Summary

In this episode, Steve Kuhr reflects on his experience during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and shares his thoughts on crisis management and communication. He discusses his journey from being in Orlando, Florida for a healthcare conference to making his way back to New York City to support the response efforts. Steve highlights the importance of effective communication and the challenges that still exist in crisis management today. He also expresses his gratitude to the individuals he worked with during the response and recovery efforts.

Contacts

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skuhr/

Summary

In this episode, Mike Willis and Debbie Blyth discuss a cyber attack on the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the crisis management response to it. The attack occurred in February 2018 and affected CDOT's systems, including HR, payroll, contractor payment, variable message signs, toll collection, and more. The attack was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure, which allowed the attackers to gain access to the CDOT domain. The response involved the collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard. The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and trust in crisis management. The establishment of a unified command and the use of incident management teams were key in coordinating the response. Nutrition and hydration were prioritized to ensure the well-being and performance of the response team. The joint information center played a crucial role in managing public and internal messaging. Emergency purchasing and tracking were supported by the Office of Emergency Management. Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for cybersecurity and crisis management teams to work together.

Takeaways

The cyber attack on CDOT was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure.

The attack affected various systems and operations within CDOT, causing significant disruption.

The response involved collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard.

The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. Collaboration and trust are foundational in crisis management.

Establishing a unified command and using incident management teams help coordinate the response.

Prioritizing nutrition and hydration improves the performance of the response team.

A joint information center is crucial for managing public and internal messaging.

Emergency purchasing and tracking are important for cost assessment and accountability.

Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for collaboration between cybersecurity and crisis management teams.

Contact Information

Debbi Blyth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-blyth/

Mike Willis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigadier-general-ret-michael-willis-a8b49a37/

Show Notes

Five Minutes to Chaos has reached its 52nd episode, marking a significant milestone in the success of the podcast. The podcast has featured a diverse range of guests and panel episodes, covering various crisis events and innovative approaches to crisis management. For this special episode, Steven Kuhr discusses the topic of heat emergencies, which he believes captures the essence of emergency management. Key elements of managing heat emergencies include interagency collaboration, communications, public information, and the establishment of cooling centers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Milestone

00:56 Conceptualizing the Podcast

03:21 Monologue Episode

04:14 Choosing the Topic: Heat Emergencies

08:08 History of Emergency Management in NYC

09:29 Heat Emergency in Chicago

11:25 Jerry Hauer and the Task Force

12:53 Interagency Collaboration

18:42 Reducing Heat Deaths

19:09 Monitoring and Intelligence

20:04 National Weather Service and Regional Calls

21:46 Emergency Operations Center

24:36 Communications and Public Information

27:27 Unity of Effort and Shared Situational Awareness

29:53 Cooling Centers and Transportation

32:17 Summary and Gratitude

About Steven Kuhr

Steven Kuhr has spent his career in Emergency Management, building a diverse portfolio of leadership positions across multiple sectors. Mr. Kuhr served as Director of Emergency Management, Enterprise Continuity, and Security Operations at Colorado Springs Utilities. While serving in this position, Mr. Kuhr oversaw crisis, risk, and resiliency operations for energy and water utilities, as well as dam operations for Colorado’s second largest city. During this time, Mr. Kuhr also served as a Director with InfraGard-Denver and co-founded the Colorado Critical Infrastructure Alliance.

Earlier, Mr. Kuhr served with the New York City Office of Emergency Management as a founding Deputy Commissioner where he led emergency operations and multi-risk emergency planning. Prior to that he served with the New York City Fire Department as EMS Deputy Chief and Special Operations Commander.

Mr. Kuhr is a trusted Crisis Management Leader. He has advised elected officials, CEOs and “C-Suite” Leaders during complex emergencies, major disasters, and terrorist attacks. Mr. Kuhr is also a respected consultant, having served as Managing Director and Emergency Management Practice Leader at Kroll Inc., and President and Chief Operating Officer at Strategic Emergency Group LLC.

Mr. Kuhr has advised a variety of organizations in several business industries and government sectors to include federal, state, and local government agencies, transportation (rail, aviation, seaport, and surface), financial, energy (electricity/natural gas), water/wastewater, dams, major league baseball, cable news, commercial properties, defense, justice, law enforcement, and an agency serving people with disabilities and special needs.

Mr. Kuhr Hosts “5 Minutes to Chaos – A Podcast”, a weekly podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, where he and guests explore the complexities of crisis management.

Mr. Kuhr holds a Master of Science in Homeland Security Management and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management Administration. He is a Colorado Certified Threat Liaison Officer and held a certification as an Advanced EMT-IV Paramedic.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/skuhr/

Introduction

With over a decade of experience building organizational resilience, Jason distills complex strategies into clear, actionable plans that support people, culture, and business processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and confident navigation of any disruption. Jason also loves dogs.

Contact Info

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hoss/

Introduction

Chief Jorge A. Rodriguez is the Emergency Management Coordinator/Director for the El Paso Office of Emergency Management, with over 25 years of public safety, emergency management and homeland security experience. In a dual capacity, he also serves as an Assistant Fire Chief with the El Paso Fire Department with a program portfolio that includes special operations, aircraft rescue and firefighting, homeland security grants and the Office of Emergency Management.

He managed the response and recovery when El Paso was the center of multiple protracted back-to-back disasters: a domestic terrorism attack/mass shooting in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic when El Paso was the global epicenter, and the mass migration humanitarian crises of 2019, 2022 and 2023.

He holds both a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Leadership and a BA in Political Science with a focus on Intelligence and National Security from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is a graduate of Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Executive Education Program and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leaders Program. He is currently attending the FEMA Vanguard Executive Crisis Leaders Fellowship Program.

Chief Rodriguez is a member of multiple local, state and federal committees, advisory boards and task forces as well as a speaker at state and national conferences.

Contact Information

LinkedIn: http://tinyurl.com/yub4nhtp

Summary

Brittany Castillo, CEO of Ashbritt, discusses the company's role in post-disaster debris management and emergency management logistics. She highlights the importance of local hiring and economic recovery in disaster areas, as well as the humanitarian initiatives undertaken by Ashbritt. Brittany also emphasizes the challenges and complexity of contractor operations in the emergency management industry. She shares the story of Ashbritt's humble beginnings and the involvement of her family in the company. Additionally, Brittany discusses the Stronger Than The Storm nonprofit and its work in supporting children and families in disaster-affected communities.

Brittany discusses the importance of leadership and crisis management in emergency response. She shares examples of crisis management in Kentucky and Northern California, highlighting the need for adaptability and community-focused solutions and emphasizes the role of partnerships and on-the-ground operations in effective emergency management. She discusses the self-sufficiency and lean-in mentality of her organization, as well as the growing importance of public-private partnerships in the industry. Additionally, Brittany highlights the philanthropic efforts of AshBritt and the importance of supporting women in emergency management.

