Gamaliel Baer EdD, MSM, CTO

Dr. Gamaliel Baer joined Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) in 2008. From 2008 until 2018, he served in the field as a Firefighter/EMT. He spent five years at the busiest engine company and five years with Special Operations Division. While in Special Operations, he developed an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (UROV) Program. The team has been used for regional responses and has conducted four body recoveries since it was launched in 2017. In January of 2018, during his doctoral studies, he was invited to serve at HCDFRS Headquarters where he launched the departments Health and Wellness program. As a Certified Health Coach, a Certified Personal Trainer, and a credential peer supporter, he led the Peer Fitness Program and the Peer Support Program, and taught health and wellness in the fire academy. While at headquarters he led the Peer Support Team through the department's first career Line of Duty Death. In the summer of 2020 he returned to the field but continues to teach and consult on health and wellness for both individuals and organizations. 
 
Since 2017 Dr. Baer has volunteered as a National Fallen Firefighters Foundation State Advocate. He is represents the NFFF both locally and nationally in fire service education and advocacy, as well as special projects development. He was a founding member of a permanent public safety health and wellness support group for the state of Maryland. He has delivered education and presentations at the local, state, and national level as keynote speaker, breakout room speaker, and panelist. He continues to participate in podcasts and webinars. 
 
Since 2012 Dr. Baer has served as a Coast Guard Reservist. He enlisted as an Intelligence Specialist and in 2016 received his commission as an officer. He served as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) to FEMA's National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) and was activated during the triple hurricanes of 2017 where he helped to coordinate critical life safety missions for Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands. He is now an Intelligence Officer at the USCG Intelligence Coordination Center which is the Coast Guard's strategic intelligence analysis and production center.
 
Dr. Baer is currently working on two book projects on health and wellness for the fire service. He has been married for 17 years to Dr. Nan Baer, PharmD. They have three children and one on the way. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park, an M.S. in Management from Johns Hopkins University, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California, where he earned the Dissertation of the Year award. In March of 2020, he received his Chief Training Officer Designee from CPSE. He is a mentor to doctoral students at the University of Southern California, firefighters in his department, and NFFF Advocates around the nation.
 
Dr. Baer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @gamalielbaer.

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