Dr. Smith has a Doctor of Management from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Arts Degree
in Organizational Management, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, an
Associate Degree in Fire Science, and an Associate Degree in EMS. He is a multi-credentialed
EMS Executive Officer. He participates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts that
include presentations, research, and organizational assessments within the public safety
profession. As a NEMSMA Board Member, he coordinates DEI Committee for NEMSMA. Dr.
Smith is a Chief Fire Officer, Chief EMS Officer, Certified Public Manager, Healthcare Simulation
Educator, Executive Fire Officer, a Fellow in the American College of Paramedic Executives,
Certified Occupational Safety Specialist, Fire Service Instructor, and a Nationally Registered
Paramedic. His experience includes high-performance fire-based EMS system designs, DEI
processes, Performance Improvement, Fire/EMS simulation, Systems Analysis, Fire/EMS
Information Technology, Emergency Operations Centers functions, EMS and Fire Services
credentialing, and system accreditation processes. As a published author, national speaker,
consultant, and mixed-methods researcher, he is committed to DEI efforts in EMS. With over 34
years of EMS and Fire experience, Dr. Smith retired from the Orlando Fire Department in 2020
after almost 25 years. On December 1, 2020, he was appointed the 6th fire chief and the 1st
Black fire Chief to lead the Charlottesville Fire Department in Virginia. His goals are to solidify
the all-hazards agency while transforming the 165-year-old organization into a high-
performance all-hazards, diverse, equitable, and inclusive system. 
Dr. Smith is an adjunct professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and
Columbia Southern University (CSU).  He has taught in the EMS and the paramedic programs
at the college level.  Served on PSAC 2022-2025 
His professional engagement and contributions include:
• Global Emergency Services Consulting Group
• National EMS Management Association (Board Member)
• Black Chief Officers Committee (Board of Directors)
• International Association of Fire Chiefs 
• International City/County Management Association
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators 
• UCLA’s Prehospital Care Research Foundation
• Society for Simulation in Healthcare EMS Affinity Group
• Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs 

• Florida Fire Chiefs Association
• Virginia Fire Chiefs Association
• Institute for Fire Engineers (USA-Branch)
• American College of Paramedic Executives (Fellow)