Glendale Fire Department Officer Bio s Chief Kevin D. Hardwick IstartedinthefireserviceinJanuary1976asanExplorerwiththeNewBurlingtonFireDepartment.In February 1978 I then moved to a regular volunteer fire fighter until taking the first paid firefighter positioninjuly1980.iremainedasapaidpersonholdingtherankofcaptainuntilitookthejobatthe Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport Fire Department. While at New Burlington I was certified as a fire fighter, EMT, fire instructor, fire investigator, and fire safety inspector. I remained as a volunteer firefighter until 1988. After being hired at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 1982 as a fire fighter I became certified in Kentucky as an EMT, firefighter, hazmat tech, fire instructor, and finally a paramedic. While at the airport I held the positions of firefighter, fire safety office, fire inspector and Lieutenant. I had responsibility for environmental issues, fire inspection, plan review, fleet management, specifying and recommending purchases. I joined up as a member of the Boone County Fire Investigation Team andbecamethecoordinatoroftheteamin1997.ithenretiredfromthedepartmentinmay2002. In 2000 I started volunteering for the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on the fire department. This is a department that is responsible for fire, rescue and emergency services for all events on the fairgrounds. I remained the Fire Chief at the fairgrounds until early 2014. In 2002 I took the position of Regional Manager for Ferrara Fire Apparatus Incorporated covering areas of Ohio Kentucky and Indiana where I was responsible for service, training support and sales for the area. I remained with Ferrara until 2014. Inlate2006,IbecameamemberoftheGlendaleFiredepartmentwhereIwasappointedCaptain.Then in2008wasappointedasassistantfirechiefandfinallynamedfirechiefforthevillageinfebruary 2013.IwasswornintothatpositioninMarch2013. Iwasborn,raisedandcontinuetoliveintheNewBurlingtonareaofSpringfieldTownship.Iwent through the Mt Healthy School system and attended numerous fire training classes for most of my fire departmentlife.ihaveover7000documentedhoursoftraininginthefireservice.iamadesignated Ohio Fire Executive through the program that is sponsored by the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. Currently there are only a little over 200 fire professionals with this designation. IammarriedtomywifeCindysince1985andtogetherweraisedfourboyswhoareallmovedoutand intheirownhomes.nowweenjoyhelpingwiththegrandkids.weliketotravel,especiallyhawaiiand togatlinburg.wealsospendtimeathometakingcareofourhomeandgardensandspendingtimewith friends and family.
Assistant Fire Chief Mike Reenan AfterspendingfouryearsintheU.S.NavyIwasdischargedinSeptemberof1969andwenttoworkfor Cincinnati Bell Telephone until retiring in June on 1995 Istartedinthefireservicein1970asavolunteerwiththeNewBurlingtonVolunteerFireDepartment.I wasamemberforsevenyearsandobtaintherankoffirelieutenant,emt,andfiretrainingofficer. I also served as president of their Business Association. In1977myfamilyandImovedtoColerainTownshipwhereIjoinedtheColerainFireDepartmentand have moved through the ranks to the present position of Division Chief. IhaveservedwiththeOhioTaskForceasaLogisticChiefinSt.BernardParishLouisianaduringKatrina aswellasatechnicianforcommand400duringthetornadorecoveryinmoscowohio. IamalsoaFireInstructorwiththeOhioFireAcademyintheirOutReachPrograms.Thisallowsmeto teachthoughoutthestateofohioandiseehowmanyotherfiredepartmentsoperate. IdoseasonalworkfortheCincinnatiRedsasaPublicSafetySupervisorandhavebeenwiththem11 years.thisisagreatjobifyoulikebaseballandpeople. IhavebeenmarriedtomywifeJudyfor45yearsandwehavetwogrownchildrenoneboyandonegirl, bothareoutontheirownandhavetwochildren.grandchildrenaregreatbecausewecanspoilthem andsendthemhometomomanddad. ThewifeandIenjoytravelandwatchinggrandkidsinsports. Whenpeopleask whenareyougoingtoretire myansweris,wheninolongerenjoythefireservice, myhealthfailsorsometimeafterimake50yearsofservice. Assistant Fire Chief