I couldn’t wait to get home from Washington, DC to post my thoughts and provide all of our Masters of Disaster a SITREP on our 2010 Commencement.  Friday was a wonderful day full of celebration.  It was awe inspiring to see our graduates and their families in the historic DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.  It was so uplifting sitting on the stage and seeing our graduates enter into the hall. Particularly uplifting were the video messages sent from our deployed graduates who are in the AOR and were unable to attend.  Attending graduation is the most rewarding experience and I encourage all of our MOD members to attend!

This was my fifth graduation that I have attended and it is always a wonderful event.  Everyone would be amazed at the collegiality and happiness this day brings.  Hundreds of graduates, all wearing their cap and gowns is, literally, a sea of colors. Flurry and excitement soon transitions into the actual awarding of degrees.  Dr. Wally Boston, Dr. Karan Powell, and Dr. Frank McCluskey begin the ceremony with a congratulatory message to our graduates and their families.  It is always nice to see our students reach this day and we all enjoy celebrating with them.

Noteworthy of this year’s graduation was the attendance of fellow MOD faculty Dr. Randall Cuthbert, Professor Boban Pesic, Professor Anna Simmons, and Professor Jenni Hesterman.  In addition to commencement, the University also recognized distinguished MOD students and faculty members.

The School of Public Safety and Health Undergraduate Student Award went to Dennis Moyer.  A helicopter rescue swimmer and emergency medical technician with the United States Coast Guard, Dennis was recently awarded the 2009 Enlisted Person of the Year Award for Air Station Los Angeles. He has also received awards such as multiple Perchard Awards, the Air Medal, and the Higgens and Langely Swiftwater Rescue Award. While at American Military University, Dennis studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management and has already successfully applied the knowledge he gained. He intends to pursue a career in emergency and disaster planning and management when he retires from the Coast Guard, is preparing to apply for a certification as an Emergency Manager from the International Association of Emergency Managers, and plans to pursue a Master of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management at American Military University this summer. He is a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, the International Association of Emergency Managers, and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

The School of Public Safety and Health Graduate Student Award went to Joshua Nebelsiek.  An active-duty Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, Joshua is currently assigned as the Battalion Decontamination Officer and the CBRND officer for one of two Initial Response Forces at the Marine Corps’ Chemical, Biological Incident Response Force. After retirement, Joshua hopes to transition to a private sector and use his Master of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management to achieve a position in the hotel/hospitality/resort industry. He has appeared on American Public University System’s President’s and Dean’s List and was recognized by Who’s Who Among American College Students. He is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the National Scholars Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, Epsilon Pi Phi Honor Society, and Student Veterans of America.

The 2010 APUS Outstanding Faculty Member Award is unique and is awarded to a professor who, in the past year, has been a scholar in his or her academic discipline, a leader in learning in the classroom, and a champion in service to our students, faculty, constituents, and related communities.  I am PROUD to report that our own Professor Jennifer “Jenni” Hesterman was awarded the 2010 APUS Outstanding Faculty Member Award!  Professor Hesterman is a full-time faculty member in the Homeland Security program, joining us in September 2009. In 2007, Jenni retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel in 2007, completing her 21 years of service as Commander of the 316th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base. Her military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. She is a former National Defense Fellow and a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University. She is a regular contributing author for The Counter Terrorism Magazine, the premier journal for Homeland Security professionals. Jenni’s Program Director states that he relies on her expertise in homeland security issues and describes her teaching as focused and compassionate. She continues to mentor her students once they have completed her classes and regularly communicates with them. Jenni goes the extra mile on any task or assignment, which is evidence of her commitment to her students and the University.

I know that I often sound like a broken record to everyone, but I just cannot help myself!  What sets our Emergency and Disaster Management, Fire Science, and Homeland Security studies apart is each one of YOU.  Our program is successful because of the caliber of our students, alumni, and faculty.  I was so PROUD of our Dennis Moyer, Josh Nebelsiek , and Jenni Hesterman that my buttons were bursting! 

