About Digital Fire Chief

My name is Michael Wendt, and for the last two decades, my career has followed two parallel paths: one in technology leadership, the other in the volunteer fire service.

By day, I work in the technology sector — leading complex IT projects, building and scaling successful professional services practices, and managing multi-million-dollar business units. My world is one of strategic planning, vendor management, operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to solve business problems.

By night and on weekends, my world has been the volunteer fire service.

In 2007, I joined a volunteer fire department in Northern Virginia. I quickly earned my EMT and Firefighter I/II certifications and have spent the time since developing an increased knowledge of and passion for the volunteer fire service. I have managed a non-profit advocacy organization that represents the interests of VFDs. I have participated in local governmental boards that impact the fire service. And as of 2019, I serve as Fire Chief of the same VFD where I started my fire service career.

For years, I saw my firehouse struggle with the same tech challenges that my professional clients faced, but with a fraction of the budget and none of the dedicated IT staff. I watched dedicated leaders try to make critical decisions about software, networking, and security with limited information and even more limited funds.

That’s why I created Digital Fire Chief.

This site is the intersection of my two worlds. It’s where my experience as a technology leader meets my passion for the fire service. I’ve seen firsthand how a simple, well-implemented tech solution—like a cloud accounting system or an automated workflow—can transform a department’s operations, save precious time, and allow leaders to focus on what truly matters: serving the community.

My mission is to provide you with the playbook you need to make confident technology decisions for your department. No jargon, no enterprise-level sales pitches—just practical, real-world advice that has been tested in a busy volunteer fire station.

Thank you for being here. Let’s get to work.