About
The NORA Public Safety Sector Council brings together individuals and organizations with a shared interest in improving safety and health for workers in this sector. Council members share information, form partnerships, and promote solutions that work. Learn more about the Public Safety Sector Council and its current members.
Outreach
PFAS Webinar
The Council hosted the webinar, State of Research and Practice for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The webinar featured presentations from a diverse group of researchers, collaborators, and partners around PFAS in the public safety sector.
A summary of the webinar, Extinguishing the Risk of Forever Chemicals: State of the science to protect first responders was also published on the NIOSH Science Blog.
Description
The Public Safety sector includes five sub-sectors:
- Fire service
- Wildland fire fighting
- Law enforcement
- Emergency medical services
- Corrections
These occupations fall under four specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and are among some of the most dangerous. On a daily basis, these workers respond to emergencies that threaten people's life, well-being, property, peace, and security, and may be putting their health, safety, and even lives on the line. Public safety workers are exposed to a variety of risks and stressors. They sometimes experience serious injuries from motor vehicle incidents, workplace violence, and musculoskeletal injuries.
The NIOSH Public Safety Program facilitates the work of the Council and coordinates NIOSH research in this sector.
Members
The NIOSH Public Safety Program manager and coordinators help to facilitate the work of the Public Safety Council. The council has one chair held by a working partner. Members attend meetings and participate in workgroups.
Current members
Sean DeCrane
Council Co-Chair
International Association of Fire Fighters
Maryann D’Alessandro
NIOSH Program Manager
Wesley R. Attwood
NIOSH Program Coordinator
NIOSH
Christina Kander
NIOSH Program Assistant Coordinator
NIOSH
Meghan Kiederer
Communications Coordinator
NIOSH
Lt. Gary Backous
Story County (IA) Sheriff’s Office and National Sheriffs’ Association
Harold Boyles
Carol Brown
University of Colorado, Colorado School of Public Health, Center for Health, Work & Environment
Jeff Burgess
University of Arizona
Corey R. Butler
U.S. Department of the Interior
Richard Campbell
National Fire Protection Association
Sylvie I. Cohen
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Chip Darius
Safety Priority Consultants, LLC
Andrea Edminston
National Association of Police Organizations
Mazen El Ghaziri
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Ian Emmons
International Association of Fire Chiefs/Health and Survival Section
Kenny Fent
Curt Floyd
Daniel R. Gerard
International Association of Emergency Medical Service Chiefs
Mark Greene
National Institute of Justice
Paula Grubb
Bill Johnson
National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO)
Gary L. Krichbaum
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Kerry Kuehl
Oregon Health and Science University/Chief Health Promotion & Sports Medicine
TJ MacKay
Captain/Paramedic, Sun City West Fire Department
Brian J. Maguire
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Department of Emergency Health Services
Elizabeth Maples
Philip Mattson
Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate
Neil McMillan
International Association of Fire Fighters
Richard Miller
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)/Fire Service Program Manager/Safety, Health and Survivability Section
Susan Moore
Milton Nenneman
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate
P. Daniel Patterson
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Department of Emergency Medicine
Tyler Quinn
West Virginia University
Shane Ray
Congressional Fire Services Institute
Audrey Reichard
Max Savereid
U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Emergency Medical Services
Daniel Sheffield
Fraternal Order of Police
George Sims
Denise Smith
Skidmore College, Health and Exercise Sciences Department
Kathy Sullivan
ASHES2A.R.T.
Hope Tiesman
John Tippett
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Kristen Wheldon
Fire Service Psychology Association
Danny Whu
International Association of Fire Fighters
Gamunu Wijetunge
U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Margaret Wilson
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency