Manny Almaguer
Assistant Chief, Denver Fire Department
Assistant Chief Manuel Almaguer has been a Denver Firefighter for 26 years. Chief Almaguer has served in many roles in the Denver Fire Department. These include Division Chief of Fire Prevention and Assistant Chief in both Training and Operations. Hazardous Materials Captain and Lieutenant in Administration.
He is a national champion of mental health and resiliency, planning and implementing mental health training and programs for the fire service for the past 15 years. He has spoken nationally at the White House, Pentagon, First Responder Center for Excellence, and NATCON on Suicide Prevention for First Responders and Men’s Mental Health. Health.
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Sept. 16, 2026
S6 E37 Cultural Empathy vs. Competency: How Chief Manny Almaguer Actually Earns Trust
Assistant Chief Manny Almaguer draws a distinction most fire departments have never heard: cultural competency and cultural empathy are not the same thing.
Guest: Manny Almaguer