Turning Your Vision Into Action

Our Mission

Provide exceptional consulting services by developing innovative, effective and efficient strategic and operationally-based solutions that enhance Fire/EMS agencies' service delivery.

  • WHAT WE DO

    We provide consulting and facilitation services for specific facets of the Fire/EMS industry. In partnership with your agency, we create personalized solutions that generate results. Our team is made up of experienced practitioners who understand that a “one size fits all” approach does not have a place in today’s dynamic emergency service environment. We do, however, believe in getting up to speed on your challenges quickly, understanding the nuances of your agency’s culture, and working closely with your stakeholders to develop solutions that work. We always aim to exceed your expectations. We do that by delivering value and ensuring the benefits reaped from each project are realized time and again as your agency pushes forward.

Our
Services

  • Strategic Planning

    Your plan will be a credible and practical road map to elevate your organization’s journey of continued improvement and success.

  • Community Risk Assessment Standards of Cover Consultation

    A comprehensive Community Risk Assessment/Standards of Cover is a benefit to all Fire/EMS agencies. We stand ready to assist you through the process.

  • Community Relations

    Your community relations program has the potential to move beyond simply informing and educating the public to creating a comprehensive system of engagement and stakeholder partnerships.

  • Capital Infrastructure Needs Assessment

    We perform a comprehensive gap analysis of current and projected capital infrastructure and its current and projected effect on service delivery.

  • Shared Services | Consolidations Mergers | Fire Authority

    Shared services is an umbrella term for the variety of organizational methods in which fire agencies can effectively collaborate with other fire agencies. Ironwood Strategic Solutions can assist you with your shared services delivery solutions.

  • Video Production

    Videos are a great way to deliver efficient and effective messages to targeted audiences, including your stakeholders and your team. You can tell your story, conduct public education and train staff through well-produced videos.

LEARN MORE

About Us

  • Our Approach

    Our approach is one that combines a strong foundation in proven and evidence-based practices along with the application of innovative concepts that are used to create unique, effective and efficient solutions for our clients.  We create solutions using our team’s unique skill set that includes extensive fire/EMS experience, undergraduate and graduate level degrees, professional certifications and experience at a wide variety of fire/EMS agencies and private entities. We strive to create a long-standing relationship with our clients that extends beyond the initial delivery of our work and to continue to support your agency's efforts as you implement the developed solutions.

  • Our Roots

    Ironwood Strategic Solution’s origin is rooted in the passion we have for the Fire/EMS field. Ironwood provides us with an opportunity to apply this passion combined with our education, training and experience to create opportunities to help emergency service agencies deliver exceptional services to their communities. Our company name and logo symbolize the ironwood tree of the Southwest, known for its strong foundational root system and its ability to overcome challenges of many forms. Our team approach reflects these attributes of the ironwood tree while at the same time incorporating non-traditional, innovative and client-specific approaches. 

  • Our Team

    Our team provides a unique skill set that includes extensive fire service and community relations experience, both undergraduate and graduate level degrees, professional strategic plan certification and strategic planning facilitation/management at a wide variety of fire agencies and private entities. Further, we have extensive experience in organizational communications – a key component in both plan development and implementation. Professional memberships include:

    American Society of Safety Professionals

    Association for Strategic Planning

Our Team

  • Gary R. West, Principal

    Gary has a unique blend of professional work experience that includes 11 years in consulting engineering and 26 years in the fire service. He has a B.S. degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Leadership and Adult Learning in Applied Settings from Northern Arizona University. 

    Gary is an Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program graduate and is a Certified Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Commission on Professional Credentialing. His career at Northwest Fire District in Tucson, Arizona included management roles in Logistics, Health/Safety, Special Operations, Operations and Training. He served as NWFD’s initial accreditation manager in 2006 which he fulfilled until his retirement in 2018. 

    He has extensive experience in the safety/health/wellness field and has taught numerous Health/Safety Officer, Incident Safety Officer and accident/injury review courses across the country.

    Gary currently is an instructor and peer assessment team leader for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. He is certified by the Association of Strategic Planning as a Strategic Planning Professional. 

  • Jayme Kahle, strategic planning and capital improvement plan services

    Jayme is a senior staff member who specializes in strategic planning and capital improvement plan services. He is a retired Chief Fire Officer of the Rincon Valley Fire District in Vail, Arizona. Prior to serving Rincon Valley, Jayme had been employed with the Northwest Fire District in Tucson, Arizona for 25 years serving in various divisions including training, operations and logistics. His last assignment at Northwest Fire included overseeing the construction of five fire stations and the establishment of a long-term budgeting system.

    Jayme’s formal education includes a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona and many state and national fire department-related certificates. He is a nationally credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO).  He is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy and was the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Research Award for Executive Fire Officer, National Fire Academy.

  • Mindy Blake, Creative Services

    Mindy has an extensive background in media, communications and community relations. She began her broadcast journalism career at KREX-TV in Grand Junction, Colorado and quickly moved to an anchor position at KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs. In 1988, Mindy joined KOLD-TV in Tucson, Arizona where she reported and anchored local news for 25 years. Her position required extensive collaboration with news staff and management to produce the top rated and most trusted newscast in the market.

    Her second career brought her into the world of public education where she served as Community Relations Director at Amphitheater Public Schools in Tucson.

    In 2016 she joined Pima Association of Governments as Outreach Coordinator for the Regional Transportation Authority.

    Mindy has served on several boards and enjoys volunteering for Arizona Public Media. She earned a bachelor degree in English from Western Colorado University.

  • Thomas Beckel, strategic plan specialist

    Thomas completed his internship with us in June 2024. He holds the position of strategic plan specialist and assists our senior staff members in facilitating strategic plan development. Thomas brings to Ironwood a high level of academia as well as extensive leadership experience with organized labor. He has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration, also from Purdue.

    Thomas helps fill a role in the strategic planning process to include perspectives from a current operations captain and as an IAFF local chapter president. His participation in a strategic plan process creates the opportunity for line personnel to connect with someone who is currently “doing the job” and contributes to Ironwood’s goal that the strategic plan be a document that any member can read and understand how the plan will benefit them as well as their community.

Ready to Turn Your Vision Into Action?

It is our priority to create a truly customized experience that will exceed the expectations of your agency. We partner with you to ensure that you have a credible plan – to continue your journey of continued improvement and success.

We're here to help you map your agency's future.