Preparing for the Next Emergency
Wednesday, March 17, 7 p.m. via ZOOM
Speakers: John Donnelly, DC Fire and Rescue
Chief Ned Sherburne, Fire/Rescue Chief for Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad,
Samantha Nolan, Metropolitan Police Department Citywide Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention Trainer

Are you prepared for the next emergency? Are your emergency contacts written down?  How about prescriptions, allergies, and other critical medical information?  Do you know where an emergency technician would look for this information?  Speaking of emergency technicians, should you call 9-1-1 or Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue? What hospital would you go to? Would this be different if it was a particular kind of injury, for example, eye problem? Has COVID changed how emergency services respond? Is an evacuation possible and what do I need to do to be prepared for such a contingency? These questions will be answered by our panelists so think about the questions you need answered and join us on March 17!

Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr. has led the 2,100 member DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. since December 2020. Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr. started his career with DC Fire and EMS in 1992 and over the course of his career he has served in a variety of roles including Division Commander of Special Operations, Homeland Security, and Apparatus Division. Chief Donnelly serves on numerous committees supporting regional and national preparedness, including the International Association of Fire Chiefs Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Fire Chief’s Committee.

Fire/Rescue Chief Edward G. (Ned) Sherburne has been a member of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad since 1978. He has led the predominantly volunteer department for 12 years. Chief Sherburne serves in the Montgomery County Fire/Rescue command structure at the Duty Operations Chief level, maintains certification as a Maryland/National Registry EMT-Paramedic and is an active MCFRS command officer. Chief Sherburne is also experienced in medical support of law enforcement operations, emergency preparedness and continuity planning. Chief Sherburne commands a dedicated group of volunteer officers who manage the 150 active volunteer members.

Samantha Nolan is CERT and Neighborhood Corps trained and a member of the Neighborhood Corps Council for the District of Columbia. In this position, she works with city officials to develop emergency preparedness programs citywide. She developed a portable “To Go Kit” for residents to use in case of an emergency evacuation. She serves as the MPD Citywide Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention Trainer and has trained more than 4000 block captains citywide. She is a member of the Chief of Police Citizens Advisory Council and the Chair, Emerita of the Second District MPD Citizens Advisory Council. She has been an active member of the Chevy Chase Citizens Association for more than 20 years and served as the Association’s President from 2014 - 2016.