Michael Pena Named Manager of Brookhaven Lab's Laboratory Protection Division
July 19, 2011
UPTON, NY — Michael Pena has been named manager of the Laboratory Protection Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, effective July 11.
The Laboratory Protection Division consists of Fire Rescue, the Police Group, Security Operations, and the Office of Emergency Management. The division’s responsibilities include emergency and medical response, site security, protection of sensitive information, and emergency planning for the 5,300-acre Laboratory complex staffed by approximately 3,000 scientists, engineers and support personnel. The Lab site has over 350 buildings and a large inventory of scientific, technical, and office equipment.
“Providing a safe and secure environment for all employees, guests, and visitors is our division’s mission,” Pena said. “We have a responsibility to provide the best customer service we can. Sharing information is one way to accomplish this, but listening is the most important part.”
He added, “I encourage change for increasing efficiency and will incorporate a fresh perspective in all areas. Taking on new challenges and building relationships is the key to success.”
Pena worked for the New York City Fire Department from 1981 to 2002, retiring as a lieutenant. He served 16 years in the Special Operations Command with elite Rescue Companies 1 & 2 and supervised Rescue Company 1 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers disaster. Also, he was assigned to the New York City Task Force 1 Urban Search & Rescue Team for 13 years, with deployments both nationally and internationally, including Olympic Games.
In 2002, after briefly working as a senior associate in the emergency management group for Kroll Worldwide, Inc., he joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an emergency management program specialist for Region II, covering New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. His duties included serving as the operations chief on Presidential-declared disasters and special security events throughout the nation.
In 2005, Pena joined the U.S. General Services Administration as chief of the Emergency Management Branch. His duties included coordinating, facilitating and directing the agency’s resources to respond to emergency situations and Presidential-declared disasters.
In 2006, Pena returned to FEMA as the division director for the Region II Disaster Operations Directorate. His responsibilities included directing and coordinating the federal response to disasters and emergencies by activating and directing other federal agencies for support. As the division director, he served as the FEMA regional representative on the FBI New York City Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Pena joined Brookhaven Lab in 2009 as manager for the Office of Emergency Management. He successfully developed the Emergency Management Program for the Laboratory and initiated new training and drill programs.
Pena has completed some of the most specialized training available in emergency preparedness and related issues. He has attended courses sponsored by the National Emergency Training Center, the National Fire Academy, the National Domestic Preparedness Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Pena received instructor certifications in emergency response to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, emergency planning, and technical rescue.
2011-11310 | INT/EXT | Newsroom
