I am honored to be currently serving as the Director of Fire & Emergency Medical Services/Fire Chief for Boynton Beach Fire Rescue.
I have been blessed with over 43 years of public service experience.
Started my career as a USAF Firefighter, in the Cold War Era. Having served at Ocean Reef FD, Lauderdale Lakes FD, Hallandale FD. and then retired after 27+ years with Miami Dade Fire Rescue in 2015 as a Battalion Chief in the Hi Rise District of NE Dade County and Acting Operations Division Chief.
Since 2015 I remained in the MDFR reserve program, teaching classes, and mentoring junior Chiefs. Became a certified IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback Provider and an IASIS Instructor. This state of the art technology is helping first responders, veterans and the public who are suffering from PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, and more.
Working with mental health professionals and First Responders from across the country to revamp the current Critical Incident Stress Management programs and transition into developing First Responder Behavioral Health initiative plans which place heavy emphasis on peer support teams, next level advanced intervention training and recognizing available viable resources, while working to include K9 therapy in this process.
Having a love for the Fire Service and wanting to put decades of experience back in public service, I was blessed to have been chosen in August of 2020 as The Deputy Fire Chief for The City of Boynton Beach Fire Rescue. Promoted to Fire Chief, August of 2022. We have updated our departments Behavioral Health, peer support team program and policies to mirror what I have learned and believe our new program is a primer for others around the world to follow. My sincere hope is to help all first responders who are suffering and taking their own lives at an alarming rate.
IASIS Website: Click Here
Hugh’s Linkedin: Click Here
Hugh’s Email: bruderh@bbfl.us
Interview Transcript: Click Here
Transcend Website: Click Here
NuCalm Website: Click Here