Reginald Freeman

Dr. Reggie Freeman is a nationally and internationally respected fire service executive with more than three decades of progressive leadership in fire protection, emergency management, public safety administration, and organizational transformation. He has served at the highest levels of municipal fire service leadership, most notably as the 31st Fire Chief of the City of Oakland, California, where he was responsible for one of the nation’s most complex and high-risk urban fire departments.

Throughout his career, Dr. Freeman has demonstrated a proven ability to lead large, diverse organizations through periods of operational challenge, fiscal constraint, and organizational change. His executive experience spans strategic planning, labor relations, emergency preparedness, large-scale incident management, budget development, policy reform, and intergovernmental coordination. He is widely recognized for strengthening operational readiness, improving community risk reduction outcomes, and fostering accountable, mission-driven cultures within public safety organizations.

Dr. Freeman holds a PhD and is deeply committed to professional education, leadership development, and evidence-based decision-making. In addition to his executive service, he has contributed extensively to the advancement of the profession through teaching, mentoring, and academic leadership, including service as a Dissertation Chair at Capitol Technology University. His work bridges theory and practice, ensuring that leadership decisions are informed by research, data, and real-world operational experience.

In addition to domestic leadership roles, Dr. Freeman brings a global perspective on emergency services, governance, and civil defense. He has advised organizations and governments on leadership development, emergency preparedness, organizational resilience, and strategic reform, with a focus on aligning international best practices to local operational realities.

Dr. Freeman is known for his integrity, decisiveness, and ability to build trust across political leadership, labor organizations, community stakeholders, and partner agencies. His leadership philosophy emphasizes accountability, continuous improvement, ethical governance, and service excellence. He remains committed to advancing public safety organizations that are resilient, adaptive, and prepared to meet the evolving risks facing communities worldwide.

Dr. Reggie Freeman is a highly respected fire service and public safety executive with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in fire protection, emergency management, and organizational transformation. He served as the 31st Fire Chief of the City of Oakland, California, leading one of the nation’s most complex urban fire departments and overseeing strategic planning, emergency operations, labor relations, and fiscal management. A PhD-prepared leader, Dr. Freeman brings a strong commitment to evidence-based decision-making, professional education, and leadership development, including service as a Dissertation Chair at Capitol Technology University. His career reflects a proven ability to guide large, diverse organizations through operational and cultural change while strengthening readiness, accountability, and community risk reduction. Known for his integrity, decisiveness, and collaborative leadership style, Dr. Freeman brings both domestic and international perspectives to advancing resilient, high-performing public safety organizations.

PhD / Emergency & Protective Services