8/25/2006
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-3690 |
 |
Mayor names Ball to head emergency management operations
INDIANAPOLIS – Mayor Bart Peterson today named Indianapolis Police Department Major John Ball to head Marion County’s Emergency Management Agency. The appointment is effective Monday, August 28.
As Director of Marion County Emergency Management, Ball will oversee the county’s emergency preparedness and homeland security efforts, including implementing the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
He will replace Jim White, who resigned earlier this month.
Ball currently works as the commander of IPD’s Bureau of Strategic Planning and Emergency Preparedness, where he manages the department’s preparations for large-scale emergency response, special events planning, and policy development. Ball will maintain his position with IPD and be promoted to deputy chief when he takes command of Emergency Management next week.
“In the event that a large-scale emergency or disaster would befall our city, our community needs experienced leadership to keep our residents prepared and safe,” Mayor Peterson said. “John’s work with IPD and his background in strategic emergency response makes him the right person for this job.”
Public Safety Director Earl Morgan applauded the appointment, calling Ball a “proven leader” and said he “looks forward to working with Ball on enhancing the city’s homeland security policies and response tactics.”
Ball is a 17-year veteran with IPD. In 2002, Ball became the commander of the Chief’s Executive Bureau, where he revised and improved departmental planning policies for special events and oversaw the implementation of public safety plans for several large events in Indianapolis, including the Indianapolis 500, the National Governor’s Conference and Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration.
In 2004, Ball was appointed by the Mayor to the Indianapolis/Marion County Information Technology (IT) Board where he helps oversee the IT Agency, which serves the technology and communications needs of 5,000 city and county employees.
Ball’s advanced public safety and law enforcement training includes ten-weeks of management training at the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, VA. He also attended the U.S. Secret Service’s Dignitary Protection seminar in Washington, D.C. in 2004 and in 1999 performed course work in integrated emergency response with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Ball graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from Butler University and earned a Master’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University - Indianapolis. Ball is currently completing coursework for a Master’s in homeland security studies through the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School.
-30-
|
