Meet the Chief

Dino DiBernardi

Chief of Department
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A North Carolina certified Paramedic who has been with Caldwell County since 2004, Dino has maintained a career in emergency services since graduating from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotions and Psychology. Chief DiBernardi began his career as a field paramedic before transferring to the Fire and Emergency Management divisions as a Certified Fire Investigator and NC Type I Emergency Management Coordinator. Chief DiBernardi then returned to the EMS Division to serve as the Operations Chief prior to his promotion to EMS Chief. Chief DiBernardi holds national credentials of Chief EMS Officer and Chief Fire Officer through the Commission on Professional Credentialing and is an ANCC Board Certified National Healthcare Disaster Professional.

During his tenure as EMS Chief and Chief of Department, Chief DiBernardi has facilitated the replacement of the front-line fleet of transport units to Frazer Ambulances, accomplished the move to a 24/72 shift schedule, implemented the County's first convalescent program, developed the Division's first Special Operations Team, Community Paramedicine Program, and the County's Opioid Response Program R.E.S.T.A.R.T. He is also actively updating emergency services facilities around the County, including multiple new EMS base locations and currently developing the Emergency Services Complex, which will house administration, operations, the emergency operations center and communications center. Chief DiBernardi accepted the promotion to Chief of Department/Director in August of 2015 and has a great vision for Caldwell County Emergency Services and the County as a whole. In addition to his desire to constantly learn and explore the realm of emergency services and all that it entails, Dino is also an avid fire historian and collector of firefighting antiques, and enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and twin boys.