Benita Dawson

Benita Dawson has a diverse work experience, primarily in the field of emergency services. Benita started their career in 1999 as a Firefighter/EMT with the Prince George's County Fire Department and later became a Paramedic/Firefighter. In 2013, they transitioned to become a Firefighter Paramedic Lieutenant. Benita also worked as a Registered Nurse at Laurel Regional Hospital from 2011 to 2013, where they provided exceptional patient care in a fast-paced emergency room. From 2014 to 2015, they worked as a Registered Nurse at Nurse Finders, collaborating with doctors and staff to provide exceptional care. Currently, Benita is a Battalion Chief with the Prince George's County Fire Department, a role they have held since August 2020.

Benita Dawson has an extensive education history in the field of emergency services and healthcare. Benita began their educational journey by earning an Associate's degree in Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) from Prince George's Community College in 2005. Following this, they pursued an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse from the same institution, completing it in 2011.

In 2012, Benita furthered their education by enrolling at Prince George's Community College for an Associate's degree in Fire Science/Firefighting, which they successfully completed in 2014. Benita then moved on to the University of Maryland Global Campus, where they obtained a Bachelor's degree in Registered Nursing in 2019.

Continuing their educational journey, Benita pursued a Master's degree in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus, which they are expected to complete in 2022.

In addition to their formal education, Benita has obtained various certifications. These certifications cover a wide range of topics, including Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Abdominal Trauma, Pediatric Stroke, Hospice and Palliative Care, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare and Public Safety. Benita also holds certifications related to fire services, including Fire Inspector 3, Fire Instructor 3, Fire Officer 4, Hazardous Material Technician, and Health and Safety Officer (HSO). Furthermore, they have certifications in incident command system through courses such as ICS-100.c Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-200.b ICS For Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, and ICS-400 Advanced ICS for Command and General Staff, Complex Incidents and MACS for Operational First Responders.

Overall, Benita Dawson has dedicated herself to gaining knowledge and skills in emergency services, healthcare, and crisis management through their extensive education and certifications.