Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Affiliations
CORE COMPETENCIES
Timeline
Generic

Barry A. Schaefer

Greeley,CO

Summary

Emergency management and public safety leader with extensive experience leading emergency preparedness, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement, and multi-agency incident response across wildfire, public safety, and critical infrastructure environments. Proven ability to monitor, evaluate, and communicate emerging threats; develop operational plans and response procedures; and coordinate with emergency management, fire, law, healthcare, government, and community partners during high-risk incidents. Experienced in ICS/NIMS, EOC operations, Incident Management Team deployments, wildfire response, real-time incident communication, public information, risk assessment, operational readiness and executive-level briefings.

Overview

1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience

Work History

Strategic Implementation Consultant

The Paramedic Foundation
09.2024 - Current
  • Lead strategic synthesis and operational strategy development for national EMS system initiatives, aligning execution with organizational goals and stakeholder priorities
  • Transformed analytical findings into policy frameworks and actionable implementation plans to enhance strategic initiatives
  • Coordinated cross-functional stakeholders for effective program delivery and improved organizational outcomes
  • Supported initiatives to enhance access, optimize system performance, and improve service delivery across diverse communities

Operations Manager / Division Chief

UC Health EMS
Windsor, CO
03.2022 - 07.2024
  • Directed division-level operational management for one of Colorado's busiest EMS systems, overseeing field operations, emergency response coordination, training, logistics, and stakeholder communication to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. Coordinated response with state patrol, law enforcement, fire agencies, and hospital network.
  • Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
  • Directed 24/7 large-scale emergency response operations, ensuring continuity of critical services across a large regional system.
  • Managed crisis response operations using ICS/NIMS frameworks, supporting unified command, situational awareness, and multi-agency coordination.
  • Led emergency preparedness coordination with hospitals and emergency departments to ensure continuity of care during critical incidents.
  • Conducted operational readiness planning, risk assessments, and emergency response evaluations to improve responder safety and continuity of services.
  • Delivered executive-level briefings and operational updates to healthcare leadership, emergency management officials, and partner agencies, ensuring informed decision-making and coordinated responses during critical incidents.

Fire Chief / Emergency Manager

Platte Valley Fire Protection District
Kersey, CO
06.2006 - 01.2022
  • Served as chief executive and operational leader for a rapidly growing Northern Colorado fire district, leading emergency management operations, public safety communications, strategic planning, and multi-agency coordination.
  • Key Achievements & Responsibilities:
  • Directed crisis communications, media response, public messaging, and stakeholder engagement as primary Public Information Officer during emergency incidents and severe weather events.
  • Directed multi-agency incident response utilizing Incident Command System (ICS), Unified Command, and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination frameworks.
  • Led proactive emergency preparedness coordination with hospitals, healthcare facilities, emergency services, local government agencies, school systems, and community stakeholders.
  • Cultivated strategic relationships with healthcare organizations, emergency management agencies, elected officials, private industry, agricultural stakeholders, and regional community leaders to enhance collaborative response efforts.
  • Expanded agency workforce from a volunteer model to a 40+ member career organization while building administrative, operational, and emergency management infrastructure.
  • Oversaw departmental budgeting, operational planning, personnel development, and regulatory compliance initiatives to ensure effective resource allocation and adherence to regulations.

Paramedic / Field Training Officer

Banner Health Paramedic Services
Greeley, CO
09.2007 - 09.2017
  • Delivered frontline emergency medical care and coordinated response operations in complex, high-acuity emergency environments.
  • Collaborated with hospitals, emergency services, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to enhance coordination and response effectiveness during emergency incidents and regional operations.
  • Conducted hazard assessments and scene safety evaluations while triaging patients during multi-agency incidents to ensure timely and safe interventions.
  • Supported personnel training and operational readiness initiatives to strengthen emergency response preparedness across teams.

Education

Master of Science - Organizational Leadership

Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL
12-2027

Associate of Applied Science - Paramedicine

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO
12-2007

Bachelor of Arts - Kinesiology/Sports Medicine

University of Colorado
Boulder, CO
12-1997

Skills

  • Emergency Management
  • Incident Management
  • Emergency Operations Center experience
  • Risk Assessment
  • Operations Section Chief Type III
  • Incident Command Trainee Type III
  • Strategic Planning
  • Strategic Vision
  • Escalation Management
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Written and Verbal Communication
  • Team Development
  • Servant Leadership
  • Command Presence
  • Microsoft Office Suite/Computer skills

Certification

  • ICS/NIMS Certifications: 100, 200, 245, 300, 400, 701, 702, 703, 704, 800
  • Operations Section Chief - Type III; Incident Command Trainee - Type III

Accomplishments

  • Chief Fire Officer credential Center for Public Safety Excellence
  • Distinguished Service Medal Platte Valley Fire District 2013
  • Meritorious Service Medal Platte Valley Fire District 2013

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • University Schools, Volunteer Academics and Sports, 2020 - Present
  • Weld County EMTS Council, Representative, Greeley, CO, 2005 - 2022
  • Weld County Emergency Communications Board, Greeley, CO, 2015 - 2022
  • Platte Valley Fire Protection District, Volunteer / Chief, 1999 - 2006

Affiliations

  • FEMA/National Fire Academy/Emergency Management Institute
  • Graduate of Executive Fire Officer Program 2021
  • Executive Leadership and Incident Management 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

CORE COMPETENCIES

Wildfire Response & Mitigation • Emergency Management • Incident Management Team Operations • Emergency Operations Center Operations • ICS/NIMS • Situation Awareness & Reports • Public Safety Coordination • Wildfire Threat Monitoring • Weather/Fuels/Fire Condition Awareness • Risk Analysis • Operational Dashboards • Emergency Operations Plans & Exercises • Training Program Development • Staff Scheduling • Program Management • Cross-Functional Leadership • Public Information • Stakeholder Engagement

Timeline

Strategic Implementation Consultant

The Paramedic Foundation
09.2024 - Current

Operations Manager / Division Chief

UC Health EMS
03.2022 - 07.2024

Paramedic / Field Training Officer

Banner Health Paramedic Services
09.2007 - 09.2017

Fire Chief / Emergency Manager

Platte Valley Fire Protection District
06.2006 - 01.2022

Master of Science - Organizational Leadership

Columbia Southern University

Associate of Applied Science - Paramedicine

Aims Community College

Bachelor of Arts - Kinesiology/Sports Medicine

University of Colorado
Barry A. Schaefer