Edward G. Buikema, BA

Edward G. Buikema is an instructor for the University of Chicago’s Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies and previously taught in the Master of Science in Threat and Response Management Program. He is an Associate Employee of the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago and is also a subject matter expert and facilitator for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Mr. Buikema was appointed Administrator of Region V of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (now part of the Department of the Homeland Security) in November, 2001 and served until January, 2009. As Regional Administrator, he coordinated FEMA mitigation, preparedness, and disaster response and recovery activities in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. During his tenure as Regional Administrator, Mr. Buikema oversaw the delivery of disaster relief and assistance in sixty-five Presidential declared disasters and emergencies. Mr. Buikema was also designated as a Principal Federal Official by the Secretary of Homeland Security for pandemic influenza for Region C in the United States (combined FEMA Regions V and VIII). During his tenure as Regional Administrator Mr. Buikema was elected chairperson of the Chicago Federal Executive Board.

Mr. Buikema served as the Acting Director of FEMA’s Response Division in Washington D.C. from February, 2005 through October, 2005. In that position he was responsible for administration and leadership of Response Division programs including the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) program, the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) teams, the Mobile Emergency Response System (MERS), logistics, the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), and the Temporary Disaster Workforce.

Prior to his FEMA position, Mr. Buikema was commander of the Emergency Management Division of the Michigan State Police. In this position, Mr. Buikema was responsible for leadership and coordination of the state’s emergency management program and served as the state coordinating officer and governor’s authorized representative for nine presidential disaster declarations. He also served as chair of the Michigan Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Commission, the Michigan Hazard Mitigation Coordinating Council, and Michigan’s Anti-Terrorism Task Force. Mr. Buikema was a charter member of the Emergency Management Accreditation (EMAP) Commission and was elected as the first chairperson. Mr. Buikema was an officer with the Michigan State Police for more than 26 years, serving in the Emergency Management Division for 19 of those years.

Mr. Buikema is a Capstone Scientific Advisor for MScTRM.