Vernon (Vern) Champlin is a Senior Consultant and Manager with Jensen Hughes, leading operations in Colorado Springs while supporting complex fire and emergency services programs across the United States and internationally. With more than twenty years of experience spanning operational response, fire prevention, wildland–urban interface risk, and post-incident recovery, his progression from firefighter to chief officer and fire marshal provides a strong and practical operational foundation. He holds a Bachelor’s in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Public Administration, and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.
Vern specializes in delivering defensible, data-driven solutions for municipalities, industrial clients, and large-scale developments. His work includes fire service strategic planning, staffing and deployment studies, response time and coverage analyses, and apparatus and facility planning, including contributions to comprehensive fire response strategies for major international projects. His approach integrates fire protection engineering, performance-based design, and practical emergency response strategies to deliver implementable, real-world outcomes across diverse environments.
A recognized leader in the profession, Vern actively contributes to advancing fire service standards and practice. He serves on National Fire Protection Association Technical Committees 1750 (1710) and 1140 and is actively involved with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. He has presented internationally on fire protection, emergency services, and wildfire resilience, and co-authored the 2022 Handbook of Cognitive and Autonomous Systems for Fire Resilient Infrastructures, reflecting his continued commitment to advancing community resilience and operational excellence.
Vernon's (Vern) fire
service career spans two decades in emergency response, prevention, and
recovery capacities, from firefighter to chief officer, fire marshal, community
advocate, and trusted advisor. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant and
Manager of the Jensen Hughes Colorado Springs operations. He holds a Bachelor’s
in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State
University, a Master’s in public administration (MPA), and is a 2009 graduate
of the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy.
Vern’s practical field experience and commitment to
public safety contribute to his application of fire codes and standards to
achieve effective yet realistic strategies to make our world safe, secure, and
resilient. Through effective engineered systems and advanced emergency response
strategies, he has contributed to complex design projects at home and abroad,
including residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and large
assembly occupancies.
Vern is an engaged student of effective
leadership, fire protection, and emergency response services. He is a member of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs and serves as the Jensen Hughes
liaison to the National Association of State Fire Marshals. He has presented
internationally on fire protection, emergency services, and wildland fire. For
nearly a decade, Vern has been a technical committee member on NFPA 1140:
Standard for Wildland Fire Protection, and in 2022, co-author of the
"Handbook of Cognitive and Autonomous Systems for Fire Resilient
Infrastructures."
Vernon's (Vern) fire
service career spans two decades in emergency response, prevention, and
recovery capacities, from firefighter to chief officer, fire marshal, community
advocate, and trusted advisor. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant and
Manager of the Jensen Hughes Colorado Springs operations. He holds a Bachelor’s
in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State
University, a Master’s in public administration (MPA), and is a 2009 graduate
of the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy.
Vern’s practical field experience and commitment to
public safety contribute to his application of fire codes and standards to
achieve effective yet realistic strategies to make our world safe, secure, and
resilient. Through effective engineered systems and advanced emergency response
strategies, he has contributed to complex design projects at home and abroad,
including residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and large
assembly occupancies.
Vern is an engaged student of effective
leadership, fire protection, and emergency response services. He is a member of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs and serves as the Jensen Hughes
liaison to the National Association of State Fire Marshals. He has presented
internationally on fire protection, emergency services, and wildland fire. For
nearly a decade, Vern has been a technical committee member on NFPA 1140:
Standard for Wildland Fire Protection, and in 2022, co-author of the
"Handbook of Cognitive and Autonomous Systems for Fire Resilient
Infrastructures."
Vernon's (Vern) fire
service career spans two decades in emergency response, prevention, and
recovery capacities, from firefighter to chief officer, fire marshal, community
advocate, and trusted advisor. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant and
Manager of the Jensen Hughes Colorado Springs operations. He holds a Bachelor’s
in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology from Oklahoma State
University, a Master’s in public administration (MPA), and is a 2009 graduate
of the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy.
Vern’s practical field experience and commitment to
public safety contribute to his application of fire codes and standards to
achieve effective yet realistic strategies to make our world safe, secure, and
resilient. Through effective engineered systems and advanced emergency response
strategies, he has contributed to complex design projects at home and abroad,
including residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, and large
assembly occupancies.
Vern is an engaged student of effective
leadership, fire protection, and emergency response services. He is a member of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs and serves as the Jensen Hughes
liaison to the National Association of State Fire Marshals. He has presented
internationally on fire protection, emergency services, and wildland fire. For
nearly a decade, Vern has been a technical committee member on NFPA 1140:
Standard for Wildland Fire Protection, and in 2022, co-author of the
"Handbook of Cognitive and Autonomous Systems for Fire Resilient
Infrastructures."
