August 22nd, 2022
North Mankato, MINN – Brunton Architects and Engineers is excited to announce retired Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Jerry Streich joined the firm on August 13, 2022. He will focus on Business Development in the Public Safety Division helping local government officials through the process of designing new facilities.
Streich retired in January of 2020 after serving in the fire service for 32-years. Since that time, he has been working with communities across the United States as a consultant, advisor, and trainer. He has assisted two communities in starting their own fire department and helped others consolidate and redesign. He is widely known for his knowledge and “modern day approach” to firefighter recruitment and retention and has managed three million dollars in grant funds on the topic. He is currently assisting with the implementation of a statewide recruitment program funded by FEMA. Streich has managed both fulltime and on-call personnel in combination departments within the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area and is the founder and past director of the largest fire academy in the State of Minnesota. He is an international speaker and has extensive experience with fire district and municipal fire service operations. As an emergency manager, Streich has deployed to statewide and national emergencies as an Operations Chief with the Minnesota Incident Management Team. He is an advocate of “Smart City” design and the use of data and technology. He is a writer, blogger, and aspiring author.
President and CEO, Corey Brunton said, “Being a retired, paid on-call firefighter, I have passion for and a genuine connection to public safety and first responders. Brunton Architects & Engineers has designed many nationally recognized, award-winning public safety buildings. Given these and other successes, it’s a natural step for us to augment this division of the business. By bringing Jerry on board, we’re making a concerted effort to not only design better public safety buildings, but to also add that superior level of first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of a fire station…and we are thrilled for him to join our team.”
“I retired from the public sector to use my skills in a broader way.” said Streich. “As I watch communities struggle with firefighter recruitment and retention issues, I am intrigued at how fire station design can make a positive impact in helping solve those challenges. This collaboration comes after years of discussion and a strong commitment on behalf of Corey Brunton to ensure the fire stations his team designs are safe, functional, and unique to each customer. That level of commitment is in line with my own core values which made my decision to join this team easy. We are going to bring innovative ideas to the table that communities will want to watch out for. I will focus on assisting communities in making the right decision on their design and find ways to maintain the traditions of the fire service which will attract new and retain current firefighters.”
About Brunton Architects & Engineers:
Brunton Architects & Engineers is an Architectural, Engineering, Interior Design, and Construction Services firm with locations in North Mankato and Hopkins, MN. Services offered are architecture and interior design, mechanical and plumbing engineering, construction administration, feasibility, and master planning. Established in 2007, Brunton Architects & Engineers has grown to 30+ professionals and serves multifamily, medical, industrial, institutional, commercial, municipal, and indigenous clients across the continental United States.