David Bryson
Chantilly,VA
Summary
Emergency Medical Services Specialist with extensive experience in project management and financial oversight within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Led cross-functional teams in managing over $50 million in funding, significantly improving emergency response systems. Demonstrated expertise in data analysis and interpersonal communication, effectively driving initiatives in high-pressure environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Emergency Medical Services Specialist
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, USA
04.1995 - 04.2025
Facilitated national leadership and expertise in development of evidence-based emergency medical services and 911 systems.
- Led cross-functional project teams, managing over $50 million in contract and grant funding.
- Served as certified Contracting Officer's Representative for $44 million National EMS Information System contract.
- Oversaw contracts totaling more than $10 million for National EMS Education Agenda, Core Content, and Scope of Practice.
- Formulated and executed budgets for EMS and 911 programs, securing a $36 million interagency agreement.
- Managed NHTSA's Statewide EMS Assessment, facilitating processes for twelve states over ten years.
- Spearheaded DOT's response to post-Hurricane Ian lithium-ion battery incidents in Florida.
- Participated in FEMA’s Healthcare Resiliency Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fire Chief
Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department
Fairfax, USA
01.2011 - 01.2023
- Supervised over 40 volunteers annually to ensure effective emergency planning and preparedness.
- Managed responses to hundreds of emergency incidents, facilitating operations during critical situations.
- Drafted and implemented standard operating procedures to enhance operational efficiency.
- Conducted monthly volunteer meetings and onboarding sessions for new member education.
- Orchestrated three major fundraising events annually: July 4th Firefighter's Day, Fall Open House, and Pancake Breakfast with Santa.
Assistant Safety & Occupational Health Manager
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, USA
03.2013 - 03.2014
- Managed revision of DOT HQ Occupant Emergency Plan, integrating National Incident Management System components.
- Trained hundreds of employees in shelter-in-place protocols, evacuation drills, and CPR/AED classes.
- Reconstituted U.S. DOT HQ Fire Warden program to enhance emergency evacuation capabilities.
- Inspected DOT HQ buildings for safety hazards, documented findings, and facilitated mitigation efforts.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA05.1992
Skills
- Project management
- Interpersonal communication
- Time management
- Contract management
- Financial management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder engagement
Certification
- Federal FAC-COR Level 2
- Virginia licensed Emergency Medical Technician
- NFPA Fire Officer 3
- NFPA Fire Instructor 2
- NFPA Firefighter 3
- OSHA HAZWOPER HAZMAT Operations
- AHA BLS CPR & AED
- Virginia Driver's License
Volunteer Board And Leadership Roles
- Volunteer Fire and EMS, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 04/01/89, Present, Save lives, preserve property and the environment, and ensure the health and safety of members and the community. Received Life Membership in 2004. Served in every rank of the department; firefighter/EMT to Fire Chief (2011-2023). Responded to hundreds of emergency events, functioning as a firefighter/EMT, unit officer, or command officer. Conducted hundreds of public safety and special events for various audiences on fire, EMS, health, preparedness, and safety topics.
- Board of Directors, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 01/01/11, 01/01/23, As elected fire chief, served on Board of Directors and chaired monthly meetings when President and Vice President were absent.
- Board of Directors, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 01/01/96, 01/01/06, Elected as at-large member of the Board.
