PFESI Executive Director

Jerry is a professional advocate, educator, communicator, and program manager dedicated to administrative and operational excellence in emergency services. He is an innovative leader responsible for coordinating efforts to improve and sustain Pennsylvania’s emergency services organizations. He is passionate about teaching, research, analysis, and breaking down problems so better decisions can be made in crisis and routine situations. Jerry has developed several innovative educational programs and courses designed to improve relationships between local governments and emergency services organizations and administrative effectiveness. Jerry has lead teams and provided consultation and facilitation services to emergency services organizations and local governments.

Jerry has been serving in the volunteer and career emergency service sectors for the past 35 years. He is an active Volunteer Firefighter for the Hampden Township Volunteer Fire Company and formally served as a Chief Officer and line officer for 16 years. He is a member of the Command and General Staff for the South-Central Task Force All Hazards Incident Management Team and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Incident Management Team. Jerry currently serves full time as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fire & Emergency Services Institute, a statewide advocacy and education organization. He previously served as an Education Specialist for a national provider of emergency services insurance, a Director for a Community College Public Safety Training Center, Executive Director for a Regional EMS Council and Paramedic Coordinator for a Community Hospital. Jerry is also an Adjunct Instructor in the Integrated Emergency Management Program at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute and National Fire Academy.

Jerry is a graduate of the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy and the Master Exercise Practitioner Program at the Emergency Management Institute. He is a nationally certified Firefighter 2, Fire Officer 3, Fire Instructor 2 and Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic. Jerry has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. In 2004, Jerry graduated from Leadership Harrisburg Area, which is a community leadership-training program. In 2012, Jerry was awarded the Platinum Award for Servant Leadership from Leadership Harrisburg Area.