Here is the CHALLENGE to each one of YOU… Make a difference… challenge the STATUS QUO… make YOUR mark in the science and study… HELP a colleague, better yet a STRANGER… STAY involved with YOUR University… KEEP active in our Masters of Disaster Group… Remember, you CAN make a DIFFERENCE!!!

Thanks everyone,

Master of Disaster Colleagues:

It has been a little while since I have posted a blog, but like all of my friends and colleagues, I have been quite busy with retirement from Fire Rescue, family, and my new position as Dean for the Center for Teaching and Learning.  That said, I want to focus this blog on the oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico.  Like any disaster, emergency managers along the Gulf of Mexico are bracing themselves for a potential environmental disaster of the first-order.  I am quite proud to say that many of our students, alumni and faculty are directly involved in the response and planning.  Like many of our Masters of Disaster members, I was ordered to active duty with the Air Force and sent to the Defense Support to Civilian Authorities (DSCA) Cell, supporting the airlift and air corridor operations in the spill area.

MOD member Laurel Anderson, wrote in our MOD LinkedIn Group, “The experience of being in the EOC is amazing but it is also emotionally and spiritually draining. Worry, frustration, and anger are apparent on everyone’s faces. Even if you are just in a support status, you feel deeply for those who will be affected, but also for the men ane women on the IMT who are under such deep pressure every moment. Notably as well, the BP rep shows a strong concern for MS and her shorelines, animals and people. Mr. Hardt (BP) has aged visibly in the days that I have watched him come and go.”

Laurel provides a stunning and day-to-day summary of her EOC operations and I want to encourage all of our MOD members and followers of my blog to visit her EOC website to see the gravity of the situation in Harrison, Mississippi.  I also want to recommend the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Incident News site, which is providing daily SITREPs.

As I write this blog, approximately 5,000 barrels of oil are spilling from the well-head.  As this environmental disaster continues to unfold, emergency managers all around the Gulf Coast will be paying attention to the currents and wind directions.  To our MOD members, please continue to watch this incident and observe the multiple levels of emergency management and mitigation this is occurring. While tragic, this incident provides all of us an opportunity to see Emergency Management in ACTION!!!

It is often said that the true good of a person arises in times of crisis.  This saying also applies to organizations and groups, which can be exemplified by the recent tragedy in Haiti.  Not long after the devestating earthquake that destroyed the impovrished City of Port-Au-Prince, AMU and APU students, alumni, and faculty were being mobilized to help in the disaster.  There are so many examples of our folks being involved in the incident, it would be impossible to name them all.  There are, however, two that I want to talk about.  One of our students, James Bender, is in Haiti as I write this blog helping the victims of this disaster.  James wrote me an e-mail that I want to share with all of you:

Date: 1/27/2010
Subject: In Haiti

James Bender, BS, EMT-P

Another Master of Disaster graduate student, Judy Whidbee, who is an Emergency Management Program Analyst, HQ US Air Force Reserve Command, is also involved in the Haitian disaster providing disaster support.  Judy writes:

While, I may not be away from home, I am providing my assistance to the Haiti Relief Efforts via my position at the HQ Air Force Reserve Command. We have activated our Crisis Action Teams, and I am working in the Civil Engineering CAT, trying to get members from the reserve civil engineering community to Homestead ARB and to Haiti. Moving assets is not as easy as one would think; the logistics involved with moving assets can be daunting! Thanks to all of you who are “boots on the ground”! Any and all assistance is needed! Both at CONUS or in Haiti.

Both James and Judy embody what it means to be an emergency manager.  We are all VERY PROUD of both of them and all of our students, alumni and faculty who are assisting those less fortunate in Haiti and the United States.  Not long after the earthquake, we initiated a “Skill Set Database” in our LinkedIn group.  In a matter of days, our volunteer skills database grew to over 150 people, each with specific skills that could be of assistance to FEMA and/or USAID.  Along the same time, our University President, Wally Boston, sent FEMA Director Craig Fugate a letter pledging his support from our Masters of Disaster should the need arise.

