Dr. Robert L. Skertich

Rob Skertich has served in a broad range of public safety and emergency management capacities as a provider, commander, and educator since 1978. Rob joined the IISIS project as a Graduate Student Researcher in 1999, and currently serves as a research associate, focusing on public safety policy and practice. He is a life member of the Hampton Township Fire Department, where he has served in most line offices, including fire chief, and is the deputy commander for the federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT-PA1) based in Pittsburgh. Rob is an assistant professor of public administration at Point Park University. Previously, he served as the chief operations officer and emergency services director for the American Red Cross SWPA Chapter (1999-2008), and was a member of the national Critical Response Team and the ARC-FEMA ESF #6 team, coordinating mass care issues. Rob was the protective services instructor for the Butler County Area Vocational Technical School (1990-99), conducting a two-year comprehensive public safety training program. He worked for the Allegheny County Emergency Medical Services Office at the Community College of Allegheny County (1985-90) as a training coordinator and disaster response planner. He remains an instructor-trainer for CCAC, as well as the Allegheny County Fire Academy. Rob holds a BSEd in vocational education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a masters in public policy management and a Ph.D. in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.