Fire Deptartment Command Staff
Fire Chief Ulysses (Ulie) Seal has 49 years of experience in the volunteer and career fire service with an extensive background in technical rescue and hazardous materials response. He is currently the fire chief for the city of Bloomington. Chief Seal gained his experience working at the Bloomington Fire Department since 1976. He rose from captain to deputy chief to fire chief. He served as volunteer fire chief from 1986 until February 2007 when he became the first full-time fire chief for the City of Bloomington. Chief Seal also serves as the Emergency Manager for the City of Bloomington. Chief Seal graduated from the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program in 1995.
Concurrent to his experience with the Bloomington Fire Department, Chief Seal was also a member of the Minneapolis Fire Department. He started with the department in 1980 and rose through the ranks as captain, battalion chief, deputy chief, and assistant chief. He left his post as Minneapolis Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief after eight years in the position to become the full-time fire chief for Bloomington.
Chief Seal also holds memberships or has participated in the following causes: the Minnesota State Radio Board appointed by the Governor, representing the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs; the Metropolitan Emergency Services Technical Operations Committee for the radio system in the Metro area; the Minnesota Public Safety Commissioners Homeland Security Advisory Council; the Minnesota Type 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team; Minnesota Task Force 1 the State Urban Search and Rescue capability, Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors.
Deputy Chief Jay Forster began his career with the Bloomington Fire Department in June 1992. Over the years, he has served in multiple roles, including Firefighter, Captain, District Chief, Assistant Chief, and now Deputy Chief. Throughout his tenure, he has overseen administrative functions, training, and operations. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety from Cardinal Stritch University and achieved the Executive Fire Officer designation from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 2011.
Deputy Chief Laura McCarthy has been with the department since 1989 rising through the ranks to her current position as Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal. She has obtained several certifications in a long career centered around public safety. She has earned degrees in accounting, fire protection and a Bachelor of Applied Science at Southwest Minnesota State University majoring in fire science. As Fire Marshal she focuses on fire prevention, code enforcement, public education and fire investigations.
Assistant Chief Tim Barrett started his career with the Bloomington Fire Department in October 2005. Throughout his tenure, he has held various positions, including Firefighter, Captain, and now Assistant Chief of Operations. In his current role, Chief Barrett is responsible for overseeing the department's daily operations. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration in 2018.
Assistant Chief Kris Kaiser began his career with the Bloomington Fire Department in January 1999. Throughout his tenure, he has served in a variety of roles, including Firefighter, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Captain, Battalion Chief, and now Assistant Chief. In his current position, Kris oversees the department’s training program and special operations, which include technical rescue and hazardous materials response. He is a certified IAAI Fire Investigator and holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science.
Assistant Chief Matt Hammernik started his fire service career in 2006 and joined the Bloomington Fire Department in 2008. Over the years, he has served as Firefighter, Captain, and Battalion Chief, and now serves as Assistant Chief. In his current role, Matt oversees the department’s Emergency Medical Services, Peer Support Program, and Drone Team.
Before joining Bloomington full time, Matt worked for Saint Paul Fire Department on Squad 2 and was a member of the Minnesota Aviation Rescue Team and Minnesota Task Force 1.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Management and an associate degree in Fire Science.
Battalion Chief Ryan Petersen joined the Bloomington Fire Department in October 2001. Throughout his career, he has served as a Firefighter, Captain, and now Battalion Chief. In his current role, Ryan oversees C-Shift operations and serves as a member of the department’s Hazardous Materials Team. He is also part of the Hopkins Chemical Assessment Team, which responds to hazardous materials incidents throughout the Twin Cities metro area. In addition, Ryan has an extensive background in wildland firefighting and has been deployed to major wildfire incidents across Minnesota and throughout the country. He currently serves as a member of the Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Incident Management Team.
Battalion Chief Kris Kauffman began his fire service career with the Bloomington Fire Department in June 1999 as a paid-on-call firefighter. From May 2002 to March 2013, he worked at the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend Refinery as a firefighter and crew chief. Before going to the Saint Paul Fire Department from 2013 to 2023. There, he served as a firefighter/paramedic and FEO/paramedic. In 2023, he joined the Bloomington Fire Department's full-time staff as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2025. In his current role, Kris oversees A-Shift operations. In addition to his leadership role, he serves as a tactical medic for the Bloomington Police Department’s Emergency Response Unit and supports recruit academies through driver/operator training.