Takeaways

• Effective crisis management requires strong leadership and adaptability.
• Partnerships and collaboration are crucial in on-the-ground emergency response.
• Self-sufficiency and a lean-in mentality are key in emergency management operations.
• Public-private partnerships play an increasingly important role in emergency management.
• Supporting women in emergency management and philanthropic efforts are essential for a resilient community.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanypcastillo/

Introduction

Art Powers is the Senior Principal for Emergency Preparedness & Response at ExxonMobil. He is a past coordinator of the ExxonMobil Americas Regional Response Team and has worked in various leadership roles in ExxonMobil’s US Pipeline and Distribution operations over his 25 years with the company.

Art is an IAEM Certified Emergency Manager and obtained a Master of Science in Emergency Management in 2008 and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation in 1993, both from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Over Art’s career, he has been part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, worked in shipping in New York Harbor, spent time as a petroleum inspector, and has moved around the US six times, living in Massachusetts twice, Buffalo NY, Chicagoland, and Northern Virginia, before ending up in Texas in 2014.

Art spends his time traveling for work or spending time in Mauritius with his wife. He has one son, two stepsons, and a stepdaughter.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-powers-cem-38549012/

Introduction Strategic advisor and global economic policy expert Michele Wucker coined the term “gray rhino” as a call to decision makers to improve how they respond to obvious, probable, impactful risks. She is founder of the Chicago-based advisory firm Gray Rhino & Company. A former media and think tank executive drawing on decades of experience in global finance and economics, she works at the nexus of policy, behavioral science, and business strategy. Her four books include the influential global bestseller, THE GRAY RHINO, and the sequel, YOU ARE WHAT YOU RISK. Digital links: website thegrayrhino.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/wucker/  

Introduction

Chris Tuttle is the Emergency Communications Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for Region 2, which includes the states and territories of New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2010, Chris has supported and promoted the nationwide improvement of emergency communications capabilities, while addressing the complex issues facing the emergency communications ecosystem. Chris continues to build trusted relationships, enhance collaboration, and stimulate the sharing of best practices and information between all levels of government, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and key non-government organizations.

Over the last twelve years, Chris has been involved with several national and regional level Emergency Support Function #2 activations, to include; Puerto Rico Earthquakes, Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene, Super Bowl, Pope Francis Visit, and the annual General Assembly meetings of the United Nations in New York City.

Chris’ previous experience includes Hazardous Materials/Counter-Terrorism Program Manager at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and Manager of Emergency Operations in Public Safety Department at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Chris’ work at the PANYNJ focused on radio and wireless communications, specifically interoperable emergency communications within New York City, New York, and New Jersey.

In addition, Chris' experience includes a variety of crisis management and emergency response planning and training projects for corporate and public sector organizations throughout the United States.

Chris’ public safety experience includes 27 years as a volunteer firefighter (six years as Chief of Department, Maywood, NJ), continuing to work over the last ten years as a part time 9-1-1 dispatcher (City of Hackensack, NJ Fire Department), and emergency management coordinator for his home town. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the University of Rhode Island.

Congressional Testimony on Infrastructure Threats, January 31, 2024 https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/committee-activity/hearings/hearing-notice-ccp-cyber-threat-american-homeland-and-national-security

Contact Information

Christopher.Tuttle@cisa.dhs.gov

Introduction

Tina Kuhr is an Emergency Management Leader in the Nuclear Industry with the following experience:

• Emergency Plan, Emergency Plan Program Procedure and Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure maintenance

• Emergency preparedness regulatory change process

• Drill and Exercise evaluation and critique report preparation

• Training Emergency Organization Members

Tina currently serves as the Emergency Preparedness Program Lead for GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She supported the transition from event based to position based emergency response procedures, including preparing regulatory change justifications. She is currently converting procedures used by her site’s Fire/HAZMAT/EMT responders to our company’s standard format. She ensures that emergency response facilities are maintained in a state of readiness and coordinate training for the new Emergency Organization Members.

Prior to coming to GEH in 2019, she worked in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness at Duke Energy for ~25 years. There she developed and maintained fleet standard nuclear emergency response procedures and emergency preparedness program procedures for six nuclear stations and the corporate office, including preparing regulatory change justifications. Her accomplishments included:

• Reducing the number of nuclear emergency response procedures and emergency preparedness program procedures by 75% by implementing standard procedures across the company following a merger.

• Updating surveillance procedures for the common Emergency Operations Facility to include requirements for the three additional sites and performing those surveillances.

• Revising the standard emergency response procedures based on lessons learned from drills and exercises following implementation.

Before the merger she standardized nuclear emergency preparedness program procedures for the Duke Power fleet and maintained the procedures in the common EOF, incorporating drill and exercise lessons learned and industry best practices. Prior to that, she was the corporate EP “group,” responsible for projects of a generic nature such as bringing Oconee Nuclear Station into the common EOF, which required prior approval by the NRC Commissioners and moving the EOF from one building to another without prior NRC approval.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-kuhr-b6585930/

Introduction

Sean Friedman is a senior-level Business Continuity and Resiliency/Disaster Recovery Manager with 25+ years of experience in the planning and implementing business continuity planning in the financial services industry. Sean has practical experience dealing with hurricanes, Sandy, Irene, Katrina, and Rita; 9/11; blackouts, transit strikes, and COVID-19. Key competencies include developing business continuity plans, training, planning exercises/tests, conducting business impact analysis (BIA's), tabletop exercises, project oversight, facilities management, strategic planning, and conversion/acquisitions.

Key Positions

- Director Business Continuity – Amalgamated Bank

- AVP Business Continuity – Apple Bank

- Business Continuity Consultant – USAA

- VP Business Continuity – IDB Bank

- VP Business Continuity Planning – Morgan Stanley

- VP Business Continuity Coordinator – Bank of New York Mellon

- VP Business Continuity – JPMorgan Chase

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanfriedman/

Introduction

Howard has just retired after more than 48 years as a an award-winning broadcaster, journalist and business continuity professional. He last served as an assignment editor at WNBC -TV in New York, following a nearly 37-year career at WABC-TV, ABC News, ABC Television and The Walt Disney Company. Howard is a two-time EMMY Award winner, and twice shared the George Foster Peabody Award for his contributions to ABC News coverage. He also shared the DuPont Award for his contributions to WNBC’s coverage of the COVID pandemic. He has worked domestically and internationally as a news producer, assignment editor, bureau chief, reporter and anchor, covering some of the biggest stories of our time, including the 9/11 attacks, the 2003 Northeast blackout and Superstorm Sandy.

