I last served as the Safety Officer for Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. My responsibilities include leading the hospital safety programs related to the environment of care, life-safety responsibility, and primary Emergency Manager. I served as the chair for the Environment of Care and Emergency Management Committees. Our Environment of Care team worked to identify safety issues within the facility (and offsite practices) and provide practical solutions, such as increase the brightness of the parking and walkway areas during dark hours, placing signs at crosswalks, and working closely with the city to provide amplified crossing warning lights at a busy crosswalk. I also serve as the lead for the Workplace Violence Prevention Program which prioritized CPI training, education, and leadership support for filing charges with local law enforcement. I worked with the Facilities Director to maintain Life Safety compliance. I lead a team that conducts, coordinates, and participates in the Environment of Care Survey/ Life Safety Inspection process to detect code violations, hazards, maintenance, cleanliness issues, and incorrect work practices and procedures. Our team also maintains, reviews, and updates all Environment of Care Management Plans.Our Emergency Management Team has flourished and accomplishments include: a larger space with redundant communications equipment for our Hospital Command Center; extensive training opportunities partnering with the Eastern Virginia Healthcare Coalition (EVHC), Center for Domestic Preparedness, and local public safety. I lead team building efforts in filling and training our staff in Hospital Incident Command (HICS). I lead team efforts in maintaining, reviewing, and updating the Emergency Operations Plan, Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA), and emergency response plans. I retired as a Battalion Chief with the Portsmouth (VA) Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services and serve as the City of Portsmouth’s Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management as my last assignment. I was hired by the City of Portsmouth (VA) as a firefighter in 1986. I have 29 years of experience in municipal firefighting, emergency medical service, and hazardous materials response. I enjoy the challenge of working to improve the organization and service delivery to our citizens. I work with the values of integrity, commitment, teamwork, honesty, and accountability. I welcome new ideas, challenges, innovation, and opportunities to improve others and myself.