Dr. Ed Kirtley
Associate Dean, Engineering Extension
Professor of Professional Practice
Overview
Dr. Ed Kirtley is the associate dean for engineering extension in the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology and a professor of practice in the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology degree program. As associate dean Ed is responsible for leading the college’s diverse extension units. Prior to his appointment as associate dean, Ed was the director of OSU Fire Service Training. He was responsible for the training of Oklahoma’s fire fighters and other emergency responders. Since 2000 Ed has worked extensively with the South African fire service providing courses on community risk reduction and leadership. In July of 2017 Ed led the first group of OSU fire protection and fire/emergency administration students to South Africa on a cooperative program with Stellenbosch University.
Ed spent 24 years in the professional fire service including service with the Colorado Springs Colorado Fire Department and as the Fire Chief in Guymon OK. While at Guymon, Ed oversaw the integration of emergency medical services into the fire department including advanced life support transport, the first such service in the Panhandle. He also worked to build strong connections in the Hispanic community including the hiring and promotion of Hispanic fire fighters and EMTs
Ed is the former chair of the NFPA 1035 professional qualifications standard and a former member of the NFPA Professional Qualifications Correlating Committee. He is an adjunct faculty member of the National Fire Academy. He received his PhD in Fire and Emergency Management Administration at Oklahoma State University. He is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Executive Public Leadership program. In July of 2019 Ed was presented the Everett E. Hudiburg Memorial Award for Career Contributions to Firefighter Training by the International Fire Service Training Association.
Research
Dr. Kirtley conducts research in the development and application of social capital in rural and underserved communities, and the impact of that social capital on community risk reduction initiatives. He also conducts research on leadership development strategies and methods in fire protection organizations.
Teaching
· Emergency Management and Public Policy in the United States
· Engineering Teaming
· Fire Protection Management
· Issues in Local Government and Fire Services
· Labor Management for Fire and Emergency Management
· Leadership and Management for Fire and Emergency Management
· Political and Community Relations for Fire and Emergency Management Administration
Recent Publications
1. Kirtley, Ed. Social Capital in Rural America: A Critical Evaluation of the Influence of Social Networks on Community Risk Reduction and Firefighter Recruitment in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Oklahoma State University. 2023
2. Kirtley, Ed (co-author). R5204: Applications in the Exercise of Leadership Capstone II. Executive Fire Officer Program. United States Fire Administration, 2023.
3. Kirtley, Ed (co-author). M5104: Applications in the Exercise of Leadership Capstone I. Executive Fire Officer Program. United States Fire Administration, 2022.
4. Kirtley, Ed. Section 5.2: Principles and Techniques of Fire and Life Safety Education. A. Cole, Editor. Fire Protection Handbook, 21st Edition (pp. 5-15 to 5-33). 2022
5. Kirtley, Ed, Weller, Mike. Public Fire Education Planning: A Five-Step Process. United States Fire Administration, 2008
6. Kirtley, Ed. Section 5.1: Principles and Techniques of Fire and Life Safety Education. A. Cole, Editor. Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition (pp. 5-3 to 5-20). 2008
7. Kirtley, Ed. Section 12.19: Community Risk Reduction. A. Cole, Editor. Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition (pp. 12-309 to 12-315). 2008
8. Gamache, Sharon, Hall, John R, Ahrens, Marty, Penney, Gerri, Kirtley, Ed. Rural Fires: mitigating the rural fire problem. NFPA Research. NFPA Journal. Volume 102. July/August 2008.
9. Gamache, Sharon, Hall, Jr, John R, Ahrens, Marty, Penney, Geri, Kirtley, Ed. Mitigation of the rural fire problem: strategies based on original research and adaptation of existing best practices. United States Fire Administration. 2007