Kristi Bartlett began her fire service career in 1997 as a volunteer firefighter in her hometown of Daggett, Pennsylvania. In 2006, she began her career in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. During her tenure, she has served as firefighter/paramedic, apparatus technician, master technician, lieutenant, and captain in varying sections to include basic training, operations, communications and special operations. She is currently assigned to Special Operations in the Hazardous Material Sections serving as a battalion chief.
Kristi is a member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team - Virginia Task Force 1/USA1 as a canine specialist and Hazmat specialist since 2011. She is certified FEMA canine handler/evaluator for live find and human remains. She has been deployed to disasters such as international earthquakes in Nepal, Haiti, and Türkiye; Surfside building collapse, and to hurricanes Sandy, Joaquin, Irma, Maria (Puerto Rico), Idalia, Ian, Florence, and Helene.
Kristi volunteers for the Portland Children’s Firefighter Burn Camp as a counselor. She serves as the vice-chair for the Fairfax County LEPC and co-chair of the COG canine sub-committee.
Chief Bartlett has an Associate of Science Degree (paramedic) from Corning Community College, a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from Mansfield University, a Bachelor of Science (Fire Science) from University of Maryland University College, and Master of Public Administration from George Mason University.
Kristi serves on the IFSTA validation committee for Hazardous Materials for First Responder.
