Charles Jennings

Charles Jennings is an Associate Professor in the Department of Security, Fire, and Emergency Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York. He serves as Program Director for the Master's in Emergency Management program and Director of the Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies (RaCERS).

His educational background includes:

• PhD in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University (1996)
• MRP in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University (1994)
• MS in Fire Protection Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice (1990)
• BS in Journalism from University of Maryland at College Park (1986)
• AS in Fire Science from Montgomery College (1984)

Professor Jennings conducts research in emergency management, fire service operations, and public safety policy. His work focuses on response to complex incidents including active shooter events, bombings, and technological failures. He has developed after-action reports on major incidents such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting and Boston Marathon bombing. His research also examines community fire risk and resource deployment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to promote evidence-based practices in emergency response.

His publications demonstrate expertise across emergency management, fire science, and public safety policy, spanning from high-rise building evacuation planning to fentanyl exposure risks for first responders, showing a career-long commitment to improving emergency response protocols through evidence-based approaches. His work bridges academic research with practical applications in the field.

His scientific achievements include:

• Chief Fire Officer designee, Center for Public Safety Excellence
• Fellow, Institution of Fire Engineers
• City of White Plains Mayoral Proclamation, "Charles Jennings Day" January 22, 2008

With a career balancing academic and practitioner positions, Professor Jennings served as Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for White Plains, NY and Chair of the Board of Fire Commissioners in Ithaca, NY. His professional memberships span numerous organizations including the National Fire Protection Association, Society for Risk Analysis, and International Association of Emergency Management, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to emergency response.

As Director of the Christian Regenhard Center for Emergency Response Studies, he leads research initiatives focused on improving emergency response protocols and policies, particularly in high-rise building safety and emergency communications.