Meet The Team

Meet The Team

SCP-LA-CITY-AWARD
Your Fire Service Experts

Our Management Team

The Safe Community Project, a non-profit public benefit charity is managed by a group of fire service professionals. This group of individuals bring expertise in fire suppression, emergency medicine, incident command, national, state, and local emergency management, communications, journalism, media, education, and training.

The directors for The Safe Community Project are actively involved in the operational management of the organization as well. The organization’s ability to collaborate closely with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, LA Unified School District, Department of Aging, Rec & Parks, American Red Cross, FEMA, and other partners is due to the ongoing dedication and contributions made by the organization’s directors.

Current Directors

David Barrett

Executive Director

Training and brand development expert, business CEO, award-winning filmmaker, co-founder

Steven Owens

Director

US Air Force NCO (ret), LA City Fire Captain, (ret), co-founder.

David Yamahata

Director, Special Projects

Chief Deputy, Emergency Operations for the Los Angeles City Fire Department (ret.).

Cameron Barrett

Education Director

Former network news director, university professor, award-winning filmmaker, training expert, co-founder.

Harout Harry Semerdjian

Director of Government Affairs, Resilience Officer

Experienced governmental executive, advocate for human rights.

William A. Whitney

Experienced executive search expert, CERT trainer, and public safety officer, co-founder.

Experienced executive search expert, CERT trainer, and public safety officer, co-founder.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

SELECT PAST DIRECTORS

Dean Cathey

Secretary & Treasurer
(passed away on 5/27/18)

LA City Assistant Fire Chief (ret), former LAFD Community Liaison Officer, co-founder.

Michael Thomas

Los Angeles City Fire Department Assistant Chief, educator

Margaret Stewart

Los Angeles City Fire Department Public Service Officer, former US Army Helicopter Pilot, Business Executive.

Wayne Johnson

Los Angeles City Fire Department Captain (ret)., community service expert, entrepreneur.

Jayson Johnson

Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedic, director at the African American Firefighters Museum.

John Drake

Los Angeles City Fire Department Assistant Chief.