Chief Richard Carrizzo has been in the fire and emergency service for more than 40 years and is currently the Fire Chief for Southern Platte Fire Protection District (MO). Chief Carrizzo serves as the Vice Chairman of FirstNet Authority who is deploying the world’s first nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety and national security users. Chief Carrizzo is the immediate past President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). He is active in local, state and national public safety organizations, including the Public Safety Communications Board for the entire 9-1-1 system in the nine counties and 119 cities within the metropolitan, bi-state region of Kansas City. Chief Carrizzo has also been an active board member or advisor to technology, private and public enterprises. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree, is a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program and the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School for Homeland Defense and Security.