Brian Simpson, MPA, CFO

Brian Simpson is an accomplished fire service leader with over 23 years of progressive experience in emergency operations, personnel development, and organizational transformation. As a Battalion Chief and Principal Consultant, he brings a unique blend of scholarly rigor and practical field expertise to every engagement. Holding a master's in public administration, Chief Fire Officer credential, and doctoral studies in Emergency and Protective Services from Capitol Technology University, Brian represents the modern fire service leader—one who bridges academic knowledge with real-world operational excellence.

Throughout his distinguished career at the Village of Carpentersville and beyond, Brian has demonstrated exceptional leadership across multiple critical domains. His expertise spans incident command in high-pressure emergency operations, strategic personnel development and mentorship, complex labor relations and collective bargaining negotiations from both management and labor perspectives, and comprehensive fire prevention program design and implementation. Notably, Brian has spearheaded innovative initiatives including cardiac arrest survivability programs, flexible staffing models that optimize resources while maintaining operational readiness, policy modernization using contemporary frameworks, and technology integration that enhances operational efficiency and internal communication.

As a fire investigator holding certifications as a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Brian has led origin and cause investigations while collaborating with law enforcement and insurance partners to enhance community risk reduction. His experience extends to emergency medical services oversight, ensuring high-quality patient care delivery, and strategic budget management and policy governance at the department level.

Beyond operational leadership, Brian is an emerging thought leader on organizational culture and fire service excellence. His published insights emphasize the vital importance of perspective in public safety leadership—specifically, the capacity of effective leaders to "zoom out," maintain strategic vision, and see the bigger picture while guiding teams through complex operational challenges. He advocates strongly for fostering collaborative environments where continuous learning thrives and where organizational culture becomes a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.

Currently, Brian serves as an instructor at the ECC Center for Emergency Services, where he develops and delivers curriculum in emergency services leadership and incident command. Through this role, he is directly shaping the next generation of fire service leaders and thought leaders. His commitment to mentorship and professional development reflects his core belief that elevating the fire service profession requires investing in emerging leaders and fostering cultures of excellence, innovation, and servant leadership.