NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Kevin Jura, coordinator of the “Strategic National Stockpile” for the State of Maryland, serves as a member of the Strength For Service Board of Directors.

The stockpile serves as a repository of antibiotics, vaccines, chemical antidotes, antitoxins and other critical medical equipment and supplies which are available in case of natural disasters, a pandemic, or other emergencies.

Based in Baltimore, the stockpile is able to rush emergency supplies to health authorities in as little as 12 hours. The operation is managed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security.

Jura is well qualified to serve on the board of directors as he served for 20 years as a first responder (paramedic for the Okaloosa County, Fla., Emergency Medical Services and auxiliary lieutenant on the Florida Highway Patrol).

In 2000, he served for two years as chief diver for the Santa Rosa County Search and Rescue team and in 2003 he was elected to a two-year term as chairman and chief executive of the District EMS Advisory Council.

“I can tell you from personal experience, that the Strength for Service devotional books have served not only as an inspiration, but as a resource as well,” said Jura. “The books have gotten me through tough times in the past, and I know that they will be there for me in the future as well.”

Prior to his 2011 appointment as the state coordinator of the Strategic National Stockpile, he served as accreditation program manager and instructor for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department.

A graduate of Troy (Ala.) University, Jura has also served on the national staff of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and an EMS educator for Northern Virginia Community College and Calvert County, Md.

An Eagle Scout, Jura has been involved in scouting for more than 30 years. He has served as a scoutmaster, an Explorer adviser, a unit and a district commissioner, and as a Council Committee chairman. He serves on the Scholarship Committee of the Northeast Region of the National Eagle Scout Association. He also serves on the National Order of the Arrow Committee’s Financial Operations Subcommittee and the National Aquatics Taskforce.

He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is married to Sarah Anne Jura (née Loving).