Fire Chief

Gary Gerren began his career in the fire service as a 20 year-old in a combination (paid and volunteer) fire department in Arkansas. During his career with the fire department, he served in many different positions. He started as a tailboard firefighter and advanced through the ranks to Captain / Shift Commander.

During his career he was assigned to the fire suppression operations as well as the inspection, investigations and training divisions. While in this fire prevention division, he was assigned to inspection and later was trained in arson and fire investigations. After being promoted to Captain, he returned to an engine company. As a Captain, he worked on an engine company and was also the company training officer.

During his career he received many advanced training hours through the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He also received regular and advanced training through the local department and the state fire academy. He applied and was accepted to the Nation Fire Academy’s Command and Staff Fellowship Program. Over the years, he has received certifications in Incident Command, Operations, Training Officer, Inspections, Code Enforcement, Pump Operations, Arson and Fire Investigation, Hazardous Material Operations, Catastrophic Incidents, and Emergency Medical Services.

After retiring from the department, he worked in the nuclear industry for several years as a fire safety officer. He also worked as a fire safety consultant. In 1998, he applied for and was appointed Fire Chief of the Horseshoe Bay Fire Department in Texas. As Fire Chief, he was charged with recruiting volunteers and hiring an additional paid staff of 12 firefighters. He also oversaw the remodel of the central fire station and built an additional fire substation giving the department three stations.

Training has continued throughout his career.  He holds a master level certification in firefighting, inspection, and investigations. He continues to attend training classes throughout the United States. He recently attended classes in Anniston, AL, at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. He has also attended classes at New Mexico Tech for Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings and the University of Nevada – Reno for Terrorist Incidents / Flammable Liquid Firefighting Techniques. He is a certified National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians, certified Fire Arson Investigator IAAI-CFI, and certified Fire and Explosive Investigator NAFI.

Gary has written and co-written several AFG grant request over the past six years with tremendous success. He was integral to the department’s receipt of five grants benefiting the department and the community. He has also served on the AFG and Fire Prevention & Safety grant review board as a peer reviewer.