Confirmed Speakers (Knoxville 26)

Dan Frazen is the Agriculture Emergency Coordinator for the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), where he has worked since 2022. He leads the emergency management, critical infrastructure protection, and business continuity programs for CDA's nine divisions. Dan is also the primary for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources for the State of Colorado. Dan has been working in emergency management and disaster response since the 2013 Colorado Floods. He also has over twenty-five years of law enforcement experience, working at the local, state, and federal levels in the Western United States. He was a founding member of the US Department of Homeland Security - Legacy US Customs Service and the Rocky Mountain Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET). Dan currently leads his region’s AgSecure Working Group, and he is a Co-Chair for the Food & Ag Sector Committee in the State of Colorado’s Whole of State (WoS) Infrastructure Protection Program, working closely with the Colorado National Guard. Dan is a Colorado Certified Emergency Manager (CO-CEM) and proud graduate of the FEMA National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA).

David currently serves as principal owner for D2 Emergency Management Consulting, LLC and as faculty as the Director of Hazardous Materials Response, Division of Disaster Medicine, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC.

David DiGregorio served as the director for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Hazardous Materials Emergency Response/Special Operations Division from September of 2016 through April of 2023 after holding the position of deputy director for two years. He retired from the US Army and Massachusetts Army National Guard after 32 years of service in 2014. Amongst his duty assignments, David served as a non-commissioned and commissioned officer with the 1st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team in the positions of Medical NCO, Physician Assistant and Deputy Commander. Prior to retiring, he held the position of Deputy State Surgeon for the Massachusetts National Guard, earning the Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal and several Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals. He has earned a MS degree in Emergency Management from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as well as a BS degree and MS degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He served on the faculty of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as a capstone advisor for the graduate level Emergency Management course from January 2015-August 2021.

Diana is a Health Physicist for the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center and Training Site (REAC/TS) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  She serves as an emergency responder for the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) as an asset for the National Nuclear Security Association (NNSA) and the Department of Energy (DOE).  Prior to her work with REAC/TS, she worked under NNSA and DOE as a scientist for other NEST assets in the Aerial Measuring Systems, Nuclear Search Program and Consequence Management programs at the Remote Sensing Laboratory located on Joint Base Andrews Air Force Base. In addition to working under these national assets serving 24/7 on call, she conducted research for algorithm training and detector modeling, supported preventative radiological/nuclear detection for major public events, supported domestic radiological/nuclear response exercises, and performed domestic and international training under the Nuclear Incident Preparedness and Collaboration (NIPC) program, all of which falls under the Office of Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation. She also worked underground for the Stockpile Experimentation and Operations directorate at the Nevada National Security Site as a diagnostic scientist and supported the research and development of leading diagnostic technology for subcritical experiments.  She conducted dose analysis for participants during the nuclear testing time period at the Nuclear Testing Archives, and collaborated with other labs and sites in their dose reconstruction.  With a Bachelor of Science in Health Physics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she is currently in pursuit of her Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering and continues to support NNSA/DOE with REAC/TS.

Dr. Balajee has been working in the field of radiation biology for more than 20 years with special emphasis on radiation biodosimetry and radiation induced biological effects in diverse human and mouse model systems. After obtaining his Ph.D. degree in Molecular Cytogenetics from Banaras Hindu University in India, Dr. Balajee did his post-doctoral training at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands on ultraviolet induced DNA damage and repair. Dr. Balajee joined as a visiting fellow at the National Institutes of Health, Baltimore in 1994 where he focused on the role of human RecQ helicases in cancer and premature aging. Prior to joining REAC/TS, Dr. Balajee worked for 16 years at the Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY and served as the PI on many federally funded research projects to elucidate the molecular mechanisms for low dose radiation induced DNA damage and repair in human cells. 

