The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) announced on July 26th, 2024, Eric Hurst as the new Director of Strategic Communications.
For the last decade, Eric worked as Public Information Officer – Communications Manager at South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) where he led a team of Communication Specialists and regularly served as SMFR’s spokesperson for fire and all-hazard incidents. Hurst’s social media strategy elevated South Metro to a global audience after he and his team created the most-watched fire department YouTube channel in the world. Prior to his work in public information, Eric spent 12 years in 911 communications at MetCom, a regional fire communications dispatch center, and was promoted through several leadership ranks from Dispatcher to Operations Manager, leading a staff of 17 personnel. Hurst also volunteered as a Firefighter with Franktown Fire Protection District and was a Disaster Team Captain with the American Red Cross. His unique career experience has contributed to his professional storytelling abilities.
“I’m honored to be selected for this role, and beyond excited for the opportunity to apply my communication skills while learning from the incredible leaders at DFPC,” Hurst said. “I’m looking forward to continuing and growing the collaborative relationships I’ve built with Colorado journalists. I can’t wait to share authentic stories about the vital work DFPC does for our communities every day.”
DFPC Director Mike Morgan agreed, “We are very happy to welcome Eric to the DFPC family. He brings a tremendous amount of professional experience and knowledge to our team and will do a fantastic job at helping us make Colorado a safer place to live, work, and play.”
