Chris Essid is a nationally recognized leader in emergency communications, interoperability, and public safety technology. He served as the first Director of the DHS Office of Emergency Communications and as Deputy Director for the CISA Emergency Communications Division. Prior to this Chris served as the first Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) in Virginia. Chris focused on building partnerships between public safety agencies and industry to improve communication capabilities nationwide. He led efforts to develop the first National Emergency Communications Plan, established the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC), and stood up the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. Chris championed the establishment of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWIC’s), Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans (SCIP’s), and inclusive Statewide Interoperability Governance Bodies (SIGB’s) in every state and territory.

​

Throughout his career Chris has advised federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private-sector organizations on communications governance, technology integration, continuity planning, and resilient communications strategies. His experience spans national policy development, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, interoperability, emergency communications modernization, and implementation of best practices aligned with the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum.