Hernando County has named Paul Hasenmeier the new Hernando County Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief. He replaces Scott Hechler who retired in July after serving in the post since June 2014.
Hasenmeier holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Capella University. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, and has been trained as a firefighter, paramedic, instructor, fire inspector and in all the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1670’s technical rescue disciplines.
He has been a member of the Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services Team since October 2022. In his new post he will lead an all-hazards department that provides fire protection, advanced life support (ALS) first responder EMS services, ALS emergency transport services, ALS interfacility transport services, aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), Hazardous Material (HAZ-Mat), and Technical Rescue Teams, and emergency management services that specializes in both coastal preparedness and inland river related community risks.
In addition to his new duties, Hasenmeier is a lead faculty member at Columbia Southern University where he teaches on-line courses in their Fire Administration Program.
He is also Hasenmeier is an adjunct heavy rescue instructor for Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and teaches at the annual state fire school there. In addition, he has made presentations on fire service and leadership topics across the United States and in Canada.
Hasenmeier lives in Hernando County with his wife Amanda and 3 daughters.
