Helene Wetherington Email & Phone Number

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Support Community Disaster Resilience Zones in North Carolina

Lee County, Florida, United States

) Helene supported the long-term recovery and redevelopment of housing programs for Lee County in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Responsibilities focused on developing long-term housing strategies and advocating for Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds in direct support to the Lee County Department Human and Veteran Services.

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

In a coastal community of over 500,000 persons and 16 municipal jurisdictions, Mrs. Wetherington managed all phases of the all hazards, EMAP accredited Emergency Management program with the priority focus of building communication, coordination, and cooperation with whole community partners on all levels of government. She directs all hazards preparedness programs, mitigation, and recovery programs with goal of building a more resilient community.

Key West, Fl

Helene managed the long-term recovery and redevelopment program for Monroe County in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma serving as the intergovernmental liaison for county, municipal, state, and federal public and private organizations managing recovery and long-term redevelopment programs within the field of housing, infrastructure, economic redevelopment, and the environment. Responsible for the identification and acquisition of over $200 Million in external funds for community redevelopment activities. Coordinated the development and implementation of the Post Disaster Redevelopment Strategy and performed post disaster recovery policy analysis and advocacy focusing on climate resilience initiatives.

Miami / Uk Caribbean Overseas Territories

As the Disaster Management Advisor to the Caribbean Overseas Territories, Ms. Wetherington provided technical advice on disaster management issues, techniques and policies to territory Governors and Disaster Managers. She supports the development of all hazards disaster plans, training, exercises and annually implements the disaster management workshops. She is the governmental liaison with regional and international stakeholders building enhanced working relationships in disaster response and recovery. She is responsible for the strategic short and long-term prioritization and administration of capacity building funds to overseas governments. Working with the Royal Navy, she responded to Hurricanes Faye and Gonzalo.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area

Ms Wetherington served as the Emergency Management Services Director managing numerous preparedness, recovery, and long-term redevelopment programs and policies. For Palm Beach County, she led Herbert Hoover Dike planning efforts including a regional summit, behavioral survey, transportation study, and outreach products. She managed the long-term development and maintenance of various municipal emergency management programs (West Park, Surfside, Weston, and Medley) and supported numerous local governments in the development of CEMPs, supporting plans and procedures, NIMS compliant reorganizations, personnel training and ongoing exercises. CGA developed Catastrophic Plans, FEMA compliant Debris Management Plans, Post Disaster Redevelopment Plans, Economic Redevelopment Plans, Disaster Housing Plans, Continuity of Operations Plans, Hazard Specific Plans, Table Top and Functional Exercises, and training courses for Palm Beach County, Martin County, Orange County, Polk County, St. Lucie County, Collier County, Miami-Dade County, Osceola, Hernando and the cities of Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Pines, Davie, and many others.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Ms. Wetherington was the Project Manager for the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) assessment which was a national pilot program to evaluate the emergency management capability of 18 jurisdictions in the NCR against national standards. She participated in the NCR 2005 evacuation exercise. She supported the development of the NIMS compliant Emergency Operations Plan for the City of Chicago. Ms. Wetherington supported the implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directives 5 and 7 by drafting elements of the Universal Task List and the Target Capability List for the Department of Homeland Security. She also supported the development of the National Infrastructure Protection Program as a subject matter expert to the healthcare and public health sector. Furthermore, she provided direct support to the Office for Domestic Security in the revisions to the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and served as a HSEEP instructor. She has served as exercise evaluator on homeland security related exercises in the State of Nebraska andMassachusetts. She also supported the development of the Family of Emergency Workers Plan for the regional planning agency in Massachusetts.

Palermo Area, Italy

Ms. Wetherington administered DEM programs and personnel for planning, public outreach, training and exercise, recovery and mitigation programs. She served as liaison and coordinated with 37 municipalities, 100+ public/private/nonprofit partner organizations, state and federal government agencies ensuring consistency with State and National Response plans. Ms. Wetherington provided policy guidance in evacuation and shelter programs, as well as radiological emergency preparedness and anti-terrorism response programs. She oversaw personnel and strategic planning processes, grants and contracts, and 14 million dollar budget. Ms. Wetherington was a member of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force and played a key role in response to over a dozen natural disasters and terrorist events in Palm Beach County. During her tenure with Palm Beach County, she responded to over a dozen large scale disasters including Hurricanes, Floods, Tornadoes, and the Boca Raton Anthrax attack. Her responsibilities included management of the Emergency Operations Center during activations and coordination with internal and external organizations at all levels of government.

Florida

Ms. Wetherington participated in statewide disaster deployments to over 10 federally declared disasters in Florida acting as response liaison in local EOCs and in the DFO during recover operations. As a state representative in the local EOC, she was responsible for supporting local evacuation decision making and regional coordination among counties. As a representative in the State Emergency Operations Center she was responsible for the coordination of resources to local governments and information and planning activities. She provided planning and training support related to all hazards preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Ms. Wetherington monitored county EMPA grants totalling $800,000, and reviewed Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans (CEMPs) and five year strategic plans. Sheadministered regional training programs, evaluated table-top and full-scale exercises, and conductedarea meetings and presentations. Ms. Wetherington also served as State liaison to local, federal,private, and volunteer organizations on all related programs and policies. She coordinateddevelopment, review and exercise of SARA Title III hazardous materials plans (EPCRA) and CEMPs.Ms. Wetherington served as Coordinator between state, regional, and local government entities andfederal funds distribution and provided staff support, research, and policy developmentrecommendations for the State Emergency Response Commission.

Master Of Science - Ms, City/Urban, Community And Regional Planning

Master Of Public Administration - Mpa, Public Administration

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Political Science And Government