Douglas Bass was appointed Director of Emergency Management & Homeland Security for Miami-Dade County on June 11, 2007. He is responsible for leading the County's efforts to prepare for, respond to and recover from significant emergencies that affect the residents and visitors of Miami-Dade County.
He oversees the County's emergency management program, Emergency Operations Center, domestic terrorism planning and response program, as well as other emergency planning, training and exercise initiatives. 

Mr. Bass has more than 20 years of experience developing, planning and implementing all phases of emergency management activities. He has served as the Emergency Manager in Fairfax County, Va., Onslow County, N.C., and Raleigh/Wake County, N.C. As an emergency management director, he has received four National Association of Counties awards. These awards cite program enhancements and leadership in incident command, hazardous materials, and public notification, warning and emergency technology initiatives.

Mr. Bass is a native of North Carolina. He worked in the public safety field in the state as a law enforcement officer, emergency services instructor and emergency management director for three decades.

Mr. Bass holds a master's degree from N.C. State University and several undergraduate degrees in fire protection and criminal justice. He is a graduate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Executive Development Institute and is considered a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers, State of North Carolina and Commonwealth of Virginia.