Dr. Balajee is currently working as the Director of Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory at ORISE-REAC/TS in Oak Ridge since 2015. Dr. Balajee’s current research is focused on developing automated high throughput triage tools for radiological/nuclear mass casualty incidents. Through collaborations with academic institutions within and outside of the USA, Dr. Balajee is developing several AI-based machine learning tools to automate the detection of chromosome anomalies for expediting dose assessment and triage. His future research goal is to identify and characterize cytogenetic fingerprints for radiation induced carcinogenic events which would help in monitoring the stochastic health risks in exposed humans. Dr. Balajee has published several original research and review articles in peer-reviewed high impact journals such as Cell, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Journal of Cell Biology and Nature Communications. Dr. Balajee reviews original research and review articles on diverse aspects of radiation biology and cancer for many well-known scientific journals such as Cancer Research, Nucleic Acids Research and Radiation Research. Dr. Balajee has served as the guest editor of a few special issues on DNA repair, aging and biodosimetry for the journals of Mutation Research and Cytogenetic and Genome Research. Dr. Balajee serves as the Associate Editor for the journals of Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers in Public Health and Cytogenetic and Genome research. Dr. Balajee has given numerous invited lectures on radiation biology and biodosimetry at national and international conferences/workshops. 

Dr. Christina Baxter is the CEO of Emergency Response TIPS, LLC which provides practical, evidence-based solutions for emergency response through the development of next generation tools for enhanced situational awareness and responder safety; instructional design materials for instructor-led and web-based programs in the areas of CBRNE, hazardous materials, and clandestine laboratory response; technology transition guidance for emerging technologies; and, emergency planning for hazardous materials and emergency response. 

Prior to forming Emergency Response TIPS, LLC, Dr. Baxter was the CBRNE Program Manager for the Department of Defense’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office where she was responsible for identifying capability gaps in the combating terrorism CBRNE mission space, illuminating or developing innovative solutions, and delivering them to military, interagency, and law enforcement operators in the field as rapidly as possible. Dr. Baxter holds B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

She has greater than 20 years of experience in the hazardous materials/CBRN response community where she remains active in teaching and participating in standards development processes.  She is currently the chairperson of the NFPA Technical Committee on Chemical Protective Clothing and is a member of the NFPA Technical Committees on Hazardous Materials/WMD Operations, Technical Committee on Tactical and Technical SCBA, and others.  Dr. Baxter is also a member of the Interagency Board, the IAFC Hazmat Committee, and the IAFF’s Hazmat Advisory Board. 

Dr. Emily Kiernan is a triple board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Medical Toxicology, and Addiction Medicine Physician. She holds a faculty appointment as an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her residency training in Emergency Medicine at Lehigh Valley Health Network and fellowship training in Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine at Emory University. She works clinically as an Emergency Medicine Physician at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA, as a Medical Toxicologist and Addiction Medicine Physician at the Georgia Poison Center and Emory University, and an Addiction Medicine Physician at the Grady Medication Assisted Opioid Treatment clinic. She is also a part time physician at REAC/TS. In addition to her clinical work, she is an active member and fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) where she serves as the Chair of the Radiation Section. She is an instructor for the ACMT Agents of Opportunity Course, AACT Advanced Hazmat Life Support, and AACT Advanced Hazmat Life Support for Radiological Incidents and Terrorism Course. She continues to teach as Faculty for Medical Toxicology Education for Emergency Medicine Residents and Medical Toxicology Fellows at Emory University and at multiple academic institutions across the country, focusing on CBRN content. She has also presented internationally at the Turkish International Medical Toxicology Conference and the 3rd International Congress of Emergency Medicine on CBRN topics. She has served as a subject matter expert for CDC/ATSDR on the Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures and for DHS S&T for Chemical Medical Mitigation.

Faculty of CBRN Education, Division of Disaster Medicine, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC. Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown School of Medicine | UNITED STATES

Dr. Shane Kappler is a dual board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician and Critical Care Medicine Physician. He holds faculty appointments as both an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Georgetown School of Medicine and as an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the Georgetown School of Medicine. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital and Washington Hospital Center and subspecialty fellowship training in Critical Care Medicine at the University of Maryland. He works clinically as a Critical Care Medicine physician within the MedStar Health system where he also serves as the Director of Biothreats for MedStar Health as well as the Medical Director for the MedStar Biocontainment Unit for Special Pathogens and the federal HHS/ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) in FEMA Region III. In addition to his clinical work, he is a faculty member in the Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases program within the Georgetown Graduate School of Arts and Sciences where he has taught a graduate course on Medical Preparedness, Response, and Capacity to biothreats for over a decade. He has lectured nationally and internationally on topics of bioterrorism, pandemics, preparedness, and disaster medicine. He has prior experience working with and consulting on projects for both state governments and the federal government. Separately, he has served as a medical manager for a FEMA USAR team. Dr. Kappler has a sustained history of experience in disaster preparedness. He previously held a faculty appointment at Harvard Medical School where he worked clinically as well as served as the Director of Disaster Preparedness for the Department of Emergency Medicine at CHA in Boston, MA. He continues to teach as Faculty for CBRN education for Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Fellowship in Disaster Medicine. During the COVID pandemic he held significant roles in his health system related to pandemic response which included serving and leading working groups and committees that investigated novel therapeutic approaches in treating COVID disease as well as implementing novel surge capacity approaches and strategies. He serves as a subject matter expert for NETEC and is involved in the development and expansion of the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) for HCID care.

