Ray Chang

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Contact Info
ray.chang@erau.edu

Ray H. Chang is an assistant professor in the department of political science at Oklahoma State University. Chang spent six years in the New Taipei City Fire Department in Taiwan as a fire battalion captain. He was in charge of developing emergency plans for a 13-kilometer tunnel and organizing an urban search and rescue team. Chang also contributed to the 2005 Taiwan National Firefighter’s Handbook.

Chang earned his Ph.D. from University of Delaware in disaster science and management and his master’s degree from Arizona State University in fire service administration. He spent a year working with the Phoenix Fire Department to develop technology to locate new fire stations and collect and analyze data from major disaster drills.

Chang is interested in disaster response and his doctoral dissertation focuses on the Incident Command System (ICS). His goal is to develop the theoretical foundation for the ICS that incorporates his experience from Taiwanese and American fire departments and strengthens the practical applications of this system. Chang hopes his practical background and postgraduate studies will bridge the gap between academics and practitioners in the future and believes his Asian heritage and cross-cultural training will benefit disaster management systems in the United States and around the world.