Poudre Fire Authority’s Training Division plays a vital role in preparing firefighters and emergency personnel through comprehensive training, certification, and credentialing programs. Division Chief Tyson Barela will highlight how the division contributes to public safety across Fort Collins and the region by fostering excellence in fire, EMS, and leadership training.
Attendees will learn how the division is evolving to meet community needs and future challenges. Division Chief Barela will also share insights into the HeartSafe Community initiative—an effort to strengthen out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates through education, public access defibrillation, and citizen CPR training. The presentation will offer an opportunity to understand how community members, local organizations, and emergency services can work together to save lives and build a more resilient community.
Tyson Barela serves as the Division Chief of Training for Poudre Fire Authority (PFA) in Fort Collins, Colorado. In this executive leadership role, Division Chief Barela is responsible for directing the Training Division—officially established as PFA’s fourth operational division in 2024—where he oversees the strategic development and delivery of all fire, EMS, and professional development training initiatives. His leadership ensures that members across the organization are equipped to meet the complex demands of modern emergency services.