The NESTA Story
Northeast Simulation Training Associates (NESTA) was founded by Peter Latucky. Peter began his firefighting career in Belmont, NH, where he worked in an understaffed fire department. Over the years he often found himself training new firefighters on proper pumping procedures while enduring the harsh New England cold. A lightbulb went off, and Peter realized that there is an urgent need for better, more flexible training that produces well-trained firefighters regardless of weather and staffing conditions.
Thus, NESTA was born. Our mission is to provide firefighters with the training and confidence needed to excel in high-pressure, high-stakes situations. Our vision is to offer safe, practical, and tailored training solutions through the utilization of cutting-edge technology. We aim to not only improve skills but also play a crucial role in lives and positively impact the firefighting community.
The Team
Peter Latucky – President/Owner
Peter is a second generation firefighter whose passion for the fire service began in the small town of Pittsburg, New Hampshire, where he volunteered for five years. Following high school, he relocated to the Lakes Region and attended Lakes Region Community College while serving as a call firefighter with Tilton Northfield Fire & EMS for 15 years.
Throughout his career, Peter has gained extensive experience in both structural and wildland firefighting. He has responded to more than 30 large scale wildland fire incidents across the United States and Canada, including deployments to California, Washington, Oregon, and Quebec. These experiences have provided him with valuable insight into emergency operations, leadership, and the importance of effective training under demanding conditions.
In 2018, Peter began his full time firefighting career with the Belmont Fire Department, serving as a firefighter/AEMT for five years. He currently serves as a firefighter/AEMT with the City of Laconia Fire Department.
As President of Northeast Simulation Training Associates, Peter is committed to advancing fire service education through innovative, hands on training. His goal is not only to teach skills and build competence, but also to instill confidence in every student. Peter believes that confident firefighters make better decisions, perform more effectively under pressure, and ultimately provide a higher level of service to the communities they protect. Through realistic simulation based training, he strives to prepare the next generation of firefighters for success both on the training ground and on the emergency scene.
Kevin LaChapelle – Chief Growth Officer
Kevin LaChapelle retired as Chief of the Franklin, New Hampshire Fire Department in 2019, capping a distinguished career that began in 1996. An early passion for fire service led Kevin to become a fire explorer in Franklin and later serve in the United States Coast Guard, while also working as a call firefighter for the Tilton-Northfield Fire Department. He is a Certified Public Manager with a Fire Science degree from Lakes Region Community College and advanced training from the National Fire Academy.
Known for his innovative approach, Kevin launched EMS360 in 2017, a private-public initiative to fund paramedic training, and led the FTNS Collaborative, strengthening emergency services across Lakes Region communities through shared resources and training. His contributions include chairing the Governor’s Opioid Death Review Committee and serving on the NH Association of Fire Chiefs’ Executive Board. Recognized as the 2017 New Hampshire Emergency Management Director of the Year, Kevin remains dedicated to advancing fire service education with a focus on integrating technology and lessons from past experiences.
As NESTA’s Chief Growth Officer, Kevin brings a unique skillset and deep knowledge and experience of the fire service from both an operational and management perspective.
Mark E. Klose – Operations and Business Development Manager
BS, EFO, CFO, CEMSO, CTO, FM, NR
Mark Klose is a highly respected fire service leader with more than 35 years of experience in emergency services and is the retired Chief of Department for the Rochester New Hampshire Fire Department, where he also served as the City’s Emergency Management Director. From 2008 through 2017 he served as the Bedford New Hampshire Deputy Fire Chief of Operations and Training, where he played a key role in operational leadership, personnel development, and department training initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Municipal Service Administration along with associate degrees in Fire Science and Health Science. Chief Klose has earned numerous prestigious professional credentials, including Executive Fire Officer from the National Fire Academy and multiple chief level designations through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, making him the only fire service professional east of the Mississippi River to achieve and maintain all five professional designations.
A National Registered and New Hampshire licensed Paramedic for more than three decades, Chief Klose brings extensive operational experience in both fire suppression and emergency medical services. His background includes advanced technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire inspection, instruction, and incident safety leadership. He served 15 years with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Massachusetts Task Force One as a Logistics Specialist and was a Flight Medic with the New Hampshire Army National Guard. Chief Klose also developed the State of New Hampshire Line of Duty Death and Serious Injury Contingency Plan and currently serves as a Team Leader and Benefits Specialist with the Granite State Fire Service Support Team, supporting departments and families following line of duty deaths.
Rick Andrews – Staff Trainer
Rick is a third generation firefighter who grew up in Shelburne, NH. After graduating from Gorham High School Rick moved to the Lakes Region where he was a live-in student (bag) with the Gilmanton Corners fire department while earning his A.A.S. degree in Fire Science from New Hampshire Vocational-Technical College, Laconia. While at college, Rick met his future wife Rae and the two settled in Gilford where they raised a daughter Delaney.
Upon graduating Rick joined the Gilford Fire Department as a call firefighter and in 1992 he was hired as a full-time firefighter/EMT. Over the next 28 years he rose through the ranks to Deputy Chief. During that time he was continually learning and earned his Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor II, Paramedic and was a State Fire Instructor for the NHFA. Of special interest to Rick were coordinating Career level classes for the LRMFA Training & Education committee, GPS mapping trails in Gilford and the Belknap Mtn. range to assist in wilderness SAR incidents and designing and rebuilding the departments training facility.
