Zach Shean, Emergency Management Coordinator
zshean@harnett.org
Zach Shean has been with Harnett County Emergency Services since 2009 where he started with the EMS Division. In 2014, he advanced to serve as the Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for Harnett County, and in 2019 he was promoted to Emergency Management Coordinator, where he serves today. He began his public service career as a volunteer firefighter with Angier Fire & Rescue and went on to serve as a volunteer Rescue / EMS Captain with Dunn Emergency Services. Prior to his employment with Harnett County Emergency Services, he worked as the shift supervisor for Erwin Fire & Rescue serving as a Firefighter and EMT. Shean has worked in various parts of emergency management including field operations, on scene incident management and managing the emergency operations center in various floods, natural disasters and training events. He possesses an associate's Degree in Emergency Management from FTCC and working towards a bachelor's in Emergency Disaster Preparedness from Western Carolina University. In 2023, Shean was awarded the prestigious Vance E. Kee Award from the North Carolina Emergency Management Association. That award is given to a local government emergency management professional who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their emergency management program, through promoting emergency management among local and state agencies and elected officials. He is married and has two children. Shean possesses the following certifications:
NCEMA Executive Emergency Manager Certification | Advanced EMT | NIMS & Fire I & II Instructor | Technical Rescue - Confined Space |
FEMA / NIMS Incident Commander Credential | Firefighter I & II | Chief 101 | Technical Rescue - Ropes |
FEMA / NIMS Operations Section Chief Credential | Hazardous Material Level I | Emergency Vehicle Driver | Technical Rescue - Vehicle Extrication |
FEMA / NIMS Division Group Supervisor Credential | Fire Investigation Technician | FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot | Technical Rescue - Water Rescue |
FEMA / NIMS Situation Unit Leader Credential |
Ryan Dawson, Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator
910-893-7580
rdawson@harnett.org
Ryan Dawson has been the Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator since 2023. Dawson began his career in public service as a volunteer junior firefighter at age at Sandy Bottom Fire & Rescue and later at North Lenoir Fire & Rescue. As a volunteer firefighter, he held ranks from firefighter all the way to Deputy Fire Chief. Prior to joining Harnett County Emergency Services, he worked 20 years at the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office in Kinston, NC where his last assignment was 7 years as the Chief Deputy Sheriff and second in command over approximately 130 employees. While there, Dawson cross trained in many areas with the emergency management field including active shooter, missing persons, land search and incident management. He has experience working in field operations, on scene incident management and in the Emergency Operations Center. Dawson possesses a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology from Appalachian State University and is a graduate of NC State University Law Enforcement Executive Program. He is married and has two children. Dawson possesses the following certifications:
NCEMA Associate Emergency Manager Certification | EMT Basic | Chief 101 | Basic Law Enforcement Certification |
FEMA / NIMS Incident Commander Credential | Firefighter I & II | Emergency Vehicle Driver | Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification |
FEMA / NIMS Liaison Officer Credential | Hazardous Material Level I Ops | Driver / Operator Pumps | Advanced Law Enforcement Certification |
FEMA / NIMS Public Information Officer Credential | Fire Investigation Technician | Driver / Operator Aerials | Internal Affairs Supervisor Certification |
FEMA / NIMS Operations Section Chief Credential | NC Fire Officer 1 - VFO | NIMS Instructor | Criminal Justice General Instructor |
FEMA / NIMS Division Group Supervisor Credential |