Richard Hart
Plantsville,CT
Summary
36 Years experience as a career firefighter. 8 years as a Volunteer Firefighter, Litchfield Ct., and Southington Fire Department, Company 2 Ability to develop, direct, and complete complex projects from concept to fully operational status. Goal-oriented individual with strong leadership capabilities. Organized, highly motivated, and detail-directed problem solver.
Professional leader with strong background in emergency services, prepared to enhance departmental performance and public safety. Proven ability to manage critical situations, develop comprehensive safety protocols, and lead response teams effectively. Known for fostering collaboration, adaptability, and achieving strategic goals in high-pressure environments. Skilled in risk assessment, resource management, and community engagement. Emergency services professional with extensive management experience in fire safety and emergency operations. Proven ability to lead teams and coordinate large-scale emergency responses, ensuring effective and timely resolution. Strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, known for reliability and achieving critical outcomes.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fire Chief
Bristol Fire Department
Bristol CT
01.2021 - Current
- Responsible for $10.6 million budget
- 89-member all hazard department
- Direct the recruitment, hiring, and training of personnel
- Oversaw budget management, optimizing resource allocation for fire department initiatives and equipment procurement.
- Established community outreach programs, promoting fire safety education and prevention strategies among residents.
- Fostered partnerships with local organizations to enhance collaborative emergency preparedness initiatives across the community.
- Evaluated performance metrics, driving continuous improvement in service delivery and operational effectiveness.
- Managed staffing levels and personnel assignments, ensuring optimal coverage for emergency response teams at all times.
- Oversaw proper implementation of best practices, policies and procedures in alignment with regulations and operational needs.
- Managed department budget effectively, prioritizing essential equipment purchases and maintenance without compromising safety standards.
- Established strong relationships with local government officials to secure necessary funding and resources for the department''s needs.
- Optimized fire services management with introduction of new systems, policies, procedures and tools.
- Directed emergency response operations, ensuring safety protocols and effective team coordination during incidents.
- Developed and implemented training programs to enhance firefighter skills and operational readiness.
Director of Legislative and Political Affairs
Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut
CT
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Successfully negotiated, drafted, and passed legislation, in a bipartisan manner, providing PTSD coverage for firefighters in Connecticut
- Successfully negotiated, drafted, and passed legislation, in a bipartisan manner, comprehensive wage replacement legislation for firefighters diagnosed with cancer.
- Negotiated, drafted, and passed numerous pieces of legislation relating to firefighter health and safety, along with labor issues affecting firefighters.
- Responsible for drafting and lobbying legislation championing firefighter health and safety issues at the State Capitol
- Labor representative on the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, appointed by the Governor
Deputy Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.2009 - 01.2021
- Shift commander, responsible for 55 firefighters on duty, including 13 officers staffing 9 engines, 3 trucks, one heavy rescue, and one Battalion Chief.
- Responsible for all operational activities within the City.
- Responsible for drafting and the implementation of SOPs.
- Responsible for quality assurance and monitoring of the EMS delivery system within the department.
- Constant evaluation of subordinates in administrative and operational activities
Battalion Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Responsible for the supervision and administration of the Bureau of Apparatus Maintenance and Service for the Department. Responsible for the computerization of maintenance records, writing specifications for apparatus and vehicles, scheduling of activities for the Bureau, inventory control and recording
Battalion Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Oversaw operations of ten (10) engines, three (3) trucks, and one heavy rescue company.
- Supervised 33 firefighters in all aspects of firefighting and emergency responses.
- Directly supervised six (6) officers responsible for the safe and efficient service provision to the 107,000 citizens and visitors of Waterbury Connecticut.
- Responsible for the personnel and discipline administration within assigned Battalion.
- Frequently required to assume the rank of Deputy Chief in an acting capacity.
Captain
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Responsible for company operations and personnel.
- Responsible for the administration and operations of a typical firehouse.
- Frequently required to assume the rank of Battalion Chief in an acting capacity.
Lieutenant
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.1995 - 01.1999
- Responsible for the typical engine company and associated operations. Three assigned firefighters and administrative duties associated with position.
Firefighter
City of Waterbury Fire Department
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.1989 - 01.1995
Paramedic
Campion Ambulance Service
Waterbury, Connecticut
01.1985 - 01.1992
- Provide ALS treatment for a variety of traumatic injuries and illnesses.
Education
M.S. with Honors - Executive Fire Service Leadership
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ01-2009
B.A. - Political Science
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT01-1995
Skills
- Firefighting operations
- Incident command
- Workload prioritization
- Fire suppression
- Interagency coordination
- Hazardous materials response
- Emergency response procedures
- Occupational safety
- Disaster preparedness
- Staff development
- Records management
Accomplishments
- Member, NFPA 1021-Technical Committee on Fire Officer Professional Qualifications
- Former Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Emergency Vehicle Management Section Board of Directors
- Program Coordination
- Chaired Department’s committee to develop and institute EMS First Responder Program for the Department. Worked in conjunction with Police Department and local EMS providers for the successful development and implementation of the First Responder Program.
- Assisted in the development of an Officer’s Handbook, along with evaluating probationary officers.
- Served as instructor for Waterbury Fire Department Recruit Class 13-09
- Served as instructor for Waterbury Fire Department Recruit Class 14-10
- Served as instructor for Waterbury Fire Department Recruit Class 15-11
- Served as instructor for Waterbury Fire Department Recruit Class 16-12
- Member of Waterbury Firefighters Local 1339 Executive Board
Certification
- Executive Fire Officer- U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Academy
- Connecticut State Certified Firefighter II
- Connecticut Fire Officer I
- Connecticut State Certified Fire Service Instructor I
- ICS/Unified Command
- ICS-200 Incident Command
- ICS-300 Incident Command
- ICS-400 Incident Command
- ICS for Structural Collapse
- MGT 313 Incident Command/Unified Command- Texas A&M University
- ICS-700 NIMS
- IS-701 NIMS Multi-Agency Coordination System
- ICS-800 NRP
- WMD Awareness
- Hazardous Materials-Operational
- Trench Rescue Awareness
- Confined Space Awareness
- Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
- IS-230– Principles of Emergency Management
- CPR Instructor for the Professional Rescuer
Community Involvement
Member, Board of Directors the 100 Club, Member, Board of Directors, United Labor Agency, Former involvement:, CT-TF1, Connecticut Urban Search And Rescue Team, Safety Director, Western Baseball Little League, Head Coach, Little League, Western Baseball Little League, CCD Instructor, St Aloysious Church, Southington, Ct., Past Volunteer Firefighter- Litchfield Ct., Past Volunteer Firefighter-Southington Fire Department, Company 2
Timeline
Fire Chief
Bristol Fire Department
01.2021 - Current
Director of Legislative and Political Affairs
Uniformed Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut
01.2014 - 01.2021
Deputy Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.2009 - 01.2021
Battalion Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.2007 - 01.2009
Battalion Chief
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.2001 - 01.2007
Captain
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.1999 - 01.2001
Lieutenant
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.1995 - 01.1999
Firefighter
City of Waterbury Fire Department
01.1989 - 01.1995
Paramedic
Campion Ambulance Service
01.1985 - 01.1992
M.S. with Honors - Executive Fire Service Leadership
Grand Canyon University
B.A. - Political Science
Central Connecticut State University