You may ask yourself what all of this means to you and the university.  The answer is simple–we are a community of professionals, dedicated to helping those less fortunate.  We are a focused group of innovators, who seek ways to not just sit on the sidelines.  I know that in nearly every other blog I have written, I have maintained the theme of what makes us special.  Well, I submit to all of my readers what I have written above is another example of what makes us special.  There is NO OTHER institute of higher learning that possesses the depth and experience than we do.   As demonstrated by the committment of our University President and each one of YOU, we have the people with the critical skills–from physician and engineers to psychiatrists and paramedics–there is no disaster where we cannot make a difference.

As the weeks continue to pass and the devestating nature of this disaster are played out, rest assurred that our Masters of Disaster will be involved in one way or another.  As the Director, I am EXTREMELY PROUD of all of you!

Thanks everyone,

We are all truly fortunate to be associated with a university that supports our students and alumni the way we do.  Recently, much effort was placed into petitioning the Foundation for Higher Education (FoHE) in Emergency Management and Homeland Security to establish our own Chapter of the Epsilon Pi Phi (EPP) Honor Society.   I want to be sure to note that our Emergency and Disaster Management program received FoHE accreditation in 2008.  EPP is an academic honor society established by the FOHE in 2006.  This specialized honor society is for emergency management, disaster research and science, homeland security and continuity management disciplines. The mission of Epsilon Pi Phi is to strive for the reward, advancement and recognition of emergency/continuity management and homeland security as a discipline and profession and to encourage a high standard of excellence in these related fields of practice and study. The vision is that Epsilon Pi Phi will provide a foundation for excellence in the development of exceptional professional and academic leaders.  Membership requires that a student have a 3.2 overall GPA and 3.5 major GPA.

We are also quite fortunate to have a Chapter of the International Emergency Manager’s Student Association (IEMSA), which is associated with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).  Our Chapter was awarded the “Student Chapter of the Year” for 2009. We are the largest student chapter in the IAEM, with a 185 active members. Under the leadership of Student President Dorian Young, our IEMSA Chapter has accomplished a number of notable items.  Our Chapter produces the award-winning chapter newsletter, “The Guardian”, which features students and faculty; contemporary articles on the science of emergency management; and superb student papers.  In addition, our IEMSA Chapter hosts a monthly “Distinguished Speaker’s Series”, which features the movers and shakers in emergency management and homeland security.  In November, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate addressed our Chapter members via teleconference.  We have several other notable figures who will address our Chapter members in the coming months.  I want to also note that our Emergency and Disaster Management academic program received the IAEM Academic Recognition Award.  This award recognizes an academic leader or institution that has made a significant contribution to the formal education of students pursuing a career in emergency management or through research and development of paradigms or standards that have helped shape the broader field of emergency and disaster management.   So you can see, between our IEMSA Chapter and our program’s general involvement in the IAEM, we are very strong proponent and supporter of our Student Chapter.

Both our IEMSA Chapter and the pending Epsilon Pi Phi Honor Society truly complement one another.   There has been much discussion and debate in our LinkedIn Group regarding the establishment of the EPP Honor Society.   Discussion and debate is healthy and allows all EDM/HS students the chance to voice their views.  The important thing to remember is that both IEMSA and EPP complement one another—they do not compete with one another.   APUS already has a very strong Golden Key Honor Society, with members across all of our academic disciplines.  Many of these members also belong to student associations.  We actually have EDM and HS students who are Golden Key members.  What sets Epsilon Pi Phi apart from Golden Key is EPP is specifically for emergency management and homeland security students.  The vision of Epsilon Pi Phi is to provide a foundation for excellence in the development of exceptional professional and academic leaders for emergency management, homeland security, and disaster research. 

