Jeffrey T. Dyar

 

Jeff T. Dyar, B.S. NREMT started his career as a volunteer EMS provider in a small rural town, 36 years ago. As with many idealistic and motivated young persons at the time, he was consumed and captured forever by the television show, “Emergency”. Not long after becoming an EMT he enlisted and served as a combat medic during the Vietnam war. Jeff describes himself as first a teacher and then a provider and has held positions in public, private, military, and federal capacities focusing on EMS. Known as the architect of EMS management programs at the National Fire Academy, he spent nearly twelve years in the post of Program Chair for EMS in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He also responded with FEMA to dozens of national emergencies and achieved the level of Chief of Operations at the National Interagency Operation Center in Washington, D.C. Over the years James O. Page mentored and tormented him to bring leadership and meaning to national EMS. Advocating partnerships and breaking down walls is his forte and many a student attending courses at NFA remember him saying, “What opportunity does this situation or problem offer you?” In 1999 Jeff received the James O. Page Award for contributions to advancing EMS on a national level, given by the EMS Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Ironically, Jeff and his wife Val, landed back in a small rural town in Colorado, where he serves on the Board of Directors of a fire protection district providing ALS level EMS services to a 258 square mile response area. .