Executive Chief Rodney Reed Becomes First in Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office to Earn Certified Fire Executive Designation
Executive Assistant Chief Rodney Reed has become the first member of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office to complete the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy’s Certified Fire Executive (CFE) program—a multi-year leadership course that prepares fire service professionals for top-level responsibilities in public safety.
The Certified Fire Executive designation, awarded by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, is one of the more intensive executive-level training programs available to fire officials in Texas. Its curriculum emphasizes leadership development, ethics, organizational management, and strategic planning for modern fire and emergency service departments.
Chief Reed’s graduation represents a professional milestone for the department and reflects a broader shift in public safety toward long-term leadership training and succession planning.
“We are incredibly proud of Chief Reed not only for this achievement, but for the example he sets,” said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. “Our agency is committed to developing strong leaders, and this milestone reinforces our belief that we never stop learning. We soar to new levels by investing in our people.”
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Building a Career Through Service and Education
Rodney Reed joined the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office in 2012, initially serving as Deputy Chief of Planning before stepping into his current role as Executive Assistant Chief in 2017. His public service career also includes seven and a half years as a U.S. Army captain.
A graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies, Reed also holds a master’s degree in Crisis, Emergency, and Disaster Management from Columbia Southern University. He has accumulated a range of professional certifications, including law enforcement and arson investigation credentials, as well as multiple federal instructor certifications through FEMA.
His path to the CFE designation aligns with a growing number of fire service professionals across the state who are pursuing formalized executive education to meet the increasingly complex demands of emergency management in large jurisdictions like Harris County.
Looking Ahead at HCFMO
The Texas Fire Chiefs Academy is designed not only to advance individual careers, but also to foster resilient, community-focused departments. Chief Reed’s completion of the program may set a precedent for others within the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office to pursue similar paths.
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The department’s acknowledgment of his accomplishment signals support for internal growth and a recognition that investing in leadership development is critical for keeping pace with regional growth and changing emergency response needs.
While the moment is a personal achievement for Chief Reed, it also marks a departmental first—one that may pave the way for future leaders within the agency to pursue higher-level training and strategic leadership roles.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
