Glenn A. Gaines
Deputy Assistant Administrator

Glenn A. Gaines

Glenn A. Gaines is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Deputy Assistant Administrator (Deputy Fire Administrator) for the United States 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 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.

Chief Gaines began his fire service career as a volunteer member of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Virginia. 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.