Dr. Shane B. Kappler, MD, MS MD, MBA, FACEP, FCCP | Faculty of CBRN Education, Division of Disaster Medicine, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC. Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown School of Medicine | UNITED STATES

Dr. Christian Vidal is a leading expert at the intersection of high-risk forensic operations and strategic security policy. As the Director of the Forensic Science Institute (KTI) in Lower Saxony, he spearheads the integration of advanced technologies into police practice, including mobile CBRN detection systems and the implementation of Digital Twins for comprehensive crime scene documentation across various police scenarios.

With extensive international experience, Dr. Vidal has served as a senior forensic expert for the German Police in major capacity-building missions in Morocco and Algeria. Furthermore, he has proven his operational expertise in high-stakes environments, such as the forensic investigation of an illicit laboratory during a real-world deployment in Albania. His background also encompasses the management of major incidents involving CBRN threats and mass fatality frameworks.

His current strategic focus involves the harmonization of international forensic standards and the development of emerging governance frameworks for AI-driven analytics and Augmented Reality (AR) in forensics. Dr. Vidal is dedicated to bridging the gap between technical excellence on the ground and legally defensible state action on an international level, ensuring that forensic evidence meets the highest standards of global law enforcement and judicial scrutiny.

Dr. Philipp C. Bleek is a Professor in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies program, and a Fellow at both the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, all at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.

His work focuses on the causes, consequences, and amelioration of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons threats, from both state and non-state actors, at the intersection of academia, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and government.

Dr. Bleek served as an expert on the 2022-24 Congressionally-mandated, Department of Defense-sponsored, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine-convened study “Assessing and Improving Strategies for Preventing, Countering, and Responding to Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism: Chemical Threats.”

In 2012-13, while on leave from his faculty position, he served as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs in the Office of the Secretar of Defense.

He is a former Emergency Medical Technician (New Jersey).

In CBRNe World, he authored "A Second Bite at the Poisonous Apple?"

(June 2025, with Tekla Gagoshidze), "Eye of Newt, Toe of Frog...Maybe Just Novichok?" (June 2024, with Grey Kegler), “Acid Reign of Terror”

(May 2020, with Cyrus Jabbari), “Fellowship of the Drone” (February 2019, with Zachary Kallenborn), and was interviewed in “Into the Green” (April 2021, by Gwyn Winfield, including Zachary Kallenborn).

These and other publications are available at his faculty page.

With 30 years of distinguished service in UK Policing and international security Gareth brings unparalleled expertise to every engagement. His leadership over countless investigative operations especially through times of heightened threat has influenced security standards and inspired innovation to mitigate risk and save lives. As a CBRNE specialist operator and advisor, he has successfully delivered enhanced security detail at major global events such as the NATO summit, Olympics, Rugby World Cup and European Champions Cup football.

 Gareth’s career is defined by elite performance within challenging environments and the unique ability to align agencies and specialisms achieving positive outcomes and collective results. He has attained significant accomplishments through dedication and perseverance embedded within the complexities of counter terrorism, organised crime and public safety

I have been working for the Hungarian National Police as a crime scene investigator for 30 years. Initially, I worked on minor cases, then on high-profile cases, and finally, for the past 8 years, I have been working on developing procedures related to CBRN materials, and I participate in such cases as a crime scene investigator or as an expert. I participated in several foreign peacekeeping operations, I won't go into detail about them.

