Dr. Gerri Penney chairs the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1035's Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist Task Group. This national task group is a geographically diverse team of subject matter experts in the field of juvenile firesetting. Mental health, law enforcement, fire and life safety education, burn prevention, and USFA‘s National Fire Academy (NFA). This task group is responsible for updating the professional qualifications, including job duties, job performance requirements (JPRs), knowledge and skills of Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist I and II’s, for NFPA 1035. Dr. Penney also chairs the Palm Beach County Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program, which has a secure database.

Since 2003, Gerri has chaired the National Fire Prevention Professional Development Committee (NFPPDC) for the USFA’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) program. Gerri received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, in 2010. She received her M. Ed. In School Counseling from the University of Ottawa and two baccalaureate degrees, a B.A and a B. Ed. from St. Francis Xavier University, both in Canada. Dr. Penney is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the NFA and an instructor and curriculum developer for that institution. Dr. Penney has been involved with fire and life safety education for over 28 years.

Dr. Penney’s current research interests revolve around Community Risk Reduction, including conducting a pilot demonstration for people with profound hearing loss to ascertain what will awaken them if there is a fire in their home.

Dr. Penney serves on and chairs several national committees related to Fire Prevention. Dr. Penney has been honored as a “Fellow” with the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association. Dr. Penney works with Juvenile Firesetters Intervention Prevention. She also instructs programs on Juvenile /Youth Firesetters throughout the country.