Derek Rowan, President
Emergency Response Expert
Business Continuity and Disaster Planning Expert
Computer Infrastructure and Disaster Recovery Expert
 

Derek Rowan is a life member and past Fire Chief of the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department in Fairfax County. He’s received many awards for his service to the citizens of Fairfax County as a volunteer firefighter and officer. He’s been the Fairfax County Firefighter of the Year, Fairfax County Officer of the Year, and has received several commendations from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for his performance of duty. He also has been a firefighter instructor for over seventeen years teaching several area jurisdictions basic and advanced firefighter, officer, and instructor classes.

Derek Rowan, center

Emergency Service Instructor Experience

Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Commonwealth of Virginia, CERT Instructor Trainer

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

Instructor Trainer
Instructor - NFPA Firefighter I/II
Instructor - Virginia Emergency Medical Technician
Instructor - ASHI CPR/AED/First Aid
Instructor - NFPA Instructor I/II/III
Instructor - Driver/Operator
Instructor - NFPA Officer I
Instructor - NFPA 1403 Standards for Live Fire Training
Instructor - Virginia Emergency Vehicle Operator Course
Instructor - Community Emergency Response Team
Instructor - Hazardous Materials Awareness
Instructor - Field Trainer
Instructor - Truck School/Rescue Company School
Instructor - CERT Train-the-Trainer

Fairfax County Public Schools, Fire and EMS Instructor

George Washington University, CERT Instructor and CPR/First aid instructor

George Mason University, CERT Instructor

Prince William County Fire and Rescue, CERT Instructor

Loudon County Fire and Rescue, NFPA Firefighter I/II

L3 Communications (Titan), Homeland Security Exercise Evaluator

Click here to read some testimonials from recent classes he has taught.

Mr. Rowan’s instructional methodology has earned him accolades from CERT instructors and program coordinators. He has been selected to provide training to CERT instructors from around the country on setting up practical and real world training evolutions.

Mr. Rowan has been involved in adult education for over 20 years and has been selected to review text books on emergency response for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Information Technology Experience

Mr. Rowan is president of HLP Associates, Inc. a full service computer technology firm. This unique experience allows CERT Professionals to provide unique and outstanding support for not only your emergency training and disaster preparedness, but also assistance in your computer network infrastructure planning and data disaster recovery. His over 22 years of experience in business networks, disaster recovery, and computer security will provide your business with everything needed for a safe and complete system in the event of a crisis. For more information on the computer support services, see http://www.hlp.net.

Public Speaking Appearances

Mr. Rowan has lectured at many national conventions including:

American Society of Association Executives National Conference - 2006
Congressional meeting on disaster response - 2005
American Society of Association Executives National Conference - 2005
Self Storage Association National Conference - 2003, 2005
NBC Channel 4 Technology Conference in Washington DC - 2003
International Association of Fire Chiefs (twice) 1999, 2000
National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (four times) 1999-2003
Fire Department Instructors Conference - 2001

Published Articles

Mr. Rowan has authored several articles for national firefighter magazines, including Fire Chief Magazine, 9-1-1 Magazine, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Magazine. 

Mr. Rowan currently writes a weekly technology article for a local Washington DC newspaper as well as a monthly technology article for several not-for-profit magazines.

Emergency Response Certifications

NFPA Officer I
NFPA Firefighter III
NFPA Instructor III
Emergency Medical Technician
Marine Operations Operator
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting for Structural Firefighters
Marina Firefighting
Technical Rescue Operations Level II
Heavy and Tactical Rescue Operations
Rope Level III
Bloodborne Pathogens
Hazardous Materials Operations
Engine Company Commander
Truck Company Commander
Rescue Company Commander
Ambulance Commander
WMD/Terrorism Response
NIMS 100, 200, 700, 120

Emergency Response Experience

Mr. Rowan has been a firefighter for over 18 years. He has commanded engine companies, ladder truck companies, heavy rescue companies and ambulances on thousands of 9-1-1 emergency calls in one of the busiest jurisdictions in the country. During the September 11th terrorist attacks, Mr. Rowan commanded an engine company throughout the entire Northern Virginia metropolitan area for four days.

Mr. Rowan was a Rescue Specialist for nine years with Virginia Task Force 1, one of the FEMA and OFDA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces. He responded to many calls for service into collapsed structures around the country including Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Fran, the Northridge Earthquake, and Oklahoma City Bombing.

Emergency Service Awards and Commendations

Firefighter of the year (twice) – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Officer of the year (twice) – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Award for duties as Fire Chief – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors
Firefighter of the year – Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Officer of the year – Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Firefighter of the year – Lions Clubs of Virginia
Commendation – Hurricane Andrew – Fairfax County Board of Supervisor
Commendation – Hurricane Andrew – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Commendation – Northridge Earthquake – FEMA Virginia Task Force 1
Commendation – Oklahoma City Bombing – President Bill Clinton
Commendation – Hurricane Fran Response – Governor George Allen
Commendation – Successful resuscitation of a cardiac arrest victim – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Commendation – Engine company commander during a house fire – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Commendation – September 11th Response – Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department
Commendation – September 11th Response – Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department