After 33 years serving communities as a firefighter, paramedic, and Deputy Emergency Management Agency official, Lee Burks has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood’s production landscape. The occupational safety expert now applies his extensive emergency response background to protecting cast and crew members on film and television sets.
Burks brings an impressive combination of field experience and academic credentials to his role. His educational foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Science in the same field. His professional certifications reflect a commitment to excellence, including the Graduate Safety Professional designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Associate Safety and Health Manager certification from the Institute for Hazardous Materials Management, and Certified Environmental Safety Compliance Officer credentials from the National Registry of Environmental Professionals.
The transition from emergency services to entertainment industry safety wasn’t merely a career change—it represented a natural evolution of Burks’ lifelong dedication to protecting others. For the past 14 years, he has served as a Production Set Medic, with five of those years specifically focused on comprehensive health and safety management within production environments.
A defining moment in Burks’ career came in 2014 with the tragic loss of crew member Sarah Jones, an incident that profoundly shaped his approach to set safety. This devastating event reinforced his commitment to implementing and advocating for enhanced safety protocols throughout the film and television industry.
Drawing from his extensive background in emergency management and hands-on medical training, Burks has developed a proactive approach to production safety consulting. His methodology emphasizes thorough risk assessments, comprehensive crew training, and fostering a culture where open communication about potential hazards is encouraged and valued.
Beyond his on-set responsibilities, Burks spent a year serving as a Business Representative within a local union, where he focused on member advocacy, contract enforcement, organizing efforts, and addressing safety concerns. This experience provided valuable insights into the broader organizational and regulatory aspects of workplace safety in the entertainment industry.
The combination of real-world emergency response experience and specialized industry knowledge positions Burks uniquely in the field of production safety. His work extends beyond simple compliance, aiming to create environments where every individual can perform their duties without fear of preventable accidents.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve with increasingly complex productions and stunts, the role of experienced safety professionals becomes ever more critical. Through LeeBurks., LLC, this veteran first responder continues his mission of safeguarding lives, now on sets rather than streets, bringing the same dedication and expertise that defined his three-decade career in public safety.