One Emergency Manager’s Path to Success

Chris Reynolds admits he’s an overachiever. He holds a doctorate in education; leads the emergency and management program at American Public University System; is a battalion fire chief; serves as a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve; and holds numerous emergency management and fire certifications as well as military commendations. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

 “There is no greater reward than making a difference in the life of another or in helping devastated communities recover from disaster,” says Reynolds, who has worked in the field for 30 years. How has he been able to accomplish so much? Reynolds says his approach has been simple. “Set realistic goals. Work patiently and steadily toward achieving those goals, and still leave time for family.”

Reynolds began his emergency management career, like many others, as a firefighter. He progressed to the position of division fire chief in 2006. In 1993, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and assigned to an aeromedical evacuation squadron. 

“I joined because I was committed to the protection of our great nation – and because I wanted to fly,” Reynolds says. Several major events in the early 1990s helped shape his career in emergency management: Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the Oklahoma City bombing and Hurricane Opal in 1995.

At the time, he was serving on the Florida state training committee and was co-chair of the state disaster response committee. After Hurricane Andrew, he helped develop the Florida Statewide Disaster Response Plan. After the Oklahoma City bombing, he and fellow Air Force members provided support on behalf of Sheppard Air Force Base. During and after Hurricane Opal, he provided firefighting and urban search and rescue support. He also flew aerial reconnaissance missions along the Gulf coast.

“Both my civilian and military careers converged during these incidents – and strengthened my commitment to serving my country and my community,” says Reynolds.

He’s done just that, serving on many levels over the years. He was promoted to battalion fire chief in 1989. He also continued earning promotions in the Air Force, serving many critical missions during deployments to Afghanistan and Pakistan and as part of Joint Task Force Katrina. He first became connected to APUS during his deployment to Pakistan, while researching doctoral degree opportunities.
“I have been a student all my adult life,” he says. “I have also been a non-traditional student, attending classes in the evening and on the weekends.”

APUS did not offer a doctoral program. However, university leaders were so impressed with his experience that they offered him an adjunct teaching position. Reynolds had already been teaching at the community college level. He looked forward to this new opportunity, reaching adult learners online. Now, as program manager, he can really help shape the knowledge that is shared.

 “I get to work with the finest and brightest staff and students,” he says. “It’s part of my duty, too, to help prepare our next generation of emergency managers.”