Dr. Knight leads the firm’s fire service practice. In that role, he has led numerous assessments of major cities and in smaller communities. These often include standards of cover reviews and providing strategic planning services. Dr. Knight brings to the firm over 25 years fire/EMS experience.

He retired as the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of St. Petersburg, Florida. He has been a subject matter expert for both the National Fire Academy and the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He also served as team leader and assessor for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and has held multiple faculty appointments in Fire Science and EMS. Dr. Knight joined the firm after serving as the Senior Manager for Fire and EMS at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology, from the University of Cincinnati and an MPA in Public Administration from Troy State University. He earned a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction for Adult Education from the University of South Florida.

Dr. Knight is a nationally recognized speaker and author. He completed the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy, earning the A. Don Manno Award for Excellence in Research from the National Society of Executive Fire Officers and the 2007 Outstanding Research Award from the National Fire Academy and United States Fire Administration.