Episode 6: Mission First, People Always: Lessons in Leadership with Jeremy Bersin
From watching Rescue 911 as a kid to coordinating major incidents in the nation's capital, Jeremy Bersin’s journey into emergency management is anything but predictable—and that’s what makes it so inspiring!
In this episode of Careers & Coffee Talk, Jeremy, Chief of the Response Coordination Bureau at DC’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, shares what he's learned from every detour—EMS, startups, Team Rubicon, and beyond.
We talk about:
☕ Leading through vulnerability and building trust
☕ Finding hope (and humor) on the hardest days
☕ Why “mission first, people always” is more than a motto
☕ Preventing burnout in a field that never slows down
☕ The impact of mentorship and preparing the next generation
Whether you're in public safety, managing crises, or just navigating career pivots, this one’s packed with perspective and leadership wisdom.
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About Jeremy Bersin
Jeremy Bersin is the Chief of the Response Coordination Bureau for the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). He manages the team responsible for state-level planning, operational coordination, and interoperability associated with incident management for the District and serves as Manager of the District’s Emergency Operations Center. While at HSEMA, he has supported operational planning for nine National Special Security Events and managed the agency’s response to over 140 incidents across the District. Prior to joining HSEMA in 2021, Jeremy served in several roles with Team Rubicon, including the Senior Disaster Operations Associate and as an Incident Commander and Logistics Section Chief on the organization’s Incident Management Team. In 2019, Jeremy supported California Office of Emergency Services response and recovery operations for the Paradise wildfires.
Jeremy started his public safety career in 2007 as an Emergency Medical Technician in the City of Hartford, CT and for Boston Emergency Medical Services (Boston EMS). He has also served as a Program Manager for the Boston EMS Office of Public Health Preparedness, supporting the city’s response to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, 2014 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship, and other health-related incidents.
After graduating with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, Jeremy spent three years as a Marketing Coordinator, working with various technology startups including MassChallenge, a Boston-based startup accelerator program. Jeremy also holds an M.S. in Healthcare Emergency Management from Boston University, and is a Certified Emergency Manager®. He has also completed Harvard University’s Crisis Leadership program through the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative and the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Emergence Program.