Darrell Darnell, senior associate vice president for safety and security at the George Washington University, has been appointed to the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security Commission.
Throughout his career, Mr. Darnell has worked to enhance the overall preparedness and capabilities of public safety agencies to protect citizens and property against risks posed by terrorism, natural disasters and other emergencies. At George Washington, Mr. Darnell directs the coordination, development and management of the safety and security program for the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon and Virginia Science and Technology campuses.
“I’m delighted that Mr. Darnell has once again agreed to serve the residents of the District of Columbia,” said Mayor Vincent Gray. “Mr. Darnell is uniquely qualified to serve on the commission and his experience will serve us all well. I look forward to working with him and the commission.”
The D.C. Homeland Security Commission is responsible for:
- gathering and evaluating information on the status of homeland security in the District of Columbia;
- measuring progress and gaps in homeland security preparedness;
- recommending security improvement priorities in consultation with major public and private entities; and
- advising the District of Columbia government on the Homeland Security Program.
Mr. Darnell has more than 30 years of experience in the military and federal and private sectors. He previously served as director of the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), directing the development of the city’s overall public safety strategy. Mr. Darnell has also held positions at the White House National Security Staff; U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Community Oriented Policing Service and Office for State and Local Domestic Preparedness Support; and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“I am honored to be appointed to the commission,” said Mr. Darnell. “Building upon the foundation established over the last decade, I believe the commission can assist the District in achieving a new level of preparedness.”
Mr. Darnell is a graduate of the Harvard School of Public Health and Kennedy School of Government’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program. He also is a senior fellow with GW’s Homeland Security Policy Institute, a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the All Hazards Consortium.
“I hope to help the commission provide advice that results in a comprehensive homeland security and emergency management program that is forward looking and anticipates emerging threats; and capable and prepared to prevent, mitigate and respond to localized and regional emergencies, or a catastrophic event,” he said.