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Announcement

Research Program Manager Joins FSRI Team

August 25, 2021
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Meet our new Research Program Manager - Derek Alkonis!

Derek Alkonis has joined FSRI as Research Program Manager. This is a newly created position within the organization, established to support and advance our expanded scope of addressing the world’s unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers by leading stakeholder engagement, identifying research needs, and empowering the translation of research to practice in key areas of fire safety. In this role, Derek will manage the implementation of organizational initiatives related to firefighter health and safety and spearhead FSRI’s efforts in addressing wildland urban interface, a priority expansion area for our research.

Prior to joining FSRI, Derek served 31 years with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, most recently as Assistant Fire Chief in charge of the Air and Wildland Fire Division. During his tenure with LA County, he helped establish the department as a leader in fire ground safety and fire service wellness-fitness. As a firm proponent of training, he has developed and implemented innovative programs supporting fire ground tactics, survival, and fire fighter health. He is a member of the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative Technical Committee and holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California San Diego.