Thomas S. Riley

Thomas Riley is an Instructor, Fire Drill Observer, and Consultant at NY Fire Consultants with 38 years of experience in the FDNY, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief. His expertise lies in building codes, inspections, and conducting fire drills. He began his FDNY career in 1979 and served in every borough, holding various roles including Chief of Research and Development, where he contributed to numerous safety improvements. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and has earned certifications including National Incident Management, Emergency Response to Terrorism, HazMat Tech Levels 1 and 2, Fireground Safety Investigation, and Incident Safety Officer, among others. He is a member of the Fire Chiefs Association FDNY, Emerald Society FDNY, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Uniformed Fire Officers Association, and NYC Holy Name Society. His proudest career moment is helping students understand the importance of fire safety, ultimately saving lives and protecting property. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, golfing, traveling, boating, and relaxing at the beach. His advice to future fire safety professionals is to read and study as much as possible to stay informed and ensure the safety of others and themselves.