Todd Smith Jacksonville

Emergency Manager, Fire and Rescue Director

Dr. Todd Alan Smith is a published executive with decades of experience in public administration, emergency management, and government relations. His professional work has focused on community protection and public safety at local, state, and national levels. He has partnered with elected officials and private sector leaders to develop emergency preparedness plans, support legislative initiatives, and improve safety measures for families and residents.

Dr. Smith has served as Emergency Manager, Fire and Rescue Director, Division Chief, Special Security Coordinator, and Metropolitan Statistical Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Administrator. He has established major emergency preparedness programs and improved emergency operations by advancing diversity and inclusion.

Todd Smith of Jacksonville holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration with High Academic Distinction, a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA), a Graduate Executive Certificate in Public Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science. These qualifications have supported his work in public safety administration and emergency management.

Todd A Smith of Jacksonville is the only public safety executive nationwide who simultaneously and currently holds the professional designations of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) from the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) from FEMA’s National Emergency Training Center (NETC). He also holds State of Florida Fire Officer I through IV and National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) Fire Officer I through IV credentials. He is also credentialed in every Incident Command (IC) and General Staff (C&G) position by the State of Florida All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) and certified to instruct all FEMA Incident Command (IC) and General Staff (C&G) position courses.

The State of Florida has also officially recognized and qualified Dr. Smith for seven Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Leadership and Section positions through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Historical Recognition process, part of the Florida Qualification System (FQS). These qualifications include EOC Manager, EOC Finance Section Coordinator, EOC Logistics Section Coordinator, EOC Operations Section Coordinator, EOC Planning Section Coordinator, EOC Branch Director, and EOC Public Information Officer. They reflect his years of professional experience, education, training, and leadership in emergency management.

Dr. Todd Alan Smith began his public service career in 1992 and advanced through the fire and rescue ranks. He served as Special Operations Training Manager for the JFRD Urban Search and Rescue Team, Wildland Urban Interface Team, HAZMAT, Airport Firefighting, and Shipboard Firefighting. He has received numerous awards and special unit citations, including the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company’s Valor and Exceptional Service Award and the Columbia Southern University Robert G. Mayes Excellence Award.