About Chief Hardwick

Chief Kevin D. Hardwick, OFE / OFCI started in the fire service in January 1976 as an Explorer with the New Burlington Fire Department. In February 1978 I then moved to a regular volunteer fire fighter until taking the first paid firefighter position in July 1980. I remained as a paid person holding the rank of Captain until I took the job at the 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, mass casualty planning, specifying and recommending purchases. I joined up as a member of the Boone County Fire Investigation Team and became the coordinator of the team in 1997. I then retired from the department in May 2002.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 late 2006, I became a member of the Glendale Fire department where I was appointed Captain. Then in 2008 was appointed as Assistant Fire Chief and finally named Fire Chief for the Village in February 2013. I was sworn in to that position in March 2013. I have over 7500 documented hours of training in the fire service. I am a designated 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. In 2016 was designated as Ohio Fire Chief through Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. Currently on the Executive Board of the Hamilton County Fire Chiefs Association as Vice-President. The Hamilton County Mass Casualty Response Plan is a product of my work. Hamilton County EMA and their planning for county disasters has been a part of what my involvement as well. Recently I was just elected as a Director At Large for the International Fire Chiefs Association for the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.