It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines on Sunday, April 12.
He was universally respected and admired for his dedication to all aspects of the fire service. Throughout his 35-year career, Chief Gaines led with quiet resolve and was committed to learning from the past to improve the future.
Chief Gaines served with the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the Department of Homeland Security from its inception in 2001 until 2009. He was 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 Grant Program in 2005.
Among his many awards and accolades are the International Association of Fire Chiefs Metropolitan Fire Chiefs President’s Award of Distinction, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Lifetime Achievement Award and the International Association of Fire Chiefs President’s Award.
Glenn Gaines was a long-time friend of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and often visited the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Chapel where he spent time in quiet reflection. He will be missed, and we offer our most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Here are two ways you can honor Glenn with your donation:
1) Remember Glenn with an engraved brick in a special section in the National Walk of Honor in Emmitsburg. You can purchase a brick for $100 with a special message about him.
2) Make a donation, in memory of Glenn, to the NFFF. Go to memorialweek.wpengine.com/donate/ to make your donation online, or mail a check to PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Please note that your gift is in tribute to Chief Glenn Gaines.
Your gift will be both a testament to Glenn’s legacy in the fire service and his commitment to supporting the mission of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Thank you.