In 2025, I established the Hungarian CBRN crime scene investigator network, which I have been leading and training for since its inception. I am an UN IAEA experts, trainer and training developer in the field of RCSM.

In parallel, since 2018 I have been working as the international coordinator of the Hungarian DVI unit, including international exercises and trainings. During this time, I worked as the Hungarian delegate of the EC LEWP DVI network, and then in 2025 I was elected as the chair of the network, so I also hold the position of its chair.In addition to these activities, I have been participating in War Crime Investigation training courses as an instructor for the past 4 years. I am also a member of the ISO TC 272(Forensic Sciences) technical committee as the head of the Hungarian delegation.I have obtained 8 university degrees so far. The first is a doctorate in law. I will obtain my second doctoral degree (PhD), a military in engineering doctorate, if all goes well this year or early spring. The title of the dissertation is: Management of crime scenes contaminated with radioactive/nuclear materials.

I speak 3 languages ​​besides my native language.

My husband is also a police officer. We have two children, twins, who are now starting high school.

Julian Atencio is the Security Program Manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), bringing over twenty-one years of experience in the management of diverse security programs. His areas of responsibility have included Personnel Security, Human Reliability, Clearance Processing, Incidents of Security Concern, and Deployed Security. Mr. Atencio currently oversees the Department of Energy’s pilot Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) Program. He works closely with the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International Nuclear Security (INS), engaging internationally on key issues such as Nuclear Security Culture, Insider Threat Mitigation, Behavioral Observation Programs, Substance Abuse, and the evolving threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems. His professional interests include security prudence, understanding the impact of security, and examining the interplay between free will and atypical behavior within frameworks for trustworthiness. Before joining LANL, Mr. Atencio developed skills and expertise through positions in pre-hospital emergency medical services and forensic science, working in both a medical examiner’s laboratory and a criminalistics laboratory.

Lt. Col. Kildal assumed the position commandant in May 2023, after six years as a civilian.  During which he lead operational Covid-19 work in one of largest municipalities in Norway. He had also been section head Emergency preparedness and response section at The Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety. Where he also held the position as chief of staff for the Crisis Committee for Nuclear Preparedness. 

He has a bachelor in nursing, a master in public administration, Officer Candidate School, the Norwegian Military Academy and several master modules from The Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College. 

Lt. Col. Kildal has more than 20 years in the armed forces, has worked in EUs Nordic battlegroup, and was deployed to Afghanistan as part of ISAF. His military background is from Military Police, Medical Services and CBRN, and he has held positions as company commander, section head, and military assistant for the Norwegian Surgeon General.

Maj. Rafal Matuszkiewicz is the head of the Chemical and Ecological Rescue Department at the Fire University in Warsaw (Poland). He is a member of the rescUE DSIM Poland team (Detection, Sampling, Identification and Monitoring). He has many years of experience in project management in Eastern European countries, particularly in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. From 2014 to 2016, he implemented first project titled CBRN - Cross-border Safety and Cooperation with the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Lviv region. Currently he is the coordinator of the project "Support of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in rescue operations against CBRNe threats

Mr. Michael A. Bailey entered the Senior Executive Service in August 2021 and is the Director of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC). In this role, Mr. Bailey oversees many of the Nation’s key chemical and biological defense research and engineering programs. Mr. Bailey also builds partnerships across DOW, other government agencies, industry, and academia to enhance Warfighter readiness and response to chemical and biological threats.

Prior to serving as the DEVCOM CBC Director, Mr. Bailey served as the organization’s Director of Engineering. In this role, he oversaw a staff of roughly 500 engineers, scientists, logisticians, and other highly skilled professionals who work to design, build, test, and sustain CBRN capabilities for Joint Warfighters and our partners.

Before his assignments at DEVCOM CBC, Mr. Bailey was the Deputy Joint Project Manager for CBRN Sensors at the Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN Defense. Mr. Bailey served as a strategic planner for the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Strategic Studies Group. He played a critical role in helping the Army’s senior leaders understand global urbanization trends and what they mean for future force structure and capability requirements. Mr. Bailey has performed at many levels in the Army’s Research and Development enterprise, including over ten years as a laboratory scientist working on vaccines against biological warfare agents.

Mr. Bailey received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University. Mr. Bailey was also selected to attend the Eisenhower School at National Defense University, where he received a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy.

