Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee’s Chip Reilly Celebrates Professional Achievement in Emergency Management
Yesterday, May 15, 2023, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Acting Director Dawn Brantley recognized the first cohort to complete the Massachusetts Professional Emergency Manager (MPEM) program. The group of 16 emergency managers, representing 10 agencies and organizations across the Commonwealth, participated in a combination of training courses and practical experience to demonstrate their commitment to the emergency management profession and mastery of the field. Among them was William “Chip” Reilly, Emergency Management Specialist for the Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee.
“The field of emergency management is experiencing monumental changes – from the increasing frequency and severity of weather-related hazards due to climate change, to new mission areas such as humanitarian response,” said MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “This inaugural MPEM cohort represents a diverse group of emergency managers from various sectors who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to gaining the knowledge and experience to be successful in their roles.”
In a ceremony held at MEMA Headquarters yesterday, nine cohort participants were celebrated for meeting associate-level MPEM qualifications, and seven received recognition at the specialist level. Program participants complete a minimum of 15 training courses and at least six practical criteria, including emergency management exercises, real-world and professional contributions spanning three categories: planning and preparedness; response and operations; and mitigation and recovery.
MEMA launched the MPEM program in 2022 to promote a standard level of training, experience, and education among Massachusetts emergency managers and to acknowledge the achievements of local emergency management professionals. Individuals who received recognition for fulfilling program criteria represent the following communities and agencies: Becket, Braintree, Brookline, Hanson, Lakeville, Uxbridge, Barnstable County, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
MPEM is open to anyone employed or appointed in Massachusetts as an emergency manager or who holds a position with emergency management as a core responsibility. To learn more about the program and apply, visit www.mass.gov/mema/MPEM.
Photo: Participants recognized at the May 15th ceremony for the Massachusetts Professional Emergency Manager Program include (alphabetical):
- Andrew Bagdonas, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Communications & IT Manager
- David Bryant, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director for Planning & Preparedness
- John Burke, Town of Sandwich Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director
- Scott Carrigan, Town of Salisbury Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director
- Raymond Ferrin, Town of Becket Emergency Management Director
- Scott Flebotte, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Local Coordinator
- Pamela Garant, Town of Lakeville Deputy Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director
- Jaclyn Hamel, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Operations Program Manager
- Christopher Marsden, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Local Coordinator
- Robert Millette, Town of Braintree Emergency Management Director
- Marc Montminy, Town of Uxbridge Emergency Management Director
- Robert O’Brien, Town of Hanson Deputy Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director
- Allen Phillips, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Regions I & II Manager
- William A. (Chip) Reilly, Barnstable County Emergency Management Specialist
- Bonnie Roy, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Regions III & IV Manager
- Cheryl Snyder, Town of Brookline Emergency Management Coordinator