Deputy Chief
National Association of State Fire Marshals
Chapmansboro, Tennessee, United States
Gary West: A Biographical Sketch
With over 40 years of experience in local, municipal, and state government, Gary West has established himself as a leading expert in fire safety and public protection. His extensive career includes significant contributions to fire mortality data research, particularly his pioneering work on developing one of the first statewide Community Risk Reduction (CRR) programs in the country while serving as the Tennessee State Fire Marshal.
West's research on residential fire mortality began in 2005 during his tenure at the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). His innovative work led to the development of forecasting models and an ArcGIS application that enabled field use of fire mortality data, providing critical insights to improve fire prevention strategies across the state.
West's career has spanned all ranks of fire service leadership, having served as Fire Chief for the City of Gatlinburg Fire Department, Statewide Fire Consultant for the University of Tennessee, Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, and Director of Field Operations & Government Relations for the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). In each of these roles, West brought his focus on high performance, complex program management, and results-driven leadership to the forefront, successfully navigating the challenges of executive-level political and operational environments.
His work in residential fire death research has spanned more than 20 years, making him a recognized leader in fire prevention and fire service management. Throughout his career, Gary West has been committed to driving impactful changes in fire safety, making communities across Tennessee and beyond safer.
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Reducing Residential Fire Fatalities with Effective Data Driven CRR Efforts
Thursday, May 15, 2025
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM MST