September 23, 2021

PRESS RELEASE  

Snohomish County Emergency Management Director Graduates from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy

Emmitsburg, MD— On September 16, 2021, Jason Biermann, Snohomish County’s Emergency Management Director, graduated from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy (NEMEA) at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD. He completed the full curriculum that supports the advancement of the emergency management profession at strategic, policy, and executive leadership levels. In doing so, Mr. Biermann joined approximately 300 previous alumni of the program.

“Jason Biermann has saved thousands of lives over the last 20 months, and he never stops trying to do more, looking around the next corner, preparing for the next surprise, leading our response efforts,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “As a member of one of the most selective Army units and later a firefighter, he has learned how to get things done and bring people together to solve complex challenges. Jason served as one of the Sentinel Honor Guards for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and we are grateful that he honors us with his protection every day. We are incredibly fortunate to have him running the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management and providing expert advice to county and regional leaders. This latest achievement of completing the FEMA Executive Academy puts him in elite company of emergency management professionals and another testament to his devotion to his community and his profession.”

FEMA selects 30-35 NEMEA participants each year from a national applicant pool. The Executive Academy selects instills emergency management leaders with a deeper understanding of contemporary and emerging emergency management issues, debates, and public policy.  It also provides the opportunity to work collaboratively, share best practices, and participate in exercises with other senior leaders facing similar challenges.  FEMA’s National Emergency Management Executive Academy is for senior executives at the pinnacle of their careers. It’s the final phase of FEMA’s Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP).  

The EMPP provides a lifetime of learning for emergency managers. The NEMEA is one of three separate programs that comprise the EMPP. The other two programs are the National Emergency Management Basic Academy, which cover introductory concepts for emergency managers new to the field, and the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy. The Advanced Academy develops the next generation of emergency management leaders in advanced concepts and issues, advanced leadership and management, critical thinking, and problem solving. Mr. Biermann previously graduated from the Advanced Academy and currently serves as faculty for that program. 

For more information on FEMA’s training classes through the Basic, Advanced, and Executive Academies, or other emergency management courses, go to:   http://training.fema.gov/empp/.