MARCH 20258GOVERNMENT CIO OUTLOOKarrad Berkihiser is a dedicated professional with a robust work ethic, who commenced his career at the age of 15. Beginning public service in 1985 as a volunteer firefighter, he transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Security Police for four years. Berkihiser, a third-generation police officer, boasts 33 years of honorable service in various law enforcement roles. A staunch advocate of servant leadership, he emphasizes the critical role of leadership, training, and attitude in organizational success.What are the highlights of your career journey--the twists, turns, and triumphs? My journey in law enforcement commenced in 1989 with the U.S. Air Force, following my earlier role as a volunteer firefighter. This marked the beginning of my career as a first responder. Serving for four years in the Air Force, I transitioned to become a police officer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania--a mid-sized city with approximately 60,000 residents and a police department comprising 145 sworn personnel and a total of 230 employees. Over the course of 26 and a half years, I progressed through various roles, starting from patrol to narcotics and violent crime investigations, eventually attaining the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and ultimately becoming the Chief of Police.Simultaneously, I played a vital role in a multi-jurisdictional county SWAT team during my tenure in Lancaster. Collaborating with partners in emergency services such as police, fire, EMS, and medical professionals, our team integrated with firefighter medics, EMS paramedics, and local hospital doctors. This diverse experience ranged from serving as a patrol officer and sergeant to assuming command responsibilities as the deputy commander of the SWAT team.Upon retiring from the Lancaster Police Department, I took a brief six-month break before accepting the position of Chief of Police at Fort Indiantown Gap, a National Guard Training Center in Pennsylvania. Overseeing a team of 23 sworn police officers and 11 security officers, our responsibilities encompass law enforcement, crime prevention, crime detection, force protection, counter-terrorism measures, and access control. The installation recently transitioned into a secure facility, marking the conclusion of its status as the last open military installation in the U.S.After approximately two and a half years in this role, I was promoted to the position of Director of Emergency Services. In this expanded role, I now oversee both the police and fire departments, managing a paid fire department of 20 firefighters on post. Their responsibilities include structural fire service and aircraft firefighting, given the active heliport on the installation--one of the busiest in the U.S. for the Pennsylvania National Guard.How has the industry evolved in recent years given your daily roles and responsibilities, and what challenges do leaders like you currently face? One notable transformation over the LEADERSHIP IN EMERGENCY SERVICES: EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY AND PRIORITIZING WORK-LIFE BALANCEIN MYOPINIONJBy Jarrad P. Berkihiser, Director of Emergency Services at Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans AffairsJarrad P. Berkihiser
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