Pursuing firefighting was an easy choice for Todd Harms, as he had a deep respect for the profession and a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, who served as the fire chief of the Peotone Fire District in Illinois. 

Chief Harms is an inaugural advisory board member of the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Chief Harms's principles remained consistent throughout his career as a firefighter for the Peotone Fire District and Phoenix Fire Department and as a fire chief for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. During his tenure, he prioritized operations, firefighter safety, and fire prevention. 

Now, Chief Harms continues his career rooted in fire prevention and safety. He supports FSRI on the Maui Wildfires Analysis and engages in consulting, training, and mentoring within the fire service community. Through his current work, network, and pursuits of professional conferences, seminars, and workshops, Chief Harms shares insights gained from his career, helps improve practices, develops future leaders of the field, and promotes safety across various departments and organizations. 

 “Whether through community outreach, training programs, or enforcing fire codes, I’ve always believed in a proactive approach to keeping our communities safe. It has been a journey of continuous learning and adaptation, and my involvement with FSRI has further strengthened this journey.” —Todd Harms, Retired Fire Chief, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District

As one of FSRI’s longest-tenured advisory board members, Chief Harms notes how inspirational the experience has been. “Initially, it was exciting because detailed research in the fire service was limited. It was a unique opportunity, and a period of significant growth and collaboration, laying the foundation for what FSRI has become today,” Chief Harms noted.