Committees and working groups are the spaces where FEPA members shape the future of our association, share expertise, and build lasting connections. By volunteering your time and skills, you strengthen both the Association and Florida’s emergency management community.
Whether you want to dive into policy, share technical expertise, or help grow our membership, there’s a place for you. Every member has something to contribute, and together we make FEPA stronger.
The Alert Florida Working Group provides a forum for sharing best practices and technical expertise on emergency alerts, notifications, and communications.
What They Do: Discuss and improve statewide alert and notification systems.
Share technical expertise and lessons learned. Provide recommendations to strengthen communication tools.
Why It Matters: This group helps ensure Florida emergency managers are ready to send accurate, timely alerts when it matters most.
Contact to Get Involved:
John Mulhall, Co-Chair | Walt Disney World Emergency Management Stephanie Robinson, Co-Chair | Brevard County Emergency Management
The County EM Program Directors Working Group connects county emergency management leaders to collaborate and share strategies.
What They Do:
Exchange solutions to common county-level challenges. Provide technical assistance and peer support. Coordinate responsibilities among county programs.
Why It Matters: This group strengthens Florida’s emergency management system by ensuring county directors learn from and support each other.
Contact to Get Involved:
Jennifer Nagy, Co-Chair, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Patrick Fuller, Co-Chair, Charlotte County Emergency Management
The Healthcare Working Group brings together healthcare partners and emergency managers to improve readiness across the state’s healthcare system.
What They Do:
Share best practices in healthcare preparedness. Provide input on planning and training requirements. Mentor colleagues and support compliance efforts.
Why It Matters: Healthcare systems are critical during disasters, and this group ensures hospitals, clinics, and providers are ready to respond.
Contact to Get Involved:
Keith Wall, Co-Chair, Palm Beach County Emergency Management Natasha Strokin, Co-Chair, Memorial Healthcare System
This group engages emergency management professionals, students, and faculty in advancing research and practice in higher education. .
What They Do:
Share research, lessons learned, and best practices. Collaborate on emergency planning for campuses. Mentor and engage student members.
Why It Matters: Campuses serve thousands of students, staff, and visitors. This group helps higher education institutions strengthen safety and resilience, and new student members enter their career in emergency management.
The Mass Care Working Group focuses on the complex needs of disaster sheltering, feeding, and human services.
What They Do:
Address statewide mass care issues. Share resources, training, and peer-to-peer support. Provide guidance on planning and coordination.
Why It Matters: Mass care is essential to disaster response. This group ensures professionals are prepared to meet the needs of affected communities.
Contact to Get Involved:
Lauren Possinger, Co-Chair | Brevard County Emergency Management Shannon Hagan, Co-Chair | Florida Division of Emergency Management
The Mentoring Working Group builds meaningful connections between new and experienced professionals.
What They Do:
Pair mentors and mentees through FEPA’s mentorship program. Provide coaching, guidance, and professional support. Create opportunities for leadership development.
Why It Matters: Mentorship strengthens the FEPA Family by growing the next generation of emergency management leaders.
Contact to Get Involved:
Jessica Geib, Co-Chair | Pinellas County Emergency Management Dana McGeehan, Co-Chair | Lake County Emergency Management
The Mitigation Working Group helps communities prepare for and reduce the impacts of disasters before they happen.
What They Do: Share best practices on hazard mitigation planning. Provide input on state and federal mitigation initiatives. Guide members in managing mitigation grants.
Why It Matters: Proactive mitigation saves lives and resources. This group helps communities take action long before disaster strikes.
Contact to Get Involved: Laura Nelson, Co-Chair | St. Johns County Emergency Management Laura Dhuwe, Co-Chair | Florida Division of Emergency Management
The Municipal Working Group connects city emergency managers to exchange strategies tailored to municipal challenges.
What They Do: Share information and best practices. Provide expertise in coordinating municipal programs. Collaborate with allied jurisdictions.
Why It Matters: Cities are on the frontlines of disaster response. This group ensures municipal emergency managers are equipped and supported.
Contact to Get Involved:
Billy Weinshank, Co-Chair | City of Port St. Lucie Emergency Management Michael Nevarez, Co-Chair | City of North Port Emergency Management
The REP Working Group specializes in radiological incident planning and response.
What They Do: Provide training and exercise support for REP programs. Share expertise on radiological transportation and site-specific issues. Promote statewide REP preparedness.
Why It Matters: Radiological emergencies require specialized expertise. This group ensures Florida is prepared for these complex scenarios.
Contact to Get Involved: Ian Craig, Co-Chair | Brevard County Emergency Management Jeff Harkcom, Co-Chair | Martin County Emergency Management
The WebEOC Working Group supports statewide use of the WebEOC platform for emergency management operations.
What They Do: Provide training, troubleshooting, and peer support. Advise on statewide WebEOC policies and integration. Share lessons learned to improve consistency across jurisdictions.
Why It Matters: WebEOC is a core tool in emergency response. This group helps ensure those utilizing the system can do so effectively.
Contact to Get Involved: Mike Shaw, Co-Chair | Collier County Emergency Management Colby Maxwell, Co-Chair | Florida Division of Emergency Management
