Cases
Pandemic Response Planning
Assisted ICS Consultants with a Fortune 500 client on continuity and pandemic response planning. This included revising and modernizing organizational policies for infectious disease response, aligning client processes with ICS/NIMS standards, and strengthening overall organizational readiness for future public health events.
COVID-19 Vaccination POD Support
While serving full-time with AZ DFFM, I supported AZ DEMA’s statewide vaccination PODs. My role included providing safety planning, oversight, and coaching to IMT members on ICS processes. I helped develop SOGs and planning practices for these operations, ensuring successful POD operations with zero lost-time incidents.
Incident Command Systems Training
As a contracted instructor for AZ DEMA, we delivered ICS courses to local government and NGO partners. Through engaging, scenario-driven training, we strengthened planning and operational capabilities across multiple jurisdictions, improving readiness at both the local and organizational levels.
NWCG Strategic Risk Assessment Tool
I collaborated with the National Advanced Fire and Resource Institute (NAFRI) to develop a chart-based tool designed to facilitate group discussions of organizational and strategic risk. This tool was adopted by S-520 Advanced Incident Management Teams nationwide as a formal training tool.
SWIMT #3 Incident Action Plan Tool
In partnership with Southwest IMT #3 members, we created a Microsoft-based planning tool suite that enabled real-time collaboration through Microsoft 365. This tool increased planning accuracy, reduced labor, and allowed personnel nationwide to work simultaneously on incident action plans.
AZ DFFM Resource Tracking and Planning Tool
Working alongside AZ DFFM personnel, I co-developed a Google Workspace tool adapted from the SWIMT #3 IAP tool. This system provided rapid digital creation of incident planning documents, resource tracking, and cost management, improving collaboration and data sharing across teams.
Glendale Union High School District Wildfire Program
Co-developed a career and technical education program in wildland firefighting for Glendale Union High School District. The program included age-appropriate course pacing, guidance on equipment procurement, and training delivery for Title I and DACA students. It achieved the highest job placement rates of all GUHSD’s CTE programs.
Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy
Volunteered in multiple Planning Section leadership roles, including serving as Planning Section Chief, and directed the Annual Charity Banquet. These roles supported both the operational success of the academy and its community fundraising efforts.
Functional Exercise Development
Assisted ICS Consultants with developing Master Scenario Events Lists (MSELs) for multiple functional IMT exercises. As Sim Cell lead, facilitated exercises that provided high-quality, real-world simulations and helped identify process and procedure gaps for county-level Type 3 Incident Management Teams.
Hurricane Helene Response
During Hurricane Helene response operations, supported Rescue Training Associates by training personnel in the use of a digital check-in tool. This improved resource and cost tracking accuracy for IMT operations, increasing efficiency and accountability.
Digital Check-in Process
In response to COVID-19, collaborated with the National Interagency Fire Center to develop a digital incident check-in and resource tracking process. This approach reduced disease exposure risk, automated cost tracking, and improved accuracy of personnel information.
RFID/QR Code Ad-hoc Check-in Tool
Designed a rapid-deployment personnel tracking system for Rescue Training Associates using RFID and QR code technology. The system has been deployed as a contingency check-in solution during disaster incidents, enhancing accountability and safety.
Position Specific ICS Training
Delivered position-specific ICS training to Rescue Training Associates clients, focusing on developing skills and confidence in critical positions. This training improved participant readiness and enhanced team effectiveness during incident operations.
Custom ICS Training
Working with ICS Consultants, helped deliver customized ICS courses. As a second instructor, I provided real-world context, commentary, and facilitated tailored discussions, giving clients practical insight into ICS theory and application.
Government RFP Solicitation Response
Supported a national disaster logistics provider by writing state RFP responses. My work integrated the company’s vision and mission with ICS terminology, identified gaps in capabilities, and provided actionable recommendations. The client successfully secured contracts with multiple state agencies.
Five 9’s Mobile Network Design
Consulted on high-reliability mobile networking systems for an emergency management contractor. These systems were designed and configured to achieve up to 99.999% reliability, supporting USFS, NPS, BLM, DoW, and state missions requiring dependable communications.
Logistics Infrastructure Analysis
Provided consulting to an emergency management contractor on logistics operations. This included developing SOPs/SOGs, policy documents, and an IMS database, while training staff and streamlining processes. The improvements reduced waste, duplication, and turnaround time, resulting in significant cost savings.
Office Equipment RFP Management
For a national disaster logistics provider, I managed the RFP process for the purchase of more than $250k in mobile office equipment. This included proposal writing, vendor evaluation, and acquisition oversight, ensuring efficient and compliant procurement.
New Employee Recruitment
Developed new employee positions, pay/benefit analyses, and KSAs for Disaster Support Corporation. Created job postings, recruitment materials, interview processes, and onboarding training. The client successfully hired several qualified employees through this process.
Google Workspace Automated PO Tool
Constructed a purchase order system within Google Workspace for a government agency. This tool automated notifications, approvals, and integrated with cost-tracking systems, significantly reducing overhead costs and manager workload.
Arizona State USAR RRT Full-Scale Exercise
As Planning Section Chief, I assisted with the development of a HSEEP-compliant full-scale exercise for AZ DEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Rapid Response Team. The exercise successfully refreshed RRT processes and validated statewide readiness.
Central Arizona Wildland Response Team (CAWRT) Wildland Drill
Served as Planning Section Chief for the annual two-day CAWRT wildland exercise. Coordinated hundreds of resources, aviation support, meals, camping, and live fire training, supporting the preparedness of mutual-aid partners.
