Jesse Spearo

Dr. Jesse Spearo bio

Dr. Jesse Spearo has served as a successful public safety practitioner for nearly 25 years, having worked in the private sector and at all levels of government including Federal, Tribal, State, County, and Municipal.  He has responded in a command or general staff role to nearly a dozen Presidential Disaster Declarations.  He is the author or co-author of more than 50 emergency management plans and publications and regularly conducts research on emergency management topics and presents his findings at national and international conferences.  

Dr. Spearo serves as Assistant Director at Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, where he oversees the Prevention and Protection Directorate.  He is responsible for the preparedness, planning, training, exercise, and community engagement efforts for one of the most populous and vulnerable areas of the country.  Currently, he is leading the emergency planning efforts for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Miami, including coordinating the preparedness, training, and exercise efforts for dozens of agencies throughout the region. 

Professionally, Dr. Spearo is a Certified Emergency Manager through both the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).  Dr. Spearo is recognized as a Florida Master Instructor (FMI), FEMA Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP), and graduate of FEMA’s National Advanced Academy and National Executive Academy.  He is also an Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) Assessor, credentialed All-Hazards Type-3 Situation Unit Leader, and state appointed voting member of Florida’s EOC Position Qualification System. 

Dr. Spearo holds a Ph.D. in Public Safety and Emergency Management; a dual Master of Science in Emergency Planning Administration and Criminal Justice Administration; and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science.