Waterloo Fire Rescue

We're ready for the my Waterloo Days parade! See you there! 👋🏼🍭🍬

In Celebration of EMS Week 2026, WFR would like to salute Emergency Medical Services Supervisor, Jason Hernandez, for his commitment to this community and the EMS industry.



Lt. Jason Hernandez has been a proud member of Waterloo Fire Rescue for over 25 years and has held multiple roles while on the department. He has been a paramedic for 27 years and received both Paramedic of the Year (2005) and Firefighter of the Year (2012) awards during his time with WFR. He was promoted to Medical Officer and assigned to Medic Unit 331 in 2004, holding that position until 2018 when he was promoted to Medical Supervisor. He has been a proud member and team leader of the Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS) Team for 13 years. The TEMS team provides tactical medical support to the Waterloo Police Department’s Tactical Response (SWAT) Unit. He was promoted to Engineer in 2008 and to the rank of Lieutenant in 2017.

Lt. Hernandez’s primary role is that of Service Director ensuring departmental compliance with Iowa Health and Human Services (IHHS) guidelines and the Iowa Board of Pharmacy as it relates to ambulance service operations. He is supported in his role by his Administrative Assistant, Dawn Ward, Medical Officer, Lt. Gregory Stewart and EMS Training Officer, Lt. David Meiser. As well as approximately 115 EMT’s, Advanced EMT’s and Paramedics that deliver 24/7 emergency medical care to the customers of WFR. Lt. Hernandez works hard to ensure the WFR ambulance service personnel receive the training and equipment needed to provide current, evidence-based emergency medical services. As medical supervisor he also fosters and maintains critical partnerships with numerous training organizations, healthcare and social work partners that truly enhance WFR’s delivery of services.

Lt. Hernandez enjoys spending time with his wife, Cassie, son Jacob and daughters, Kylee, Leilani and Maelynn. In his free time, he enjoys boating and playing competitive, recreational volleyball. He has also been a medicolegal death investigator with the Black Hawk County Medical Examiner’s Office since 2006 as well as a recovery diver with the Cedar Valley Underwater Search and Recovery Dive Team for over 10 years.

Chief Beck had the privilege of awarding an Civilian Commendation to Micah Hadley today at the EMS Open House. On April 4th, Micah was driving in the city when he saw a person in distress. He turned around and found a male choking on food. Micah performed the Heimlich Maneuver, dislodging the food and then called 911. He remained with the person until E302 and M332 arrived on scene. According to the crew members, without Micah's quick, decisive actions, the outcome would have not been positive for the patient. Thank you, Micah.
The Waterloo Fire Rescue Open House lasts until 6:30 today.