Chief Bauer began his fire service career in 1997 as a fire explorer with the City of Sunrise Florida. In 1998 while still in high school Chief Bauer became certified as a firefighter 1 in the State of Florida, through a summer program for Fire Explorers. At this time, he began serving as a volunteer firefighter for Broward County Fire Rescue in the Southwest Ranches service area. Upon graduating from high school Chief Bauer attended the Mcfatter Technical Institute for his firefighter 2 certification and then Edison Community College for EMT. Chief Bauer was employed by Collier County EMS, and then the Immokalee Fire Control District.
In 2003 Chief Bauer was hired at the Seminole Tribe of Florida when they started their fire rescue service and was one of the first employees hired. Chief Bauer rose through the ranks holding the positions of Firefighter/EMT, Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant Engine Company, Captain, District Chief, and Division Chief.
In 2012 Chief Bauer returned to the Immokalee Fire Control District serving through his tenure as: Firefighter/EMT, Driver Engineer, Lieutenant, Battalion Chief, and Division Chief.
Chief Bauer has a vast array of knowledge and skills that encompasses many areas of the fire service including Special Operations, Administration, Communications, Technology, and Planning. Chief Bauer is a Certified District Manager through Florida State University and a graduate of the Florida Fire Chiefs Emergency Services Leadership Institute. Chief Bauer has been deployed several times to large-scale emergencies throughout the country including Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Irma, large wildfires, and other large disasters.
Chief Bauer serves at the chairman of the Collier County Fire and EMS Chiefs Association Communications Subcommittee and the Florida SERP Region 6 Communications Interoperability Committee. Chief Bauer is a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Firefighters, Florida Association of Special Districts.
During his spare time, Chief Bauer enjoys being with his family, riding his motorcycle, and spending time in the mountains.