Maitland City Talk

When former Fire Chief Daniel Hardester and staff decided it was time for the fire department to move to a greater role in pre-hospital emergency medical care, because what they already knew was being done by a staff as ‘good as most’ and ‘better than many’, they pondered how that might be done.

Well, the answer came in the form of one Dr. Todd Husty in 1988. A graduate of Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine in June of 1980, Dr. Husty had already amassed an impressive resume by 1988, making him ripe for the pickin’ for the Maitland Fire Rescue Department. In those few short years, Dr. Husty had proven that he was a force to be reckoned with in the field of emergency medicine. Having completed roles in two Naval hospitals (one in Okinawa, Japan and the other in Orlando), Dr. Husty moved to the civilian sector serving at Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital in Titusville and worked his way up to the position of Medical Director for the Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford.

How could Maitland go wrong with a pedigree like that? Chief Hardester determined that the department couldn’t go wrong, and so a new chapter in Dr. Husty’s career and that of the Maitland Fire Department began in 1988 when he became Maitland’s first official medical director. Since his selection, Dr. Husty has taken on some epoch responsibilities with the department, as he created its first own set of medical standing orders for department paramedics. From the beginning, Dr. Husty was often seen around Maitland’s only fire station as he was developing the new program of monthly Q&A meetings. Adding to that, new pioneering procedures used only by Maitland likely played a role in Dr. Husty’s being selected as Florida’s choice for the 2002 Dr. Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year Award.

With a continuum of excellence in providing emergency medical services, Dr. Husty can lay claim to many other related achievements, including Board Certification in Emergency Medicine. Continually supporting philanthropic causes through advocacy activities and membership on the boards of directors of such organizations as the New Hope for Kids, United Way, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Children’s Wish Foundations, Arthritis Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Dr. Toddy Husty is clearly not done yet.

Seemingly never standing still in any one area or facet of medicine, Dr. Husty’s affiliation with Maitland has the fire department’s medical staff constantly being the benefactors of his own efforts, with the residents and visitors of Maitland benefiting as well. One of Dr. Husty’s favorite standards are what he’s labeled “Mother triage” and “If you want to use a cookbook, be a chef.” Indeed his bold approach to all phases of health care has benefitted not only himself, but also those in his circle of care providers. They truly have been affected by his experience, and ultimately, so have the public.

Dr. Husty’s work with Maitland didn’t go unnoticed by other neighboring departments and private concerns. Dr. Husty served the local NBC affiliate in Orlando as its medical reporter and commentator from 1996 to 2008. He now also serves two other fire service organizations as well, providing medical direction through his private service company.

In his newest fire department role, Dr. Husty will play a pivotal role in Maitland Fire Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Program for firefighter’s health and fitness.

Members of the department often wonder where Dr. Husty finds time for all of the civic involvement he is associated with, as well as his hobbies, which include sailing, scuba diving and, of course, his family.

The Maitland Fire Department salutes Dr. Todd Husty for his 25 years of committed and unwavering affiliation and direction.

– Deputy Chief Bart Wright

Maitland Fire Department