HOW WE STAND OUT TO HELP
At ERGSS, our mission is to enhance emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts by offering high-quality, up-to-date professional consulting and training services. We serve both the private industry and the public sector, ensuring that organizations are prepared for any emergency situation.
Founded in 2007, ERGSS is led by a team of seasoned professionals who prioritize a client-first approach. Whether partnering with international, state, local, or private organizations, our goal is to deliver tailored, efficient, and expert solutions that address your unique needs. In addition to our in-house team, we collaborate with a network of subject matter experts across various fields to ensure a perfect fit for your specific requirements.
ERGSS takes pride in delivering customized solutions for organizations of all sizes, whether public or private. Our commitment to providing practical, tested, and sustainable solutions has yielded impactful results for clients around the world. By applying best practices, leveraging extensive resources, and taking a global perspective, we are dedicated to helping you succeed.
JOEL’S JOURNEY
Meet Joel Yonkman, Owner and Founder of Emergency Response and Global Security Solutions (ERGSS).
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Director of Operations
With more than 35 years of experience in emergency management and disaster response, Joel Yonkman is a recognized leader in crisis operations, tactical medicine, and incident command. Serving on one of the most active regional federal response teams, he has played a critical role in responding to large-scale emergencies and disasters across the country and worldwide.
Joel’s frontline experience includes roles as a Paramedic Supervisor, Tactical Medical Commander, and Firefighter, where he developed expertise in disaster medicine, hazardous environments, and high-risk tactical operations. He holds multiple instructor certifications in EMS, hazardous materials, and fire service, equipping responders with the skills necessary to operate in extreme conditions. His deep knowledge of mass casualty incidents, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency medical logistics makes him a sought-after expert in training and operational planning.
Beyond direct response work, Joel has consulted for FEMA, the Medical College of Georgia, and various national agencies, focusing on emergency preparedness, response coordination, and disaster resilience. His insights have contributed to the development of incident command protocols, medical response strategies, and integrated disaster planning for public and private sector organizations worldwide.
Currently, Joel serves as Director of Operations for ERGSS, leveraging his extensive experience in law enforcement, security, and construction to lead initiatives in home automation, emergency preparedness solutions, and risk mitigation technologies. He plays a pivotal role in developing smart security systems, automated emergency alerts, and crisis response integration, ensuring both residential and commercial clients are prepared for unexpected emergencies.
Additionally, as a Project Manager for a federal disaster response initiative, Joel specializes in GIS mapping, data analysis, and business/economic impact assessments. His work supports strategic decision-making for disaster recovery efforts, helping communities and agencies analyze infrastructure damage, assess economic losses, and optimize resource allocation in post-disaster scenarios. His ability to integrate real-time data with emergency planning has been instrumental in enhancing federal response operations and long-term recovery strategies.
With a career dedicated to public safety, crisis management, and operational efficiency, Joel Yonkman remains a trusted authority in emergency response, risk mitigation, and disaster resilience on both a national and global scale.
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Director of Public Health and Healthcare
Trey Brooke is an emergency management and public health expert with over 22 years of experience supporting government, healthcare, education, and many other clients in planning, preparedness, and resilience. He has led comprehensive initiatives ranging from emergency operations and continuity of operations plan overhauls for energy utilities and regional health systems, to the design and leadership of full-scale exercises involving thousands of participants. His work consistently bridges regulatory guidance, operational realities, and community-focused engagement, ensuring that plans are not only technically sound but truly effective in real-world response.Throughout his career, Trey has been a sought-after consultant, program strategist, and industry expert, helping agencies and organizations secure and manage federal funding at the local, state, and federal levels. Known for his collaborative, client-first approach, he builds strong working relationships across agencies and disciplines to translate complex policy into actionable plans, training programs, and disaster exercises. His ability to guide organizations from needs assessment through execution has earned him recognition and repeat engagement across the emergency management landscape.
As an advocate for resilient healthcare and public health systems, Trey brings both domain knowledge and hands-on delivery to ERGSS’s expanding work in local and state emergency management and medical readiness. He is a skilled instructor and communicator, adept at helping clients understand risk, adapt to new threats, and strengthen their preparedness. With a passion for practical, sustainable solutions, and a reputation for generating results, he stands ready to support ERGSS in its mission of delivering high-quality, forward-looking emergency and health security services.
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Director of Security
John is a highly accomplished Director of Security with extensive experience managing personnel and operations in high-pressure environments worldwide. With multiple awards and honors highlighting his exceptional leadership, he excels in training, motivating, and driving professionalism across diverse teams. John’s background spans international assignments in the Middle East, Europe, the Balkans, and Asia, where he gained valuable cultural insight and expertise in global security. His core strengths include project leadership, program management, policy and procedure development, training delivery, and strategic execution, backed by a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance. John's career includes senior roles with CRIPT Academy, General Dynamics, BWSC, DynCorp, and the U.S. Department of State, where he led security operations, personnel management, and specialized protective services for high-risk environments. As a former U.S. Marine Corps NCO and police leader, he brings unparalleled experience to security strategy and crisis management.
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Medical Director
Dr. Moores is a highly experienced physician with 17 years in the medical field, currently serving as the Director of Emergency Services at Mecosta County Medical Center and Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital. A graduate of the University of Colorado Medical School, he has held leadership roles in emergency medicine, including Assistant Director of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Hospital of Cadillac. Dr. Moores is also the CEO of Central Michigan Emergency Physicians, PC, and has been instrumental in developing Michigan's mass casualty response to CBRNE events. His career is marked by numerous honors, including awards for medical research and community service, as well as significant contributions to emergency medical practices and research. With a strong background in emergency services and a commitment to advancing medical responses in high-risk situations, Dr. Moores is a trusted leader in the field.
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Director of Response and Recovery
Joy is a retired Emergency Management Director with 27 years of experience in all phases of emergency management. A highly skilled planner, she has received five national awards for her dedication and expertise. Joy has worked at local, state, and federal levels, specializing in unified planning for a range of critical areas including mass evacuations, sheltering, mass fatalities, and HazMat response. She has extensive experience in exercise design and development, having led exercises for more than 6,000 participants in areas such as bioterrorism and community-based HazMat response. Joy holds a B.A. in Political Science and numerous certifications, including Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), HazMat Technician, and FEMA Advanced Professional Series, making her an invaluable leader in response and recovery operations.
ERGSS owner Joel Yonkman shares his emergency management expertise, amid the tragic floods across Kerr County, Texas, with Host Christy Matino LIVE on LiveNOW from FOX on July 8, 2025.
ERGSS owner Joel Yonkman joins Spectrum National correspondent Katie Streit July 11, 2025 to share his emergency management expertise amid tragic Kerrville, Texas flash floods.
ERGSS’ Yonkman shares hurricane season outlook amid uncertainty across FEMA on WAVY-TV 10.
TESTIMONIALS
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I was impressed with the depth of knowledge ERGGS brought to my organization as they assisted in the development of diverse projects for an international airport. From Pandemic Planning (the first of such at any international airport), to COOP planning to the effective management of an EOC, the staff did a tremendous job.
Chief Alan Black, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
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We recently spent some time with one of the ERGSS Consultants on a project to create an executable Continuity of Operations Plan for our company and were greatly pleased with the knowledge he possessed and the ability to provide an easy and valid solution to our concerns.
John E., CRIPT Academy
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Over the course of several years we have worked closely with ERGSS to provide fire and EMS training to the Charlevoix Area. During that time the ERGSS staff have always shown a great deal of professionalism and subject matter expertise. We look forward to working with them on future projects for a long time to come.
Jesse Silva, Charlevoix Fire Academy