A certified business continuity professional (CBCP), Howard was charged with maintaining the operational resilience of all ABC News & Television platforms around the globe, and later served Disney as a senior manager of business continuity. He also served as an in-house resilience consultant to the ABC Owned Television Station Group.

Howard holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and an MBA in management and marketing from New York University. A guest lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he has been a featured speaker at numerous professional conferences and workshops, and a contributor to many trade publications. He is a member of the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

Howard is the founder of the website, MediaDisasterPrep.com, and writes its companion blog, MediaDisasterPrep.wordpress.com. A married father of two, and a resident of New City, NY, Howard is fond of telling anyone who’ll listen that events are disasters only if you haven’t planned for them.

Contact Information

E-mail: HowardBPrice@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbprice/

Facebook: @HBPrice.

Summary

In this conversation Podcast Host Steven Kuhr interviews Sarah Lux, an emergency management public information officer from Lake County, Florida. They discuss the role of public information officers (PIOs) in crisis management and share their experiences in the field. Sarah talks about her background in anthropology and how she transitioned into government communications. She also highlights the importance of utilities in crisis management and the challenges of communicating with the public during emergencies. They discuss the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for COVID-19 testing and the need for effective communication strategies that go beyond social media. In this conversation, Steve and Sarah discuss the importance of having a comprehensive communication plan during emergencies. They highlight the need for social media to be part of a larger communication strategy that includes other tools like flyers, signage, and press conferences. Kuhr emphasizes the importance of building relationships with the media and other PIOs to ensure effective communication. Sarah shares her experiences during deployments and the challenges of rebuilding public trust after a lack of communication. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of trust, early and accurate messaging, and admitting mistakes in crisis communication.

Takeaways

Public information officers (PIOs) play a crucial role in crisis management by ensuring effective communication with the public.

Utilities face unique crisis situations and require proactive communication to address customer concerns and educate the public.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be a valuable tool for predicting and managing public health crises, such as COVID-19.

Effective crisis communication requires a combination of social media, traditional media, and building relationships with the press.

Collaboration and coordination between PIOs from different organizations and municipalities are essential for consistent and unified messaging during emergencies.

Having a comprehensive communication plan that includes social media as well as other tools like flyers, signage, and press conferences is crucial during emergencies.

Building relationships with the media and other PIOs is essential for effective communication.

Rebuilding public trust after a lack of communication can be challenging and requires admitting mistakes and providing accurate information.

Early and accurate messaging is key in crisis communication, and it is important to set realistic expectations for the media and the public.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmadelinelux/

Introduction Lori Hodges has over twenty-five years of experience at both the state and local levels in the emergency services and emergency management fields. She currently works as the Director of Emergency Management for Larimer County, Colorado. Lori is a Certified Emergency Manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and the State of Colorado. She is also a graduate of the Executive Leaders Program and the master’s program through the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. Additional education includes a master’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management and Planning. She received the Emergency Manager of the Year Award from the Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) in 2008 and 2013 and received the CEMA President’s Award in 2020.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-hodges-ma-ccp-pmp-319b2a18/

Introduction

In this important episode, a panel of experts discuss the complexities of crisis management on a global scale. The panel offers critical insights based on their crisis management roles in global organizations.

Among the items discussed are:

-Organizational preparedness

-Capacity building

-Building sustainable crisis management teams

-Synchronizing organizational silos

-Certainty management

-Embedding crisis management into the organizational structure and culture

-Artificial intelligence and Crisis Management

-Much more

 

Panel Members

Andrea Davis

CEO, The Resiliency Initiative

Former Global Emergency Manager, Walmart

Former Global Emergency Manager, Disney Corporation

 

Bruce McIndoe

President, McIndoe Risk Advisory

Founder iJet Risk Intelligence

Lead architect US Government intelligence

 

Vincent Davis

Director of Disaster Services, Feeding America

Founder, Preparedness Matters

Program Manager Emergency Preparedness & Response, Walgreens

Corporate Emergency Manager, Amazon

 

Contact Information

Each panel member can be contacted through their LinkedIn profile

Introduction

As a CEO with extensive leadership experience in the emergency management sector, Nora O'Brien is seeking to leverage her strategic vision, stakeholder management skills, and crisis management expertise to drive growth and success for a lucrative emergency management firm. With a Master's degree in Public Affairs specializing in Disaster and Emergency Management, and a B.S. in Political Science with a focus on International Relations, Nora brings a strong educational background to her role. As the CEO and Owner of Connect Consulting Services, Inc., she has led a woman-owned national emergency management and business continuity planning firm, successfully completing hundreds of projects across 47 states. Nora's demonstrated crisis management skills are evidenced by her leadership during emergencies such as the Cedar Fire, Hurricane Katrina, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to her CEO role, Nora contributes to the field as a FEMA Adjunct Instructor, a contributing writer for Emergency Management Magazine, and an instructor for the Center for Domestic Preparedness. With her skills in strategic vision and planning, stakeholder management, and crisis management, Nora is well-equipped to drive organizational growth and success in the emergency management industry.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/noraobrien/

Introduction

Rob Gaudet is CEO/Founder at Cajun Navy Ground Force, a boots on the ground nonprofit that leverages lessons learned to drive digital innovation in disaster response. He is an innovator, engineer, author, media personality and speaker and was selected as 2016 Louisianian of the Year.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robgaudet/

https://gocajunnavy.org/

Introduction

Emergency Managers Andrea Davis, Mona Curry, and Jamie Quarelles join Steven Kuhr to discuss the contributions and challenges of women in Emergency Management. The panel hit broad topics including organizational leadership, mentorship, bias, the comfort zone, servant leadership, and much more. See biographical profiles below.

Andrea Davis

Andrea Davis is a recognized expert in the field of emergency management who has dedicated her career to bridging the silos between the public and private sectors to create a united approach when it comes to disaster risk reduction. Ms. Davis has held leadership roles with NGOs (The American Red Cross, Save the Children US), the US Federal Government (FEMA, The Federal Reserve) and for Fortune 500 Companies (Walmart, Disney). With each role, Ms. Davis used her influence to lead global initiatives focused on the importance of making risk informed determinations and engaging all members of the community in the decision-making process. Currently, Ms. Davis is the President and CEO of a Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), The Resiliency Initiative (TRI). Ms. Davis founded TRI out of a passion to serve the whole community before, during, and after an emergency.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaeileendavis/

Mona Curry

During her 28-year tenure with the City of Los Angeles Mona specialized in responding to disasters, fortifying disaster readiness and strengthening community resilience. Culminating her city career as an Emergency Manager for Operations Valley Bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Her engagement extends beyond official capacities. As a consultant for a Hawaii-based non-profit, Mona is actively involved in an innovative project to provide community resilience. The Ko’olauloa Resiliency Hub will set a benchmark for similar resilience initiatives throughout the State of Hawaii. Mona also holds a position as a Board Member appointed to the State of Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency, serving on the Governor’s Advisory Council. This appointment by Governor David Ige for the term spanning 2021 to 2025 underscores her commitment to driving impactful strategies for disaster response and readiness.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monacurry/

Jamie Quarrelles

Jamie Quarrelles CEM®, is with the Preparedness Bureau within the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA). She is responsible for emergency management, homeland security planning and compliance activities within the District and the National Capital Region (NCR). She serves as a subject matter expert participating on numerous panels, advisory groups, task forces, and steering committees addressing emergency management issues. She delivered numerous presentations to communities and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally on emergency management and preparedness strategies.

