Page 31 - In Command Volume 18 - Ohio Fire Chiefs Association

CHIEF KEVIN D. HARDWICK, OFE/OFC Glendale Fire Department
RESUME
Summary
I am a loyal, dependable and hardworking executive fire officer working in the fire service. I have proven leadership and experience with background in all aspects of the fire department and emergency management and have over 41 years of experience in the fire service and thousands of hours of documented training. I am dedicated to my family, my work and my country. I strive to make the world a better place.
Experience
Fire Chief
Glendale Fire Department, Glendale Ohio October 2006 – Present
I am the Fire Chief handling all of the operations and functions of the Village of Glendale Fire Department. These areas are administration, budgeting, inspections, fire suppression, staffing, training, investigation, emergency medical services and incident command in the department. This is a full-time position.
Platform
My personal idea is to promote the concept of fire departments working together. With my personal experience as a cadet, volunteer, paid on call, career, part time and now full time again it gives me a unique perspective that most others do not have. I have been a part of fire departments with the smallest of budget and relied on us to do repairs and maintenance all the way to departments that budgets are impressive. It makes no difference as we move ahead and we have all seen difficult times. Now is the time to strengthen the fire service all across the State of Ohio. We need to build relationships to better those we currently have in place. We should stand shoulder to shoulder as one unified group to get support of the state govern- ment. The fire service in Ohio can be a strong body when we are all together.
Training and education are key components in the baseline tactics to working together. We should work to increase all of our training cooperatively with the departments around us. Ohio’s fire service should build on the success we already have. The Ohio Fire Executive Program is an example of one of our successes. Now as we move ahead we can work to get better for ourselves, our community and our State.
I have been a part of the fire service for 41 years and have seen many changes. I believe we are at a place of change once again. Budgeting is a key item in our advancement. Thinking outside the normal realm may provide answers. The willingness to adapt to the change is our opportunity to advance, regardless of department type (volunteer, combination, or career).
APRIL/MAY/JUNE 2016 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 31