BIO – KARL ISSELHARD – VICE CHAIR

Fire Chief, Rural Metro Fire Department

Chief Karl Isselhard started his career in the fire service as a volunteer EMT/Firefighter in 1992
with the Bernalillo County Fire Department in Albuquerque, NM. He attended paramedic
school in 1994, graduating with an Associate degree in Emergency Medicine. In 1996, he was
hired full-time by the Bernalillo County Fire Department, where he served the residents of
Albuquerque’s South Valley for five years. In 2001, he attended a lateral academy with the
Albuquerque Fire Department. Chief Isselhard rose through all ranks at AFD to include
Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, and finally Assistant
Chief, to which he served for his last four years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree
in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) shortly after that.

Through his time in Albuquerque, Chief Isselhard served and chaired multiple committees,
oversaw Emergency Medical Services, Fire and EMS Training, Human Resources, Safety, and
Professional Development. In 2017, Chief Isselhard retired from AFD to take on a new role as
Fire Chief of Rural Metro Fire Department in Tucson, AZ.

Chief Isselhard continues to serve the residents of Pima County in his role as Fire Chief. He is
an active member of the Pima County Fire Chief Association, Arizona Fire Chiefs, serves on the
Tucson Fire Foundation’s Board, and is an active member of numerous other committees in the
region. Chief Isselhard believes strongly in community relationships and working in
collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders to ensure public safety needs are met.