Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy

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Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy

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09/08/2026

The Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy kicked off the 2026-2027 cohort last week with a deep dive into leadership. Chief Robert Ezekiel started Day 1 off the session with an overview of the Myers-Briggs personality type assessment and how those translate to leading people. Day 2 started off with Deputy Chief Brent Cooper (Mountain Brook Fire Department) leading a session on "Leading from Within" followed by a session by APSLA Program Manager Brian Bonner on "Leading Where You Are". After lunch, Jefferson County EMA Director discussed "The Mission Of Leadership" and then Michael Glaze with Reach Your Potential Today closed out the day an interactive session on "The Ripple Effect of Leadership".

08/25/2026

Congratulations to these individuals chosen for the Class of 2026-2027 of the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy!

Branden Barlow, City of Brewton Fire Dept
Stephen Cook, Birmingham Fire And Rescue Service
Brandon Dahlen, Center Point Fire District
Cliff Dyson, Alabaster Fire Department
William Ervin, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Fire Rescue
Stephen Evans, Vestavia Hills Police Department
Shelley Ezekiel, Colbert County 911
John Gallaway, Madison Fire and Rescue
Joshua Hamlin, Florence Fire Rescue
David Harrison, Dothan Fire Department
Justin Hetrick, Flomaton Police Department
Daniel Hussey, Troy Fire Department
Robert Johnson, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Fire Rescue
Edmond Jones, Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency
Raymond Lovell, Loxley Fire Department
Andrew McCullers, Prattville Fire Department
Sean McQuade, Dauphin Island Fire Rescue
Jarred Millard, UAB Medicine
Kyle Moseley, City of Sylacauga Fire Department
Robert Newton, Muscle Shoals Police Department
Eric O'Neal, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue
Michelle Peel, Alabama 9-1-1 Board
Frankey Peterman, Sr., Newton Police Department Alabama
Portia Randle, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office
Thomas Ratkovich, The University of West Alabama Police Department
Wilburn Reed, Jr., Etowah County 9-1-1
Joshua Rossetti, Chelsea Fire & Rescue
Ahmed Saeed, UAB Medicine
John Tyler Stinson, Decatur Morgan EMS
Brian Walls, Guntersville Fire/Rescue
Aaron Wasden, Monroeville Fire / Rescue Department
Adam Watley, Calera Fire Department
Marcus Wood, Jacksonville Alabama Police Department
Thomas Mayfield, Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office
Michael Robinson, Alabama State Fire Marshal's Office

05/05/2026

Congratulations Class of 2025-2026!

Bethany Elliott (Class President), Deputy Director, Elmore County EMA
Josh Hamm (Class Chaplain), Battalion Chief, Troy Fire Department
Patrick Anderson, Captain, Port of Huntsville Public Safety Department
Rodney M. Brand, Captain, Brewton Police Department
LeCedric Dion Browe, Sr., Captain, Mobile Fire-Rescue Department
Nikki Bush, Registration Specialist, Alabama Fire College
Jason Cupps, Captain, Prattville Fire Department
William Dailey, Captain, Prattville Fire Department
David Davis, Chief, Fort Payne Police Department
Blake Farley, Chief, Winfield Fire Department
William C. Ferguson, Medical Director, BREMSS
Patrick Fowler, Captain, Cahaba Valley Fire and EMR District
David Gill, Lieutenant, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue
Dana Horsley, Municipal Court Magistrate, Irondale Municipal Court
Alissa Jacques, Lanier County Fire Department (GA)
Matthew Jordan, Chief, Brewton Police Department
Dale Knowlton, Lieutenant, Auburn Police Department
Michael Mays, Chief, Graysville Fire and Rescue
Matthew McCracken, Interim Fire Chief, Hamilton Fire Department
Chris McGhee, Chief, Poarch Creek Indians Fire Department
Jeanie Pharis, Director, Morgan County EMCD
Brett Rodgers, Deputy State Fire Marshal, Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office
Cameron Scott, Deputy State Fire Marshal, Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office
Christine Shores, Lieutenant, Cahaba Valley Fire and EMR District
Emily Tapscott, Battalion Chief, Decatur Fire and Rescue
Marlos Walker. Chief, Abbeville Police Department
Jarrod Wallace, Deputy Chief, Florence Fire Department
Ean Wallander, Fire Marshal, Sheffield Fire Department

04/13/2026

Last Friday, April 10th, the 2025–2026 cohort of the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy concluded their final session with an informative and engaging day at the Alabama EMA State Operations Center in Clanton, Alabama.

The morning session featured presentations from Alabama EMA Assistant Director Lisa Castaldo, Director of Response Operations Eric Jones, and Director of Recovery Operations LaTonya Stephens. Each speaker provided valuable insight into the coordination and ex*****on of emergency management operations across the state.