Mr. Bailey holds certifications from the Defense Acquisition University in Program Management Level 3 and Science and Technology Management Level 3. His awards include two Superior Civilian Service Awards and a Commanders Award for Civilian Service.

A native of Tennessee and a resident of the rolling pastoral hills of Goodlettsville, Chief Armistead has spent more than three decades answering the call when things don't go according to plan. He began his career with the Goodlettsville Fire Department in 1992 before joining the Nashville Fire Department in 2000. After nearly a decade assigned to HazMat 12, he moved into Special Operations, where the problems tend to be bigger, the stakes a little higher, and the margin for error about as thin as a sheet of paper.

Today, Chief Armistead serves as a CBRNE/HazMat Specialist with the Nashville Fire Department's Special Operations Division. His work ranges from planning security and emergency operations for VIP visits and major public events to overseeing the Tennessee Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team and directing the day-to-day operations of the department's two HazMat teams. It's the kind of work most people never notice, which is exactly the way he prefers it.

Along the way, he's become a trusted partner to agencies at every level of government. He serves on the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency HazMat Committee Board, is the NFL AFC South Fire Security Representative, and also serves as an NFL All Hazards Security Representative. His work regularly brings him alongside the FBI, Secret Service, Tennessee Homeland Security, the Department of Energy, the 45th Civil Support Team, Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations, the Governor's Executive Protection Team, Metro Nashville Office of Emergency Management, and Metro Nashville Police Department Special Operations and Custom Services. Closer to home, he works hand in hand with organizations like the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, and Nashville Soccer Club to help ensure that the biggest events in Music City are remembered for the right reasons.

Chief Armistead also serves as Nashville's Special Events Planner and CBRNE Representative and participates in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. As a certified instructor for both the State of Tennessee and the Nashville Fire Department, he has spent years teaching the next generation of responders in Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations, and Technician-level response.

In a profession where success is usually measured by the disasters that never happen, Chief Armistead has built a career on preparation, partnerships, and quiet professionalism. The headlines belong to someone else. His job is to make sure they never have to be written.

Michael Kelleher is the Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director for the Foxborough Fire Department, bringing nearly three decades of leadership in public safety, emergency management, and hazardous materials response. Under his command, the department has achieved ISO Class 1 status and became the first CPSE-accredited fire department in Massachusetts.

A recognized expert in large venue planning and crisis response, Chief Kelleher serves on the public safety command team for Gillette Stadium. He is also a longtime leader in the Massachusetts State Hazardous Materials Response Team. Chief Kelleher holds a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Crisis Management from Norwich University and has completed advanced training at institutions including the National Fire Academy, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and the National Guard Homeland Security Institute. He currently serves as Past President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts and holds appointments on several national and state public safety committees.

Special Agent Nathan Livesey is a seasoned investigator with extensive expertise in counterintelligence, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and international terrorism. Since joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), he has played a key role in high-stakes national security investigations, post-incident response efforts, and the development of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) response protocols.

SA Livesey began his FBI career in 2017 at the Boston Field Office, where he worked Counterintelligence and WMD related matters. His desire to hone his CBRNE response skills led him to join the FBI Boston’s Hazardous Evidence Response Team (HERT) in 2018. Recognizing his leadership and technical expertise, the FBI appointed him leader of the Boston HERT in 2019, where he led search efforts into real and hoax WMD threats and coordinated critical response efforts.

In 2020, SA Livesey transferred to the FBI’s Nashville Field Office, where he expanded his focus to International Terrorism and WMD investigations. In this role, he has led and contributed to numerous high-profile cases, including responses to significant post-incident events such as the Nashville Bombing.  His expertise in incident management has been vital in assessing threats, determining resource needs, and coordinating multi-agency responses at the local, state, and federal levels.

Beyond investigations, SA Livesey is a respected subject matter expert and trainer. Since 2019, he has conducted threat briefings and training sessions for thousands of partners across local, state, federal, private sector, and international organizations. He has also contributed to the development of CBRNE response protocols, ensuring that law enforcement and emergency response agencies are well-equipped to handle evolving threats.

With a deep understanding of WMD threats, terrorism investigations, and crisis response, SA Livesey continues to be a trusted leader in national security and threat mitigation, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the public and strengthening law enforcement partnerships across multiple sectors.

Nick Sword is in his 27^th year of service with the Toronto Police Service, including two decades as a member of the Explosive Disposal Unit. He is a current and validated Police Explosive Technician, certified Post-Blast Investigator, Complex Devices Operator, and Advanced CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) Technician.

Since 2019, Nick has led the unit’s specialized training program, designing and delivering advanced instruction in both explosives and CBRNE disciplines.

Nick is the lead instructor for the Toronto Joint CBRNE Response Team, delivering training to both Police, Fire and EMS personnel.

His expertise is nationally and internationally recognized—he has served as an instructor for numerous federal training programs in Ottawa and Suffield, Alberta, and was seconded to Global Affairs Canada in 2014 to deliver explosives and CBRN training in the Middle East.

Nick has played a key role in the security planning and assessment for major international events, including the G20 Summit, Pan Am Games, Invictus Games, G7 Finance Ministers’ Meetings, and multiple Presidential visits and most recently the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Before joining the Toronto Police, Nick served nine years in the British Armed Forces, with operational deployments to Northern Ireland, Iraq/Kuwait/Saudi Arabia, and the Balkans.

Dr. Ciottone is President Emeritus of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine and a Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an Associate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Founding Director of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship in Disaster Medicine, where he has trained over 140 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom are now in leadership positions in the US and around the world.

Dr. Ciottone also serves as the Director of Medical Preparedness for the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University, and as a committee member on the Harvard University Scholars at Risk program. In 2025 he was appointed Special Advisor for Medical Preparedness at the US National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Ciottone is a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the International Board of Disaster Medicine, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

As a former member of the United States National Disaster Medical System, Dr. Ciottone was Commander of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Massachusetts-2 when it was one of the first federal teams deployed into Ground Zero responding to the 9/11 attacks. He was a Founding Member of the US Department of Homeland Security and has been a consultant to the White House Medical Unit for three administrations.

Dr. Ciottone’s clinical and field experience includes 25 years as a practicing emergency physician and over 500 missions as a flight physician on an aeromedical helicopter service. He has conducted educational programs in more than 30 countries around the world and has published over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles on Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management. He also serves as founding Editor-in-Chief of his textbook Ciottone’s Disaster Medicine, now entering its 4th edition.

In 2017, Dr. Ciottone was recognized by the Physician to the President for “Outstanding Achievement in Support of the White House Medical Unit and the President of the United States”. He is the 2018 recipient of the American College of Emergency Physicians Disaster Medical Sciences Award, and the 2020 recipient of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine Distinguished Service Award. In 2024, Dr. Ciottone was awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa for his work in Disaster Medicine from Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier in France, and in 2025 he became the first Full Professor in Harvard's history appointed on the basis of expertise in Disaster Medicine.

Jenq-Renn Chen is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST), Taiwan. Previously, he has held the position as Chairman of the Department, Dean of College of Engineering, and Vice President. He is also in charge of the Taiwan Ministry of Environment Southern Emergency Response Team, which provided emergency response service to southern Taiwan since 2001. He received MSc and PhD from Imperial College, London, UK, both in Chemical Engineering. He has authored more than 60 referred papers and patents. He also participated in more than 200 hazardous chemical and gas emergency responses and incident investigations in Taiwan, including the catastrophic Kaohsiung pipeline leak and explosion in 2014. His current research focuses on safety of specialty materials used in semiconductor manufacturing processes.

SGT Chloe M. Bonnenfant is a Survey Team Chief with the 92^nd Civil Support Team-Weapons of Mass Destruction (CST-WMD) in the Nevada Army National Guard, located in Carson City, Nevada. She is responsible for employing on-site advanced detection and monitoring while wearing various levels of personal protective equipment, executing all phases of reconnaissance, site characterization, identification, sampling, and mitigation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) materials. During the Biolab threat in Las Vegas, NV, she was one of the primary suit wearers that assisted with the initial entry of the residence, as well as site characterization in later entries alongside members from the Federal Bureau of Investigations Hazardous Materials Response Unit (FBI HMRU) and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department All-hazard Regional Multi-agency Operations and Response (LVMPD ARMOR) team.