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New Loveland Fire Chief, Mike Chard

Thursday, July 7th - 

Loveland Gets New Fire Chief...   Mike Chard has been named as  Loveland’s new fire chief.  Chard had served as acting chief since April, following the departure of former fire chief Mark Miller.  Chard came to Loveland Fire and Rescue as deputy chief last November. In making the appointment, City Manager Don Williams explained that since receiving Miller’s letter of resignation, he has spent more than three months studying issues within the department.  Williams met numerous times with both the leadership and all other levels of the department’s personnel, including volunteers, to hear staff comments on needs and future direction. 

“I found a great deal of support for Mike and the programs he and Mark Miller had created and put in motion,” Williams said. “Mike is appreciated and well respected for his emphasis on operations, his efforts to build efficiency without exceeding resources and his creative, most-bang-for-the-buck approach.

“Mike and Mark were a good team from the beginning; headed in the right direction.  Mike’s appointment continues the department heading in that direction without missing a step.”

Williams said Chard’s primary directive will continue to be moving forward toward existing goals, including ongoing assurance that all groups within and involved with the fire department maintain productive working relationships.

Chard came to Loveland after 10 years with the Boulder Fire-Rescue department, including serving as division chief of training and hazardous materials operations chief.  The previous ten years were spent with the Sheridan , Colo. fire department, where he was promoted to captain and provided his skills as the training officer and paramedic coordinator.  Chard began his public safety career 1982-84 in the Denver area as a paramedic with Columbine Ambulance.

Chard is completing a thesis for a master’s degree from Regis University in management sciences.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from Regis for organizational development and an associate’s degree in fire science from Red Rocks Community College .

Chard, his wife Jojo and three daughters are looking forward to relocating to Loveland from their present residence in Longmont .

“There’s been a great deal of positive momentum created within the department,” Chard said.  “I’m looking ahead to continuing that momentum.  We’ll continue emphasis on training, on effective utilization of departmental personnel, on keeping the department well connected to the community.  We fully intend to keep the department available and approachable by the community.

“I am honored to accept this position and to work with these people.  I do not take it lightly and look forward to the challenges,” Chard said.

Williams said Chard has demonstrated his leadership capability in a number of ways, including communication, accountability, professionalism and ability to create solutions with the involvement of departmental staff members.  Williams added, “Chard also provides the skills and knowledge gained from a technical firefighting background.

“The City of Loveland and all other locales under the jurisdiction of the department are well served by this appointment.” Williams said.

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