DOUGLAS LOBSINGER
Isabella County Medical Control Board
Mt. Pleasant,MI
1
Certification
34
years of professional experience
Accomplished public safety leader with 33+ years of progressive fire service experience, advancing from Paid-on-Call firefighter to Fire Chief with the City of Mt. Pleasant. Broad background in fire and EMS operations, technical rescue, hazardous materials, emergency management, organizational development, strategic planning, personnel leadership, education, grant administration, code enforcement, and community development. Recognized for building effective teams, developing future leaders, implementing organizational change, and creating partnerships that improve public safety. Experienced educator and mentor with 12 years as a paramedic and EMS instructor, including service as a Paramedic Instructor Coordinator since 2007, and 17 years as a Tactical Medic with the Isabella County Emergency Services Team. Proven record of community impact, including securing and administering nearly $500,000 in MSHDA grants for improvements to approximately 43 residential properties, resulting in the 2024 MSHDA Regional Impact Award.
Work History
FIRE CHIEF
4 Years 9 Months- Progressed through every major rank during a 33+ year career with the department, culminating in appointment as Fire Chief.
- Lead a combination fire department providing fire suppression, EMS, rescue, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, prevention, inspections, and community risk reduction.
- Managed significant organizational transition since 2022, including eight retirements and the recruitment, hiring, and development of replacement personnel.
- Participated in a comprehensive operational and administrative analysis conducted by the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM).
- Used the findings of the CPSM analysis to develop the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and establish priorities for organizational improvement.
- Led implementation of numerous operational, administrative, training, and organizational improvements identified through the analysis and strategic planning process.
- Developed a department leadership workshop and played a key role in creating a six-day leadership development program for current and future officers.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive annual and company-level training programs.
- Led firefighter wellness initiatives, including a partnership with Central Michigan University for VO₂ max testing.
- Led long-range apparatus replacement and capital planning initiatives.
- Secured two State of Michigan firefighter grants supporting department needs.
Chair
4 Years 9 Months- Provide leadership and coordination among Isabella County fire chiefs and departments.
- Promote regional cooperation involving emergency response, mutual aid, training, resources, and firefighter safety.
- Developed the concept for a Regional Emergency Response Training Center, currently in the planning stage.
PARAMEDIC INSTRUCTOR COORDINATOR
19 Years 9 Months- Coordinate EMS education and student development.
- Provide classroom and practical instruction and evaluate student performance.
- Mentor future EMS professionals and healthcare providers.
- Help students connect classroom concepts with practical emergency medical application.
Member
19 Years 9 MonthsASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF
4 YearsNeighborhood Resource Unit Leader
- Secured and administered multiple Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) grants totaling nearly $500,000.
- Managed improvement projects involving approximately 43 residential properties, from grant development through completion.
- Coordinated homeowners, contractors, City personnel, and funding agencies while managing budgets, documentation, inspections, timelines, and compliance.
- Led neighborhood improvement and housing rehabilitation efforts focused on measurable community impact.
- NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE UNIT
SERGEANT / SHIFT SUPERVISOR
3 YearsTactical Medic
- Provided advanced medical support during high-risk law enforcement operations and critical incidents.
- Participated in tactical medical planning, training, exercises, and operational deployments.
- Worked within multidisciplinary police, fire, and EMS environments requiring sound judgment, communication, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure.
Paramedic / EMS Instructor
12 Years- Provided advanced prehospital emergency medical care as a part-time paramedic.
- Taught and mentored EMS students through classroom, laboratory, and practical instruction.
- Developed students' clinical knowledge, critical thinking, assessment, decision-making, and professional confidence.
- Mentored students who continued into advanced careers in medicine and healthcare.
FIREFIGHTER
18 YearsPAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER
4 YearsEducation
Associate Degree - Fire Science
Skills
Emergency Services
Public Safety Operations
Community Risk Reduction
Organizational Leadership
Strategic Planning
Project Management
Leadership Development
Training development
Staff training
Interagency Collaboration
Grant Administration
Community Development
Certification
- Paramedic, Paramedic Instructor Coordinator, EMS Instructor, Tactical Medic, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Fire Service Officer / Leadership Training, Professional Associations: International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Michigan Fire Chiefs Association
Section name
- CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT — Mt. Pleasant, MI
- FIRE CHIEF | 2022–Present
- ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF | 2018–2022
- SERGEANT / SHIFT SUPERVISOR | 2015–2018
- FIREFIGHTER | 1997–2015
- PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER | 1993–1997
- Code Enforcement & Community Services
- Managed City Code Enforcement and Housing Licensing responsibilities.
- Oversaw a rental inspection and licensing program involving more than 1,500 properties and 6,000 rental units.
- Worked with residents, property owners, landlords, contractors, City departments, and community partners to improve compliance and neighborhood conditions.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
- 2024 MSHDA Regional Impact Award
- MSHDA Regional Impact Award — 2024, Recognized for significant community impact resulting from neighborhood revitalization and housing improvement initiatives.
Personal Information
Title: PUBLIC SAFETY LEADER | FIRE & EMS EDUCATOR | LEADERSHIP DEVELOPER
Timeline
FIRE CHIEF
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
01.2022 - CurrentRead More
Chair
ISABELLA COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
01.2022 - CurrentRead More
ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
01.2018 - 01.2022Read More
SERGEANT / SHIFT SUPERVISOR
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
01.2015 - 01.2018Read More
PARAMEDIC INSTRUCTOR COORDINATOR
01.2007 - CurrentRead More
Member
Isabella County Medical Control Board
01.2007 - CurrentRead More
Paramedic / EMS Instructor
MOBILE MEDICAL RESPONSE
01.2003 - 01.2015Read More
FIREFIGHTER
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
01.1997 - 01.2015Read More
PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT FIRE DEPARTMENT
01.1993 - 01.1997Read More
Tactical Medic
ISABELLA COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES TEAM
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Neighborhood Resource Unit Leader
CITY OF MT. PLEASANT
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MID MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Associate Degree from Fire Science
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