John Michael Sledge serves as the Chief of Field Services for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), where he leads statewide field operations and works closely with local emergency management agencies to strengthen Mississippi's preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for MEMA's field personnel, fosters strong partnerships with county emergency managers, and oversees programs that enhance operational readiness across the state.
With more than 15 years of experience in emergency management and public safety, John Michael has dedicated his career to serving Mississippi's communities before, during, and after disasters. He began his public service career as a firefighter in 2011 with the Madison Fire Department, where he developed a strong foundation in emergency response, incident management, and public service.
During his time with the Madison Fire Department, John Michael served as a member of the Mississippi Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2 (MS-TF2). As part of the team, he deployed on numerous missions throughout the region, including response efforts following Hurricane Michael and multiple search-and-rescue operations. These deployments provided valuable experience in disaster operations, interagency coordination, and complex incident management.
In 2021, John Michael joined the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, bringing his operational experience from the fire service into state emergency management. Since joining MEMA, he has held multiple leadership roles, working alongside state, local, federal, private-sector, and nonprofit partners to improve emergency management capabilities throughout Mississippi. His leadership emphasizes collaboration, preparedness, and building resilient communities through strong relationships and practical solutions.
In 2023, John Michael completed the National Emergency Management Basic Academy, further strengthening his leadership and emergency management expertise through nationally recognized professional development.
John Michael is committed to mentoring emergency management professionals, advancing statewide preparedness initiatives, and ensuring Mississippi's emergency management community remains equipped to respond to the evolving challenges of disasters and emergencies.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, John Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary Grace, and their daughter, Maren Michael. They are active members of Pinelake Church in Clinton, Mississippi, where they enjoy serving their community together.