Rick continues to be an active member of the Gilford Fire-Rescue call company after his retirement as a full-time Captain/Paramedic. In his spare time he has enjoyed working 29 years as a ski patroller at Gunstock Mountain Resort, working on completing his second round of hiking the NH 48 4000′ mountains with his dog Maisy and volunteering with the Lakes Regions SAR team. He also enjoys woodworking, camping and learning the locksmith trade.
John Bowler – Interim Head Instructor, Staff Trainer
Born and raised in Amherst, NH, John is a third-generation firefighter dedicated to serving the community. His firefighting journey began in high school as a call firefighter with Amherst Fire Rescue, where he remains active today, ten years later, as the Training Captain. While attending Lakes Region Community College, he gained invaluable experience as a live-in student with Belmont Fire, further solidifying his passion for the profession.
John recently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fire
Administration from Columbia Southern University, enhancing his knowledge and
leadership skills in the fire service. He began his full-time firefighting career by returning to Belmont briefly while covering a member on military leave.
When that time was up he started with the Bow Fire Department, where he served for five years before transferring to the Hooksett Fire Department, where he has been for over a year. In addition to his firefighting career, John spent the past eight years working as a pump technician for WD Perkins Fire Pump Specialist, honing his expertise in fire apparatus maintenance. Now a first-time homeowner in his hometown of Amherst, he remains committed to both his profession and his community, continuously striving to grow as a firefighter and leader.
Tim Griswold – Staff Trainer
Tim is a fifth-generation firefighter who began his career as a fire explorer with the Plaistow and Danville Fire Departments in New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of New Haven, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Administration and a second bachelor’s degree in Fire & Arson Investigation.
Following college, Tim worked as a fire investigator in the private sector and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Lowell, Massachusetts. He volunteered with the Danville Fire Department and later with the Kittery Fire Department in Maine before securing a full-time position as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Portsmouth Fire Department in New Hampshire, where he served for 12 years. In 2024, Tim transitioned to the Laconia Fire Department in New Hampshire, where he has been serving since then.
Tim is passionate about training and education. He enjoys attending fire conferences both locally and nationally. He has taught for the New Hampshire Fire Academy and the New England FOOLS. Additionally, Tim has presented at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has been published twice by Fire Engineering magazine. In his free time, Tim enjoys hiking, snowboarding, reading, and training in jiu-jitsu.
Larry Wells – Staff Trainer
Born and raised in northern New Hampshire, Larry Wells has dedicated his life to public service, emergency response, and hands on leadership. With decades of experience spanning the military, fire service, heavy equipment operations, and wildland firefighting, Larry brings a wealth of real world knowledge and professionalism to the training environment at Northeast Simulation Training Associates, LLC.
Larry proudly served a combined 23 years in the United States Navy and Coast Guard, including 8 years of active duty service and 15 years as a Navy Reserve Seabee before retiring. His military background helped shape his strong work ethic, leadership abilities, and commitment to teamwork under pressure.
In addition to his military career, Larry spent 27 years working for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as a Heavy Equipment Operator, where he developed extensive experience operating and managing equipment in demanding and hazardous environments.
Larry has also been deeply involved in the fire service for more than 30 years and currently serves as a Captain with the Jefferson Fire Department. Throughout his career, he has remained passionate about mentoring and educating the next generation of firefighters. For over 20 years, Larry has served as a Staff Instructor with the New Hampshire Fire Academy, helping train firefighters across the state with a focus on practical skills, safety, and professionalism.
His experience extends far beyond New Hampshire. Larry spent 17 years as an on call wildland firefighter, responding to incidents throughout the United States and Canada. He currently works for New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands, where he has served as a wildland firefighter for the past 6 years.
Larry’s extensive background, calm leadership style, and passion for training make him a valuable member of the NESTA instructional team. His real world experience and dedication to the fire service provide students with practical insight, confidence, and knowledge that can only come from decades of service in the field.
John Ross – Staff Trainer
John “Mossy” Ross Jr. has lived in the Great North Woods his entire life. He is a veteran of the fire service with over 35 years of experience.
For the past nine years, he has served as the Chief of the Whitefield Fire Rescue and is also a certified EMT.
In addition to his fire service career, he spent over 30 years as a heavy equipment mechanic in the volunteer sector.
Mossy has also worked for more than 20 years as a wild land firefighter in New Hampshire, traveling across the United States and Canada. He is a staff fire instructor for the New Hampshire Fire Academy.
Kelly Latucky – Administrator
Kelly Latucky, a native of Laconia, New Hampshire in the Lakes region, completed her secondary education at Laconia High School, where she engaged in two years of business management coursework. Following her graduation, Kelly embarked on a career in business management. She initially served as an office administrator in the medical sector before transitioning to the construction industry. In this capacity, she effectively managed a scale house for a prominent aggregate company, overseeing a fleet of approximately 100 trucks and coordinating deliveries across the state of Massachusetts.
Desiring to return to the Lakes region for employment opportunities, Kelly expressed interest in becoming a branch office administrator at a large financial institution. She brings to her position at NESTA a wealth of administrative experience accumulated over many years.
When she is not engaged in scheduling classes for our organization, Kelly spends her leisure time caring for her diverse array of pets, which includes three dogs and three cats. She enjoys walking her dogs and cherishes moments spent with her family, as well as cooking and baking various desserts.