Get to Know Chad
Chad Stangeland, M.A. is a retired Fire Service and Emergency Management Leader with over 31 years of public sector experience, specializing in emergency response, disaster recovery, and community resilience. Over the course of his career, he was raised to the rank of Deputy Chief, bringing a strong foundation of leadership, mentorship, strategic planning, and operational expertise to every challenge.
His career is rooted in fire service and emergency management, where he gained extensive experience in incident command, resource coordination, and large-scale logistics. He led teams through high-pressure situations, managed complex recovery operations, and developed policies and plans that improved readiness and strengthened community safety. A dedicated mentor, he invested in training the next generation of fire service and emergency management professionals, helping build leadership capacity across the field.
Throughout his service, Chad was recognized for both leadership and action. In 2025, he was honored with the Gary Peterson Award for outstanding mentorship, leadership, and service in emergency management. Earlier in his career, while driving home from work, he successfully deescalated a suicidal individual preparing to jump from an overpass. For this life-saving intervention, he was awarded the North Dakota Peace Officers Life Saving Award. In 2002, he and a team of Moorhead firefighters were driving south on I-94 when they stopped at a serious crash, providing critical care that helped save lives. For their actions, they were awarded the Everyday Hero Award by the American Red Cross. These experiences reflect not only his professional skills but also his personal commitment to protecting lives, mentoring others, and strengthening communities.
He developed expertise in assessing needs, evaluating performance, and implementing improvements that streamlined emergency operations and enhanced resilience. Strong communication and mentorship were central to his leadership style — working effectively with government officials, fire service professionals, and community leaders to build consensus, develop skills, and drive results in times of crisis.
Education
- Master of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security & Defense), 2016 – Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
- Executive Fire Officer Program (Graduate Level), 2015 – National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD
- Bachelor of Science in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology, 2006 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Associate of Applied Science in Fire Technology and Administration, 1994 – Duluth Technical College, Duluth, MN
Certifications
- Additional advanced certifications in FEMA/NIMS/ICS, leadership, and fire service training
- Management: Fire Service & Emergency Management Training
Awards & Recognition
- 2025 Gary Peterson Award for Mentorship, Leadership, and Service in Emergency Management
- North Dakota Peace Officers Life Saving Award
- 2002 American Red Cross Everyday Hero Award
Notable Deployments & Events
- 1997 - Moorhead, MN - Assisted homeowners affected by Red River flooding as a member of the Moorhead Fire Department, executing property protection measures.
- 2005 – Plaquemines Parish, LA – Participated in disaster response efforts for Hurricane Katrina with Minnesota Task Force IV, providing fire protection services and medical assistance.
- 2008 – St. Paul, MN – Led the State Hazardous Material Team during the Republican National Convention, overseeing protective response operations as Team Leader.
- 2009 – Moorhead, MN – Supported homeowners during recurring Red River flooding as part of the Fire Department, implementing strategies to safeguard properties. Also served as Liaison Officer and Planning Section Chief within the Incident Management Team.
- Directed responses to various hazardous materials incidents, including multi-day train derailments, while serving as Team Leader of the hazardous materials team.
