Savannah Technical College recently selected Donald Towne as department head for Fire Science. He is responsible for oversight of all instruction, curriculum development, administrative and budgetary aspects for the College’s Fire Science program.

Towne is a former fire chief, training officer, and decorated public safety leader with more than three decades of experience managing, developing and delivering training and safety programs for employees and public partners.

 In 2009, he was awarded the Leadership Award from Target Safety and the Volunteer & Combination Section of the IAFC at the Annual Fire Chief ’s Conference in Dallas, Texas. He is also one of the first in Georgia to be certified as an emergency medical services director by GEMSA. 

He has completed coursework for an Ed.D. in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University. He has a master’s in organizational development/ leadership and a bachelor’s in leadership from Mercer University. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from West Georgia Technical College. 

The STC Fire Science programs prepare graduates for successful careers in the fire and emergency service field, whether they are looking to obtain required certifications to apply to fire departments nationwide or wish to obtain their degree to qualify for promotion into leadership positions at their department. 

Many of the classes meet the educational criteria established by the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (ProBoard) allowing students to challenge various national fire service certifications including Fire Officer I & II, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Instructor I, Hazardous Materials Operations, Fire & Life Safety Educator, etc. 

All Fire Science classes are scheduled to help students attend college, while balancing their home/life/work obligations with a combination of evening and online classes with practical hands-on training occurring at various area fire departments. The Fire Science Degree/ Diploma students to obtain their fire science degree or diploma in one year. 

The STC Fire Science program office is located at the Liberty Campus (100 Technology Road, Hinesville). Interested students should contact Burns at aburns@|savannahtech.edu or STC Business and Public Services Academic Advisor Amber Robinson at arobinson@ savannahtech.edu.