Introducing the Leadership Crucible

Michael Stanley has been the Chief of the Oshkosh (WI) Fire Department since 2018. Prior to that he served 22 years with Aurora (CO) Fire Rescue. Mike has received the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence, possesses a Master of Education and Human Resources degree from Colorado State University and is the Past President for the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association and the Vice President of the Great Lakes Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He is an experienced educator having presented locally, nationally, and internationally.

Chief Bruegman served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in 2002–2003. the President of the Board of Directors of the Center for Public Safety Excellence from 2004–2017 and was selected as the Career Fire Chief of the Year in 2009. He is a noted author and lecturer on such topics as leadership and managing change in the fire service, is a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers, an Internationally Designated Chief Fire Officer, and a Certified Fire Chief through the California State Fire Marshall’s office. He was inducted into the Hall of Legends, Leaders, and Legacies, Class of 2022, on behalf of the National Fire Heritage Center. Chief Bruegman is the Founder and President of The Leadership Crucible Foundation. He has an associate degree in fire science, a bachelor’s degree in business, and a master’s degree in management.