Instructor Introduction

I am very proud that you have trusted your sons or daughters fire fighting education with Donaldson Career Center and myself, Marty Reynolds.

I began my fire service career in 1976. Unlike today, this was a day when fire fighter safety was not a high priority. We had rubber coats, rubber gloves, pull up boots, and plastic helmets!

In 1978, Belmont Fire Department gave me an opportunity to become a full time firefighter. During this time our normal work day was 24 hours on shift and 24 hours off shift. Holidays and vacations were not very common in the fire department. It was here that I began my fire instructing passion, training others to start this new idea....let's keep fire fighters safe.

In 1982 ,an opportunity for advancement became available on the east side of town and I joined Boiling Springs Fire District. I was able to expand as an instructor, became an adjunct instructor with the South Carolina Fire Academy and moved up into leadership roles in the fire department.

In 1989, Parker District Fire Department was seeking a full time training officer. Until this time, I had to fulfill this task along with my other duties from a 24 hour shift position. I began this task building program from the ground up. Many of the programs I put into place then are still in place today. As this job progressed, I was promoted into the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. I was responsible for all of the Special Operations resources which included daily operations, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Regulatory and OSHA Compliance, and overall safety and welfare of the department.

In the fall of 2000, Belmont Fire Department voted to add a full time training office to their staff, so I moved into this position. After spending ten more years with the fire department and being promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief, I retired from full time service and continued as a volunteer member with them. , I also teach for the South Carolina Fire Academy instructing in all of the different disciplines that make up today's fire service.

In August of 2016, Donaldson Career Center added the Fire Fighting Curriculum to their school. I want to return to the youth of the up and coming fire fighters the same amount of effort and training that was provided to me when I began this journey 40 years ago, so this year I joined with DCC. Once again, I am honored to be the one to prepare your son or daughter in this amazing field of fire fighting. Please contact me anytime you have a question about this program or anything we are doing in this class. 864-355-4661 mareynolds@greenville.k12.sc.us