Dennis Darby
Hutchinson
Summary
Personable Fire Service Leader with extensive experience in fire administration, fire prevention, investigation, and emergency response management.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Fire Chief
McPherson Fire Department
McPherson, KS
07.2019 - 08.2022
- Managed variety of administrative responsibilities, including overseeing the annual budget and monitoring daily expenditures for the fire department. Collaborated with city, county, and state officials at regular meetings, representing the department's interests. Led training initiatives, assuring all staff received the necessary education to perform their roles effectively. Coordinated departmental activities and ensured smooth operational workflows between different sections of the fire department. Assisted in development and management of the annual budget, including monitoring expenditures and making recommendations for cost-saving initiatives.
- Directed the implementation of a comprehensive fire prevention program, enhancing public safety measures.
- Conducted prevention and investigation efforts, supervising a team of 5 fire investigators and fire prevention officers.
- Led successful coordination of fire investigation operations, resolving complex cases for the department.
Independent Contractor, Fire and Explosion Investigator
09.2017 - 06.2019
- Operated as a certified fire and explosion investigator, specializing in determining the origin and cause of fires and explosions for insurance companies and legal firms. Conducted interviews with witnesses and provided detailed scene diagrams to support investigations. Collaborated with various stakeholders to provide accurate reports for ongoing legal and insurance proceedings. Ensured all investigations followed industry standards and contributed to successful resolutions for clients. Delivered expert testimony and analysis in legal proceedings when required. Teamed up with attorneys and insurance companies to ensure comprehensive and timely reporting.
- Delivered detailed and accurate investigations for resolving high-profile cases.
- Improved investigative techniques, leading to higher-quality findings and recommendations for clients.
Fire Marshal
Winfield Fire/EMS Department
Winfield, KS
03.2012 - 07.2016
- Oversaw the preparation of the department's annual budget and monitored expenditures in accordance with department goals. Led fire inspections for businesses and residential areas in the city, complying with fire safety regulations. Developed and delivered fire prevention education programs for the community, increasing public awareness of fire safety. Worked closely with state and federal agencies on large-scale fire investigations, delivering thorough and accurate reports for all involved parties. Managed fire prevention and investigative duties within the department.
- Supervised team of 7 fire investigators and officers and led the investigation of numerous fire incidents, contributing to critical findings on fire causes and safety protocols.
- Enhanced public education efforts through the development of a comprehensive fire prevention curriculum.
Engineer/EMT/Fire Investigator
Winfield Fire Department
Winfield, KS
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Provided on-the-ground support as the emergency medical technician, offering immediate care when needed. Participated in fire investigations, determining the origin and cause of fires and providing detailed reports. Received extensive training on fire equipment and apparatus, improving response time and operational efficiency. Contributed to the department's education initiatives, helping to inform the community on fire safety. Performed fire investigation operations through detailed reporting and accurate origin/cause determination.
- Responded to a variety of emergency situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and mutual aid calls across District 7 of Cowley County.
