John McGowan, M.S., EMT-P
Bridgeton,NJ
Summary
Emergency management professional with over 20 years of extensive experience in crisis response, risk assessment, and strategic planning. Expertise in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, developing comprehensive emergency protocols, and ensuring community safety in high-pressure environments. Recognized for strong leadership, effective communication, and adaptability, consistently delivering optimal outcomes through collaborative efforts. Dynamic and results-oriented with a solid foundation in emergency medical care, excelling in rapid assessment and intervention while training personnel for effective crisis response.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management
US Department of Commerce/NOAA
01.2015 - Current
- Serve as the Deputy Director, fulltime permanent civilian position supporting the rotating military Director position.
- Serve as acting Director during vacancies and times when Director role remains vacant.
- Evaluate the risks confronting the Nation and NOAA’s essential infrastructure and workforce.
- In partnership with relevant agencies and liaisons, identify potential threats and work collaboratively with teams to minimize any effects on operations, personnel, and employee locations.
- In my role as Operations Director, I consistently monitor incidents across various hazards and deliver situational awareness reports and assessments to Assistant Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries
- I lead a team focused on creating training programs and exercises designed to equip agencies for continuity of operations and efficient incident management. Moreover, lead a team of experts to create trainings and exercises to improve the overall employee and manager responses to disasters, incidents, and emergencies.
- As the Deputy of the office, I manage personnel and budgetary duties, along with the strategic planning for the Office, employing diverse project management strategies to meet critical milestones and objectives.
- I concurrently hold the position of Director of the Incident Coordination Center, where I analyze the scope and impact of incidents and events that may influence personnel and mission effectiveness. Under my charge, the ICC remains in a ready stance 24/7 to react to incidents of all types.
- Lead the strategic initiatives to improve emergency management processes and operational efficiency.
- Evaluate post-incident reports to identify lessons learned, driving continuous improvement in emergency response protocols.
- As the Agency's subject matter expert in emergency management, I guide a team committed to enhancing the Agency's capabilities in managing risks and potential incidents. Enhancements include performing risk assessments, deliberative exercises, conducting after action reports specific to process improvement after incidents as well as the establishment of working groups across multiple Departments and Agencies
- Developed strategic plans to achieve organizational goals, ensuring alignment with company's mission and vision.
- Monitored performance metrics, analyzing trends to identify areas requiring attention or improvement.
- Managed budgets and financial resources effectively, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact.
- Liaised between organization and affiliates and managed networking relationships with funders, partners and vendors.
Director, Response Operations
FEMA Region III
01.2008 - 01.2015
- Serving as one of ten Response Division Directors in the country, I was responsible for overseeing the readiness for all types of incidents and managing the Federal response initiatives
- My role included supervising a workforce of 50 full-time employees, among whom were five senior government managers who reported directly to me
- I also led the FEMA 24-hour Operations Center, focusing on the management of data analysis and throughput concerning various potential incidents, including severe weather and man-made emergencies
- Under my leadership, FEMA Response Operations conducted a range of exercises, drills, and training programs with stakeholders to ensure effective response capabilities and support for survivors
- In times of crisis, I directed the collaborative response efforts of Federal agencies and the Department of Defense
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
- Enhanced community preparedness by developing and implementing comprehensive emergency management plans.
- Provided expert advice to senior leadership on matters related to emergency management, contributing valuable insights for decision-making purposes.
Paramedic
Cooper Health System
06.2025 - Current
- Deliver advanced life support and emergency care to patients in critical conditions.
- Collaborate with healthcare teams to assess patient needs and implement appropriate interventions.
- Monitor vital signs and recorded detailed patient information for medical records accuracy.
- Train new paramedics on protocols, equipment usage, and emergency response procedures.
- Lead community education initiatives on health awareness and emergency preparedness strategies.
- Deliver advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Deliver compassionate care to patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, traumas, strokes, and respiratory distress.
- Adapt treatment plans quickly and effectively based on changing patient conditions and reactions.
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities such as conferences or workshops to stay current on best practices in pre-hospital emergency medicine.
- Promote health equity within the community by offering culturally sensitive care to diverse populations while respecting individual preferences or needs.
- Educate patients and family members on medical treatments and therapies for informed support.
- Contribute to community outreach efforts by participating in public education events on CPR, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
- Provide critical incident stress debriefing to fellow emergency medical services personnel following traumatic calls, fostering a supportive work environment for all team members.
Paramedic
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center
04.2017 - 03.2025
- This was a part-time/per diem position
- In my capacity as a paramedic in a highly populated urban region of southern New Jersey, I serve on the leadership team as a per diem battalion chief and supervisor for field personnel
- As the battalion chief on duty, I lead a team of field paramedics and critical care transport nurses across two counties, as well as oversee the local medical emergency 911 system
- I am certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), and I have developed a range of advanced skills to meet critical patient needs, including Rapid Sequence Intubation
- Furthermore, I am a seasoned instructor and agency leader in critical incident stress management, dedicated to teaching fellow first responders how to assist those in crisis while also providing them with essential self-care tools
- Delivered compassionate care to patients with a variety of medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, traumas, strokes, and respiratory distress.
- Improved patient outcomes by providing timely and accurate assessments, treatments, and interventions.
