Richard Etheridge Email & Phone Number

As an accomplished Fire/EMS Chief with a 32-year tenure, I have consistently leveraged people-centric management principles to drive positive change and growth within the Fire/EMS Department. My track record includes:Community-Centric Innovation: Spearheaded the transformation of our Fire/EMS Department to meet the evolving needs and demands of our community through the introduction of pioneering programs.COVID Testing Initiative: Led the establishment of a community-wide COVID testing program, overseeing a team of 65 dedicated individuals, which played a crucial role in safeguarding our community's health during the pandemic.Sobering Center for the Indigent: Successfully implemented a fire department-run sobering center, providing essential support to the indigent population within our community and fostering a safer environment.Mobile Integrated Health Program: Pioneered a million-dollar Mobile Integrated Health Program aimed at alleviating pressure on the emergency room and the EMS system while ensuring essential medical services for those often overlooked.Strategic Growth: Expanded department staffing by 25% and secured a remarkable 54% increase in the budget, significantly contributing to our department's overall success. This budget boost was achieved through a combination of private donations and state/federal grants.Association Leadership: Proudly served on the Western Fire Chiefs Association board for 8 years and the Alaska Fire Chief Association for 13 years, with 4 of those years in the role of president.Legislative Advocacy: During my tenure, I successfully lobbied the state legislature for 3 significant statute changes, with the most notable being the introduction of the Alaska Supplemental Emergency Medicaid Transport Reimbursement Program, which has brought in millions of dollars directly into local fire departments.My commitment to advancing the field of Fire/EMS management and my dedication to our community's welfare have been the driving forces behind my career. I am enthusiastic about connecting with like-minded professionals and organizations to continue making a positive impact in the field of emergency services. Let's connect and explore opportunities to collaborate for the betterment of our communities.

Listed skills include Rescue, Fire Management, Emergency Management, Incident Command, and 45 others.