Ms. Quarrelles has extensive employment experience with Federal, State and Local Government, and private sector organizations. She also has numerous years of operational experience with the District of Columbia Government in the Executive Office of The Mayor, Department of Public Works, and the Department of Transportation. Her private sector experience includes the Executive Offices of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the National League of Cities.

In 2017 she became a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) by the International Association of Emergency Managers. She is an Alumna of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI), through the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Center for Public Leadership.

Other Professional affiliations include Assessor for the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-quarrelles-cem-0225371/

Introduction

Jack is a retired Fire Marshal, serving as Deputy Chief with the Leonia Fire Department. He also served 15 years as Countywide Deputy Fire Coordinator for Bergen, NJ. He is the past chairman of the Fire/Life Safety Directors Association of Greater New York and an adjunct professor at John Jay College/Fire Science Institute (NYC).

He is a principal member on the following Fire Life Safety committees:

- High-Rise Building Safety Advisory Board

- NFPA 1660 Emergency, Continuity, and Crisis Management, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

- NFPA 1082 Facilities Fire/Life Safety Director Professional Qualifications

- NFPA 2800 Facility Emergency Action Plans.

- ICC National Fire Code Action Committee.

As a Fire Engineering Magazine contributing editor he has written many fire service articles and the Handbook for Firefighter I and II chapter on Pre-Incident Planning. He has co-authored books on: High-Rise Buildings: Understanding the Vertical Challenges; and Bridging the Gap - Fire Safety and Green Buildings. In 1997, he was appointed an FDNY Honorary Battalion Chief. He is a member of the Clarion/FDIC Fire and Rescue Advisory Board and was the recipient of the 2012 Fire Engineering Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more information on:

- Building Intelligence Card go to: www.ebisg.com 

- High-Rise Buildings; Understanding the Vertical Challenges book go to: https://fireengineeringbooks.com/books/high-rise-buildings-understanding-the-vertical-challenges/

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-j-murphy-1939a610/

Introduction

Dr. Asha M. George is the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. She is a public health security professional whose research and programmatic emphasis has been practical, academic, and political. She served in the US House of Representatives as a senior professional staffer and subcommittee staff director at the House Committee on Homeland Security in the 110th and 111th Congress. She has worked for a variety of organizations, including government contractors, foundations, and non-profits. As a contractor, she supported and worked with all Federal Departments, especially the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. George also served on active duty in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence officer and as a paratrooper. She is a decorated Desert Storm Veteran. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate in Public Health from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative.

Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense Reports

https://biodefensecommission.org/reports/

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashamgeorge/

Introduction

As the former Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Office of Emergency Management and Chief Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross in Greater New York, Kelly McKinney has had a leadership role in every major disaster in New York City for more than 20 years, from the 9/11 attacks to Superstorm Sandy to Covid-19. He teaches crisis management at NYU and was recently appointed to FEMA's National Advisory Council.

Nationally known for his writing and speaking on the principles and practice of disaster management, he is the author of "Moment of Truth, the Nature of Catastrophes and How to Prepare for Them". His 5-minute video, The Essential Emergency Manager, has been viewed more than 125,000 times on YouTube. He is a professional engineer with a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Kansas and an MPA from Columbia University in the City of New York.

Key Positions

• Assistant Vice President of Emergency Management and Enterprise Resilience at NYU Langone Health

• Chief Disaster Officer, American Red Cross of Greater New York

• Deputy Commissioner for Preparedness, New York City Office of Emergency Management

• Associate Commissioner for Environmental Health, New York City Department of Health

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mckinney-2a990726

Twitter: @kellymnyc

Introductions

Peter Goelz offers decades of leadership in management,

transportation, crisis communications and national and international

political strategy.  Mr. Goelz has managed the Washington, DC office

for O’Neill and Associates from 2005 through 2021 when he moved to Of

Counsel status. Prior to that he was the head of the Crisis

Communications Practice Group for the global communications firm APCO

Worldwide.

 

Mr. Goelz has been active in public life and politics for close to

four decades having worked for and advised Presidents, Senators, and

Governors. He served as Executive Assistant and political Director for

Governor Hugh J. Gallen, worked for Presidents Jimmy Carter and

William J. Clinton.

 

In addition, Mr. Goelz was appointed by President Clinton to serve as

Managing Director of the National Transportation Safety Board. After

joining the NTSB in 1995, Mr. Goelz served as Director of the offices

of government affairs, public affairs and family affairs as well as

Managing Director.  As Managing Director, his responsibilities

included handling the day-to-day operations of the agency and serving

as chief policy advisor to the Chairman. In addition, he managed the

passage of the agency’s re-authorization and appropriations

legislation and testified on Capitol Hill. He is widely hailed as one

of the country’s most experienced safety investigative experts.

 

Mr. Goelz was on scene and directed investigative activities at

numerous aviation accidents, including ValuJet in Miami; TWA off the

coast of New York; EgyptAir off the coast of Rhode Island; American

Airlines in Arkansas; and the J. F. Kennedy, Jr. accident off the

coast of Massachusetts. Mr. Goelz was the principle liaison to the

White House, the FBI and the CIA. During this time Mr. Goelz also

directed investigative activities in numerous pipelines, rail and other

surface accidents.

 

While serving in the Clinton Administration Goelz was detailed to the

White House to work on security issues surrounding the WTO conference

in Seattle, WA,

 

In September of 1990 Goelz began work with the Government of Kuwait

while they were in exile. Stationed with the Government, in Taif Saudi

Arabia, he helped stand up the Government’s Public Information Office

and crafted a number of innovative communications strategies on behalf

of Kuwait.

 

In the private sector, Mr. Goelz worked with major airlines, airports,

unions, and corporations, advising them on safety and security

matters. For the Warren Buffet owned company NetJets, he drafted their

first crisis response plan and guided them through a mid-air collision

accident,

 

His current and past clients have included Alaska Airlines, Boeing,

PG&E, NetJets, Presidential Airways, L3 Communications, Massport/Logan

Airport, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants,

 

Mr. Goelz is a sought-after commentator on aviation safety issues and

is currently under contract with CNN. His written commentary has

appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including USA

Today, New York Times, and Aviation Daily.