One key difference between IEMSA Chapters and EPP is alumni can continue their membership in EPP.  Once a student member of IEMSA graduates, he or she must relinquish their IEMSA membership status and transition into the IAEM.  Both our IEMSA Chapter and pending EPP Honor Society share the same vision and goals—to better the field of emergency management and homeland security by providing a venue for students to pursue academic excellence, which will benefit the sciences of emergency management and homeland security.

I want to encourage ALL emergency management and homeland security students to invest in YOUR future.  Join our IEMSA chapter and take advantage of opportunities it provides.  We had a stellar showing of our IEMSA Chapter members at the International Association of Emergency Manager’s conference in Orlando this year.  As I noted above, with over 185 members you have an instant network of colleagues.  Likewise, I want to encourage ALL of our students who have the GPA to consider joining EPP.  Membership in both organizations shows your commitment to the study and science of emergency management and homeland security.

Thanks everyone,

So, what really sets us apart from the rest you ask.  The answer is simple… it is each of YOU.  Each of you who manage a career, a family, and dozens of time conflicts daily–yet, manage to get the work turned in; manage to make that conference call for the student association; manage to become a leader and not a follower.  It isn’t any wonder that our EDM program is considered by University Administration to be the Flag Ship Program of the school.   Indeed, we are the flagship and the reason is the teamwork and dedication that each of you show every single day.

This blog dove tails back to my earlier blog on challenging yourself.  With that said, I want to challenge each of you to GET INVOLVED in our IEMSA Student Chapter.  Become a part of the most active and vibrant student association in the University.  Take a moment and visit the URL below and download/read our November edition of The Guardian!  Take a look at the wide contribution of all of our members.   The reason we are successful is because of the professional committment we have made to one another in pursuing higher education. Likewise, it is because we care a great deal about the science of emergency management and chose to be a part of the solution!

Here is the link:  https://www.box.net/shared/ixoh6cqfh4

Thanks everyone for reading my dribble!  Aside from my STRONG faith, I am also passionate about each one of YOU– my students!

This afternoon, our Emergency and Disaster Management made history.  Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate conducted a one hour conference call with our EDM students, faculty, and alumni.  Administrator Fugate was the first distinguished speaker in our AMU EDM Distinguished Speakers Series.  Much work was done behind the scenes to make this happen and had it not been for the efforts of our IEMSA Chapter President, Dorian Young and the Executive Committee, it would not have happened.  IEMSA Chapter members submitted questions to Dorian, Professor Kemp, and me over the past two months.  After numerous conference calls, questions were selected and asked to Administrator Fugate.  We will be airing the teleconference in its entirety in an upcoming broadcast of our Issues and Trends in Emergency Management on AMU Radio.  AMU Provost, Dr. Frank McCluskey welcomed Administrator Fugate to this hallmark event. Future guests in our Distinguished Speaker Series includes Dr. Joe Scanon, Professor Emeritus and Dr. Tom Drabek, Professor Emeritus and noted emergency management author.  Be sure to keep an eye out in the IEMSA classroom and in our LinkedIn Group. 

This is yet another example of the recognition of each of YOU and our EDM program.

Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran’s Day.  From across the United States, families will be attending parades and observances.  While we are with our families and friends, let us not forget the sacrifice of the men and women who are serving our country, protecting it from those who wish to do us harm. Remember, while we are enjoying a cold beer and hot dog, their reality is a lonely patrol through a Baghdad slum… protecting an airfield in Balad… or on coastal watch duty in the Persian Gulf… These FINE men and women are protecting our right to celebrate and remember those who served and protected our GREAT Nation.  The recent and horrible attack against our soldiers at Ft. Hood reminds us all of the ever present threat our men and women in uniform face each and every day. The fact this dastardly attack occurred within the United States by a fellow soldier makes this Veteran’s Day more sorrowful.

Let us not forget the meaning of Veterans Day. Officially, it commemorates the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. In 1954 it was renamed from Armistice Day and given the added significance of honoring veterans.  Today, it is a time to pay homage to the men and women who have served our GREAT Nation.  However you decide to celebrate this important day, be sure to stop and remember the men and women who fought and died for our country.  In many ways, their fight has helped create the freedom that allows us to enjoy days like this. Remember, freedom does not come free and servicemen and women who died in defending freedom died so we can all be free from oppression and tyranny.

