Michael Gawel

Accomplished professional with over 15 years of expertise in Emergency Management, Incident Command System (NIMS/ICS), Training Design, Instruction, and implementation, Public Relations, and Administrative Coordination. Proven manager skilled in public safety, EOC/TOC Operations, budgeting, personnel, and volunteer management. Dedicated leader focused on enhancing organizational resilience and public safety through effective emergency preparedness strategies, program development, and grant acquisition. Experienced in diverse communication for stakeholder engagement and community relations.

• Arizona Association of Emergency Managers (AzEM), Maricopa County
• Securing the Cities (STC)- Program Management Office Coordinator, MCDEM
• Mass Casualty Tracking & Reunification Working Group (MCTRAC)
• Public Information Officer (PIO)- SACFD, 2015-2018
• Vice-President- BEMC, Emergency Shared Leadership Committee, 2022-2023
• EMS Chief Representative- Regional EMS Leadership & Training Group, 2019-2022
• President- EMS Division, SACFD, 2016-2022
• Regional Training Officer/ Lieutenant- SACFD, 2017-2022

• FEMA / Emergency Management Institute: ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 & 800,
• Professional Development Series (PDS), Advanced Professional Series (APS)- In Progress,
• L146- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP),
• ICS 244.b- Developing and Managing Volunteers,
• L962- All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) Type 3,
• O305- Planning Section Chief (PSC),
• G191- ICS-EOC Interface,
• AQS- Planning Section Chief Gold Card (Near Completion),
• Fire Instructor I- Pro-Board/IFSAC, Paramedic License-NREMT and State of Arizona,
• IAFC Company Officer Leadership Series I, II & III,
• Hazardous Materials Operations- Pro-board/IFSAC,
• Licensed Drone Pilot (UAV)- FAA

Strong training instructor with extensive experience in HSEEP best practices, including curriculum development and implementation guided by senior leaders that is capability-based and objective driven. Proven leader passionate about employee mentorship, training, coordination, and development. As a Regional Training Officer and Emergency Management Coordinator, I developed and implemented numerous training programs addressing identified departmental needs. Over recent years, I have designed and coordinated several full-scale and targeted functional trainings that incorporate regional assets, policies, and principles to enhance community resilience and increase public safety. Trainings include Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI), Active-shooter situations, Radiological terrorist attacks utilizing a Weapon of Mass Destruction (WMD) and EOC position specific training.

Experienced program manager and developer to include the creation of policies, procedures, training, and implementation plans for regional fire and police departments and the DHS-CWMD Securing the Cities PRND program. Authored Maricopa County-STC’s Operations Plan, Integrated Preparedness Plan, Equipment Plan, Standard Operating Procedures, Fire Department Administrative and Operational Policies, and Infectious Control Program and associated policies. Established COVID-19 Incident Management Team, ensuring that approximately 100-line firefighters, fire prevention, training, and administrative personnel were educated on the new program and associated novel procedures. Additional program development/management includes fabrication of EMS Division, PIO Program, State COVID-19 testing lab, and FAA compliant Drone (UAV) Program.

Proven background in preparing, managing, reconciling, and reviewing annual line-item budgets and grant funding research and acquisition. Expertise in sourcing, tracking, and warehousing supplies with involvement in researching, acquiring, and managing over $6M in Federal grant funds for the DHS-CWMD Securing the Cities Program and $1M in grant funding for the EMS division. 

Demonstrated leader, incident commander, and EOC Section Chief who excels in personnel management, critical thinking and decision-making, and stakeholder collaboration in routine and emergency situations. Ability to create, lead, and work within a cohesive and productive team through positive communication and coaching. Skilled at communicating with a diverse range of stakeholders to successfully mitigate emergency response situations, preparedness plans and trainings, and other administrative coordination requirements. Successful professional who routinely interacts, presents, and collaborates with all stakeholder levels, including regional fire and police departments, local, state, and federal government agencies.

• Worship Pastor- Purpose Chuch, Goodyear, AZ
• Worship Leader- Red Rocks Church, Lakewood, CO
• Phlebotomist- 9Health Fair