- Played a pivotal role in emergency response, contributing to quick, effective resolutions during high-stress situations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies
Fort Hays State University
Hays, KSEMT Certification; Fire Science Related Courses
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KSFire Science Related Courses
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KSHigh School Diploma - undefined
Salina High School – South
Psychology
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05.2026
Skills
- Fire Department Administration
- Fire Prevention Strategies
- Origin and Cause Determination
- Budget & Expenditure Management
- Emergency Response Protocols
- Community Engagement Initiatives
- Fire Investigation Leadership
- Strategic Fire Safety Planning
- Firefighter Training & Development
Affiliations
S-130 Wildland Firefighter Training, S-190 Wildland Fire Behavior, National Wildfire Coordinating Group – Red Card, January 2022 — January 2022
Training
- Fire Investigation Technician, International Association of Arson Investigators, January 2021 — January 2021
- New Executive Chief Officer, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, January 2021 — January 2021
- Leadership in Supervision, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, January 2021 — January 2021
- Fire Inspector I, IFSAC; Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute, University of Kansas, January 2021 — January 2021
- Social Media Engagement Strategies, FEMA, January 2020 — January 2020
- NIMS IS-00800 – National Response Framework, FEMA, January 2020 — January 2020
- Fire Investigator II, Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal, January 2020 — January 2020
- Public Information Officer Awareness, FEMA, January 2019 — January 2019
- Basic Public Information Officer, KDEM – KS, January 2019 — January 2019
- Expert Witness/Courtroom Testimony, International Association of Arson Investigators, Ft. Worth, TX, January 2018 — January 2018
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, National Association of Fire Investigators, January 2018 — January 2018
- Command and Control of Incident Operations, National Fire Academy, Park City, KS, January 2016 — January 2016
- Fire Fatality, Kansas State Fire Marshals Office, Manhattan, KS, January 2015 — January 2015
- Certificate in Supervision, Wichita State University, January 2015 — January 2015
- Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist I and II, National Fire Academy, Hutchinson, KS, January 2013 — January 2013
- Fire and Life Safety Plans Review, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, January 2012 — January 2012
- Practical Kinesis Interview & Interrogation I & II, Public Agency Training Council, Lawrence Police Dept., January 2012 — January 2012
- Air Management: Point of No Return, Kansas Fire and Rescue Training Institute, January 2012 — January 2012
- Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Hazards & Solutions, CFI Trainer, January 2012 — January 2012
- Fire Inspection Principles, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, January 2011 — January 2011
- Incident Safety Officer, National Fire Academy, January 2011 — January 2011
- Fire/Arson Origin & Cause Investigations, National Fire Academy, January 2011 — January 2011
- HAZMAT IQ, Winfield, KS, January 2010 — January 2010
- Positive Pressure Attack, Annual Fire School Seminar, January 2010 — January 2010
- Fire Officer I, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2009 — January 2009
- Fire Instructor I, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2009 — January 2009
- Hazardous Materials Highway Emergency Response Specialist, Security & Emergency Response Training Center, January 2009 — January 2009
- Structural Collapse Rescue Technician, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2009 — January 2009
- Hazardous Materials Tank Car Specialist, Security & Emergency Response Training Center, January 2008 — January 2008
- 80 Hours Fire Investigation Course, Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office & KSIAAI, January 2008 — January 2008
- Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator – Pumper, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2008 — January 2008
- Hazardous Materials Technician Level, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2007 — January 2007
- Arson Investigation with Firearms, Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy, January 2007 — January 2007
- Introduction to Unified Command for Multi-Agency & Catastrophic Incidents, National Fire Academy, January 2007 — January 2007
- Fire Pumps and Accessories, Colorado Fire Mechanics Association Academy, January 2007 — January 2007
- Confined Space Rescue, Hutchinson Community College, January 2007 — January 2007
- Advanced High Angle Rescue, Hutchinson Community College, January 2007 — January 2007
- Vehicle Fire Investigation, Winfield Fire Department, January 2007 — January 2007
- First Defender – Chemical Identification System, Winfield Fire Department, January 2007 — January 2007
- Technical Rescue Refresher, Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2006 — January 2006
- Ice Rescue Operations, Hutchinson Community College, January 2006 — January 2006
- Candidate Physical Ability Test, Hutchinson Community College, January 2005 — January 2005
- Firefighter II, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2005 — January 2005
- Rapid Intervention Team, Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2005 — January 2005
- Firefighter I, IFSAC; Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2004 — January 2004
- Incident Command System, Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute, January 2003 — January 2003
- Emergency Medical Technician, Hutchinson Community College, January 2002 — January 2002
Timeline
Deputy Fire Chief
McPherson Fire Department
07.2019 - 08.2022
Independent Contractor, Fire and Explosion Investigator
09.2017 - 06.2019
Fire Marshal
Winfield Fire/EMS Department
03.2012 - 07.2016
Engineer/EMT/Fire Investigator
Winfield Fire Department
01.2006 - 01.2012
Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies
Fort Hays State University
EMT Certification; Fire Science Related Courses
Hutchinson Community College
Fire Science Related Courses
University of Kansas
High School Diploma - undefined
Salina High School – South
Psychology
Purdue University