Meet the Emergency Management staff members.
Douglas Reed
Emergency Management Director & Homeland Security Adviser
Read Bio
Douglas Reed
Doug is an Iowa Certified Emergency Manager and has served within the agency since 2003 bringing a combined 25 years of experience in emergency services that includes emergency management, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, emergency communications, and law enforcement. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army.
His EMA career began serving part-time as the County EMS Coordinator and transitioning to a full-time Operations Officer for the agency focusing on coordination, management, and implementation of National Incident Management System standards. He was appointed Director on October 1, 2012. Doug has actively participated in and supervised the implementation of disaster response and recovery operations for (12) Presidential Major Disaster Declarations and Federal Emergency Declarations in Pottawattamie County and has also assisted in disaster and emergency response efforts throughout Iowa as a former Planning Section Chief and Incident Commander for the Iowa Type III Incident Management Team. Doug is past-president of the Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA).
Doug currently serves on the IEMA Legislative Committee and as a legislative representative for IEMA to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC). He currently chairs the FEMA Region VII Administrator’s Regional Advisory Council (RAC), and leads or participates in several local, regional and state committees and boards.
Gabriel Barney
Deputy Director & Planning & Operations
Read Bio
Gabriel Barney
Gabe joined the agency in 2023 as the Deputy Director. Gabe brings more than 6 years of public safety experience that includes emergency management, military, emergency communications, cyber security, and workplace safety.
Previously, he served as an emergency management specialist and then being promoted to agency director as well as serving as the county safety director. During his time at Mills County, Gabe gained experience during three (3) Presidential Major Disaster Declarations and Federal Emergency Declarations, implementing various response and recovery activities. While working on different disasters, he also created multiple programs within the county that furthered emergency management efforts as well as renovating the county emergency operations center (EOC) which provided more working space and the integration of upgraded technology to support direction, control, and coordination efforts during emergencies and disasters.
Gabe also serves as a commission officer in the Nebraska Army National Guard specializing in Cyber Operations. Gabe brings emergency communications and high-level operations experience to the agency.
Michell Bose
Emergency Management Specialist & Finance/Admin & Operations
Read Bio
Michell Bose
Michell joined the agency in 2012 after serving (4) years as a regional response manager with the American Red Cross. She brings valuable experience in human services as well as emergency medical services to the agency. Michell focuses on administrative and techinal support to the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments by leading, coordinating and facilitating EMS System Development. She assists with training and EMS program regulatory compliance.
Michell also leads the efforts with area schools and nursing homes, assisting them with emergency preparedness activities and acts as a liaison between the Emergency Management Agency and other preparedness committees.
What Michell loves most about her job, is the ability to be able to assist county residents with preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. In her spare time, Michell enjoys spending time with her nephews and nieces,photography, and kayaking.
