Published on September 14, 2026
LAWRENCE, Kansas September 10, 2026 - Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) Fire Chief Joe Hardy announced today that Tyler Wade has been selected as the department’s new Deputy Fire Chief.
Wade has served with LDCFM for 18 years and has been serving as Acting Deputy Fire Chief since December 2024. In his new role, Wade will work closely with Chief Hardy and the LDCFM leadership team to advance the department’s operational priorities, organizational development, and commitment to providing exceptional emergency services to the Lawrence and Douglas County communities.
Wade holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Science Administration, earned in August 2019. His professional credentials include Fire Officer and Chief Fire Officer designations through the Commission on Professional Credentialing and Certified Public Manager certification through the University of Kansas.
In addition to his responsibilities with LDCFM, Wade serves as a Level 1 Peer Assessor for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), providing him with experience evaluating fire and emergency service organizations against nationally recognized accreditation standards.
“Tyler brings extensive experience, strong professional credentials, and a commitment to continuous improvement to this position,” said Fire Chief Joe Hardy. “I am excited to work alongside him as we continue moving LDCFM forward and strengthening the emergency services we provide to the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County. We will continue to build strong relationships across City departments and with our external partners, while working collaboratively to improve our organization and make strategic decisions that prepare LDCFM to meet the evolving needs of our community. This work also supports the broader direction and priorities of the City of Lawrence.”
Wade’s selection as Deputy Fire Chief reflects LDCFM’s continued commitment to developing strong leadership and building organizational capacity to meet the changing needs of the community.