Florida Emergency Manager
Named Coordinator For Penn State-Centre Region

January 17, 2003
University Park, Pa. --- Stephen Abrams, emergency manager of Alachua County, Fla., which includes the city of Gainesville and the University of Florida, has been named the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Centre Region Council of Governments and Penn State, effective Feb. 17.

The new position will develop and implement emergency response procedures for the COG and Penn State jointly. He will develop plans and training programs in conjunction with county, state and federal emergency management officials.  During an emergency declared by the municipalities of COG, the EMC will report to the COG Emergency Management Council.  The position is jointly funded by the University and COG, and will be administratively housed in University Police.

"Steve's professional experience and credentials make him an excellent candidate to lead our communities in continued preparedness for disasters and emergencies," said Thomas Harmon, director of University Police.

Jim Steff, executive director for COG, added, "This innovative partnership between the University and COG in sharing a single employment position will promote coordinated emergency operations planning that will benefit both town and gown."  He anticipates that this regional approach to emergency management will serve as a model for other Pennsylvania communities. In 2002, the COG received a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to assist in implementing this new position.

Abrams has led the Alachua County's Emergency Operations, coordinating the county's emergency preparedness and response to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, hazardous materials accidents and other threats, such as potential terrorism.  He also is a certified Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) and an Experienced Rapid Response Team member for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which assists communities throughout the state that experience such a threat. 

A 22-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, he joined Alachua County as assistant emergency manager in 1992 and was named emergency manager in 1997. He received the prestigious State of FloridaÕs Emergency Management Distinguished Service Award from Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, recognizing his efforts during the wildfire season of 2000.

Abrams also was a naval occupational safety and health manager, overseeing industrial, maritime and aviation operations on five military installations with more than 7,000 personnel. As a subject matter expert, he is author of two Navy-wide training manuals and companion correspondence courses.

A full-blooded Seneca Indian from Salamanca, N.Y., Abrams is a 1985 graduate of Regents College of Albany, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree.

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Contact:
Vicki Fong (814) 865-9481 (o)/ (814) 238-1221 (h) vfong@psu.edu