To our Students, Alumni and Faculty who are wearing the uniform of our great Nation… thank you for your sacrifice to protect all of us.

Happy Veterans Day everyone…

Dr. Christopher M Reynolds, CEM, EFO, CFO
Program Director
LtCol (sel)., USAFR

Now that we have all returned from the International Association of Emergency Manager’s Conference and listened to outstanding educational session on everything from Mitigation and Exercise Evaluation to EOC Management and NIMS Multi-Agency Coordination Systems, we all are enthusiastic to start making a difference.  Many of us in emergency management have attended conferences and returned home, motivated to make changes and improve processes.  The unfortunate reality is often we discover that some do not want these changes and work against you or fail to support your ideas.  There are others, however, who are in a position where proactive changes or improvements can be made.  The important thing to remember, whether you can or cannot make improvements, never lose sight of the emergency management mission. 

It is important to remember this year’s theme– “Emergency Management: United We Stand”  We must remember that we have a wide network of students, professional civilian and military emergency managers, and faculty that are YOUR resources.  The value of our EDM group can be demonstrated by the membership of over 500 students, faculty and alumni in our EDM Group on LinkedIn.   Remember THAT group!  You have an unbelievable resource at your fingertips.  Many of our members have likely been where each of you are now.  You can benefit from their collective experiences.   As demonstrated at this year’s conference, AMU EDM students, alumni, and faculty DO STAND TOGETHER!!!

Next year the IAEM 58th Annual Conference & EMEX will be held in beautiful San Antonio, Texas from 30 October to 4 November 2010.  The IAEM theme in 2010 is “Talk the Talk—now, Walk the Walk…. ”. How fitting a title and theme!  As AMU students, alumni and faculty–we are in a perfect position to “Walk the Walk.”  Look at the Student Region officer elections this year…. AMU student Nancy Harris is President, AMU Student Mike Kelley is 1st Vice President, and AMU Student Jeannine “Jet” Holt is Secretary!!  Colleagues–these members are the incoming policy makers on the Student Region!  It is important that we provide them with meaningful and substantive recommendations to bolster the study and science of emergency management.   The fact that our IEMSA received the “Student Chapter of the Year“, under the leadership of Dorian Young, speaks volumes of each one of YOU!!  Likewise, the fact that our entire EDM academic program–bachelors and masters–received the “Academic Award” speaks volumes of each one of US. 

So, here is the challenge…. Make a difference, challenge the status-quo, make noise,  do what ever you can to increase the compendium of knowledge in emergency management.  If someone tells you no, find another way– be the voice of your community or area.  Remember, you are studying emergency management to make a difference.

EDM Master of Disaster Colleagues,

To say that I am proud doesn’t even come close to how I feel.  I just returned home from the IAEM conference and I cannot BEGIN to tell everyone the overwhelming footprint our EDM students, student chapter and program had at this year’s conference.  Professor’s Jane Rovins, Mike Kemp, Anthony Mangeri and I staffed the booth and we had a steady stream of prospective students visit.  Most noticeable, however, was the overwhelming number of current students and alumni that visited and helped!  We realized early on that next year, we will have a larger booth in San Antonio for our Master’s of Disaster to visit and network.  We had a number of Air Force Emergency Management personnel express interest in continuing in our program.   Next year, we are TEAMING UP with our Air Force Emergency Management colleagues and will be co-hosting a number of events.   It did not go un-noticed that USNORTHCOM was quite interested in our program!  We are also working on specific tracks for our students and our own EDM grad student Marine Corps Chief Warrent Officer Josh Nebelsiek,  Executive Officer of the elite Chemical, Biological, Radiological Initial Response Force (CBIRF) will be helping design the track.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the help behind the booth we received from 2008 alumni Dr. Karen Cieslewicz, M.D., and our Special Projects Director, Joe Rice.  We held an AMU EDM Social on Monday evening and had over 40 current students, alumni, and faculty in attendance.  Tuesday evening, our Program also hosted the IAEM Hospitality Suite.  But wait, it gets better…

 Today, our EDM program nearly swept the awards!  Our own IEMSA Student Chapter received the Student Chapter of the Year Award! AMU IEMSA President Dorian Young was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the officers and members of the Student Association.  Our entire EDM academic program also received the Academic Recognition Award and the presenter specifically stated it was due in large part to our commitment to our EDM students, both military and civilian. 

