Edward Rodriguez Named Director of Fire Training Academy

San Antonio College has selected Edward Rodriguez as the new Director of the Fire Training Academy where he will oversee the fire academy, fire technology, emergency management, and homeland security programs.

Chief Rodriguez brings more than 23 years of fire and emergency services leadership experience, spanning the U.S. Air Force, The Boeing Company, and higher education.

Throughout his distinguished Air Force career, Chief Rodriguez served in multiple firefighting and leadership roles, culminating in his position as assistant chief of operations. He deployed seven times in support of global operations and held several key assignments. As superintendent of operations at Dyess Air Force Base, he supervised 21 personnel and supported more than 3,000 emergency responses each year. He later served as supervisor of operations at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, where he led 15 firefighters in more than 500 emergency incidents, including structural, aircraft, and hazardous materials responses.

In 2021, he returned to Dyess Air Force Base as the assistant chief of training, coordinating numerous joint training exercises and projects with regional departments. He also developed an officer development program and delivered the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) curriculum across the enterprise, providing instruction and training to more than 3,000 students.

After honorably retiring in April 2023, Chief Rodriguez joined The Boeing Company as a station captain for Pro‑Tec Fire Services, where he led emergency operations for more than 500 responses annually and managed training for a 25‑member fire crew. He joined San Antonio College later that year as an adjunct instructor.

In 2024, he was promoted at The Boeing Company to security and fire multi‑operations personnel, leading a contract fire department supporting 4,500 personnel and 212 annual aircraft deliveries.

Chief Rodriguez holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force, as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational management (magna cum laude) and a master’s degree in leadership from the University of Arizona Global Campus. He has been recognized throughout his career with numerous awards, including Firefighter of the Year honors, six Air Force Commendation Medals, and other notable distinctions.

-SAC-