Emergency Response Training School. A Type III Incident Commander and certified NASAR Instructor, he has trained SAR personnel across 40 states, four countries, and all branches of the military.
A Nationally Registered Paramedic, Wilderness EMT, and Firefighter, Jerry has extensive experience in SAR operations, forensic investigations, and emergency response. He has worked alongside U.S. Military Special Forces, FBI, FEMA, and law enforcement agencies, earning the Presidential “Call to Service Award” for his contributions.
Beyond emergency response, Jerry has over 28 years of experience as a Licensed Social Worker and currently serves in Child Protective Services. He has also contributed to SAR research and public health preparedness initiatives. An avid outdoorsman and retired IRONMAN competitor, he enjoys backpacking, cycling, and martial arts.
When he’s not in the field or the classroom, Jerry enjoys time with his wife and their two grown sons, who share many of his passions.
Craig “Doc” Spieker
Co-Owner/Instructor [link to more info]
Craig has been dedicated to Search and Rescue (SAR) since 2005 and is the Co-Owner/Operator of Buckeye Emergency Response Training School. A Type III SAR Incident Commander and certified NASAR Instructor, he has trained personnel across 43 states and eight countries.
With over 30 years in law enforcement, Craig served as a Police Officer, Firefighter/Medic, and EMS Chief, specializing in emergency response, tactical driving, and underwater crime scene recovery. He is also an FAA-licensed UAS pilot and holds advanced certifications in SAR, HAZMAT, and technical rescue operations.
A U.S. Army veteran and former First Sergeant in the Ohio Military Reserve, Craig deployed during Desert Storm and supported humanitarian missions worldwide. An Eagle Scout and martial artist with three black belts, he remains active in SAR leadership as a NASAR Board Director. When he’s not training responders or leading missions, he enjoys the outdoors with his wife of 31 years and their two grown children.
Dr. Rob “Snapple” Davis
Instructor
Rob has built a career at the intersection of emergency response and education. A Registered Nurse (RN) and EMT with over 20 years of experience, he specializes in intensive care and leadership, currently teaching in the Master of Science in Nursing program at Chamberlain College of Nursing. He holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University and certifications in disaster response, nursing education, and tactical medicine.
Previously a Sheriff’s Deputy in South Carolina, Rob worked in narcotics enforcement and K-9 operations, collaborating with the U.S. Marshals and Postal Inspector’s Office. Now, his passion for Search and Rescue (SAR) continues as a NASAR-certified Instructor, Crew Leader, and Canine Lead Evaluator. He currently handles Arie, his HRD-Land certified SAR dog.
An expert in wilderness medicine, Rob is a NASAR Wilderness Emergency Care Instructor and a Fellow in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. Whether in the classroom or the field, he is dedicated to advancing emergency response and education.
Beth “Runaway” Davis
Instructor
Beth has been involved in Search and Rescue (SAR) since 2012, bringing her expertise as a Registered Nurse, Nationally Registered Paramedic, and Pediatric Trauma Outreach Educator at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Before entering emergency medicine, she spent 24 years as a music educator in Northeast Ohio.
Beth is a NASAR-certified SARTECH I Crew Leader, Lead Evaluator, and Wilderness EMT, as well as a certified K-9 handler specializing in Human Remains Detection (HRD). She serves as Vice President of Northeast Ohio Search and Rescue and continues to train and evaluate SAR teams nationwide.
Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing (DNP) at Chamberlain University, Beth enjoys home improvement projects on her 1925 fixer-upper with her husband, Rob, a fellow BERTS instructor.
Nick “Raptor” Spieker
Instructor
Nick began his Search and Rescue (SAR) career in high school, becoming the youngest person in the world to earn NASAR’s SARTECH I certification and one of its youngest-ever SARTECH II Evaluators at just 15. Passionate about SAR, he assisted BERTS with evaluations and training before he was old enough to join a team.
An Eagle Scout with 51 merit badges, Nick is also a Wilderness First Responder, certified scuba diver, and trained in boating safety and emergency response. He was active in high school sports, music, and leadership programs, earning a varsity letter in wrestling and a black belt in American Karate.
Nick graduated from the University of Dayton in 2021 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Military Science. Now a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he serves as an Infantry Officer, having completed Airborne training and the Arctic Warfare Operations Course. He began his career as a Platoon Leader with the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic) in Alaska before moving to California in 2023, where he is now the Executive Officer for Los Angeles-area recruiting stations.
James “Viper” Wimberly
Instructor
Jimmy was a dedicated Search and Rescue (SAR) professional and public safety advocate, serving the SAR community since 2008 while working as Safety Coordinator for C&K Industries in Cleveland, Ohio. With 15 years in security and law enforcement, he brought extensive expertise to every mission.
A Lieutenant of Unit 7 for the Ohio Special Response Team, Jimmy was certified as a NASAR SARTECH I, SARTECH II Evaluator, and ASHI Wilderness Emergency Medical Instructor, with advanced training in rope and swift water rescue, lost person behavior, HAZMAT, and risk assessment. He was also a passionate advocate for mental health in public service, earning Police Officer of the Year from NAMI of Greater Cleveland.
A lifelong outdoor enthusiast and Boy Scouts of America alumnus, Jimmy was more than an instructor—he was a devoted father, mentor, and friend.
On February 11, 2023, he lost his battle with renal failure, but his legacy of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) lives on. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.