 

Mr. Goelz is a member of the Aero Club of Washington, the

International Aviation Club, and the International Society of Air

Safety Investigators (ISASI

 

Mr. Goelz, holds both a Bachelors and Master’s degree and he and his

wife, reside in Alexandria, Virginia.

 Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-goelz-851864a1/

Introduction

Erika Andresen, CBCP, JD, MPA, is a recovering lawyer after nearly two decades of experience in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert on national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands on their authorities and during high-risk situations in Afghanistan and domestic disasters stateside. She also has extensive experience writing injects and acting as an observer/trainer/coach for large-scale military exercises. Her work with actual disasters led her to attain a Master of Public Affairs.

Erika left active duty in 2020 and has since started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. To that end, she authored How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, a conversational introduction to business continuity enjoyed by CBCP practitioners and business owners alike. She has been quoted in articles for Forbes, Dark Reading, and MoneyGeek on the issues of business continuity and disaster preparedness as well as appearing as a frequent guest on podcasts internationally.

Key Positions

-Founder, EaaS Consulting, LLC

-Chief, National Security Law, 7th Infantry Division, US Army

- Chief, International Law, 353rd Civil Affairs Command

-Counsel to the Commanding General, TAACOM South, Kandagar, Afghanistan and Natick Soldier Systems Center, US Army

- EOC Legal Advisor, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, US Army

-Professor of Emergency Management, University of Texas at El Paso, MPA Program

Contact Information

info@eaasc.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-andresen

Summary

In this episode, host Steven Kuhr welcomes Bob Ingram, a former battalion chief in the FDNY to the show. They discuss various topics related to emergency management and crisis response. They start by talking about a recent bridge collapse in Baltimore and the response to similar incidents in New York. They then delve into Bob's FDNY career and his role in special operations and hazmat. They also discuss the merger of EMS and FDNY and the challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the historical hazards of picric acid and asbestos. In this conversation, Chief Bob Ingram discusses the post-9/11 FDNY operations and the establishment of hammer teams to respond to white powder calls. He highlights the challenges and events that followed 9/11, including anthrax attacks, plane crashes, and a titanium explosion. Chief Ingram also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard and military, and the need to maintain capabilities and funding in the face of budget issues. He concludes by remembering Brian Mulhearn, a key figure in New York City emergency response.

Takeaways

Hammer teams were established to respond to the high volume of white powder calls post-9/11.

The years following 9/11 were marked by numerous challenges and events, including anthrax attacks, plane crashes, and explosions.

Collaboration with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard and military, was crucial in emergency response efforts.

Maintaining capabilities and funding is essential to be prepared for future threats and disasters.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-ingram-35300a7/

Introduction

Chief Jack Jones has served for over 35 years in several emergency service roles.

 

The chief's positions include:

 

- Fire Chief, Bedford County Fire and Rescue Department (20 plus years)

 -Emergency Management Director, (Bedford County, VA)

- Flight Paramedic

- Paramedic Instructor

- Fire Investigator

 

-Jack has completed the FEMA Emergency Management Institute Advanced Professional Series (APS) and is a graduate of the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and the War College of the American Fire Service

 

-Jack is a credentialed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) designee, he holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and International Relations

 

-Jack is currently an Occupational Health & Safety Specialist with the Virginia Department of Health.

 

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-w-jones-jr-efo-bs-ma-a442b6292/

Introduction

Ashley Goosman is an experienced professional with twenty years of experience in the public and private sectors. She founded the Disaster Empire blog in 2019 to educate and engage fellow practitioners and added the podcast in 2022 to showcase thought leaders and innovators in the industry.

In 2021, she co-founded Resilience Think Tank, an independent guidance and research provider for risk and resilience. She has managed numerous high-profile crisis incidents, including pandemics, natural disasters, white powder, network & power outages, and terrorist incidents.

Ashley began her career as a member of the American Red Cross’ September 11 Recovery Program in NYC and served as the Director of Emergency Services for the MA Dept. of Mental Health. She was an adjunct Sr. Instructure-Disaster & Terrorism for healthcare administrators and specialized in Crisis Management, BC, and Operational Resilience for a Fortune 100 company.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-goosman/

Introduction Kenn Honig is a Certified Emergency Manager, with over fifty years of experience in law enforcement, EMS, firefighting, and emergency management For over ten years Kenn served as a paramedic, and supervisor with NYC-EMS and other EMS agencies, receiving awards for Life Saving, Innovative Thinking, and Service Kenn spent 28 years as a police officer, supervisor, senior officer, ARFF crew chief, academy instructor, lieutenant, tour commander, captain, inspector, unit head and commanding officer with the police force of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. During that time Kenn participated in the initial response to five major aircraft crashes, both on and off an airport, as well as the 1993 terrorist bombing and 9-11 attack at the World Trade Center. Following the 9-11 attacks Kenn was the Emergency Operations Center Manager for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As a member of the Public Safety Department Command Staff, he served as Emergency Management Liaison and as Police Commanding Officer for John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports. As Commanding Officer at JFK and LaGuardia Airports, Kenn was involved in critical decisions regarding the security of the airport, including the development of the Airports’ Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS). He worked with the Airport Security Office and was a part of the approval process for companies applying for Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) media. He was a signatory to the Airport Security and Aircraft Emergency Plans. He participated in regularly scheduled meetings with the Airport Security Council. His expertise in these areas is sought after by his peers in the Port and Airport Communities. Kenn is a member of IAEM, where he holds a position on the Executive Board (Secretary/Treasurer) of IAEM Region II and he served on the Executive Board (Treasurer) of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police He has also served as the Vice Chairman of the Security Committee for the American Association of Port Authorities, as a member of the Airport Law Enforcement Agency Network, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Working Group, on the Editorial Advisory Board for Advanced Rescue Technology magazine and on Technical Committees for the Emergency Film Group. Currently Kenn is President and Senior Program Manager for Critical Incident Management and Training, Inc. CIMAT provides training, aviation security and emergency management consulting services, including exercise design, exercise evaluation, exercise safety officers, exercise logistical coordination & support, and emergency planning to concert venues, performance and public gathering spaces, communities, police, fire, & public safety departments, airports and training academies world-wide. Kenn served as the Director of Crisis and Emergency Management for RedLand Strategies and is a Subject Matter Expert/Consultant with Incident Management Solutions, Inc. Kenn also voluntarily serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of The Community Mayors, an organization dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for children with disabilities and as Public Safety Section Chief for the Boy Scout’s Big Apple Jambo and World Pinewood Derby in Times Square. Kenn has made presentations, evaluated agency response, developed security & emergency plans and designed and facilitated exercises on Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting, Incident Command, Active Assailants, WMD response and other Emergency Management and Business Continuity topics at venues, seminars and conferences across North America, the Caribbean and Asia. He is frequently sought out by local and national media for his expertise in emergency response, emergency management, public safety as well as homeland and aviation security. Contact Information Kenneth D. Honig, CEM CIMAT, Inc PO Box 646 North Bellmore, NY 11710 516-316-3000 KHonig@CIMAT.net

