NCIER®

Scott Chappell, Captain (FD/Ret.)

Lead Instructor · National Center for Integrated Emergency Response

Personal Profile

Scott Chappell brings over three decades of experience in the Florida fire service, with a distinguished career centered on operations, incident command, and special operations. His expertise spans Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) and Hazardous Materials (HazMat) response, where he has played a vital role in strengthening Florida's all-hazards emergency response capability. Scott's career is highlighted by his tenure with the Florida State Fire Marshal at the Florida State Fire College, where he began as a field instructor and rose to serve as the US&R/HazMat Coordinator. His operational experience includes deployments to more than a dozen disasters, where he coordinated both ground-based search and rescue operations and air operations, contributing to lifesaving missions in highly complex environments. Scott is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program and holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Scott Chappell

Experience

National Center for Integrated Emergency Response
Oviedo, Florida, 2025 - Current
Instructor
Scott provides instruction for active shooter incident management courses. He uses his many years of fire expertise during classroom instruction and hands-on training.
ncier.org
Scott H. Chappell, Inc.
Melrose, FL, 2001 - Current
Consultant
Scott provides consultations on hazardous response and emergency management training and exercise for private and public emergency and fire service organizations.
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
College Station, TX, 2024 - Current
Agency Instructor III
Scott is responsible for exercise support and training course delivery at the TEEX Emergency Service Training Institute (ESTI).
teex.org
Florida State Fire College / State Fire Marshal
Ocala, FL, 2002 - 2023
US&R/HazMat/MARC Program Coordinator
In this role, Scott coordinated single and joint responses from US&R Rescue Task Forces, Technical Rescue Teams, Hazardous Materials Teams and Mutual-Aid Radio Communications Units. He participated in the Florida Catastrophic Planning Committee, State Emergency Response Committee, State Domestic Security Strategy Fire Committee, and the Training Task Force. He was deployed to more than a dozen disasters and coordinated both ground-based and air operations.
myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm
Marion County Fire Rescue
Ocala, FL, 2000 - 2023
Captain/Special Operations
In addition to coordinating and conducting district level training courses, Scott established and implemented departmental goals and objectives and assisted in the management and administration of the department.
marionfl.org

Knowledge & Skills

Fire, EMS, and Emergency Response
30+ years fire and EMS progressive experience from Firefighter/Paramedic to Urban Search & Rescue/HazMat Program Coordinator. Training and instructional expert with search and rescue operations.
Incident Management
Expert in NIMS and ICS with experience during major Florida hurricanes, infrastructure collapses, and 23+ years at the local, state and federal levels.
Training and Instruction
Developed operational guidance as well as education and training practices on all aspects of emergency response at local and district levels.
Emergency Management
Disaster Exercises (HSEEP)

Specialities

  • NIMS/ICS
  • Firefighter / Paramedic (FL)
  • Emergency Management
  • Urban Search and Rescue
  • HazMat
  • Fire Instructor III
  • Fire Officer I-IV
  • Scuba Rescue Diver
  • Smoke Diver
  • HazMat Tech

Accomplishments

NIMS Certifications
IS-100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.
FEMA Certifications
L449, L950, L956, L958, L960, L962, 0808, S330.
Hurricane Deployments
Deployments including Hermine, Matthew, Irma, Maria, Florence, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Ian, Nicole, and Idalia.
COVID-19 Global Pandemic
Florida Deputy Logistics Section Chief, State Logistics Response Center.
Marion County Fire Rescue
2003 Firefighter of the Year.
Florida Fire Chief's Association
2017 Search and Rescuer of the Year. 2013 Search and Rescuer of the Year.
Professional Firefighters of Marion County
2013 Firehouse of the Year. 2012 Firehouse of the Year. 2010 Special Operations Technician of the Year. 2010 Firehouse of the Year.
F.O.O.L.S International
2012 Dana Hannon Award for Training and Education.
American Legion 40/8
2004 Florida Hero of the Year.

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