Our Team
Based in Saint John, New Brunswick, Hennessy Richardson Strategic Services Inc. is passionate about fire service delivery for local governments.
Josh Hennessy
Josh Hennessy brings more than a decade of hands-on fire service experience and strategic leadership to municipal fire and emergency services planning. Currently serving as a Platoon Chief with the City of Saint John Fire Department, Josh has progressed through operational, training, administrative, and analytics roles, gaining deep insight into both front-line response and the organizational systems that support effective service delivery. His approach to readiness and risk reduction is informed by real incidents and operational decision-making, grounded in a commitment to community safety, public trust, and resilience.
Josh also holds a Master of Public Administration and a Diploma in Executive Fire Leadership, blending practical experience with advanced training in leadership, governance, and analytics — a combination that enables him to help municipal clients turn policy goals into actionable plans. He has served as an instructor in fire leadership and operations, helping other professionals strengthen people management, operational planning, and strategic thinking. This blend of academic depth, operational insight, and instructional skill positions Josh to provide municipalities with thoughtful, evidence-based strategic planning support.
In addition, Josh volunteered to be seconded to the Corporate Services Team of the City of Saint John to address the $10 million operating budget deficit in 2021. Josh collaboratively approached this work with internal and external stakeholders to identify savings and revenue opportunities to address the operational gap while prioritizing communication of the operational impacts and service delivery changes to the public.
Brett Richardson
Brett Richardson is an experienced strategist and business leader with a strong foundation in engineering, policy, and management. Holding a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA) designation, Brett has spent years helping organizations navigate complexity to realize objectives, particularly in the energy field. His talents span collaboration, analysis, strategic planning, and complex project delivery. Brett’s work is grounded in a systems perspective that integrates engineering rigor with business acumen and public policy insight.
Brett’s strength lies in translating high-level strategy into actionable plans that align stakeholders and deliver measurable outcomes. Whether it’s advising on energy transition pathways, optimizing infrastructure deployment, or engaging with municipal, provincial, and industry partners, Brett brings a collaborative and evidence-based approach to planning and decision-making. His leadership is marked by an ability to synthesize complex technical information for diverse audiences, helping clients make informed decisions.
This blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and policy fluency makes Brett a strong asset for municipalities seeking thoughtful, practical guidance in planning for the service and infrastructure challenges of today and tomorrow.