David Sutherland, Fire Marshal
Fire Marshal David Sutherland
David Sutherland is a seasoned professional with over ten years of experience in fire service and fire safety management. Currently serving as the Fire Marshal for the Lakeland Fire Department, David is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the community through effective fire prevention and education.
David began his career in fire service by completing Fire Standards and an Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) certificate from Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in 2013. His academic pursuits continued with the completion of his Paramedic certificate in 2016, followed by an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services at HCC in 2018 and a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services at the University of Florida in 2023. These educational milestones have equipped David with a strong foundation and a comprehensive understanding of fire safety and emergency management.
A series of progressive roles have marked David's career in the fire department. He started as a Firefighter/EMT (2014-16), then advanced to Firefighter/Paramedic (2016-18). He further honed his skills as a Fire Inspector I (2018-22) and Fire Inspector II (2022-24) before assuming the role of Fire Marshal. In this leadership position, he oversees fire inspections, investigations, and construction plans review, ensuring the safety of the Lakeland community by preventing injuries, deaths, and property damage while improving citizens' quality of life.
David's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in his involvement with professional organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He regularly participates in workshops and conferences to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in fire prevention and investigation.
David holds several certifications, including State of Florida: Fire Inspector I & II, Fire Investigator, NFPA: Certified Fire Plans Examiner, and University of Florida: Certificate in Emergency Management. He is a member of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA) and the Florida Fire Sprinkler Association (FFSA).
David plans to pursue his NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist certification while concurrently working on his Master's in Disaster Management at the University of Florida. He will also continue to strive for career advancement within his department.
Matt Brown, Training Chief
Training Chief Matt Brown
Matt Brown became a firefighter in 1998, first serving with Polk County Fire Rescue before joining the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) in 1999. He served as a firefighter until 2005, when he became a Lieutenant at the department. He served as a Lieutenant until 2016, when he became the department’s first Training Captain until he was promoted in 2022 to his current position of Training Chief.
Chief Brown serves as the department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and SWAT Paramedic teams coordinator. He holds certifications as a: Fire Officer II; Fire Inspector II; Fire Instructor III, Live Fire Instructor I, State Pump Operator; and Paramedic. He graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Managing Fire Officer (MFO) Program and from the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Emergency Services Leadership Institution (ESLI). In addition to these professional certifications, he also serves as a principal committee member for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006 and NFPA 1021 committees that provide recommendations for national standards on Technical Rescue and Professional Qualifications for Fire Officers, respectively. He also serves as the Work Group Leader for the State Technical Rescue Teams and the Region 4 State Representative for Urban Search and Rescue.
In addition to his work at the Lakeland Fire Department, Matt stays extremely busy serving his community. He is an involved member of the Lakeland Rotary Club and a graduate and member of Lakeland Leadership Class XXXIII.
Chief Brown was the recipient of several Firefighter of the Year awards on the local and state level for two heroic actions while off duty in addition to his community service. He received The American Legion National Firefighter of the Year award in 2016 for related incidents.
Shane Reynolds, Rescue Chief
Rescue Chief Shane Reynolds
Shane Reynolds has served as Rescue Chief since January of 2013. Rescue Chief Reynolds began his career with the department in 1995 as a firefighter. He served a Lieutenant prior to his promotion to Rescue Chief.
Shane holds multiple certifications including Fire Instructor II, Safety Officer, Life Safety Inspector, Fire Officer II, and as an American Heart Association Instructor in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. He is also a certified paramedic. Shane is a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association. Shane is actively involved in training and developing the department's firefighters. He is a member of the department's peer support team and is a passionate member of the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative. He also chairs the department’s physical health committee.
Shane’s primary responsibilities are directing and coordinating the activities of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Lakeland Fire Rescue. This includes coordinating operations with the Polk County Office of the Medical Director and serving as the EMS liaison with local hospitals and clinics. Shane is actively involved in Quality Assurance (QA) and works directly with local emergency department medical and trauma staff, and the Polk County Medical Director, to improve patient treatment and outcomes in the Lakeland community. Shane is also responsible for planning and directing the emergency medical training of all Lakeland Fire Department EMTs and paramedics. He has been successful at building a highly trained instructor cadre that provides annual training to satisfy State of Florida mandates and develop innovative programs to teach advanced Clinical Care Guidelines (CCG).
Shane earned his associate degree in Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science and has a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, both from Polk State College. He is also a graduate of Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager program and the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association’s prestigious Emergency Services Leadership Institute.
Matt Warner, Fire Maintenance Chief
Fire Maintenance Supervisor Matt Warner
Matthew Jay Warner has been with the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) since February 2002, when he joined the department as a Fire Equipment Mechanic. However, Matt has worked with the City of Lakeland even longer, having previously worked as a mechanic with Fleet Services prior to finding his way to LFD.
Matt is very experienced and equally as educated in his field, holding several technical certifications that include: Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician, Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) Master Technician, and MSA Care Technician certifications. Matt is also a certified Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In addition to his many certifications, Matt has attended the University of Florida, Hillsborough Community College, and Polk State College.