TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan Elected as President of the National Emergency Management Association

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan was named president of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), for a one-year term leading the professional organization of emergency managers.

NEMA is the professional association of and for emergency management directors from all 50 states, eight U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. It is dedicated to enhancing public safety by improving the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all emergencies, disasters, and threats to our nation's security.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve Tennesseans and the emergency management community,” said Sheehan. “It’s motivating to work alongside emergency managers from across the country and I’m looking forward to bringing innovative ideas and driving change towards a more prepared and resilient future.”

Director Sheehan has led the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency since May 2016 and has directed numerous response and recovery efforts, including the worst urban-wildland interface fire in Tennessee history. He currently chairs Tennessee’s State Emergency Response Council, Vice-Chairs the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium’s Board of Directors, is a member of the Nashville JTTF, Tennessee’s Cyber Security Council, the Public Safety Advisory Council for FirstNet, and serves on other emergency management, homeland security and public safety organizations. Sheehan previously served in several roles with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency from 2003-2016.

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About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and, at www.tn.gov/tema.