PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney today announced that Dominick Mireles will become the Director of the City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) effective Monday, April 4. Mireles, who has been with OEM for over seven years, currently serves as the office’s Deputy Director for Operations. In his new role as OEM Director, Mireles will oversee all aspects of the City’s planning for, response to, and recovery from emergencies, disasters, and complex planned public events.

“Dominick brings an enthusiasm for the safety of residents and businesses in our city along with a keen ability to forge critical partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “His experience successfully leading the City through various major events and public emergencies in recent years—including the COVID-19 pandemic, historic flooding from Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Isaias—make him uniquely qualified to lead the City’s Office of Emergency Management.”

As Deputy Director since 2019, Mireles oversaw programs and assets that focused on all aspects of emergency preparedness and response. He worked with multiple local, state and federal partners to help the City plan for, respond to, and recover from three Major Disaster Declarations, two National Special Security Events, and dozens of emergencies and planned events. Mireles oversaw several program areas at OEM, including public information, finance and administration, the Emergency Operations Center, information technology, logistics, and the Regional Integration Center, which serves as the City’s 24/7 watch desk.

Mireles began working at OEM’s Regional Integration Center in 2014 and was later promoted to Logistics Program Manager. Prior to OEM, he planned and executed the safety and security components of large entertainment and sporting events at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and is currently enrolled in a master’s program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Mireles also volunteers with Team Rubicon, which mobilizes veterans to help people prepare, respond and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises.

“This is a dream opportunity, combining my passion for helping others with the chance to collaborate with so many different subject matter experts as we work together to support communities at their most vulnerable times. I thank Mayor Kenney, Managing Director Tumar Alexander, Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel, and the Administration for their confidence in me,” said Dominick Mireles. “It’s an honor to work alongside the team at the Office of Emergency Management, an incredibly dedicated and talented group of Philadelphians with an enthusiasm for serving our neighbors on some of the toughest days. I will work to move the office forward with everything we’ve learned over the last few years under Commissioner Thiel’s visionary leadership, including growing equitable and inclusive programs that will build Philadelphia’s resilience.”

In 2019, Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel was asked to serve temporarily as OEM Director while still leading the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD).  City officials tapped Commissioner Thiel because of his expertise at a time when OEM needed stable leadership in the wake of several successive vacancies in the Director position. Mayor Kenney expressed deep gratitude to Commissioner Thiel for his leadership, which included overseeing OEM’s responses to the pandemic, historic flooding from Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Isaias, and many other challenging events.

“I was glad to step up when the City asked, and I’m proud of the dedicated service provided by OEM over the past few years,” Commissioner Thiel said. “Knowing that my time with OEM would be limited, it was encouraging to watch Dominick’s professional development during that period. The City will be in good hands with Dominick at the helm of OEM.”

The Office of Emergency Management partners with organizations throughout the City and region to prepare for possible emergencies, lessen their impact, and recover as quickly as possible. OEM traces its history in the city back to 1941. Today, OEM conducts a wide range of activities focusing on natural, technological, and human-caused threats and hazards through initiatives with subject matter experts, officials, and community members.