DEMA Director Jamie Turner Announces His Retirement — Aetna Fire Chief AJ Schall Named As His Successor

Today Lewis D. Schiliro, Delaware’s Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security, announced the retirement of Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) Director Jamie Turner and the appointment of his successor, Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Fire Chief Abel J. Schall Jr.

“Jamie Turner has dedicated much of his life to the service of our citizens. His impact on our public safety community extends beyond his years as DEMA director. He has touched hundreds of firefighters as an instructor at the Delaware Fire School and as DVFA Executive Secretary. He has served his community of Clayton as a member of the fire department since 1966. The citizens of our great State are forever grateful for his commitment to public safety,” said Governor Jack Markell.

“After 13 years of protecting the people and visitors to Delaware, we owe Jamie a great debt of gratitude for his long-standing public service as he moves toward retirement,” said Schiliro. “AJ Schall, who will succeed Jamie, has the experience and stands ready to take over the reins at DEMA to ensure the continued safety of Delawareans.”

Schall began his public safety service more than 20 years ago as a volunteer with the Kane County Office of Emergency Management in Illinois. He continued his public safety service when he relocated to Delaware and joined the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company in 1999. He is currently Chief of Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder and has served at the helm since 2013.

“As a member of our public safety community for more than two decades, AJ has responded to countless emergencies often providing lifesaving aid to our citizens. The wealth of experience and knowledge gained as a fireman, certified emergency medical technician and incident commander will prove invaluable as he leads our State emergency management agency,” said Governor Jack Markell.

As Chief, Schall currently oversees and manages 10 full-time firefighters and emergency medical technicians, 30 part-time firefighters and EMTs and more than 80 active volunteers. He has held many other leadership positions at Aetna Hose including Captain, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief and Safety Officer.

“AJ brings the expertise and experience needed to lead DEMA, coordinate with our county and municipal emergency management officials, and partner with FEMA. He is well respected within the public safety community and is a proven leader with the skills necessary to handle an event that could impact our State,” said Secretary Schiliro.

He has served as incident commander for several large emergency incidents including the Interstate 95 MCI/tour bus crash with entrapment, a semi-truck accident with 20 million bees, and a tornado response to the Robscott Community.

Schall has received multiple awards in his time with Aetna, including Top 10 Responder for multiple years and the Valor Award in 2000 after he and two other firefighters were momentarily trapped in a townhouse fire in Pike Creek. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. Ambrose University and has earned numerous fire officer and fire instructor certifications from the National Fire Professional Association.

“I’m truly excited and honored to be part of a team devoted to the Safety and Homeland Security of our State. I look forward to the opportunity to lead DEMA in its day-to-day operations and work with our public safety partners,” Schall said.

In addition to his role as Aetna fire chief, Schall has been employed by Bank of America since 1998. He will begin at DEMA on August 24, 2015.