Introduction

Gabe Lavine has more than 19 years of experience in emergency services and management, public safety, first response, military combat arms, reconnaissance, specialized operations, diplomatic security, intelligence, special weapons and tactics, incident management team leadership, and recovery operations. He was an infantry and reconnaissance officer in the United States Marine Corps with multiple combat deployments overseas. His emergency management experience encompasses state and local service to include the city and county levels as well as with nationally deployable incident management teams as an incident commander. Gabe currently serves as the director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management, one of five divisions in the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. In this role, he manages the state’s emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts, and supports county and tribal emergency managers.

Key Positions

- Director Arizona Division of Emergency Management

- Administrator City of Sugar Land Office of Emergency Management

- Incident Commander / Region 2 Deputy Team Leader Texas All Hazards Incident Management Team

- Director Cochise County Office of Emergency Management

- High Threat Protection Specialist US Department of State Afghanistan

- Major, United State Marine Corps

- 4th Recon Battalion Delta Company Operations Officer

- III MEF Special Mission Branch Officer In Charge

- 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Charlie Company Commander

- Board Vice President Blacksburg Rescue Squad

- Field Supervisor Special Operations Division Blacksburg Rescue Squad

- Chair Houston UASI Technology Committee

- Co-Chair Southeast Texas Regional Advisor Committee South Corridor

- EM Representative Governors Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-lavine-723260ab/

Introduction

Carley Fitzgerald, GISP, is an accomplished Geographic Information Science (GIS) Professional with 13 years of experience in the public and private sectors. With experience at transportation and engineering firms, as well as municipal, county, and regional government entities, Carley has a deep understanding of GIS applications across diverse industries.

Currently serving as a GIS Manager in the Critical Infrastructure Division at Highlands County, Carley oversees the management of a county-wide enterprise GIS system with over 100 users. Her role is 'Disaster Essential' and requires activation to the County EOC for significant events, including Hurricane Dorian (2019), the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021), Hurricane Ian (2022), and Hurricane Nicole (2022). Her remarkable contributions during Hurricane Ian earned her the esteemed 'Life Saver' Challenge Coin from the Highlands County Fire Department.

Carley's exceptional skills in leveraging GIS for impactful insights were recognized through her nomination and achievement as a finalist in the COVID Data Hero Awards. She also served as a guest panelist at the New England URISA's 2020 Conference, sharing her experiences on social justice and equality through her work with Women in GIS.

Carley Fitzgerald's dedication to GIS excellence, contributions to disaster management, and community engagement establish her as a valued expert in her field.

Key Positions

- Geographic Information Science (GIS) Manager, Highlands County, FL

- GIS Analyst, City of Plantation, FL

- GIS Analyst / Environmental Scientist, Gannett Fleming, Miami, FL

- Board Member & Professional Development Committee Lead, Women in GIS

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleyacfitzgerald/

Introduction

Tim Cohen has over 15 years of Crisis Management, Emergency Management, and Incident Management experience. His career includes 15 years as an open source intelligence analyst, international crisis response coordinator, manager of global operations for a global risk consultancy, emergency manager, and crisis management program manager. He has responded to kidnappings, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, cybersecurity incidents as well as managing the response to the Covid-19 pandemic for one of the top business schools in the world. Tim is currently a Staff Security Incident Commander at ServiceNow.

Key Positions

- Staff Security Incident Commander, ServiceNow

- Manager, Corporate Incident Management, Twilio, Inc.

- Program Manager, Crisis Management, Twilio, Inc.

- Emergency and Business Continuity Manager, Stanford University Graduate School of Business

- Manager of Global Operations, TAM-C Solutions

- Special Project/Crisis Response Coordinator, TAM-C Solutions

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-cohen-3612b88/

Introduction

Tom Fargione joined FEMA in 2009 and served as Team Leader (SES) for the National Incident Management Assistance Team Blue from 2017 until his retirement in April of 2023. Tom was responsible for ensuring the team had the capability and capacity to respond immediately and effectively to the worst disasters likely to befall the country. In this role, he regularly engaged with the FEMA response organization to develop and promulgate doctrine, policy, and procedures to support the Agency’s mission to reduce suffering for all disaster survivors. Additionally, he is responsible for creating and maintaining a dialog with similar teams at the state and local level, and to participate in programs to continuously improve the Incident Management Team system at FEMA and elsewhere in the country as requested.

Tom was previously the team’s Operations Section Chief, charged with ensuring a synchronized, integrated, strategic, and tactical approach to federal response in support of survivor needs. Similar to this previous position, as Team Leader, Tom worked with other federal agencies and regional partners to assure operational integration and coordination through planning, training and exercise.

Experienced in responding to incidents and threats throughout diverse geographic, cultural, and demographic areas – from NYC to the Pacific and Caribbean U.S. territories and commonwealths – Tom has worked several benchmark disasters while, including the 9/11 World Trade Center response, Hurricane Sandy, and the historic 2004 and 2017 hurricane seasons. During the 2017 Hurricane season, Tom managed the response for assigned states and territories during the 2017 hurricane season and served as the Operations Section Chief for Hurricane Sandy in New York.

Mr. Fargione has supported FEMA disaster response in numerous key leadership positions including: Federal Coordinating Officer; Deputy Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for Response; Assistant FCO charged with overseeing and directing the Operations and Planning functions; Operations Section Chief; and Assistant Operations Chief for Planning (Planning Ops). Tom also spent six months as the Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region II (NY, NJ, PR, USVI) during the height of the COVID epidemic, and was the FCO for all 4 states.

Tom has commanded significant numbers of responders (20,00+) utilizing the concepts of Unified Command and Unified Effort across a wide range of incidents including: wildfires; large vessel capsize; missing person searches; human and animal disease identification/control; landslides; dam failure; severe flooding; snow emergencies; bridge failure; hurricane relief; mass fatality incidents, and major police tactical operations.

Before joining the National IMAT, Tom was the FEMA Region II IMAT Team Leader, where he was responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of IMAT capability and capacity for the Region, including the development of deployment strategies that balanced response needs against the requirements for running the Regional Response Coordination Center.

Tom has also participated as a subject matter expert on working groups charged with developing doctrinal manuals for the FEMA Qualification System, Incident Response and Incident Action Plans.

