Donald Burns is a dedicated fire service professional with nearly 20 years of experience, currently serving as the Chief of Training and Safety for the Wilmington Fire Department. A graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, he also holds CPSE Chief Officer and Chief Training Officer designations. With a passion for leadership and officer development, he has designed and implemented impactful training programs that equip firefighters and officers with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
Donald is a certified instructor with extensive teaching experience at both the company officer and department-wide levels. He spearheaded initiatives such as the WFD Company Officer Certificate Program, a structured pathway for leadership development, and played a pivotal role in creating internal certification programs that provide accessible routes to promotion without requiring a college degree. As one of seven certified instructors for Blue Card Incident Command, Donald has been instrumental in elevating command training standards within his department and across neighboring agencies.
In addition to his professional achievements, Donald is deeply committed to mentoring young firefighters and engaging with community initiatives, such as the Wilmington Firefighters Foundation. He believes that building strong firefighters starts with cultivating a solid foundation of skills, discipline, and accountability through deliberate, hands-on training.
By combining real-world experience with a passion for mentorship, Donald empowers current and future fire service leaders to develop critical skills in decision-making, communication, accountability, and collaboration, ensuring they are prepared to meet the dynamic challenges of the fire service.