Faculty Spotlight: Rick Stack Brings Real-World Experience to LSUE's Fire & Emergency Services Program

For more than 38 years, Rick Stack served on the frontlines as a Fire Captain and Nationally Registered Paramedic in Massachusetts. Today, he's channeling that lifetime of experience into the classroom as an adjunct professor in the Associate of Applied Science in Fire and Emergency Services program at LSU Eunice (LSUE). Rick's passion for teaching, combined with his commitment to helping students become the next generation of leaders in the fire service, has made him an invaluable part of the LSUE community. Alongside his service dog, Halligan, Rick continues to dedicate his life to supporting others—this time, through education. 

Meet Rick Stack 

Please tell us about yourself and your background. 

My name is Rick Stack, and I am a retired full-time Fire Captain and Nationally Registered Paramedic, with over 38 years of experience as a first responder. I hold several undergraduate degrees in Building Construction, Psychology, and Fire Science. I also have a Master's in Public Administration from Anna Maria College, with a concentration in Fire Science. I am a retired full-time Fire Captain from Massachusetts and also hold many certificates from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy as well as from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. I have been teaching at LSUE in the Fire Science degree program since 2022. 

I have a true service dog named Halligan (named after the firefighting forcible entry tool used every day in the fire service). Halligan trained for a year without me, only knowing my scent, and I trained with him for over 8 months. He was donated by the nonprofit organization BASK (Balance and Service K9s) based in Medway, Massachusetts. I have been diagnosed with job-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Halligan helps me deal with this each and every day. I am very humbled to have him—he is by my side 98% of the time. I also have a 23-year-old daughter that I am very proud of. She just recently obtained her graduate degree from Quinnipiac University. 

What are the biggest challenges and rewards of teaching online? 

The biggest reward of teaching online is meeting new students from all over the country. This provides us with an abundance of knowledge and ways to share ideas, allowing us to adapt them to our current jobs. With a vast array of students from throughout the country, many of whom are currently working in the fire service, we have an unbelievable resource for not just fellow students but also instructors. Obviously, the biggest reward any instructor has is the ability to provide knowledge and help shape future leaders and administrators in the fire service. With that said, I am humble enough to state that I learn from students as well. 

One of the biggest challenges with online education has always been the lack of personal contact between students and instructors. Technology has overcome this limitation by providing live interaction and 24-hour access to content and instructor availability. Being available for students' needs is such an important concept, especially when they are in doubt about concepts and when questions arise. I take pride in giving students my personal cell phone number so they can reach out to me at a moment's notice. 

How do you engage and motivate students in an online setting? 

I believe the most effective way to motivate students is by helping them understand that their opinions truly matter and that there is no such thing as an "inferior" question. I am a firm believer that if the question arises from just one student, there are many others out there thinking the same thing but are not comfortable enough to ask. Having this open environment helps empower students so they do not hold back thoughts, opinions, and experiences they've had throughout their lives and careers. This type of environment provides a "safe space" for all of us to continue learning and evolve as we care for others on the front lines of service. 

How has your academic journey influenced your approach to online learning? 

My academic journey in online education has also evolved in many different ways. Technology is arguably the biggest improvement in online instruction. Several learning platforms, such as Canvas, exist today to provide information and enable instant communication with students. The simulations and information available now are just tremendous. This helps us, as instructors, bolster and expand the knowledge base of students like never before. 

I look forward to the next generation of technology and how it will help students learn more effectively as we all become better providers for the public—and most importantly, deliver the best services while operating safely in chaotic and dangerous situations. 

What advice would you give to students on staying motivated and inspired throughout their online journey? 

My advice to all students is to keep on learning. The fire service is continually evolving, and we, as providers, must stay informed about these changes to deliver the best possible service. I would also like to add that seasoned first responders are a tremendous resource that should continually be tapped into before they retire. The knowledge they have gained throughout their careers is invaluable to those of us still in the fire service today. 

These individuals don't necessarily need to be a "senior firefighter" or an "officer." People come to the fire service with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of expertise. Officers and paramedics are ultimately responsible for decisions made on the fire ground, but if you can tap into one of your fellow firefighters' experiences and expertise before making quick decisions, you will be better equipped to make the correct decision time and time again. 

Please stay safe, fellow firefighters and first responders. And please also remember—if an Officer or Senior Firefighter tells you to protect yourself by wearing your breathing apparatus while entering a dangerous atmosphere, they are doing so not to give you a "hard time," but because they truly care about you, your health, your safety, and want you to be with your family for as long as possible. 

Secure Your Future in Fire & Emergency Services with LSU Online 

Rick Stack's career embodies a life of service, first as a firefighter and paramedic, and now as a mentor and educator. Through his dedication, LSUE students can gain technical knowledge and learn the values of leadership, teamwork, and resilience that are essential in emergency services. 

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and learn from seasoned professionals like Rick, explore the online LSUE Associate of Applied Science in Fire and Emergency Services offered in partnership with LSU Online. Through the flexibility of online learning and the strength of LSU's academic community, you can prepare to serve your community and advance in a vital field.