Akwasi Maru is a full-time firefighter. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He currently holds the rank of Fire Captain. Mr. Maru received his Master’s degree in Emergency Management from Walden University and his B.S. in Fire Science Administration from Waldorf University. He has been in the fire service for 16 years and have achieved several certifications and specializations.

He is a Structural Fire Control instructor, American Heart CPR-Instructor, NPQ- Fire Instructor I, EMT, GSAR (USAR) team member, Rope Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician, Collapse Rescue Technician, Airport Rescue Firefighter, Georgia Certified Emergency Manager (GA-CEM), and have several more certifications and training.

He has received awards demonstrating his leadership and courageous efforts including the 2013-2014 Trauma Save Award, 2014 Shield Club Firefighter of the Year Award, 2014 Regional 5 EMS Medal of Valor Award, and the 2014 Red Cross Hometown Heroes Award.

In his spare time he likes to, write poetry, write blogs, go fishing, and play Djembe drums. He also self-published a Book called The Power of Your Words: How Changing Your Words Can Change Your Life and a book of his Poetry called the Words within the Words. He volunteers for American Red Cross Disaster Assistance Team. He currently resides in Milledgeville, Georgia with his wife Valerie and two daughters Anaya and Ayira. He can be contacted at akwasi.maru19@gmail.com