James Abner

Background

About James Abner

Prior to my position at FEMA, I served as the Chief of the Prevention Division for the City of Artesia. Prior to my position with the City of Artesia I spent 2 years as a consulting subject matter expert in the area of fire protection & emergency planning for the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This included conducting fire investigations, conducting fire safety evaluations, reviewing emergency plans, and evaluating the various fire departments contracted by the U.S. Army in Iraq. During my time there I worked on 46 separate bases, mainly Southern and Central Iraq. I developed and taught the Fire Science Degree Program at Crowder College from 2006 till 2008 and served as the Director of Fire Training at Missouri Southern State University for 8 years (2002 -2008). I hold a Master’s Degree in Emergency Management and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice; as well as, 4 undergraduate degrees (Business Administration & Management, Fire Science, Public Relations, and Journalism). I am currently working on my Doctorate in Public Administration (exp grad - 2021). I am currently a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM). I obtained my Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation in May 2014, my Chief Training Officer (CTO) in Feb 2015, and my Fire Marshal (FM) Designation in April 2013 from the Commission of Professional Credentialing. I am a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) from the International Association of Arson Investigators and I am a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) through the National Association of Fire Investigators. I completed the NFA's Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) in March 2016.