National Disaster Preparedness Training Center

NDPTC is very proud of the team of staff we have built. We will be highlighting some of our exceptional staff members throughout the year. Please keep an eye on our monthly newsletter and social media platforms for more employee spotlights.

Mel has been with NDPTC for 12 years and values the relationships she has built with staff, instructors, and partners across the country. She especially enjoys meeting consortium and state partners in person and working alongside colleagues who share a strong sense of mission and purpose.

One of her most memorable experiences was a week-long training at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center that brought together instructors from across the country, including many she had worked with for years but had never met in person. The opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn together made the week feel more like a celebration than work.

Outside of NDPTC, Mel enjoys traveling to attend live music concerts across a wide range of genres (BTS in August!) or sport events, going to Orangetheory Fitness, taking long walks with her dog, Bibingka, and spending time with family and friends.

Hawaii Training Event – Honolulu

Get ready to connect, learn, and strengthen our community! Join us in Honolulu for an engaging Hawaii Training Event focused on real-world preparedness and emergency response. We are offering four of our courses!

7/13: MGT-331: Community Planning for Disaster Recovery
7/14: AWR-362: Flooding Hazards: Science & Preparedness
7/15: MGT-460: Planning for Disaster Debris Management
7/16: Planning Considerations for Extreme Hazards

This event brings together professionals and community members from fire, law enforcement, healthcare, emergency management, public works, and beyond—all working toward a safer, more resilient Hawaii.

Registration is now open!

2026 Hawaii Training Event

NDPTC is very proud of the team of staff we have built. We will be highlighting some of our exceptional staff members throughout the year. Please keep an eye on our monthly newsletter and social media platforms for more employee spotlights.

Herman says one of the things he enjoys most about working at NDPTC is the people. “I enjoy working with my coworkers,” he shared, reflecting on the supportive and collaborative environment that makes each day meaningful.

One of his most memorable experiences came early in his time with NDPTC during a conference in Orlando, Florida. The day before his return flight, a tornado warning was issued for a nearby city, an unfamiliar experience for someone from Hawaiʻi. “I wasn’t sure what to expect or what to do,” he recalled. Fortunately, the warning was downgraded later that evening, and he was able to fly home safely the next day.

Something people might be surprised to learn about Herman is that he is deaf in one ear, but you can always count on him to be listening. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing video games, and going on outings with his wife and daughter.