Biju Panicker

Biju Panicker is a seasoned emergency management and EMS professional with over 25 years of experience in prehospital care and more than 13 years leading complex disaster response, logistics, and public health operations across federal, state, military, and healthcare sectors. A native New Yorker, Biju’s public service journey began in response to President John F. Kennedy’s call to action: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country." That inspiration led him to become an EMT in New York City, and later a police officer with the NYPD. His commitment to community safety continued as he served in both EMS and law enforcement roles in Arizona before expanding his focus to national and global emergency response efforts. Biju’s federal service includes extensive deployment experience with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he served as a Logistics Officer and Emergency Management Specialist with the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). He played key operational roles in missions ranging from Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico to COVID-19 deployments with Cal-MAT in California and large-scale unaccompanied minor operations in Texas. Most recently, Biju supported Illinois' refugee and immigrant integration efforts and served as a Logistics Officer for the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. He has consistently been trusted with high-responsibility roles, including Logistics Section Chief, Deputy Safety Chief, and Planning Section Chief. Biju currently serves as a 1st Lieutenant and Emergency Management Officer in the Maryland Defense Force, where he leads civil-military coordination and emergency planning initiatives aligned with NIMS/ICS standards. He also holds hospital emergency preparedness and EMS coordination roles with HCA Health's StoneSprings Hospital Center in Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business, a master’s in Leadership and Disaster Preparedness, and a Juris Doctor degree. Biju is a published legal author and certified Associate Emergency Manager (IAEM), ICS Instructor (G-449), and certified healthcare emergency management coordinator. When not deployed, Biju enjoys spending time with his wife and their senior chihuahuas, and continues to give back through EMS education, serving as an EMS instructor, practical skills examiner and mentor for new EMTs.