Mr. Sutherland holds the position of Truck Captain for a leading fire department in Southern California. He has worked in the Fire Service for 24 years, serving in various capacities. He is member of the Newport Beach Fire Department cadre of instructors for new recruits. He instructs recruits on fire behavior and is a lead instructor for Flashover training. Additionally, he instructs on hose and ladder training. For the past 15 years Captain Sutherland has been the lead Fire Suppression instructor and Drill the Skills for the Newport Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He also is an instructor for Newport Beach Fire Explorer program. In this program he instructs on Engine Company operations and fire attack.

Captain Sutherland has been on numerous Campaign Fires in California working as an Engine Captain. Throughout his career he has responded to over 500 fires and has over 300 investigations through his career in the fire service. He is also a member of the Orange County Arson Task Force. Working in the private sector he has investigated over 800 fires.

Mr. Sutherland specializes in fire behavior. He has attended FDIC in Indianapolis and is certified in the Swede Fire Survival system. Through his years of instruction, Mr. Sutherland has performed numerous live burns and taught on fire behavior and dynamics. Mr. Sutherland is a lead instructor for the Basic Fire
Academy. He is a CSFM certified Company Officer and Fire Investigator. He is currently a member of the IAAI.