Richard Nicklas

Background

About Richard Nicklas

Biography: Richard Nicklas, Branch Chief, National Preparedness Division, FEMA R-1 Rick joined FEMA in December of 2007 following a thirty year career with the United States Army that incorporated both uniform and civilian duties. Rick currently serves as the Floodplain Management & Insurance Branch Chief within the regional Mitigation Division. Rick supervises five employees that are responsible for the program management and regional compliance to the National Flood & Insurance Program (NFIP). Their dutties emcompass all aspects of the NFIP and are assisted by state and local counterparts that are building a greater resiliency to flooding within New England. Prior to being assigned his current duties within the Mitigation Division Rick was the Regional Integration Branch Chief within National Preparedness Division and was responsible for the supervision and support of eight permanent full time employees, two CORES, a summer university intern, and a contractor supporting community preparedness. Rick’s Team was responsible for coordinating, facilitating, and supporting community and individual preparedness activities, regional and internal training and exercise support, continuity of operations, and validation of regional stakeholder National Incident Management System (NIMS) qualifications. Prior to being selected as the Regional Integration Branch Chief Rick served as the Deputy Federal Preparedness Coordinator (D/FPC), and as the Preparedness Analysis and Plans Officer (PAPO). Rick has held many emergency assignment positions in support of regional disaster response and currently serves as the State Liaison Officer (SLO) to Massachusetts. Rick was honorably retired from the U.S. Army as an Infantry Sergeants Major, following a twenty-five year career. Rick enjoys reading, fishing, hiking with “Charley” his Labrador Retriever, and visiting with his two grandchildren.