Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Michelle Oblinsky, CEM has extensive experience in emergency management and GIS analysis. Michelle currently serves as the Deputy Coordinator / Bureau Chief of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. In this role, they supervise 5 VEST Coordinators and collaborates with multiple state agencies. Michelle also holds the position of Certification Commissioner for IAEM.
Previously, Michelle held leadership roles in the Virginia Emergency Management Association, including President and First Vice President. Michelle has also worked as the Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management for Chesterfield County, where they chaired the Mass Care Committee and served as the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Coordinator.
Michelle has a background in GIS analysis, having worked as the EM Senior Planner / GIS Coordinator for the City of Chesapeake. Michelle has also provided GIS expertise as a GIS Consultant for Earth Tech and as a Senior GIS Analyst for the City of Chesapeake Department of Information Technology.
Throughout their career, Michelle has demonstrated a commitment to training and preparedness, regularly providing training programs and support in emergency readiness.
Michelle Oblinsky, CEM, holds a Master of Arts degree in Geography/Planning from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which they obtained from 1995 to 1997. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs/Planning from Virginia Tech, completing their studies from 1990 to 1995. In terms of professional development, Michelle has achieved the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) certification from the International Association of Emergency Managers in March 2008. Furthermore, they have attended the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy at the Emergency Management Institute, affiliated with FEMA, from 2017 to 2018. Most recently, in 2019, Michelle completed the Executive Academy at the Emergency Management Institute to further specialize in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management.
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