William BJ Jetter WilliamA.Jetter,Ph.D.,isa36yearveteranofthefireserviceandiscurrentlyservingasthe EMS& Fire Director/Fire Chief of Monroe Township, Executive Chairman of Hamilton County Urban Search& Rescue, Vice President Board Member of the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit (duty officer), and Task Force Member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Team in Hamilton County. Jetteralsoserved18yearsastheEMSandFireDirectorofSycamoreTownshipretiringinDecemberof 2012. Dr. Jetter also serves as the Assistant Fire Chief with the Village of Glendale, Ohio. JetterwasalsoapastmemberoftheBoardofDirectorsofAmerianaBankofOhio. Dr.Jetteris as adjunct faculty member of the National Fire Academy, State of Ohio Fire Academy, Adjunct Professor University of Cincinnati College of Engineering(Fire Science Program) and Adjunct Professor of the Fire Science program at Cincinnati State Technical College. Dr. Jetter currently serves as a member of the University of Cincinnati s ERC committee that worksinconjunctionwithniosh. Dr.JetteriscertifiedasanInstructorintheStateofOhioinFireSafety Inspector Programs, Fire Science, Hazardous Materials and Rescue Technology. Jetter has a BS in Science, a Master s Degree(graduated 1994, Cum Laude) in Fire Safety Management, and a Doctorate (graduated 1997, Summa Cum Laude) in Fire Safety Management. Dr. Jetter has lectured on a variety of
emergency service topics for State& Federal Emergency Managers, the State of Ohio and the local Emergency Planning Committee. Dr. Jetter has been published nationally and has recently written a paper for the Institute of Fire Engineers(Malaysia Branch Conference on Borderless Response to Disasters). Dr. Jetter has lecture on Borderless Disasters at the Institute of Fire Engineer 2001 annual meeting held in Nottingham, England. Dr. Jetter has author two books one on leadership title Artful Ascension the second book release in 2008 a children book called the Little Green Fire Truck. Dr. Jetter is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners; American Board for Certification in Homeland Security. Dr. Jetter has also been certified by the Academy of Consultant as a diplomat and expert in Hazardous Materials. Dr. Jetter now serves as Past President of the USA Branch of the Institute of Fire Engineers, today Dr. Jetter is fellow in the Institution of Fire Engineers. Dr. Jetter has received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing Dr. Jetter and his wife Judy have two sons, two grandson and a granddaughter. District Fire Chief Jeff Klei Istartedinthefireservicein1976ontheMt.HealthyLifeSquadandFireDept.FromthereIwasthe Safety Director and Fire Chief at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds From 1987 to 2000. I remained Safety Director until May 2014. Started at the Glendale Fire Department in 2006until today. Also a Police Officer for 31 Years. Captain Ed Hess IhavebeenamemberoftheGlendale FireDepartmentsince1/9/2012.IreceivedmyFirefighter2 certification 5/25/2006 and also my Fire Safety Inspector 6/22/2009. I am currently a Fire Officer 1 and 2. IbecameCaptainon6/14/2014.IhaveworkedfortheVillagesPublicWorkssince2008.Iam responsible for training and taking care of all SCBA air packs and Drivers training. I currently live in Springdale. Captain Chris Ruwe Chris Ruwe joined the Village of Glendale Fire Department in June, 2014. Chris began his career in the fire service in July 1987 with Colerain Township Fire Department. Since joining Colerain Township Fire Dept., Chris continued his education, taking additional classes to benefit his fire service career. These classes include, Fire Officer training, Hazardous Material training, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Service Inspector, EMS- CE Instructor and numerous other Fire and Emergency Medical Service classes. Chris has moved through the ranks holding the positions of Part Time, Firefighter, Part Time Fire Lieutenant, Part Time Fire Captain, Paramedic, Full Time Firefighter and currently Full Time Fire Captain/Paramedic.