Lunch was catered by Neighborhood Grill and included hamburger steaks, a variety of sides, and strawberry shortcake—an excellent opportunity for fellowship and networking among cohort members.

In the afternoon, Leah Missildine and Adam Brown from the Alabama 9-1-1 Board delivered a presentation on the continuity of emergency 9-1-1 services, highlighting the critical support and resources available to local communities.

The day concluded with a joint case study review of the COVID-19 response, presented by Eric Jones (Alabama EMA), Jim Coker (Jefferson County EMA), and Dr. David Hicks (Jefferson County Department of Health). This collaborative discussion reinforced the importance of interagency coordination during complex, large-scale incidents.

🎓 Graduation for the 2025–2026 cohort will take place on May 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Alabama Fire College.

🔗 Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are open through April 30. For more information, please visit our NEW website at www.apsla.us.

03/11/2026

The Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy spent the day in Montgomery learning about the Executive and Legislative Branch of the Alabama State Government. Members heard updates from Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen, Legislative Services Agency Director Othni Lathram, State Treasurer Young Boozer, and ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor.

Spending time learning about the legislative process better prepares participants to make a greater impact in their local communities. Applications for our next cohort are due April 30, 2026.

Special thanks to Beth Chapman of Beth Chapman & Associates, LLC for setting up our meetings.

02/08/2026

Last week, the 2025-2026 cohort of the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy convened on the campus of the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama, to take an in-depth look at Human Resource Management. We heard from UWA faculty members Dr. Karen Braxton and Mr. Robert Upchurch on the importance of professional standards, due process, and disciplinary procedures. In the words of Dr. Braxton, "Professional standards are not just rules - they are a promise." As public safety executives, we make a promise to our people and the public to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.

Thanks to UWA President Dr. Todd Fritch, UWA Interim Provost Dr. Amy Jones, and Dean of the College of Business Dr. W***y Hilly for their partnership with the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy.

02/06/2026

🚨 Now accepting applications for APSLA 2026–2027!🚨

apsla.wordpress.com

👥 Open to professionals across all public safety fields
🎓 Limited to 30 participants
📅 Nine-month interdisciplinary leadership experience
💵 Tuition: $500 (includes materials, meals, & graduation items)

Participants will gain valuable insight into:
✔️ Public Finance & Budgeting
✔️ Communications & Media Relations
✔️ Ethics
✔️ Major Event Coordination
✔️ Human Resource Management
✔️ Legislative Process & Governmental Affairs
✔️ Strategic Management
✔️ Myers-Briggs Personality Type Assessment

📧 Questions? [email protected]

01/16/2026

On January 9th, the 2025-2026 Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy cohort came together at Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach for an engaging day focused on organizational culture. Participants heard from David Wilson, retired Foley Public Safety Director, on Real Deal Leadership; Gulf Shores Fire Chief Mark Sealy on building strong organizational culture; and CSU Professor Dr. Michael Whittington, who traveled from California to share insights on influencers, implementers, and doers. Each session delivered practical takeaways that truly resonated. A big thank-you to Columbia Southern University for their outstanding hospitality and support- it was the perfect setting for a productive and memorable day.

12/15/2025

The Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy met at the Alabama Fire College on December 12, 2025, for a focused look at strategic planning and public finance. The day included an overview of the Alabama Competitive Bid Law by Jason Paulk ( Department of Examiners of Public Accounts), followed by Fire Department Strategic Planning and Budgeting with Chief Brandon Broadhead (Homewood Fire Department). After lunch, Scott Thurmond, University of Alabama Interim Police Chief (UA Safety), shared insights on law enforcement budgeting, followed by Reid Vaughan, Section Chief of Regional Services at the Alabama Fire College, who led a discussion on executive strategies in public safety budgets. We wrapped up the afternoon with student presentations covering fire, police, EMA, and 911 budgeting. Another great day of leadership development for public safety professionals across Alabama!

11/22/2025

We had an incredible day conducting our media relations session at Bryant Denny Stadium at the studios of WVUA 23. Class members participated in live press conference scenarios in conjunction with UA Journalism & Creative Media Graduate Students, followed by an engaging presentation by Dr. Chandra Clark on "What Journalists Need from You." After lunch, we conducted in-studio interview simulations with Dr. William Ferguson (pre-hospital blood programs), Chief Marlos Walker (community-oriented policing), Lieutenant Christine Shores (community risk reduction), and Mrs. Alissa Jacques (women in the fire service). Assistant Chief Matt McCracken wrapped up the day with an overview of the public information officer's role in public safety organizations.

A big thank you to Dr. Chandra Clark, the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, and WVUA Channel 23 for hosting our APSLA cohort.

Address

2501 Phoenix Dr
Tuscaloosa, AL
35405

Website

http://www.apsla.us/

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