Sidney is a professional speaker and leadership consultant and is a career fire officer with an urban fire department in Virginia and has over 17 years of experience in the fire service. Sidney is also a veteran of the United States Navy. He holds a Master’s degree in Management with focuses in organizational development and leadership, crisis leadership, and team building. He also holds a BS in Occupational Safety and Health and an AAS in Fire Science. He is certified at the Instructor II and Fire Officer III level and is an instructor and State Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation. He is a graduate of the Virginia Fire Officer Academy where he currently serves on staff as well as a graduate of additional leadership academies. He is a credentialed Fire Officer through the Center of Public Safety Excellence.
Along with having a passion for leadership, Sidney also has developed a passion for emotional wellness as he has been a leader in bringing awareness to the issue of firefighter suicide and stress management. He is the Peer Support Team Coordinator for his department and is certified in Crisis Intervention. He has consulted with numerous departments and organizations, both in and out of the fire service, in regards to peer support team development, stress management, and program development for employee assistance and has worked with the Virginia Fire Chief’s Association and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to raise awareness to this issue. His efforts in this area led to him receiving the 2016 Governor’s Award for Fire Service Excellence as the Virginia Firefighter of the Year.
Sidney has presented at numerous conferences and seminars and has provided keynote addresses. His work includes providing training and consultation to public safety agencies, corporate and private industry, and government organizations in the areas of leadership, team buildings, crisis management, emotional wellness, and more.