Penn State Intercom......January 23, 2003
Florida emergency manager
named dual coordinator 
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 the University 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 coordinator 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.
Jim Steff, executive director for COG, said 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 Office of Emergency Management, 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 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 Florida's Emergency Management Distinguished Service Award from 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. He is author of two Navywide training manuals and companion correspondence courses.
Abrams is a 1985 graduate of Regents College of Albany, N.Y., with a bachelor of science degree.