Arizona Statewide Situational Awareness Mapping System
Led AZ DFFM’s development of a statewide situational awareness mapping system. The system integrated multiple map layers, orthographic imagery, structure and wildfire preplans, and hazard data. It brought together 23 agencies and 12 states and has been recognized as a national model for incident GIS integration.
Super Bowl XLIX Planning
For the City of Glendale, served as Deputy Planning Section Chief during Super Bowl XLIX operations. Assisted with the final 30-day build-out, gameday coordination, and recovery operations, applying incident management best practices to a large-scale national event.
City of Avondale NASCAR Events
Over several years, provided strategic planning and coaching support to the City of Avondale. This helped build a cadre of trained incident managers to oversee recurring NASCAR events, strengthening the city’s long-term event management capacity.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Coached and trained incident managers during City of Scottsdale’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. This role included planning and operational support to enhance local capabilities in managing one of the region’s largest recurring special events.
Ironman Triathlon – Tempe
Supported the City of Tempe with incident management planning and coaching for Ironman event operations. By guiding staff through planning and execution, I strengthened team readiness and improved operational performance for large-scale sporting events.
Clerical Support Unit Program
For a private disaster contractor, designed and implemented a Clerical Support Unit program. This included creating a multi-unit mobile printshop fleet capable of handling high-volume incident demands. Provided program analysis, recommendations, and operational support to bring the system online.
What We Do
Command Concepts supports organizations operating in complex, high-consequence environments. Our work spans training and exercises, incident response, consulting and strategic planning, leadership development, and technology integration.
Across every engagement, we focus on practical solutions grounded in real-world operations, ICS/NIMS principles, and the realities leaders face before, during, and after incidents. The examples below represent the types of challenges we help organizations solve and the outcomes we help them achieve.
Custom MSEL and Functional Exercise Design for an All-Hazards IMT
Training & Functional Exercise Development
Challenge
A fellow emergency management consultant requested support in developing a custom functional exercise for a newly formed All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT). The exercise was built around a locally occurring planned event and incorporated real incidents from previous years to train the team and support development of a preparedness plan tailored to local conditions. The exercise also met qualifying agency training standards, allowing IMT members to receive Position Task Book (PTB) evaluations and signatures.
Approach
Command-Concepts researched historic incidents associated with the local event and developed a Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) and injects grounded in real-world conditions. The exercise focused on repeated local incident types, identification of gaps in IMT SOPs and SOGs, and team communication during incidents within the event Incident Within an Event (IWE).
Outcome
The client reported high satisfaction with the exercise design and simulation cell operations. IMT members participated in a realistic scenario that identified multiple coordination gaps. Multiple PTB signatures were completed while strengthening overall team readiness.
Clerical Support Unit (CSU) Development and IMT Integration
Incident Response & Operational Support
Challenge
A logistical support client expanded into technical support services for Incident Management Teams through deployable Clerical Support Units (CSUs). The contract required advanced IT integration and close coordination with IMTs to reliably produce Incident Action Plans (IAPs), documents, and maps during disaster operations.
Approach
Using an ICS-centered approach, Command Concepts trained personnel in ICS and NIMS, developed resource management and information-sharing processes, and designed an organizational structure integrating CSUs as an operational branch within the client’s framework. This ensured CSU operations aligned with IMT expectations while remaining within a manageable span of control.
Outcome
Client personnel integrated effectively into IMT environments. Command Concepts provided ongoing oversight and management, serving in an Operations Branch Director role responsible for CSU operations.
Corporate Alignment with NIMS Community Lifelines
Consulting & Strategic Planning
Challenge
A disaster support client expanding into turnkey services struggled to pivot from mission- specific support to whole-community response and recovery. The organization lacked alignment across scope, structure, and marketing to support the full range of community lifelines.
Approach
Command Concepts conducted organizational analysis, delivered ICS and NIMS training, refined processes & command alignment, improved infrastructure, developed a modular operational model, and provided strategic recommendations to expand disaster response capabilities.
Outcome
The client received a comprehensive gap analysis and reorganized equipment and processes into modular, interoperable kits. Strategic alliances strengthened the client’s ability to support diverse community lifeline missions.
Situational Leadership Coaching for Growing Organizations
Leadership Education & Development
Challenge
A client experienced rapid growth that outpaced leadership systems. Leaders struggled with unclear roles, inconsistent expectations, communication breakdowns, and reactive operations. Executive leadership lacked a clearly articulated mission and vision, limiting alignment across teams.
Approach
Command Concepts provided high-engagement, on-site leadership coaching focused on situational leadership, performance challenges, communication gaps, facilitative coaching, custom leadership training, and cognitive bias work to strengthen decision-making.
Outcome
Leaders shifted from tactical problem solving to strategic thinking. Staff gained clearer understanding of purpose and role alignment, improving communication, unity of effort, and overall performance.
Modular Incident Internet Systems
IT Systems & Technology Integration
Challenge
Incident internet environments were unreliable, fragmented, and unable to scale, preventing effective support of large, complex operations. Most off-the-shelf systems were complex, and required multiple on-site IT technicians to construct and operate. Most systems also were limited in numbers of available ISP connections or the ability to create on-the-fly VPNs, firewalls, and other secure configurations.
Approach
Command Concepts designed a modular, scalable incident internet architecture emphasizing redundancy, secure segmentation, unified access standards, and remote monitoring.
Outcome
Modular systems supported hundreds to thousands of devices with reliable, secure connectivity, improving operational continuity across incident environments.