Past Events

On March 10, 2022, the University of Delaware Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers hosted a virtual career panel with participants from emergency management consulting companies. We were honored to have panelists:

Jim Weldin, Manager CSEPP Support IEM

Chris Tarantino, Founder of Epicenter Innovation

Tanya Shannon, Deputy Director of Recovery, Hagerty Consulting

Evan Koepke, Operations Manager, Constant Associates

On February 17, 2022, the University of Delaware Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers hosted a virtual career panel with participants from the private sector. We were honored to have panelists:

Lorraine Schneider, Global Crisis Manager, The Walt Disney Company; Founder of E.M. Growth Initiative

Ron Derrick, Emergency Manager, Whataburger Command Center

Charlie Salinas, Business Continuity and Emergency Manager, GM Financial

On March 30, 2021, the University of Delaware Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers hosted a virtual talk: Public Health, Public Service, and Disasters: Lt. Gov. Hall-Long’s COVID-19 Experience. We were honored to have the Lt. Governor share her unique and extensive experience. She shared about her role as a public health expert, a public servant, and advocate for mental health, and the role she played in managing COVID-19 in Delaware.  

On November 12, 2020, the University of Delaware Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers hosted a virtual talk: Community Partnerships for Disaster Preparedness by Jonna Papaefthimiou from the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management. She shared her experience working with many different partners and forming relationships with underrepresented groups in the Portland, OR area. 

On October 9, 2020, the University of Delaware Chapter of the International Association of Emergency Managers hosted a virtual talk: Responding to COVID-19: A Cross-Jurisdictional Look. Four professional Emergency Manager panelists from local to federal jurisdictions discussed their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each panelist talked about their experience and answered audience questions.

Panelists:

MaryAnn Tierney – FEMA Region III, Administrator

AJ Schall – Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Director

David Tynan -City of Newark Fire Marshal & Emergency Management Coordinator

Willie Patrick- City of Wilmington Director of Emergency Management

On April 15, 2020, chapter members met virtually with University of Delaware Emergency Manager Mark Seifert. Mark provided a presentation and answered questions about how UD handled the COVID-19 pandemic on campus, and ongoing concerns. He also shared how emergency managers were staying communicating and coordinating while working from home. 

On February 7, 2020, chapter members traveled to Washington DC to observe different facets of emergency management. The day started off with a tour of the White House. Members then met with the Smithsonian Institute Office of Emergency Management. Next up was the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative. Finally, the chapter met with the Risk Management Directorate’s Communications and Management Division at FEMA. It was a very busy day filled with new experiences across the emergency management spectrum. Thank you to everyone who met with us! 

On November 6 2019, Charla Marchuk and Zane Hadzick, floodplain mangers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, spoke to members of the University of Delaware community. They shared their experience getting into the field of emergency management and the multiple positions they had working up to their current positions. 

On October 23 2019, Jom Eberwine, a retired National Weather Service forecaster and current Emergency Management Coordinator for Absecon, NJ, spoke with the University of Delaware community. He discussed his experiences as a a weather forecaster for the United States Marines, advising presidential aircraft during the Nixon administration, and forecasting for the National Weather Service.  

On September 17, the National Weather Service hosted their SKYWAN Storm Spotter training on the University of Delaware campus, sponsored by IAEM@UD. Chapter members joined community members to learn about different types of impactful weather and were certified to report weather to the National Weather Service.

On September 13, IAEM@UD members visited the New York City 9/11 Museum & Memorial. Afterwards, members met with several staff members of the New York City Office of Emergency Management to talk about their professional experience, job opportunities, and see their facilities. 

On May 10, IAEM@UD members visited the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). Members were able to ask questions and network with DEMA staff to gain a deeper understanding of their work and the emergency management profession. We look forward to future opportunities with them. 

Mark Seifert, the Emergency Manager for the University of Delaware provided an overview of his position and areas he needs to consider overusing a large campus. He shared insightful experiences of his varied career a a Delaware State Trooper to his current emergency management role. He talked about the planning process and other considerations we need to take into account for our future careers.

We hosted a virtual discussion with a FEMA recruiter who shared insights on applying for FEMA jobs, and what to expect through the application process.