Glenn A. Gaines
Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator

Glenn A. Gaines is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). He began his tenure in March 2009 and is responsible for managing USFA and the programs and training activities at the National Emergency Training Center.

Chief Gaines began his fire service career as a volunteer member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Virginia. He was appointed as a career firefighter in 1964. During his illustrious 37 year career, he served in numerous capacities, including Fire Marshal, Chief Training Officer, and Chief of Operations, culminating in his appointment as Fire Chief from August 1991 until December 1998. He was in charge of the nationally recognized Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Urban Search and Rescue team that frequently deployed throughout the United States as well as internationally. Chief Gaines holds a degree in Fire Administration and has authored a fire service text, contributed to several other texts, and written numerous articles for several trade publications. He has served as a faculty member at the USFA’s National Fire Academy, and is actively involved with organizations related to the professional development of the fire and emergency services.

Chief Gaines served with the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the Department of Homeland Security from its inception in 2001 until 2009. He served as a principal architect and member of the senior staff for three of the primary grants managed by FEMA’s Grants Program Office, and was the Agency’s lead in developing the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program in 2005.

In May of 2010 Chief Gaines was awarded the prestigious International Association of Fire Chiefs Metropolitan Fire Chiefs President's Award of Distinction. The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs President's Award of Distinction is given to individuals deemed worthy of this award by their peers and presented by the President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Section.

In May of 2011 Chief Gaines was awarded the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to a past or present Metro Chief based on a history of accomplishments, contributions to the organization, contributions to fire safety, demonstrated leadership, challenges overcome, and similar considerations.

In August of 2011 Chief Gaines was presented with the International Association of Fire Chiefs President’s Award for meritorious service to the fire service.