In the Spotlight: Jeremy Urekew

A hazardous materials instructor at the Center for Domestic Preparedness, Jeremy Urekew has responded to multiple train derailments, floods, and clandestine laboratory incidents during his career.

He’s also the author of two of the CDP’s most popular lecture series presentations: Suspicious Activity Reporting and Elastomeric Reusable Respirators.

Early on, Urekew worked as a paramedic and a firefighter for the Jefferson County, Kentucky, fire service and spearheaded the radiation interdiction program in his region. He later served as a hazmat specialist/tactical medic for the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Hazardous Incident Response Team before working as an intelligence liaison officer for Kentucky’s Office of Homeland Security.

Urekew currently serves as a hazmat specialist for FEMA/DHS Urban Search and Rescue and owns a small business in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge where he teaches technical rescue tactics.

“Competency is a meal served best with training and experience,” said Urekew, adding, “When you can’t gain experience, you have to shore it up with realistic training.”

“Fortune follows the prepared,” he said.