Robert J. Leahy, Jr., ED.D.
Emergency Management and Emergency Preparedness Professional Experience
CERT Association of Illinois
Mar 2023 to Present
Association Member
- The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, which allows them to focus on more complex tasks. Through CERT, the capabilities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters is built and enhanced.
- An unpaid volunteer supporting the association as an Information Technology Specialist creating and updating Emergency Management/Emergency Preparedness documentation for training and exercise events.
- An instructor for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency-Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) CERT Train-the-Trainer course hosted and supported by the association.
Palatine Emergency Management Agency, Palatine, IL
Apr 2010 to Mar 2016
Training Coordinator
- An unpaid volunteer position that supports the Emergency Management (EM) program by providing expertise in the research, planning, facilitation, implementation, and coordination of training for Emergency Management Agency (EMA) volunteers.
- Ensure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other relevant agency compliance as it relates to training and certification of EMA personnel and volunteers.
- Coordinate and maintain an overall schedule of events, training and projects to ensure conflicts are minimized.
- Identifies training needs for, and evaluates effectiveness of, training provided to all EMA personnel.
- Support the EMA volunteer programs and response teams by: developing additional volunteer opportunities ensure the appropriate use of volunteer teams, liaise with volunteer leadership in support of their mission.
- Schedules and coordinates the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program offered quarterly by the Village of Palatine.
- Contributes to the training program as an instructional designer, teacher, or subject matter expert for various emergency management/emergency preparedness classes/courses to include CERT training.
- An instructor for the IEMA CERT Train-the-Trainer course.
Palatine Emergency Management Agency, Palatine, IL
Aug 2004 to Apr 2010
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Member
- An unpaid volunteer position that supports the Emergency Management program.
- The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
- Assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
My background, education and writing examples in Emergency Management/Emergency Preparedness is found on the following pages:
