KEY TEAM MEMBERS
Robert Duffus
Robert Duffus has over 20 years of experience in fire, rescue, HAZMAT, emergency management and instruction. He is currently serving as a District Chief in Richmond, Virginia with responsibilities for: training; safety; planning; emergency response and mitigation; disaster recovery; HAZMAT; heavy tactical rescue; dive/river rescue; public information; and public life safety education.
Highlights
- Served as City Fire Marshal; Executive Officer to the Fire Chief; and numerous other command positions in fire and emergency services – operations division
- Served on the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness (OCP) Interoperability workgroup and the OCP Commonwealth Preparedness workgroup
- State and Federal certifications as an Instructor; an Emergency Medical Technician; a Fire Officer; a Fire Code Official; a Fire and Life Safety Educator; and a HAZMAT Technician
- Member of: Central Virginia Fire and Arson Association; International Association of Fire Chiefs; International Building Code Council
- Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Richmond
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University
Christopher Conley
Christopher Conley has 22 years service with the City of Richmond Fire Department. He served 4 years as an Instructor at the Fire Training Academy and currently serves as a State Adjunct Instructor with the Department of Fire Programs. Chris has most recently been accepted as a sponsored instructor with the Center of Domestic Preparedness.
Highlights
- Coordinated and assisted with the training of over 4200 city workers in Homeland Security/National Incident Management System program (IS 700)
- Other Department of Homeland Security training includes ICS 100 & 200 (1500 city employees), ICS 300 (over 325 upper management city employees) and in September 2009, he delivered ICS 400 to all department directors
- Named NIMS Coordinator for the City of Richmond by the Director of OEM in 2006
- Nominated for the Governor’s 2007 Virginia Fire Service Award for Excellence in Virginia Fire Service Training
- 2 time recipient of the Instructor of the Year title for the Richmond Fire Department
- Worked with Secret Service agents to develop Incident Action Plans for events such as President George Bush’s visits in 2006 and 2007 and Queen Elizabeth’s arrival during the celebration of Jamestown’s 400th Anniversary
- Represented the Richmond Fire Department as a member of the Unified Command at the State Capitol during the 2010 Inauguration of Governor McDonnell
- Recommended by the Office of the Governor for appointment to the National Advisory Council to FEMA
Warren Cersley
Warren Cersley is enjoying his 36th year in the Fire Service. He is currently serving as a District Chief/Shift Commander in the City of Richmond Department of Fire & Emergency Services, a position he has held since 1986. His responsibilities include planning and coordinating citywide operational activities and resources, fire suppression, emergency response and mitigation, hazardous materials, dive and river rescue and heavy tactical rescue.
Warren enjoys sharing his work and life experiences with younger members of the Fire Service and has successfully demonstrated his ability to span educational and generational differences through the use of results oriented instructional methods, flavored with plain talk and common sense leadership.
Highlights
- Executive Board Member of the Richmond Fire Department Foundation
- Supplemental educational opportunities include ICS 100-800, NFA All Hazards, Staff and Command, Public Fire Education, Virginia Arson Seminar, VFCA conventions, Fire Rescue International, FDIC and numerous VDFP courses
- Has worked closely with the Office of Emergency Preparedness for numerous weather events, special events and executive planning for high profile visitors to the City of Richmond
- Has managed numerous high profile incidents, multiple alarm fires, and has enjoyed the daily challenges of an urban jurisdiction that is also divided by a river with Class IV swift water, a deepwater port, and several interstate highways and rail systems.
- Past instructor at the Company Officer Leadership Academy
- Served as Fire and Safety Director at Retreat Hospital
- Past recipient of Rookie Firefighter of the Year title, Firefighter of the Year nominee and Junior Officer of the Year nominee
- Youngest to have achieved all promotional ranks up to Battalion Chief
- Holds the Life Saving Award, the Medal of Valor and the Medal of Honor
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