William Flagler Jr.

William N. Flagler Jr. is the Director of the Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management (DPSCEM).

Prior to this appointment as the Director of DPSCEM, Mr. Flagler served as both the Acting Director and as the Deputy Director of DPSCEM. As the Deputy Director of DPSCEM, Mr. Flagler took the lead in directing the immediate operations of Emergency Management, overseeing strategic planning, providing policy guidance for the development and implementation of the budget, administering and coordinating the management of grants related to homeland security, and monitoring the implementation of the County’s emergency plans in County departments and with resident groups and other organizations and was responsible for emergency operations and public safety situational awareness.

Director Flagler's previous experience includes being the founding Director of the Department of Emergency Management and Safety at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) which is the largest institution of Higher Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. During his time at NOVA, he successfully coordinated the response and recovery associated with an active shooter in 2009 and other complex emergency incidents. He was also an Assistant Coordinator for Loudoun County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management.

Director Flagler has nearly 20 years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience. He’s earned master’s degrees in Public Administration and Homeland Security.  Mr. Flagler holds a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) designation as well as the Virginia Professional Emergency Manager designation (VaPEM). He is also a Certified Public Manager (CPM). He is a graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Executive Leadership Program, and Leadership Arlington c/o 17. He also received training from the Harvard University, Crisis Leadership Program. 

Director Flagler received the Meritorious Service Award from the Arlington Chamber in 2017. He is also an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University and served as a Visiting Scholar at Virginia Tech University. He has also held leadership positions in the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) and was most recently elected to serve as the 1st Vice President. Director Flagler has also been recognized by the Leadership Center for Excellence and the International Association of Emergency Managers as a 40 under 40 honoree.