Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines Dies

Funeral services for Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines are set for 11 a.m. Friday at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Va. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6- 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines died Sunday after being stricken while working in his yard in Virginia.

A neighbor initiated CPR, and the effort was continued en route to a hospital. However, he could not be resuscitated.

"Once or twice in a lifetime, if you’re very lucky, you’ll have a great boss or a best friend like Glenn Gaines; he was both to me.  Glenn was smart, funny, generous, passionate, focused, held himself and others to the highest of standards, and always had your back. Always." National Fire Academy Superintendent Denis Onieal shared.

"He was as talented and comfortable crawling down the hallway of a burning tenement as he was in a meeting in the Oval Office or Congress.  On Sunday, our Nation and our profession lost a remarkable leader; the Gaines family lost a beloved husband, father and grandfather.  Keep them in your thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.  Glenn would ask that you give those you love an extra hug tonight."

Gaines, 72, will be honored during a special tribute at the annual CFSI dinner on Thursday night.

"He leaves behind an incredible legacy," said Bill Webb, CFSI executive director. "He had a gentle way about him as well as a great sense of humor." 

Gaines served with Fairfax County, Va. Fire and Rescue for 35 years, starting as a volunteer. He then rose through the ranks from firefighter to fire marshal, training chief and operations chief to take the white helmet in 1991. He retired in 1998.

During his tenure in Fairfax, he headed the urban search and rescue team that deployed to a number of incidents.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Richie Bowers said Sunday night he was sadden about the loss of his friend and predecessor.

Dennis Compton, chair of the NFFF board, said Gaines was unique in many ways.

"He was a well-known progressive fire chief in Fairfax County. And, he was a great leader in fire organizations..."

Compton said regardless of his role, Gaines advocated for the fire service. 

"His leadership was strong and consistent. He could always be counted on. He loved firefighters and the fire service," Compton added. "He was a great friend, and true, true professional..."

Gaines was often referred to as the architect of the Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs as he was involved from their inception. 

He received a number of honors including the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs' Lifetime Achievement Award.

The author of a fire service text book, Gaines also wrote articles for publications including Firehouse Magazine.

NFFF Executive Director Ron Siarnicki said he was deeply sadden to learn of Gaine's untimely death.

"He was a personal friend. He was chief in Fairfax County when I was chief in Prince George's. We worked on a number of projects together. But, he was also a good friend..."

Gaines took over as U.S. Fire Administrator when Kelvin Cochran resigned to return to Atlanta, and remained in the position until Ernie Mitchell was appointed.

He took every opportunity to promote the fire service. 

During an interview with Firehouse.com in 2012, Gaines said: "This would be a great time to take additional responsibilities whenever possible. When things get better, people will remember the fire service stepped up. It has been a year of challenges for crews as they handled floods, wildfires, droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes."

But, he added proudly: "American firefighters answered every call. They saved lives and made a difference in their communities. No other agency can match them."