ChrisismarriedtowifeJenniferandtogethertheyhavetwochildren. Theoldestchildiscurrently a sophomore at Northern Kentucky University and their second child is a sophomore at a local area High School. Chris is thankful for the opportunity to join the Village of Glendale Fire Department and looks forward to helping the Engine Company grow into the best Engine Company in the area. Captain Curt Kercheval IjoinedtheFireserviceApril1986asacadetfortheHarrisonFD. Igrewupinafirestationasmyfather and my grandfather both were involved in the Area Fire Departments. I became a 200 hour firefighter 1988thruthestatefiremarshalacademyandalsogainedmyBasicEMTthatyear. 1989becameaState Fire Inspector and began working in the career fire service at Colerain Township, Green Township.& Harrison. 1990 I earned my Paramedic certificate from Mercy Hospital Paramedic academy. 1991 began working at City of Springdale which led to being hired Fulltime as one of their first Paramedics, whichistillworktheretoday. Inthepast12yearsmycareerpathhasledtomoreofateachingposition asibecameaparamedicinstructorforspringdale FD&otherareadepartments. Ialsoteachat Cincinnati state EMS programs. I'm a certified American Heart Assoc. certified CPR instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support& Pediatric Advanced Life Support instructor, Pediatric Emergency Prehospital Provider instructor. Married16yearstoJuliethemostwonderful womanintheworld. Shehasblessedmewith2children Tyler13&Leah11. Ialsohavea24y/odaughterfrompreviousmarriage,EmilyandsheisaCritical Care Paramedic for Fort Hamilton ER. Captain Tim Burns Istartedinthefireserviceofficially inmarch1988asavolunteerfornewburlington. Although,Igrew upasafirehousebratfollowingmyfatherandhisextendedfirehousefamily. Duringmyyouth,I became the Assistant Chief of our department s explorer post. As a volunteer, I advanced within the department to Captain with responsibilities of EMS. I had a unique position of holding Captain s Rank during a major change of same station but different departments. New Burlington became a part of Northern Hills then changed together as we know it today as Springfield Township. In1990,Idecidedtofollowmygoalofbecomingacareerfirefighter. Istartedwiththedepartmentsof Springdale and Colerain. I worked at Springdale becoming a senior unit day member and attending paramedic school with several of its original career personnel. At Colerain, I advanced to Lieutenant, having several responsibilities including assigned personnel, employee training records, and personnel evaluations. I started in February 1995 leaving Springdale for career paramedic at Franciscan Mobile Care. In my adventures there I was a FTO Field Training Officer of new personnel. I was involved in committees of EMS equipment and supplies, critical care transport teams, medical billing and dispatch.
I made my career goal in July 1998 of Fulltime Firefighter/ Paramedic for Union Township Butler County inwhichtodayisknownaswestchester. Ihaveoversixteenyearsworkinga24/48unitdaysystemat Station74/Unit1. I macurrentactinglieutenantfillinginasstationofficerasneeded. Ihaveduties and belong to Butler County Haz-mat, Honor Guard, preplanning, apparatus engineer, inspector, street guide coordinator, and department instructor. I am an original member of the Butler County Technical Rescue Team being sponsored by West Chester. Ioftenassisttheteamwithtechnicalteachingsandtrainings. OnmyunitdayIholdtheresponsibility to make regional responses as a driver for Technical Rescue 2. IleftColerainandstartedin2000forLibertyTownshipbeingclosertohome. Iworkedthereduringthe department s start of its paramedic program and first career employees. ImarriedmywifeVicki,in1999livinginWestChester. WehavetwinsonsSpencerandZachary currentlypre-teensattending6 th grade. I eventually left Liberty Township 2007, to manage my biggest challenge of being a father and raising our children. Unfortunately, my father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and I took over his medical and personnel affairs for my mother. In 2009, I lost my father but, his support and presence still influence my decisions today. The firehouse familyheintroducedmetoasachildourstillsomeofmygreatestanddearestfriends. In my off time, I enjoy family camping with our travel trailer. I occasionally sometimes, enjoy a motorcycle ride. I have owned 7 different bikes from Honda s to Harley s including dad s Gold Wing and trailer. Today, I enjoy coming on board as your Captain for Glendale. I