Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Rick Nydegger

Hampton Bays,NY

Summary

Highly motivated Fire Chief with over 23 years firefighting with the Hampton Bays Fire Department, 8 years as Chief, skilled in emergency services instruction and public safety diving. Proven leader in incident command and team performance evaluation, fostering strong interdepartmental relationships. Adept at managing budgets and prioritizing safety, while enhancing communication and collaboration among diverse teams.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Firefighter Certifications

Suffolk County Fire Academy
  • Firefighter I- March 2004
  • Firefighter II -May 2015
  • RIT Firefighter Rescue- October 2016
  • Ladder Company Operations-January 2018
  • Principles of Instruction -April 2018
  • Intro to Fire Officer- June 2011
  • Fire Officer I-March 2014
  • Fire Instructor 1 -December 2025
  • Fire Instructor II- February 2026 (projected finish)

FEMA

US Dept. Homeland Security

Student ID 0001103722

  • IS-00010.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
  • IS-00020.15 Diversity Awareness
  • IS-00100.a Intro to the Incident Command System, ICS-100
  • IS-00100. FWa ICS-100 for Federal Workers Introduction
  • IS-00100.SCa Introduction to the Incident Command System ICS-100 for Schools
  • IS-00200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident
  • IS-00240.b Leadership and Influence
  • IS-00242.b Effective Communication
  • ICS-300 Expanding Incidents (attached to Resume)
  • IS-00360 Preparing for Mass Casualty Incidents: Guide for Schools, Higher Education, and Houses of Worship
  • IS-00700 National Incident Management System (NIMS), Intro
  • IS-00700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) Intro
  • IS-00800.b National Response Framework, Intro
  • IS-00804 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #4 Firefighting
  • IS-00809 Emergency Support Function (ESF) #9 Search and Rescue
  • IS-00907 Active Shooter: What You Can Do

Additional Classes National Fire Academy

  • Strategy and Tactics for Initial Company Operations -November 2015
  • Q-133 FF Safety- Calling the Mayday - October 2015
  • Q-228 Foundational Concepts of Chemistry -November 2015
  • U-0349 Pre-course FF Safety-"Who Protects Firefighters from firefighters?" December 2015
  • Q-0751 Principles of Building Construction - December 2015

Fire Chief

Hampton Bays FD
07.2002 - Current
  • Fire Chief - (1/1/2018-1/1/2026) managed and lead 109 firefighters providing fire suppression and rescue services to the Hamlet of Hampton Bays. This included Special Operations teams: Public Safety Dive Team, Structural Collapse Team, Drone Team, Trench Rescue, and Ice Rescue Hovercraft Operations
  • Captain at HQ- (2 years) managed 55 members including 4 lieutenants and 6 trucks: Heavy Rescue 4, Engine 1, Heavy Rescue Utility 5, Fire Police 10, 5 Ton Brush 12.
  • Lieutenant HQ & St. 1- (4years) Heavy Rescue Pumpers 2 & 4
  • Dive Team Coordinator -(15 years) trained and maintained 15 Public Safety Divers as well as an additional 15 person surface support team and regularly coordinated interdepartmental drills with Southampton Town Police Dive Team
  • Established strong relationships with Southampton Town government officials to secure necessary resources for the department''s needs.
  • Supervised incident command operations, ensuring proper coordination among on-scene personnel and effective communication with external agencies.
  • Evaluated team performance and implemented strategies to close gaps in skills or knowledge.
  • Managed department budget effectively, prioritizing essential equipment purchases and maintenance without compromising safety standards.

Educator

Hampton Bays School District
09.1997 - Current
  • BS and MS Degrees in Education
  • Middle School Science Teacher
  • Facilitated collaborative learning environments to enhance student participation and communication skills.
  • Analyzed student performance data to inform instructional adjustments and support individualized learning plans.
  • Chose materials and developed lesson plans to enhance skills for individual students.
  • Provided constructive feedback on assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and academic growth.

Public Safety Diver

PADI and LGS
02.1989 - Current

LGS Certifications Diver

  • Underwater Vehicle Extrication - September 2012
  • Overturned Vessel Dive Training - September 2019
  • Moving Water Search Rescue & Recovery Diver- November 2015
  • Rapid Deployment Search & Rescue/Recovery Diver January 2007
  • Ice Diving Search and Recovery January 2017Drownproofing Turnout Gear Class -September 2009
  • Field Neurological Evaluation Training - December 2013

PADI Certifications Diver

  • Public Safety Diver - January 2014
  • Emergency O2 Provider- January 2014
  • Full Face Mask Diver- January 2014
  • Dry Suit Diver- March 2006
  • Asst. Instructor- December 2006
  • Blackwater Search Operations- October 2004
  • Underwater Videographer- April 1993
  • Divemaster- November 1991
  • Rescue Diver-December 1991
  • Advanced Open water - December 1991

Dive Team Coordinator

  • Executed safe diving practices in accordance with PADI standards.
  • Coordinated underwater searches and recoveries.
  • Collaborated with dive team members and support crew to ensure effective dive planning and execution.
  • Trained novice divers on fundamental techniques and safety measures.
  • Developed procedures for risk management during underwater operations.
  • Maintained accurate dive logs for regulatory compliance and operational efficiency as per our written SOP's
  • Recovered lost items and performed salvage operations in blackwater underwater conditions.
  • Utilized advanced diving techniques for specialized projects for vehicle, helicopter and ice diving operations.
  • Used diver tenders, and diver profilers to accurately document diving operations.
  • Oversaw and conducted regular equipment inventory audits to ensure timely replacement of worn-out gear and maintenance
  • Supervised and trained other divers in performance of essential functions and duties of Public SAfety Diving
  • Performed emergency response drills to enhance team preparedness using live preplanned scenarios
  • Through debriefings I improved team dynamics among divers and surface crews by providing constructive feedback
  • Took appropriate safety precautions such as monitoring dive rope lengths, SAC/DAC, and depths throughout operations

Education

Master of Arts - Education

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
01-2006

Bachelor of Arts - Education

Long Island University
Southampton, NY
12-1996

Skills

  • Hampton Bays FD 23 years (8 years Chief)
  • Fire & Emergency Services Instructor I (Currently in FEMS II)
  • Public Safety Diver (35 years experience)
  • NYS Science teaching certification (MA 60 credits)

Timeline

Fire Chief

Hampton Bays FD
07.2002 - Current

Educator

Hampton Bays School District
09.1997 - Current

Public Safety Diver

PADI and LGS
02.1989 - Current

Firefighter Certifications

Suffolk County Fire Academy

FEMA

US Dept. Homeland Security

Master of Arts - Education

Stony Brook University

Bachelor of Arts - Education

Long Island University