Rodney Schmidt

Rodney Schmidt

Wildland Urban Interface Advisor

With over 35 years of Fire Service experience, Rodney was previously the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Services for the Town of High Level, retiring in 2025. He has over 20 years of senior leadership experience in the north working extensively in Northern Alberta
and the NWT. Rodney is currently the owner/operator of Urban Edge Fire Strategies Inc., a fire services consultancy and WUI service provider in Alberta and the NWT.

Rodney brings over 12 years of expertise in Wildland Urban Interface Operations working as a senior Structure Protection Specialist with the Province of Alberta. Rodney has deployed to over 15 incidents in Alberta, BC and the NWT as a Specialist, Branch Director or Group Supervisor and Operations Section Chief in WUI incidents in the last 12 years.

Rodney has worked extensively in the Northwest Territories as an instructor, speaker and responder to major emergencies. He has assisted several fire departments in Northwest Alberta and the NWT in program development as well as leadership development.

Current Responsibilities

Wildland Urban Interface / Fire Services Consultant

Years of Experience

36

Location

Alberta

Qualifications

1001 Level 2 Firefighter
1002 Pump, Aerial Operator
472 Hazmat Technician Level
ICS 400
Operations Section Chief
1041 Level 2 Fire Service Instructor
Wildland Urban Interface Instructor
Dalhousie University Certificate in Fire Service Administration and Incident Command
Fire Service Master Planning
Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices

Professional Designations

Primary Care Paramedic (Ret’d)

GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE

  • 26 years as Fire Chief (Volunteer and Full Time)
  • Director of Protective/Emergency Services 23 years
  • Structure Protection Specialist 12 years
  • Alberta Fire Services Advisory Committee
  • 1st Vice President Alberta Fire Chiefs Association
    • Government Relations Committee
    • Recruitment and Retention Committee
    • WUI Advisory Committee
  • President Peace Region Chiefs
  • Team Commander Alberta Task Force 1 (NWAHIMT)

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Alberta Emergency Services Medal
  • Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal
  • Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal
  • King Charles III Coronation Medal
  • Senators Contribution Medal
  • Alberta Emergency Management Agency Achievement Award – AHIMT
    Development

Consulting Experience

  • Alberta WUI Program Development
  • Alberta AHIMT Program Development
  • Alberta Fire Chiefs Core Competency Tool
  • Community Wildfire Protection Planning – New Brunswick (24 Communities)