Boerne Fire Chief Manny Casarez recently completed the FEMA All-Hazards Incident Commander course, an advanced training program designed to strengthen leadership capabilities for managing complex, multi-agency incidents.
The course is one of FEMA’s flagship offerings within the National Incident Management System All-Hazards curriculum, preparing incident commanders to lead coordinated responses during major emergencies and large-scale community events.
“The decision to pursue this course was driven in part by the lessons learned from the recent Kerr County flooding, which reinforced the need for continued investment in high-level incident management training across the region,” Casarez said. “That event highlighted how quickly local resources can become overwhelmed and how vital strong command and coordination are when facing rapidly evolving emergencies.”
The training covered a wide range of critical topics, including:
- Incident leadership and decision-making under pressure
- Establishing and managing an Incident Command Post
- Building and directing an Incident Management Team
- Developing incident objectives, strategies, and operational periods
- Complex incident planning and resource management
- Interagency coordination and multi-jurisdictional response integration
- Managing public information and stakeholder communication during crises
By completing this course, the Boerne Fire Department strengthens its overall readiness and enhances the City’s capability to manage large incidents, from flooding and wildfires to multi-vehicle accidents and other significant community events. This training not only supports ongoing professional development within the department but also aligns with our commitment to building a resilient, well-prepared City capable of responding effectively to emergencies of any scale.
Chief Casarez’s participation in the course is part of the department’s broader effort to ensure its leadership team remains trained to national standards and prepared to support regional partners when major incidents occur.