In addition to his federal service, Tom has worked in various capacities as an emergency manager and first responder at both the state and local levels. Tom joined FEMA after serving as Deputy Director for Response for the New York State Office of Emergency Management and Incident Commander for New York State's Type 2 (All-hazard) Incident Management Team. Prior to his state and federal emergency management career, Tom served as a Police Officer for 31 years, spending 18 years in Special Investigations and 10 years in Critical Incident Management.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-fargione-40a3a01b/

Introduction

Ryan Caughill is an experienced Technology Disaster Recovery and Crisis Manager for M&T Bank. Additionally, Ryan is the Director of the Buffalo Naval Park Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness, an all-volunteer position. Ryan is a volunteer with the Sullivans Division and Training Ship Little Rock of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps in Buffalo, NY where he is in year 15 and currently serves as the Operations Officer. As the Ops Officer he has worked to introduce disaster preparedness to the 10-18 year old cadets through the establishment of the annual Horizon Guardian exercise which involves NYS, Erie County (NY), and the US Coast Guard. While he has spent a minimal amount of time in the field, he has activated for disasters such as Hurricane Ian, the 2023 Northeast Flooding, and the Blizzard of 2022, of which he was helping mange the impact as it occurred right outside his window, trapping him for 9 days. Ryan graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in 2020 with a BS in Emergency Management and a minor in communications.

Key positions:

- Assistant Vice-President, M&T Bank Crisis Management Office

- Director, Buffalo Naval Park Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness

- Lieutenant Junior Grade, US Naval Sea Cadet Corps

Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-caughill-6a1439129/

Introduction

Ed McCrane has over 21 years of Emergency Response and Emergency Management experience and is currently serving as the Emergency Management Chief for Sarasota County, Florida.

He is a Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) and has extensive experience in emergency management, including his role as the Region 4 Coordinator for the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). While with FDEM he served as state liaison for seven area emergency management agencies and responded to seven major hurricanes to provide state assistance to impacted counties.

A U.S. Army veteran of 22 years, his experience includes Multi-National Force & Observers, Sinai Egypt, Operation Just Cause in Panama and JTF 94-95 Operation Sea-Signal, Cuban mass migration in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. After the attack on September 11th, he was instrumental in training the Florida National Guard to work in Florida’s airports, seaports, and nuclear power facilities.

While serving as EM Chief for Sarasota County, Ed has served as the Incident Manager for 3 Major Hurricanes, 7 Tropical Storms, 1 Tornado, H1N1 Pandemic, Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ed has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Ashford University and is a recipient of the Florida Distinguished Service Medal.

Key Positions

- Chief (Director) Sarasota County Emergency Management

- Chair Sarasota County Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group

- Regional Response Coordinator (Region 4) Florida Division of Emergency Management

- Military Support to Civil Authorities Coordinator, Department of Military Affairs (FLNG)

US Army:

- Senior Enlisted Advisor to the 53rd Infantry Brigade, Florida National Guard

- Battalion Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge 2nd Bn/5th Inf 25th Infantry Division

- Rifle Platoon Leader & Logistics Support Platoon Sergeant 2/9 Infantry

- U.S Army Recruiter San Antonio, Texas

- U.S. Army Drill Instructor Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Contact Information

linkedin.com/in/Edward-j-mccrane-jr

Edward.mccrane@outlook.com

Introduction

Craig Biscuiti has a had a long career in the field of Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management. Becoming a member of the youth squad of the Woodhaven Richmond-Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. in 1986, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in EMS. He became an EMT in 1991, and in 2002 obtained his Paramedic certification and is also a New York State certified Hazardous Materials Technician. Craig is also an EMS Educator, teaching for EMT and Paramedic programs and has been with NewYork-Presbyterian since 1998 where he currently serves as the Supervisor of Emergency Management.

In 2014 Craig took a position with New York City Emergency Management as a Watch Command Supervisor where he was able to hone his skills in Emergency Management Operations with a concentration in leveraging several platforms in intelligence gathering. He was the recipient of several certificates of commendation for his work involving several high-profile incidents that took place in New York City, including the 2015 2nd Avenue explosion and building collapse as well as the 2016 Tribeca terrorist attack.

In 2017, Craig returned to NYP as a Supervisor of Emergency Preparedness where his responsibilities include overseeing the teaching of the Stop the Bleed Program and CPR instruction for the Security Department as well as overseeing the implementation of several intelligence gathering platforms that are utilized in the NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Operations Center. In addition, Craig teaches several classes to hospital staff in decontamination. Craig received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management in January in 2023.

Craig currently resides in Queens with his wife and three children.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-biscuiti-300a5725/

Summary

In this episode of Five Minutes to Chaos, host Steven Kuhr interviews Paul Penn, an experienced emergency management leader. They discuss the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland - which occurred on the day of the recording - and how crisis management architecture potentially helped the response. They highlight the importance of communication in crisis management and the quick response to the Mayday call from the captain of the vessel. They also touch on the challenges of aging infrastructure and the need for crisis management in various industries. The conversation delves into the role of emergency managers and the importance of diversity and collaboration in the field. In this conversation, Steven Kuhr and Paul Penn discuss various topics related to emergency management and crisis management. They touch on the importance of public access to information about chemicals used in communities and the need for communities to be prepared for offsite consequences. They also discuss the role of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in emergency planning and the need for all-hazard programs. They highlight the importance of communication, coordination, and cultivating champions in emergency management. They also emphasize the need for executive support and the integration of health and safety principles in emergency management.

Takeaways

Communication is the backbone of failure and crisis management.

Quick response to crisis situations can save lives.

Aging infrastructure poses challenges and requires maintenance operations.

Emergency managers need to consider diverse perspectives and collaborate with different disciplines. Public access to information about chemicals used in communities is important for community understanding and preparedness.

Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) play a crucial role in emergency planning and should have an all-hazard focus.

Communication and coordination are essential in emergency management, and there is always room for improvement in these areas.

Executive support is necessary for effective emergency management.

Cultivating champions and building relationships with key stakeholders can enhance the success of emergency management programs.

Emergency management should integrate health and safety principles and consider the mental health impacts of emergencies.

Prevention, mitigation, and resilience efforts are important in emergency preparedness.

Emergency managers should have direct access to leaders and be able to communicate with all stakeholders.

Being first, right, and credible in communication is crucial in emergency management.

Emergency managers should focus on common sense and consideration in their decision-making.

Emergency management is a combination of crisis management, environmental management, and health and safety management.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-penn-11b236/

Introduction

-Tim Marshall is the Director of Public Safety for Steuben County New York. He has been an employee by Steuben County since September of 1997 serving as the Deputy Director of Emergency Services, then Director in 2012. Tim was appointed as Director of Public Safety in 2021.

-Tim is a Certified Emergency Manager with the International Association of Emergency Mangers. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Corning Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management from State University of New York Empire State College.

