National Preparedness Month Spotlight: NOVA’s Own Emergency Management Team

As we come to the close of September and await the first potential tropical storm to come our way, we remember that September is National Preparedness Month. We offer our special thanks and a spotlight to our own Office of Emergency Management & Safety (OEMS) for their guidance, direction and training to the College and its students, faculty, staff and visitors in the prevention, protection, response and recovery from all incidents or events. Each September, during National Preparedness Month, we try to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.

The Office of Emergency Management and Safety (OEMS) is a resource for the NOVA community before, during and after emergencies. Their planning, training and preparedness make NOVA a resilient college that is prepared for, responds to and recovers from natural and man-made disasters or events. They also serve as a link to the federal, state and local emergency management officials and to public safety agencies.

OEMS staff include:

Thomas Mayhew, director of emergency management and safety
Tom joined NOVA in 2012 after work in law enforcement, fire, rescue, DHS and FEMA. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, is a certified Virginia Professional Emergency Manager (VaPEM) and a Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP).

Brenda DeRamus, deputy director, Office of Emergency Management and Safety – Medical Education Campus (MEC) and Woodbridge
Brenda joined NOVA in 2011 after working for VDOT in the regional headquarters and a long career in law enforcement with the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office. Brenda brings many years of experience in physical security, emergency preparedness and emergency management. Brenda oversees both emergency management coordinators and manages overall day-to-day operations at the campus-level. She was instrumental in the smooth operation of the refugee sheltering event last summer at the Ernst Center in Annandale.

David Cook, college safety manager (Environmental Health and Safety)
David is the college safety manager and brings many years of experience in safety from the private construction industry. He joined NOVA in 2018. His work in the past has included work for FEMA in safety operations during disasters. David is certified to conduct ergonomic surveys as part of his EHS responsibilities. He also manages the college Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program and the college Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) system.

Robert Corwin, College Exercise and training coordinator
Rob has been with the College since 2011 when he worked with the NOVA Police Department.  In 2021, Rob decided a career in emergency management training and exercises would broaden his knowledge and allow him further interaction with the College community using the FEMA “all hazard” approach to preparing faculty, staff and students at NOVA. Rob also manages the College Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT) and the college CPR/Stop the Bleed programs.

Steven Kling, College emergency planner
Steve joined NOVA in 2022 after a career with the Prince George’s County Fire Department for nearly 30 years. His knowledge of emergency operations and skill set for emergency operations make him an asset to planning for emergencies here at NOVA. Steve is the primary writer of college emergency action plans, the emergency operations plan, the state-managed shelter plan, and he is the manager of the college Continuity of Operations tool, VEOCI.

Kenniston Aime, emergency management coordinator – Alexandria and Annadale
Ken is a new addition to the Office of Emergency Management and Safety, starting in September 2022. His background of 25 years in fire and rescue has prepared him for the work here at NOVA. We look forward to Ken’s expertise in preparing for and responding to incidents or events on his two campuses, and across the college.

Jason Kendrick, emergency management coordinator – Loudoun and Manassas
Like Ken, Jason is a new addition to the Office of Emergency Management and Safety, also starting in September 2022. Jason’s background in fire and rescue operations at the level of assistant chief, and in physical security for Fairfax County Schools, has prepared him for the challenges of NOVA. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in preparing for and handling emergency situations.

For questions regarding the work that NOVA’s Office of Emergency Management & Safety (OEMS) does, please contact Tom Mayhew, tmayhew@nvcc.edu.

Submitted by:
Hoang Nguyen, Assoc. Director of External Comms., HDNguyen@nvcc.edu