Brian O'Neill

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Biography

With over 24 years of fire service experience, Dr. Brian O'Neill currently serves as Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator for the San Antonio Fire Department and the City of San Antonio. In this role, he oversees various critical divisions, including Emergency Management, Firefighter Safety, Health & Wellness, Incident Support, Planning, Research, Analytics, Community Risk Reduction, Communications, Technical Services, Special Projects, Fleet, Facilities and Logistics. Dr. O'Neill holds a Ph.D. in Fire and Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University, along with a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Resource and Environmental Studies from Texas State University.

Education

• Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Fire and Emergency Management Administration, Oklahoma State University

Courses Taught

SFTY540 – Disaster, Preparedness & Emergency Response

SFTY570 – Fire Safety Management

MSES560 – Ethics in Public Sector Emergency Services

Professional Experience

• San Antonio Fire Department (2001 – present)
  • Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator (1/2025 – present)
    • Emergency Management, Incident Management Team and Community Risk Reduction
    • Fire Department Communications, Technical Services and Incident Support
    • Fire Department Services, Facilities, Fleet, Supply Chain and Logistics
    • Planning, Research, Analytics and Special Projects
    • Firefighter Safety, Health and Wellness
    • Strategic Partnership Development
  • Assistant Fire Chief and Executive Officer (2022 – 2025)
    • Emergency Management, Incident Support, Communications, and Technical Services
    • Firefighter Safety, Survivability, Cancer Prevention, and Mental Health Awareness
    • Community Risk Reduction, Planning, Research, Analytics, and Special Projects
    • Strategic Partnership Development
  • District Fire Chief – Battalion Chief (2016 – 2022), Safety Division Chief (2014 – 2016)
  • Captain, Lieutenant, Engineer, Firefighter (2001 – 2014)
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – College of Arts and Sciences
  • Adjunct Faculty – Master of Occupational Safety Management program: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response, Fire Safety Management – Master of Emergency Services Program: Ethics in Emergency Services, Capstone (2023 – present)
• Oklahoma State University – College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
  • Adjunct Faculty – PhD and Master's in Fire and Emergency Management Administration Program:  Fire and Emergency Services Administration in Theory and Practice, Planning and Preparedness (2025–present)
• The University of Texas at San Antonio – College for Health, Community and Policy
  • Adjunct Faculty – Bachelor of Public Administration and Policy Program: Public Sector Economics, Urban Economic Development (2023 – 2024)
• University of Miami – Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Care Center
  • Research Fellow – Firefighter Cancer Initiative (2024 – 2025)
• Texas State University – Texas School Safety Center
  • Region 20 – School Safety and Intrusion Detection/Prevention (2022 – 2023)
• Myramid Analytical    
  • Environmental Scientist and Consultant (2000 - 2001)
• First American Flood Data Services                
  • FEMA Flood Map Researcher and Analyst (2000)

Memberships and Credentials

Member, International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) (2001 – present)

Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) (2022 – present)

Member, Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) (2014 - present)

Awards, Honors and Recognitions

Scholarship, International Association of Fire Chiefs (2019)