Mark Neveau

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MARK NEVEAU

FIRE FIGHTER. FEMA. MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT. PUBLIC SPEAKER. FAMILY MAN.
Mark Neveau has over 40 years of public safety experience on the front lines as a San Francisco Bay Area Fire Department Battalion Chief (Fremont), and a responder at some of our nation’s largest disasters as a Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) working with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He is also an in-demand public speaker.

THE EARLY YEARS

As an East Bay native, he was born and raised in Hayward,California, where his Father (Vice Mayor or Hayward) and his Mother instilled a passion for public service in him at a young age. When he was just 10, Mark was anointed as a Junior Fire Marshall by the Hayward Fire Department after setting the hill on fire behind their home.
Mr. Neveau earned his BA degree in Management from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, California (Go Gaels!). Previously, he matriculated at the University of California at Davis for two courses at the Political Campaign Institute, attended a class in New Media Relations through Campaign & Elections Magazine, and received his AA degree with honors at Chabot Junior College in Public Administration.

THE FEMA YEARS.

Between 2008 – 2014, Mark’s primary responsibilities included the executive coordination of federal, state and local assets and resources required to support the state’s Governors and emergency managers. A few highlights:

  • He was designated the FCO for five consecutive Presidential disaster declarations in one state––South Dakota––the most declared ever in one state in one year.
  • During the disaster recovery effort in The Mount Rushmore State, it experienced devastating flooding that threatened the state capital. His team was challenged to manage statewide “recovery operations” while actively engaged in “first response” support activities (response operations).
  • Mark was a Presidential appointed FCO for over 12 disaster/emergency declarations in multiple states and tribal territories in his career.
    Prior to his departure from FEMA, he was the New York Director during Super Storm Sandy on Long Island, New York, one of the top five most devastating hurricanes in history, overseeing the federal response to 2.7 million residents.

Mark’s tenure at FEMA included the following well-publicized events:

  • Director Hurricane Sandy – Long Island, New York, 2012 Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––Michigan Flooding, 2013
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––Navajo Nation, 2013
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Emergency Declaration––Minnesota Flash Flooding, 2012
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Emergency Declaration––7 disasters: snow/flooding, 2011
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Emergency Declaration& Major Disaster Declaration–– Arizona Severe Snow, 2010
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––Arizona Severe Snow, 2010
  • Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––Georgia Flooding, 2009
  • Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––California Wildfires, 2008
  • Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer—Major Disaster Declaration––Hurricane Ike, 2007

The FEMA & SF Bay Area Fire Department Years.

Between 1997 and 2007, Mr. Neveau appeared in numerous television, radio and print news interviews in various states to discuss aspects of national disaster emergency responses, recovery operations, and executive decision making.

THE FREMONT FIRE FIGHTER YEARS

During his 34-year tenure with the Fire Service between 1978 and 2008, Chief Neveau served in various high profile and eclectic positions––Fire Fighter, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, and retired as Battalion Chief––managing various emergency response incidents using the National Incident Command Management System (ICS). His firefighting accomplishments included:

  • Mark was a sought-after expert to evaluate candidates for promotion to leadership positions in fire departments across California.
  • He was Commander during a 13-alarm “California Wild Land / Urban Interface Fire” that threatened homes and businesses during a “red flag” fire season. The event required hundreds of personnel and garnered wide spread media coverage.
  • Mr. Neveau was awarded the certification of “California Fire Chief Officer” in 2006, only a few hundred Chiefs held the designation at the time.
    He was President––Fremont, California Professional Fire Fighters Union IAFF #1689.
  • Mark led the efforts to establish an Employee Assistance & Critical Incident Stress Debriefing program.
  • As campaign manager, Chief Neveau spearheaded the efforts for a $51,000,000 Fire Facilities Safety Bond, culminating in the new state-of-the-art police/fire training center and renovated fire stations.
  • Mark developed and taught various emergency responder and leadership courses.

MAN VENTURES

Currently, Mr. Neveau provides strategic guidance and management for projects and initiatives, including business development.

  • He has been a highly trusted Fox News (KTVU San Francisco – Oakland) commentator on California wildfires and other natural disasters.
  • He worked on behalf of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, assisting the recovery response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
  • He is also an instructor / trainer, developing curriculum and providing facilitation and instructional services as a subject matter expert to FEMA’s three national response teams.

FAMILY LIFE

Mark and his wife were married for 23 years before she suddenly passed away from a stroke at the age of 43. He is the proud father of two adult children and spends quality time with the most adorable grandson in the Western Hemisphere.