About:
Jacksonville Fire / Rescue Battalion Chief of Special Operations, Gary Kuehner is a leader in the fire service with over 27 years of experience.
Throughout his 22-year career with Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), Gary has expanded his areas of expertise to include Technical Rescue, Active Shooter Intervention, Urban Search & Rescue, and Live Find US&R K-9 operations.
Chief Kuehner is the Task Force leader for FLTF-5 Urban Search & Rescue and has served with the team across the state for twenty years, including the Surfside Condominium collapse and multiple hurricane recovery efforts.
Driving change, Chief Kuehner co-founded the City of Jacksonville’s Missing or Endangered Person Search & Rescue (MEPSAR) in collaboration with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). The MEPSAR program embraces and trains in Virtual Search Planning tenants, and through ongoing training and coordination, the team maintains a 99% find rate.
Chief Kuehner is a proud graduate of Flagler College, earning a BA in Public Administration.