look forward to share my experiences and help lead our department for its future. Adam Igel Acting Company Officer Ihavebeeninthefireservicesince2009withtheVillageanddon tseeanysignsofstopping. Ireceived myfirecardfromglendalefiredepartmentbychieftomthackerandhaveraisedmycertleveltofire Fighter 1 to further my knowledge. Since joining Glendale I have become a Fire Apparatus Operator and anactingcompanyofficer. RecentlyIhavereceivedmyFireInstructorcertsoIcanhelptheFire Departmentwithnewrecruittrainingandclasses. IamgoingtobeworkingonEMTcerthereinthe nearfuturetohelpprovidemoreabilities tothedepartment. InmycomingyearsinthefireserviceI wouldliketoobtainatthehighestleveltobecomeanassistantchief,butinthenearfutureiwouldlike to become a Captain. Steve Schmidt Acting Company Officer Stephen Schmidt joined the Glendale Fire Department in 2008 after graduating with his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Northern Kentucky University. Stephen currently holds many State of Ohio certifications such as Firefighter Level II, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Instructor, and Hazardous Materials
Technician to name a few. On top of his Firefighter and EMT duties, Stephen helps organize public relation events and the Glendale Firefighter Explorer Post for the department. Stephen currently holds a position of a Company Officer within the department. StephenhasafulltimejobworkingforBudHerbertMotors,afamilyownedandoperatedJohnDeere dealership in Cincinnati. Stephen is also an emergency responder with the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit and responds to hazardous releases in and around the Cincinnati area. StephengrewuponthewestsideofCincinnatiandisa2003graduateofLaSalle HighSchool. He currentlyresides inthewhiteoakareaofgreentownship.inhisfreetime,youcanmostlikelyfind Stephenworkinginandaroundhisnewhouseandalsoathisfamilyfarm. Phil Heather Acting Company Officer Scott Lerman Acting Company Officer Scott started in the fire service as a Wild Land Firefighter in 2007 while attending Hocking College. In 2011 he attended the volunteer firefighter class provided by Glendale Fire. He became a member of the Department in 2012. He has since earned the rank of Fire Apparatus Operator(FAO) and Acting CompanyOfficer(ACO).Heiscurrentlyassignedtocrew5asACO.Scottisalsoontheexecutive board of the Village of Glendale Firefighter s Association(VOGFA), the departments Pre-Plan Coordinator, and driverstraininginstructor;hehasbeenaresidentofthevillage for2yearsnow&shares hishomewith his girlfriend Kerrie and their 2 beautiful Siberian Huskies. In his spare time Scott likes to play hockey and is a member of the Cincinnati Firefighters Hockey team. Kevin Haugh Acting Company Officer In2003Istartedmyfirefightingcareerbytakingthefireacademyofferedthroughmyhighschool.By Januaryof2004IhadearnedmyEMTcertificationandhadjoinedColonialHeightsFireandEMSin ColonialHeights,Virginia asacadet.inmarchof2005ibecameafullmemberofthedepartmentwhere I served as a Firefighter, EMT, Hazmat Technician, and Fire Instructor. I remained a member of the department until 2011. In August of 2005, I moved to Richmond Kentucky where I attended Eastern Kentucky University. While there, I earned my Bachelor s Degree in Fire Service Administration with a minor in Police Studies. While
is school I took advantage of the unique opportunities offer including; large animal rescue, Chemical Weapons training, and working with the Madison County Arson Investigation Team. AftergraduatingfromEKU,ImovedtoCincinnatitomarrymywifeSarah. OnceinCincinnatiIenrolled in UC s Paramedic Program and Graduated with honors in 2011. InNovemberof2011IwashiredontotheGlendale FireDepartmentasaFirefighter/Paramedic.At Glendale, I work a regular 24 hour shift plus attended numerous trainings and association events. I have also earned my officer and instructor certifications. In 2014 I was promoted to Acting Company Officer (ACO) and joined the officer ranks of the department. I also work for UC Aircare and Mobile Care as a Communications Specialist, coordinating the transportation of critically injured and ill patients. While working at UC, I have spent time in both the helicopters and ambulances treating patients and transporting them to higher levels of care. Mygoals forthefuturearetobettermyself,mydepartment, andthevillageofglendale aswhole. I hopetocontinuemyeducationandbecomealeaderinthedepartment. Myultimatecareergoalfor thefireserviceistoserveaschiefofavolunteerdepartment.