Tom Neal

Mr. Thomas Neal is currently serving as the Task Force Coordinator/Program Manager; he previously served for nine years as the Training Coordinator for the Indiana Rescue Task Force. The Indiana Rescue Task Force is one of 28 federal rescue teams in the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System under the Federal Emergency Management Agency. His responsibilities include all training aspects for 210 personnel in specialized rescue as well as weapons of mass destruction (WMD). He is currently serving as a member of the DHS/FEMA Response Sub-Group and served as the chair of the WMD/Hazmat Sub-Group where the group oversees the current concept of operation and equipment cache for all 28 teams. He is also serving as a member of the Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) Work Group developing the national response plan for IND. Mr. Neal was an instructor in the Domestic Preparedness Program for three years. The Domestic Preparedness Program was designed to reach the 120 largest cities in the country. He instructed first responders in the safe response to Weapons of Mass Destruction. Mr. Neal has also participated in the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) as an evaluator as well as an Instructor.

 

Mr. Neal has been deployed to many disasters across the country as well as
responding within the first 24 hours to the World Trade Center collapse. Mr. Neal’s professional experience includes presenting Hazardous Materials/Waste
Training, conducting Emergency Response Training including Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and mask fit testing, and preparation of Environmental/Safety
Sampling plans.

In addition, Mr. Neal is a 32-year veteran of the Indianapolis Fire Department, where he holds the rank of Division Chief and is a member of the Hazardous Materials and the Tactical Rescue teams. Thomas also has nine years of experience as an
Environmental Scientist. He holds related certifications to include Hazardous Materials
Management, Hazardous Materials Technician, Professional Certification in Fire Ground Safety Officer, Medicolegal Death Investigator, and FEMA instructor for Weapons of Mass Destruction.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Indiana University in 1988. He also holds a related certification in Hazardous Materials Management from Indiana University in 1991.