Publications Presentations And Media
- Co-author, “Protecting Workers on the Roadways: The Use of Truck-Mounted Attenuators in the Fire and Emergency Services,”, NIOSH Science Blog, 10/01/24
- Lead author, “Post-Crash Care for the Transportation and Highway Safety Workforce: People Saving People,”, White Paper from NHTSA/FHWA to American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, 08/01/24
- Panelist, “Session 402-AV/ First Responders Response to Automated Vehicle Events,”, Transportation Research Board’s Automated Road Transportation Symposium, 07/01/24
- Panelist, “Federal Update: FHWA EMS Leadership and Traffic Incident Management Summit,”, 03/01/24
- Expert Interview, “EMS Driver Error Caused 92.6% of All Fatal 2012-2018 Ambulance Crashes, Says NHTSA Report,”, EMS World Feature Story, James Careless, 01/01/24
- Presenter and Session Moderator, “U.S. DOT Electric Vehicle Charging Symposium,”, US DOT HQ, 07/01/23
- Presenter and Session Facilitator, “Federal Update on Li-Ion Battery Safety,”, Florida Lithium-Ion Battery Symposium, 09/01/23
- Presenter, “Advancing a People-Centered EMS System,”, Virginia Highway Safety Symposium, 05/01/22
- Moderator, “Following the Science: Evidence-based Approaches to Improving Patient & Provider Safety”, NHTSA EMS Focus Webinar, 09/01/17
- Featured Expert, “Improving EMS Safety Through Ambulance Design & Testing,”, DHHS CDC NIOSH Seven-part Video Series, 03/01/17
- Author, “When an EMS Professional Becomes the Patient; How High-Quality Care Saved My Life,”, American Heart Association Featured Blog, 02/01/17
- Featured Expert and Co-author, “Best Practices for Emergency Response to Incidents Involving Electric Vehicle Battery Hazards,”, Fire Protection Research Foundation, 06/01/13
- Keynote Speaker, 4th Annual South Carolina Patient Safety Symposium, 03/01/11
- Moderator, “Implementing the New EMS National Standard Curricula,”, NHTSA-funded video to National Association of State EMS Directors and National Council of State EMS Training Coordinators, 09/01/99
Awards
- Resolution: Recognizing a Career of Service by Dave Bryson, National Association of State EMS Officials, 2025
- Excellence in Teamwork, FHWA Administrator, 2024
- Superior Accomplishment Award, NHTSA Administrator, 2024
- Meritorious Service Award, International Association of Fire Chiefs EMS Section, 2023
- Janet Head Founder’s Award, Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Continuing Education, 2023
- Partnering for Excellence Team Award, US DOT Secretary, 2023
- Superior Accomplishment Awards, NHTSA Administrator, 2022, 2021(3), 2020, 2008, 1997(2), 1996
- Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year, City of Fairfax and Fairfax Volunteer Fire Departments, 2022
- Safety Awards, US DOT Secretary, 2021, 2012
- COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal, DHHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, 2021
- Distinguished Service Award, US DOT Secretary, 2020
- Best Project Award, Fire Protection Research Foundation, 2014
- Diversity Award, NHTSA Administrator, 2007
- FVFD Chief’s Awards, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 2007, 2005, 2003, 1999
- Volunteer Medical Response Team, NHTSA Administrator, 2003
- Volunteer Service Award, US DOT Secretary, 2002
- Volunteer Service Awards, Fairfax City Mayor and Council, 2001, 1992
- Excellence in Service, NHTSA Administrator, 2000
- People Saving People, NHTSA Administrator, 2000, 1999, 1997
- Meritorious Service Award, City of Fairfax Fire Department, 1998
- Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, City of Fairfax and Fairfax Volunteer Fire Departments, 1993
- Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, City of Fairfax Fire Department, 1993
- Volunteer Service Award, Fairfax County Chair and Board, 1992
- FVFD President’s Award, Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, 1992
- Altruism Award, IAFF Local 2702 Fairfax City Firefighters and Paramedics, 1992
- Unit Citation Award, City of Fairfax Fire Department, 1990
Professional Memberships
- Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department, Life Member, 1989-Present
- International Association of Fire Chiefs, Life Member, 2005-Present
- Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Member, 2010-Present
- National Volunteer Fire Council, Member, 2022-Present
Timeline
Assistant Safety & Occupational Health Manager
U.S. Department of Transportation
03.2013 - 03.2014
Fire Chief
Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department
01.2011 - 01.2023
Emergency Medical Services Specialist
U.S. Department of Transportation
04.1995 - 04.2025
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - English
George Mason University
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