Who’s Who in the 352: Outgoing Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Welcome to Who’s Who in the 352, an exclusive 352Today feature in which we get to know some of our region’s movers and shakers a little better. This week’s subject is Alachua County Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus, who is retiring June 12 after more than 30 years serving his community as a first responder.

You’ve spent more than three decades as a first responder, and thank you for your service to our community. Was there ever anything else you wanted to do as a career or avocation?

I grew up in a family of public service employees. My father retired from the Jacksonville Fire Department and later in life was the Fire Chief in Orange Park, Fl. My mother retired from the clerk’s office in the City of Jacksonville. I am the youngest of four boys, with three of us working as firefighters or police officers. So, I believe it was natural for me to gravitate towards fire rescue services.

How has the region’s growth affected the changes you’ve had to make to your various roles over the years? Is it a constant concern for the agency?

Alachua County has experienced significant growth over the last 30 years, and that growth has continually shaped how our department operates and how my roles have evolved throughout my career. When I was first hired, the department had approximately 150 employees. Today, we are approaching 400 personnel, which reflects not only the population growth of the region but also the increasing demand for services and complexity of our responsibilities.

The county provides fire protection not only to the unincorporated areas, but also through service relationships with the cities of Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne, Micanopy, and Waldo. As the region has grown, we have had to expand staffing, stations, apparatus, technology, and administrative infrastructure to keep pace with service expectations and response demands.

Emergency medical services have also transformed dramatically during that time. Our department has always maintained a strong EMS presence, but advances in prehospital medicine have required us to continually adapt training, equipment, protocols, and partnerships with healthcare providers. Today’s firefighters and paramedics are expected to deliver a much higher level of medical care than when I began my career.

One of the biggest changes has been the breadth of responsibilities our department now manages. In addition to Fire and EMS services, the organization oversees Emergency Management, Medical Billing, Next Generation 911, the Public Safety Radio System, and Community Health initiatives. Growth is absolutely a constant consideration for the agency because it impacts every aspect of service delivery, from staffing and infrastructure planning to technology, training, and community risk reduction. Our challenge has been to remain proactive and innovative so we can continue providing a high level of service to a rapidly evolving community.

Has there been something from each of your roles/responsibilities over your career that you’ve been able to take with you to the next step, that’s helped you early on and continued to do so throughout?

One thing I have tried to carry with me through every role in my career is the importance of creating a family environment within the workplace. Fire Rescue services are unique in that our employees experience situations together that most professions never encounter. We respond to incidents where people are often experiencing tragedy, crisis, or some of the worst moments of their lives. Those shared experiences naturally create strong bonds among co-workers.

Throughout my career, I have always tried to build upon those bonds to foster relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging within the organization. As I advanced through the ranks, the size of that “family” continued to grow, from serving as a company officer responsible for a crew of three, to leading an organization of 382 employees as fire chief.

I believe that approach has helped me remain approachable and relatable at every level of the department. It has also helped establish a culture built on trust, accountability, and mutual respect. No matter the position or responsibility, I have always believed that strong relationships and genuine investment in people are what ultimately make an organization successful.

What has been your favorite thing about working as a first responder/firefighter/chief?

As fire chief I believe seeing our people serve the public though innovation has been most rewarding. Moreover, the relationships I have experienced along the way.

You’re responsible for innovating or overseeing several changes or new programs regarding the way the region works together, informs the public, etc. Is there anything you’re most proud of?

I have been very fortunate throughout my career to work alongside a team that is not afraid to innovate or take calculated risks. One of the phrases we often use within our organization is, “everything is a pilot program.” That mindset has allowed us to explore ideas and implement programs that other departments may have been hesitant to attempt.

What I am most proud of is not necessarily one individual program, but the culture we created around innovation and continuous improvement. Our philosophy has always been guided by two simple questions: First, does it provide a better service to our citizens? And second, is it good for our employees? If the answer to both is yes, then we are willing to try it, evaluate it, and improve upon it.

Some people initially consider a job as, say, an EMT because they want to help people, some want job security, some are looking to be in a service field without going through years of medical school, etc. What would you say to someone who is considering entering an EMT or similar first-response training program in search of a career?

Thirty-two years later, I still believe Fire Rescue services is one of the best careers a person can choose, especially for individuals who genuinely enjoy helping others. It is a profession that gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day.

I have enjoyed each and every day of my career. While the job can certainly be demanding, stressful, and emotionally challenging at times, it is also incredibly rewarding. Few professions provide the same sense of purpose, teamwork, and fulfillment that comes from serving your community during times of need.

One of the aspects I have appreciated most is being part of a team. In Fire Rescue, you build relationships and bonds that are difficult to describe unless you have experienced them firsthand. You work alongside people who depend on one another in critical situations, and that creates a strong sense of camaraderie and family.

For someone considering entering into Fire and EMS Services, I would encourage them to approach it with a willingness to serve, work hard, and continue learning. The profession offers tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth, and it can provide a career filled with purpose, challenge, and pride.

What’s next for you, Chief Theus?

I have been offered a wonderful opportunity to be the executive director of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA). This job will provide me the opportunity to continue my journey in the fire service industry. The FFCA has about 2,000 members and has a mission of Florida fire service advocacy. The association is heavily involved in statewide legislative efforts and hosts three major fire/EMS conferences per year.

I also intend to spend more time with my wife and daughter, Laura and Emma.