Curt and Karen Yoder reside in Orange County, California with their four children.

         Curt has been a firefighter with the Costa Mesa Fire Department for the past 28 years. Since 1998, he has traveled with the Costa Mesa Fire Department Color Guard to the Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he assists in escorting families of our fallen brothers and sisters.

         Curt comes from a family of firefighters. His father, John A. Yoder, was a Battalion Chief for the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 29 years before he died in 1983 in the line of duty. His name rests on the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial. Curt's brother, Craig Yoder, is celebrating his 26th year with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, where he is currently a Battalion Chief.

         Karen is an alumna of California State University, Fullerton. After receiving her B.S. in Child Development and Psychology in 1986, she worked for KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc. for 13 years in the capacity of Regional Operations and Facilities Assistant. Karen enjoys writing and has contributed stories to The Orange County Register as a member of the Parent Panel.  Fire Kids! is Karen's first novel for children.