- Documented patient care accurately using electronic medical records software according to regulatory guidelines for billing purposes and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Enhanced team efficiency through clear communication and collaboration during high-pressure emergency situations.
Paramedic
Virtua Health
04.2013 - 03.2017
- This was a part-time/per diem position
- Delegated life-saving tasks to provide comprehensive treatment to triaged patients in emergency situations.
- Performed intubations to secure airway in patients under respiratory and cardiac arrest.
- Delivered advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), basic life support (BLS), and pediatric advanced life support (PALS) under pressure.
- Administered continuous 12-lead electrocardiogram monitoring to record heart rhythms in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
- Identified appropriate medications based on potential interactions with other medicines, accurately calculating correct dosages according to drugs on hand and patient's weight.
- Educated patients and family members on medical treatments and therapies for informed support.
Military Intelligence Officer/Maritime Law Enforcement Officer/Search and Rescue Coordinator
United States Coast Guard
03.1997 - 12.2007
- Throughout my service with the United States Coast Guard, I was tasked with managing maritime law enforcement and conducting search and rescue operations
- I underwent training as a search and rescue coordinator, a maritime law enforcement officer, and a military intelligence officer
- My experience included leading and participating in search and rescue missions in adverse sea conditions, as well as engaging in initiatives against drug trafficking and migrant smuggling
- In my capacity as deputy commander, I supervised a team of expert tactical maritime law enforcement officers at the major ports of New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia
- Under my guidance, crews executed law enforcement operations in partnership with local and federal law enforcement agencies
- Furthermore, as the lead intelligence officer, I contributed to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, focusing on the evaluation of counter-terrorism operations
- Led team of 50 personnel for successful completion of vital missions, ensuring safety and effectiveness in operations.
- Collaborated with interagency partners to enhance information-sharing and coordination, resulting in more effective operational planning.
- Managed sensitive information with discretion, ensuring proper handling and dissemination to authorized personnel only.
- Advised senior military members and commanders based on intelligence findings.
- Analyzed intelligence data to assess threats and develop operational strategies.
- Conducted risk assessments to inform decision-making and enhance mission effectiveness.
- Led intelligence briefings, delivering critical insights to senior leadership for strategic planning.
- Mentored junior officers in analytical methodologies and investigative procedures for enhanced performance.
- Implemented counterintelligence measures to protect operational plans from potential adversary threats.
Education
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN08.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Dynamics
Lasalle University
Philadelphia, PA06.2004
crisis leadership
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
Cambridge, MA04.2017
Certificate - Critical Care Paramedic/Flight Paramedic
Creighton University
Omaha, NE04-2018
Some College (No Degree) - leadership resilience and employee management
Brookings Institute
Washington, DCSkills
- Organizational Strategy Development
- Expertise in Crisis Response Operations
- Team Coordination
- Emergency Management
- Risk Assessment
- Budget Planning
- Organizational Change Management
- Strategic planning
Accomplishments
- Completed a 12 day, 174 mile solo hike around Lake Tahoe to bring awareness to mental health and grief.
- Awarded and recognized at the Department level for leading the Agency's emergency response and resiliency during COVID-19.
- Collaborated with team of hundreds in the development of major incidents, such as Super Storm Sandy and Presidential Inaugurations (where I was the lead FEMA Response Director).
- Led several senior leadership briefs (White House and Department Secretary level) covering emergency response plans, likely impacts, and Federal responses to the incident at center of discussion.
- Successfully demonstrate zero-based budgets to better align with fiscal responsibility
- Positively affected patient outcomes during medical emergencies as an experienced paramedic.
- Supervised team of 30 staff members.
- Worked with emergency room physicians, addiction medicine, and trauma centers to develop comprehensive emergency medicine protocols.
Certification
- National Registry Paramedic
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Incident Command System (ICS) Certifications - Various levels provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Public Information Officer Training, US Coast Guard.
- EMT-Basic/Paramedic License
- Healthcare Provider BLS/CPR Certification- American Heart Association.
- Community Emergency Response Team Training(CERT)- Department of Homeland Security.
- Psychological First Aid
- Crisis Intervention Team Training
- Critical Incident Stress Management Instructor
- Hazardous Materials Operations
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certification - Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Tactical Combat Casualty Control-Dealing with mass casualty incidents/active shooter victim response.
Timeline
Paramedic
Cooper Health System
06.2025 - Current
Paramedic
Atlanticare Regional Medical Center
04.2017 - 03.2025
Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management
US Department of Commerce/NOAA
01.2015 - Current
Paramedic
Virtua Health
04.2013 - 03.2017
Director, Response Operations
FEMA Region III
01.2008 - 01.2015
Military Intelligence Officer/Maritime Law Enforcement Officer/Search and Rescue Coordinator
United States Coast Guard
03.1997 - 12.2007
Master of Science - Clinical Psychology
Capella University
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Dynamics
Lasalle University
crisis leadership
Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
Certificate - Critical Care Paramedic/Flight Paramedic
Creighton University
Some College (No Degree) - leadership resilience and employee management
Brookings Institute
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Other Education
- ICS 100, 200, 300, and 400
- ICS 449-Train the trainer
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
- Continuity of Operations