Kirtley is new director for OSU Fire Services Training
Friday, January 14, 2011
Kirtley worked for OSU Fire Services Training from 2004 - 2006 as an officer/instructor program coordinator. He then served as the International Fire Service Training Association projects coordinator for OSU Fire Protection Publications from 2006 until accepting the director’s post for FST.
In addition to his familiarity and work for OSU, Kirtley has years of hands-on experience as a former fire chief for Guymon, a training director in Colorado Springs, and an instructor and curriculum developer for both the National Fire Academy and the Emergency Management Institute, according to Dr. David Thompson, associate dean of instruction and extension at OSU. “These personal insights and experiences have prepared Ed to continue to build on the reputation of excellence for which OSU Fire Service Training is recognized internationally. This translates to better trained and more effective fire and emergency service personnel in Oklahoma.”
“I'm humbled to have the opportunity to lead this noted fire training program,” said Kirtley. “The staff is exceptional and has accomplished a great deal in recent years. It is a honor to serve the fire fighters of Oklahoma in this capacity, and I look forward to working with all the fire service organizations.”
Among his recent accomplishments at OSU, Kirtley coordinated the revision of the International Fire Service Training Association’s manual on “Essentials of Fire Fighting,” and co-developed five curriculum packages for fire training at OSU that earned approval from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Domestic Preparedness and/or the National Fire Academy.
Kirtley headed the municipal fire/EMS department in Guymon from March of 1998 to March of 2004. As fire chief, he directed three separate divisions and 60 personnel with a budget of $800,000. He led the transition of the city’s EMS transport service from the police to the fire department and played a key role in its eventual certification as an advanced life support transport service. Kirtley also served on the leadership team of the Oklahoma Panhandle fire chiefs to help create an associate degree in firefighting, including an intern program at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
In Colorado Springs, Kirtley managed the metropolitan fire department training division, including training programs and activities as well as facilities. He also served as the first chair of the Colorado Metropolitan Certification Board from 1994-1998 and was actively involved in the accreditation process of four metropolitan fire departments in Colorado.
Kirtley was born in Boise City, Okla. and was raised in Westcliffe, Colorado. He served in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve as a tactical air controller.
Kirtley and his wife Sandy have been married for 30 years and have three grown children.