Responsible for the management of the Illinois Inter-Agency Strategic Planning Cell (ISPC), the planning products and response & recovery plans that are generated by the group. Additional responsibilities include serving as the Manager of the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during times of crisis in Illinois. This position will also require serving as the Accreditation Manager for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and the Designated Contact for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

At the March 2023 meeting of the National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) I assumed the role of Chair from my previous Vice-Chair role for the 2023-2024 year. It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure positive coordination among all NEPM members throughout the US as plan execute regular engagements and the NEPM meeting in 2024.

At the 2022 meeting of the National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) in Memphis, TN I was elected Vice-Chair for the 2022-2023 term. I will take the chair of the effort beginning in March of 2023 in Portland, Oregon at the NEPM meeting.

The outdoors are our collective greatest treasure and gift that we offer the next generation. Gear Forward, simply is about providing the next generation of stewards, adventurers, Scoutmasters and Girl Scout Leaders the resources they need to get outdoors. No child should be denied access to all the outdoors has to offer because they don't have the necessary equipment. Through the collection of gently used outdoor gear, Gear Forward will work with other worthwhile youth and outdoor focused organizations to get donated gear into the hands that need it.Scott Gauvin serves Gear Forward as the Executive Director, he is charged with the overall development of the organization and idea to get outdoor gear into the hands of our youth that need it. Scott is also the founder of a successful outdoor blog Hiking Forward and Co-Owner of Epic Social Adventures an adventure travel company for outdoor adventure bloggers. Scott knows all too well the struggles of wanting to be outside as a youth without the proper gear. As a member of the Boy Scouts, Scott was the recipient of hand me down gear from his beloved Scoutmaster until such a time when he could purchase his own. Now a proud Eagle Scout, Scott hopes to help boys and girls in the similar situation to ensure that those who crave being outdoors have the gear to meet their desire.

Provides primary coordination of Federal Emergency Management Programs who choose to adopt the EMAP Standard and seek accreditation under the standard.

Coordinated the second largest EMAC response ever by a State member during Hurricane Katrina.

Responsible for the strategic coordination and management of all state agencies during times of emergency, disaster response, exercises, and contingency planning. Coordinated functions and activities with the State Unified Commander, Unified Area Command Post(s), local authorities, federal authorities and private sector entities in response to incidents that threatened the public safety, welfare and confidence. Managed and evaluated the operation of the IEMA 24-hour Telecommunications Center.Planned and developed the standard operating procedure training program for the IEMA Telecommunications Center, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and the State Unified Area Command (UAC) in preparation for response to any natural or technological emergency or disaster affecting the state, and also for day-to-day operations.Instructed various courses for state agencies and local responders (EOC OPS & Management, ICS-EOC Interface, New SEOC Liaison Training, Groove Training & EMAC Field Course).Designed & implemented multiple incident management software applications for IEMA.Coordinated legislative and media briefings during times of SEOC activations for both in state and out of state disasters. Coordinated all out of state disaster deployments during Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) national activations.