Otto Drozd III (Wildfires, Firefighter Recruitment and Courageous Leadership) - Episode 1030

Behind The Shield

Otto Drozd III is a seasoned leader in fire and emergency services with over 35 years of distinguished experience, dedicated to protecting communities, driving innovation, and advancing fire service excellence on a global scale. In this second conversation, we discuss the pandemic, the fire service recruitment crisis, lithium ion fires, courageous leadership and much more.

Currently, Otto serves as the Executive Secretary of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), where he leads national and international collaborations to address the fire service's most urgent challenges. His leadership encompasses transformative initiatives ranging from wildfire and emerging energy technology responses to advocating for firefighter health, safety, and resilience.

Otto's impact is perhaps most evident in his instrumental role in the fast-tracked development of NFPA 3000™, Standard for an Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program. Following the Pulse nightclub tragedy in Orlando in 2016, Otto spearheaded the request for NFPA to create the world’s first standard addressing mass casualty incident planning, resource management, incident command, and responder competencies. Drawing on his decades of public safety expertise, he united more than 50 representatives from law enforcement, fire service, EMS, hospitals, emergency management, private industry, universities, schools, and federal agencies, including DHS, FBI, and DOJ, to create a comprehensive, life-saving framework. Thanks to his vision and leadership, NFPA 3000 was released in May 2018—just 20 months after its inception—marking it as one of only two provisional standards in NFPA’s 125-year history. The 2021 edition further solidified its standing as an essential guide for global public safety.

Throughout his career, Otto has been recognized as a thought leader in the fire service. He is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences, sharing insights on emerging risks, strategic innovations, and policy developments shaping the future of fire and emergency services. His presentations reflect his commitment to improving operational efficiency, enhancing community resilience, and addressing the challenges of increasingly severe weather and evolving technologies.

Otto's career includes executive leadership in municipal, county, and international fire service organizations. As Fire Chief in jurisdictions across Florida and Texas, he managed large-scale operations, oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets, and implemented strategic planning initiatives that improved emergency preparedness and operational excellence. Under his leadership, departments earned prestigious milestones, including ISO Class One ratings and accreditations for fire, EMS, and emergency management services.

A tireless advocate for advancing the fire service, Otto has spearheaded initiatives such as developing national consensus standards, establishing regional training facilities, and launching officer development programs. His advocacy efforts have influenced federal and state policies and secured critical funding for firefighter cancer prevention, lifesaving technology advancements, and fire safety programs.