Congratulations to Derek McBrayer – Inspector I, David Sutherland – Inspector II, and Taylor Riley – Fire Plans Examiner on your well-deserved promotions. #LakelandFD
Derek McBrayer joined Lakeland Fire Department in 2013, where he served as a Firefighter/Paramedic for six years before his promotion to Driver Engineer/Paramedic in 2019. He served in that role for two years until his promotion today to Fire Inspector I.
Derek graduated from Polk State College with an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Fire & Emergency Services from the University of Florida.
Derek’s professional certifications include Paramedic and Fire Safety Inspector I. He is an executive board member for the Lakeland Pressional Firefighters / IAFF Local 4173 and serves as the Lakeland Firefighters Pension Chairperson.
David Sutherland joined Lakeland Fire Department in 2014, where he served as a Firefighter/EMT for two years before completing his Paramedic certification. He then served as a Firefighter/Paramedic for another two years until 2018. David assumed his previous role of Fire Safety Inspector I in 2018.
David was born in Jamaica and moved to Lakeland in 1980. He graduated from Polk State College with an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. David is currently working on his Bachelor of Science in Fire & Emergency Services at the University of Florida.
David maintains several professional certifications, including Paramedic, Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II, NFPA Certified Fire Plans Examiner, and IAAI Principles of Fire Investigations. He is also a member and involved with the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.
Taylor Riley joined Lakeland Fire Department in 2011, where he served as a Firefighter/Paramedic for six years. He was promoted to the role of Driver Engineer in 2017 and then again as Fire Inspector I. Taylor served in the capacity of that role for three years before his last promotion to Fire Inspector II in 2020.
Taylor is a City of Lakeland native, graduated from Polk State College with an Associate of Science in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He maintains several professional certifications to include Paramedic, Instructor III, Pump operator, Fire Officer I, Inspector II, Certified Fire Plans Examiner, Certified Fire Protection Specialist. He is also part of Lakeland Fire Department’s Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) division and an LFD SWAT medic.
