Who Are We?

Erie Prep is an experienced and certified team of Emergency Managers passionate about making sure that when things fall apart, those we work with do not.

The Erie team comes with years of experience and a passion to see agencies, organizations, and individuals get better prepared and ready for whatever comes their way. This passion comes through in our efforts, and we honestly believe this makes us better at our work.

Unlike many other EM consulting companies in this field, we come with actual experience on the ground doing crisis and emergency work. The truth is, we are still quite active in the emergency management field.

Erie works with individuals, private companies, local groups, governments, and universities. We are familiar with all the potential issues that you, your agency, or organization might encounter. We strive to offer our partners a combination of comprehensive capabilities and the deep industry knowledge necessary to help you solve the most complex Emergency and Disaster Preparedness problems.

We look forward to connecting and walking with you as you prepare for your worst day.

Why Choose Erie?

Our team

Thad HIcks, Ph.D, CEM, MEP

Principal Consultant

Thad Hicks serves as Principal Trainer and Consultant for Erie Prep. As an emergency management professional and retired police officer with well over 25 years experience, Thad is considered a subject matter expert in emergency preparedness and Emergency Exercises and Drills. Thad has worked with and and trained groups all over the globe.

In addition to his work with Erie Prep, Thad is an Emergency Management & Criminal Justice professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon Ohio. He also serves with The Salvation Army as the Emergency Disaster Services Liaison for the State of Ohio.

Thad is a Certified Emergency Manager, (CEM), and a Master Exercise Practitioner, (MEP),. Thad earned an M.A. in Conflict Transformation, and a PhD in Intercultural Studies.

Jim Bolen, MS, OCEM

Senior Consultant

Jim Bolen serves is a Senior Consultant for Erie Prep. Jim has over 15 years experience in public safety, including over 10 years experience in emergency management. Throughout the course of his career, Jim has had the opportunity to deploy to several natural disasters including Hurricanes Sandy, Irma, and Ian.

Jim currently serves as the Director of the Butler County (Ohio) Emergency Management Agency and as an adjunct Emergency Management professor at Ohio Christian University. Jim is also a member of the Butler County Incident Management Team where he serves as a Planning Section Chief, Public Information Officer, and Liaison Officer.

Jim holds an Ohio Certified Emergency Manager certification, a M.S. in Safety, Security, & Emergency Management with dual concentrations in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and is a graduate of FEMA’s National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA).