Mike Tucker began his career in the Florida fire service in 1985 following graduation from the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, FL. During his career he has served as a career firefighter / paramedic, as well as a volunteer firefighter. He has earned an Associates Degree in Fire Science, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and earned the Chief Fire Officer Designation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE).
In 2001 he became Chief of Department for the Villages Public Safety Department in Florida, where he served for 13 years. As Chief, he was responsible for oversight of the department as it grew from a single station operation with 12 staff responding to more than 900 calls in its first year of operation, to seven stations with 101 staff responding to more than 15,000 calls. During this time, he and his team succeed in leading the department to international accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
In 2014, he joined the staff of the Florida State Fire College where he currently serves as Superintendent of the Florida State Fire College / Bureau Chief of Fire Standards and Training. In this capacity he is responsible for the oversight of all fire service training curricula within the state leading to certification as a firefighter, fire safety inspector, arson investigator, fire service instructor, and fire officer. His team is also responsible for administration of the Florida Firefighter Occupational Safety and Health Act which impacts Florida’s 500 plus fire departments.
During his tenure as Superintendent / Bureau Chief, the staff of the Florida State Fire College has been successful in earning re-accreditation from International Accreditation for Fire Service Organizations (ProBoard®) and accreditation through the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC®). His team also conducted the first known statewide job task analysis of Florida’s career and volunteer firefighters to re-write Florida’s Firefighter 1 and 2 curricula. This initiative led to a new training program for all of Florida’s firefighters to receive training focused on the “4 Pillars of Health” intended to build a foundation for new firefighters improving their personal health and wellness. Additionally, the new curricula had an increased focus on cancer prevention and active shooter.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14
Florida State Fire College Website: Click Here
Recommended Books:
Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World - General Stanley McChrystal
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't - James C. Collins
Report from Engine Co. 82 - Dennis Smith
Recommended Movies:
Top Gun
The Hunt for Red October
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Game Changers