Mark Pickford

Mark Pickford

Emergency Management Advisor

Mark Pickford is an emergency management leader and decorated Canadian Armed Forces veteran with extensive experience supporting municipal, provincial, and federal governments. He has a proven record of building and leading high-performing Incident Management Teams (IMTs), strengthening emergency management and business continuity programs, and delivering effective outcomes during complex, high-pressure incidents affecting communities and critical services. Recognized nationally and internationally for innovation and leadership, Mark is known for translating complex risk, response, and continuity requirements into practical, scalable solutions that strengthen organizational resilience. Mark applies a results-driven leadership approach focused on collaboration, strategic decision-making, and operational excellence. With deep expertise in operational planning, Incident Command System instruction, Incident Command Post, Reception Centre, and Emergency Coordination Centre operations, he provides clear, experience-based guidance and timely, data-informed decision-making.

Current Responsibilities

Emergency Management

Years of Experience

30+

Location

Alberta

Qualifications

Instructor ICS 100, 200, 300, 400
Instructor AEMA Planning P Course
Instructor Planning Section Chief
Instructor Operations Section Chief
Incident Commander Course
Instructor Basic Emergency Management Course
ESS Related Courses
Exercise Design
Effective Communication
Leadership & Influence
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving (FEMA)

Professional Designations

Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) – IAEM
Associate Business Continuity Professional (ABCP) – DRI International
Foundations of Leadership – MacEwan University
Industrial Emergency Management – NAIT
Project Management – NAIT

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

Mark brings extensive operational experience from domestic emergency deployments and disaster response operations across Canada and Alberta. During his Canadian Armed Forces career (1990–2014), he deployed on multiple domestic operations in support of civil authorities, including flood, fire and ice storm responses across Canada. In senior leadership roles, he was responsible for personnel leadership, operational planning, logistics coordination, and execution of sustained response operations, working closely with municipal, provincial, and federal partners within unified command environments.

From 2015 to 2022, Mark was deployed extensively across Alberta as a Field Officer with the Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), supporting response and recovery operations for major wildfires, floods, and other all-hazard incidents. He provided on-the-ground coordination and advisory support to municipalities and First Nations, supported Emergency Coordination Centre and Incident Command operations, and contributed to evacuation, emergency social services, and interagency coordination activities. This experience reinforced his ability to deliver clear, experience-based guidance, maintain operational focus under pressure, and support effective decision-making during complex, high-impact emergencies.

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • 2022-2026 – Director of Emergency Management (DEM) for City of St. Albert
  • 2014-2022 – Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) Field Officer for North Central Region
  • 1990 -2014 – Senior military leader with 24 years of service

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • IAEM 2025 International Award – Canada Council Merit Award
  • Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award – Public Safety Canada
  • Awards of Excellence – Disaster Recovery Institute International
  • Willis Award for Innovation – CAMA
  • Premier’s Award for Excellence – Fort McMurray Response
  • Chief of Defence Staff Commendation
  • Governor General Citation – Afghanistan