REISTERSTOWN, MD (July 12, 2022) — Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) Deputy Executive Director Chas Eby has been selected to be one of the first participants in the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Exchange Program. Eby will be working with FEMA leadership in Washington, DC through the end of the year to implement programs to deliver disaster recovery assistance to survivors and communities.

“I am honored to represent my home State in this new initiative to strengthen the field of emergency management,“ said Eby. “This is an opportunity to join best practices developed in Maryland with innovative programs FEMA is advancing.”

Eby is one of four individuals selected nationwide to the first cohort of this program. According to FEMA, the exchange program will provide an avenue to strengthen FEMA’s partnerships with state, territory, tribal, and local emergency managers to increase community resilience against disasters.

“This is a great opportunity for Chas and Maryland,” said Secretary of Emergency Management Russ Strickland. “He will bring excellent knowledge of state emergency management operations along with his exceptional collaboration skills to the program. Our department is proud of his selection and proud to be a national leader in our field .”

Eby has worked at the Department of Emergency Management for eight years, overseeing all programs, administration, and emergency operations in his current role. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. Eby has completed the FEMA National Emergency Management Executive Academy and a fellowship with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. He is from and resides in the City of Baltimore.

You can find more information about FEMA’s Emergency Manager Exchange at fema.gov/partnerships/emergency-manager-exchange.