A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Marian McDaniel began her professional fire service career with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (1998) where during her tenure she held the following positions: Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Lieutenant – Office of Professional Standards, Captain – Public Information Officer, Captain Emergency Medical Service, Section Chief – Office of Professional Standards, and Assistant Chief Emergency Medical Services. After her retirement from the Atlanta Fire Rescue (September 2017), Marian joined Rockdale County Fire Rescue as the Deputy Fire Chief of Administration (October 2017). As Deputy Fire Chief, Marian was instrumental in the recruitment of more African American men and women into the Fire Service and expanding the diversity of Rockdale County Fire Rescue personnel. Marian was also instrumental in the management of the department’s budget, in addition to the development and implementation of the department’s budget reduction strategies.

On December 8, 2020, she was appointed Fire Chief, making her the 12th African American Female Fire Chief in the United States and not only the First African American but also the First Woman Fire Chief in the history of Rockdale County Fire Rescue.

Her educational experiences consist of a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University (2010) and Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology also from Grand Canyon University (2012). Marian is also a National and State certified Paramedic. Marian is seeking her designation as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) via the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD. The Chief Fire Officer designation (CFO) is an initiative of the United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy designed to provide senior officers and others in key leadership roles with enhanced executive-level knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to lead, conduct research, and engage in lifelong learning.

Marian is excited to serve as the Fire Chief of Rockdale County Fire Rescue and is looking forward to engaging the citizens and communities of Rockdale County by attending community events, town hall meetings, and any other opportunities that may arise.