Incoming Student Region President (and EDM Graduate Student) Nancy Harris takes the reins in 2010.  Assisting her are fellow AMU students Mike Kelley as 1st Vice President and Jeannine “Jet” Holt as Secretary.  There are soooooo many names to mention and I am afraid that I will leave someone out. I do want to thank AMU EDM Graduate Alumni and former Student Region Vice President (and AMU Chapter President) Dan Hahn.  I also want everyone to know that, along with Dan Hahn, two of YOUR professors were instrumental in beginning the IAEM Student Region several years ago.  Professors Dr. Jane Rovins and soon to be Dr. Michael Kemp!  AMU’s Director of Special Projects was also on hand conducting video interviews of students and alumni.  I will let everyone know when they will be able to see these video interviews.

OK everyone…… here is the challenge….. IAEM Conference is in San Antonio next year and I want to see an even LARGER footprint of our Masters of Disaster!!!  I also want to ENCOURAGE YOU to consider participating in the IEMSA Poster Presentation Competition.  Also, IAEM is always looking for volunteers to assist in the conference.  Volunteers receive a $25 registration fee discount for each hour worked (with a minimum of two hours).  Additionally, taking advantage of this opportunity provides a forum for networking with key stakeholders at all levels of government, the private sector, public health and related professions in emergency management and homeland security–not to mention helping offset the cost of attending. It is noteworthy that SEVERAL AMU EDM students volunteered at this year’s conference.  I ask that our students that volunteered post your experiences here so others can see the impact of helping during the conference.

Be sure to tune in to AMU Radio and listen to our upcoming show, “Issues and Trends in Emergency Management“, which will feature our students nearly live from the Convention Floor!!!

 Thanks Everyone!!

Colleagues,

The American Public University System has a large and very active IAEM Student Chapter now in its fourth year. There are over 181 members and growing. The leaderships is provided by the elected Chapter Executive which includes  Dorian M. Young (President), S. Dawn Heyse (VP), Darren Endris (Secretary) and Jeremy Beck (Treasurer). Faculty co-sponsors are IAEM members/APUS Professors: Dr. Chris Reynolds and Dr. Mike Kemp. The APUS/IEMSA Chapter is in fact, the largest Student Chapter.

Evolving from strength to strength, the Chapter’s activities include:

• A dedicated, fully active, online, web site for announcements, information, postings & interactivity between members.
• Monthly meetings (teleconferences).
• Regular updates by the President to the Membership (voicemails).
• An informative and popular publication called The Guardian.
• Eminent guest speakers on subjects of EDM interest, (podcasts, video conferencing)
• The dispatching of APUS representatives and volunteers to various EDM conferences inside US and beyond.

The APUS/IEMSA Chapter Executive provide terrific leadership and administrative support in recruiting and dealing with members from an online educational community of students in 21 time zones. Nearly 85% of APUS’s students are in the military, and many more students are in first responder local agencies. APUS IEMSA’s primary goals are to provide service to the community and university, benefits to student members, and eventual transition to IAEM as regular members. For APUS students, “community” and “sharing” are key elements to the educational experience.

I want to encourage everyone following my Blog to JOIN our IEMSA STUDENT ASSOCIATION TODAY!!!  For more information,  contact: Dorian Young at  dorian@kador.com ,  Professor Mike Kemp at mk1275@online.apus.edu, or Dr. Chris Reynolds at creynolds@apus.edu.

Thanks everyone,

Chris