Scott Kerwood

Dr.
International Director, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Board of Directors, Safety, Health, and Survival (SHS) Section

Dr. Scott Kerwood is a life-long student of the fire service. He currently serves as the Fire Chief for Hutto Fire Rescue in Hutto, Texas. He also works as an adjunct instructor for Capella University, where he teaches graduate and doctoral classes in homeland security, fire, and emergency management operations, and serves as adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program.

Dr. Kerwood began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter in 1978. He has worked in various locations with various fire departments, served in many fire department roles, has taught for several different organizations and colleges including the NFA, and serves on several fire service professional organizations.

Dr. Kerwood also serves on the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Board of Directors as the Safety, Health, and Survival (SHS) Section International Director, is the past Chair of the SHS Section, and is a past Executive Board member of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. He also serves as the Principle member for the IAFC on NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Programs. Additionally, Dr. Kerwood is a member of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) Executive Board, being first elected in 2013 and then re-elected in 2016 and 2022.

Dr. Kerwood has a bachelor's degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctoral degree in Public Policy from Walden University. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy's EFO Program, is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO), and Fire Marshal from the Center for Public Safety Data Excellence (CPSE), and is a designated Fellow in the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Dr. Kerwood is blessed with a beautiful family that includes his wife Alissa, his son Ahrens (yes, like the fire truck!), daughter-in-law Vanessa, and granddaughters Ivy and Penelope. Scott, Alissa, and their bulldog Boomer enjoy traveling, genealogy, and American Indian studies. Most importantly, Dr. Kerwood is a cancer survivor--in 2018, he was diagnosed with cancer that was directly related to his fire service career. Following surgery and ongoing treatment, Dr. Kerwood is blessed to be here today.