When encouraged to try volunteer firefighting after high school, little did Sean Gray know the trajectory that decision would set for his career. As a captain, educator, and inaugural member of the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, Advisory Board, Sean has led a career grounded in fire safety, education, and workplace connections. 

When attending his first training at his local fire station, Sean was immediately hooked on the field of firefighting. He went on to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Fire Safety Engineering and attended the Naval Postgraduate School for Homeland Security. Now, Sean serves as a captain for the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services. 

After experiencing a near miss when fighting a house fire, Sean was curious about the fire and sought out answers to his questions. In his search, he discovered research conducted by FSRI’s senior director of research, Dan Madrykowski. Using this research, Sean developed an evidence-based tactics training course that he now delivers across the U.S. While Sean was piloting the newly developed course one year at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), Steve Kerber, vice president and executive director of FSRI, joined as an audience member. After the presentation, Steve invited Sean to be on a technical panel for one of FSRI’s research projects, thus starting his ten-year journey with FSRI.

 “This field, this organization, and this group… it’s a family. A family who is passionate about fire and trying to solve the risks that it brings. I admire the legacy FSRI is building and how they have become the leader in fire safety science.”

—Sean Gray, Captian, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services