-Tim has nearly forty years of Fire and Emergency Management experience, teaching and lecturing on various different topics. A rural Emergency Manger from Upstate NY, Tim has 15 Federally Declared Disaster Declarations under his belt. He has worked such disasters as the World Trade Center Attacks on 9/11, Severe Weather Events and other local emergencies. Most recently he served as the Operations Section Chief for the County’s COVID-19 response which was the largest activation in County history.

-Tim oversees the Office of Emergency Services as well as the Enhanced 911 Department. As Director of Public Safety he serves as the Emergency Manager, Fire Coordinator, EMS Coordinator, Director of 911, Radio Communications Officer, and also oversees the County’s Coroner’s Office.

-A longtime member of the Bath Volunteer Fire Department, Tim also served as the Disaster Chairman of the Northern Steuben Chapter of the American Red Cross. He served on the chapter’s Board of Directors for seven years and held the position of Board Chairman in 1995.

References/Videos

https://youtu.be/Lt6oZ_XQbtE

https://www.weny.com/story/44581738/woodhull-town-hall-offering-help-to-flood-victims

https://www.weny.com/story/44573872/woodhull-community-gives-back-to-those-hit-by-flash-floods

https://www.mytwintiers.com/news-cat/local-news/flooding-clean-up-and-recovery-efforts-are-underway/

 

Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-marshall-6779b82a/

Introduction

- Lt. Steven Kanarian is a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant. Assigned to the EMS Division Steve served as a Paramedic for 25 years.

- Steve has supervised medical operations at many mass casualty incidents in New York City.

- He was a Medical Specialist with FEMA New York Task Force-1 for 16 years.

- Steve responded to both the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Category 4 Hurricane George disaster recovery in the Dominican Republic.

- He has lectured nationally about mass casualty management, September 11th terrorist attacks, and terrorism response.

- Steve is the author of "The Downwind Walk: A USAR Paramedic’s Experiences on September 11, 2001" which is available on Amazon and Authorhouse.com

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenkanmph/

Introduction

David H. Fischler has worked in the public and private sectors in the emergency response and emergency management fields for over 50 years. His style of pre-incident relationship building has contributed to successful outcomes when significant events impacted his jurisdiction. Within the private sector, Dave has consulted for companies involved in federal, state and local emergency management projects. As a New York State licensed attorney, Dave represents victims and/or families related to post 9/11 injuries or illnesses involving the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville. He is currently co-chairing an International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety, Health and Survival Section committee on repetitive traumatic brain injuries relationship to Parkinson’s Disease, dementia/Alzheimers, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Key Positions

- Commissioner (retired) - Suffolk County (NY) Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services

- Chief-of-Department (retired) - St. James Fire Department

- Chair - NFPA 1917 Committee on Automotive Ambulances

- Attorney handling fire/EMS/emergency management issues

Contact Information

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-fischler-8a131b8/

Email: dfischlerlaw@aol.com

Introduction

John Gibb has 40 years of local, state and consulting emergency management and homeland security experience. As an emergency management and homeland security agency head in New York State, he served four governors. He led and managed the integration of state level cyber security, counter terrorism, emergency management, fire service and interoperable communications functions when New York State created the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. He has served in significant response and recovery roles for a number of disasters and emergencies in New York State. As the Director of NYSEMO he was the State Coordinating Officer for ten Major Disasters and the H1N1 outbreak in 2009. He was a Deputy State Coordinating Office for the 9-11 attacks where he coordinated state agency response activities in New York City and was the state lead at the FEMA Disaster Field Office, leading initial recovery efforts. He had key operational roles for the 1998 northern New York ice storm, the crash of TWA Flight 800, and numerous floods, blizzards, hurricanes, ice storms as well as the World Trade Center bombing in 1993.

Key Positions:

Commissioner (Acting), NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

Director, NYS Emergency Management Office

Assistant Director, NYS Office of Homeland Security

Executive Director, NYS WMD Task Force

Assistant Director for Preparedness, NYS Emergency Management Office

Senior Consultant, Contingency Management Consulting Group, LLC

Strategic Advisor, Redland Strategies

Contact Information:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gibb-099700b/

Twitter – John Gibb @emdir1

Introduction

Marc Kadushin started his emergency service career by volunteering with the Salvation Army Disaster Services and through career progression rose to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Emergency Response and Communications for the New York City Department of Transportation.

Key Positions

Assistant Commissioner of Emergency Response and Communications, NYC Dept. of Transportation

Executive Assistant to the Chairman and First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission

Assistant to the Director of NYC-EMS for Investigations and Complaints

Facilitate Emergency response scenarios for surface transit employees for FEMA through- Rutgers University

Volunteer Salvation Army Disaster Services

Partner in a NYC Police and Fire spot news coverage service

EMT St. Clare's Hospital / Beekman Downtown Hospital

Police Officer MTA Police/Penn Central Railroad

NYPD Auxiliary Rescue Unit Member

Honorary Deputy Chief FDNY working with officer from Rescue1 for Burn Center Projects

New York City Dept. of Transportation Liaison with Emergencies Services

YouTube Videos: 5th Ave Water Main Break https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ngkgfHqxY&t=7s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6nRDoy64gQ 

Contact Information

marckadushin@yahoo.com

Introduction

Jim Reid has over 40 years of Emergency Response and Emergency Management experience. His career includes 20 years as a United State Air Force Firefighter/Fire Officer, County Fire Marshal, Deputy Sheriff Commander, Director Emergency Management, Executive Director Department of Public Works and Director of the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management. He has responded to terrorist attacks in Germany, Loma Prieta Earthquake in California, Oakland Hills Fire California, Waldo Canyon Fire Colorado and managed and active office of emergency management during the Covid-19 pandemic. Jim served on multiple boards both locally and at the state level. Recently Reid was tasked with combining El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs offices of Emergency Management into a regional team. Currently, Jim is retired and serves as the chair of the Falcon Fire Protection District Board.

Key Positions

- Director, Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management

- Director El Paso County Office of Emergency Management

- Executive Director El Paso County Department of Public Works

- El Paso County Fire Marshal, Colorado

- Associate Professor Pikes Peak Community College

- Associate Professor Colorado State University

- Chair Colorado State Waste Tire Board

- Chair Emergency Services Agency, El Paso County

- Chair South Central Homeland Security Region

Contact Information

Jim@blazefighter.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-reid-987a1b13

Introduction

Bill Johnson is a nationally recognized leader in healthcare, public safety, and emergency management. He is the former Director of the Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management. Throughout his nearly 11-year tenure, he guided the County in its response to several major disaster incidents, including COVID-19 (2020), Tropical Storm Isaac (2012), Hurricane Matthew (2016), Hurricane Irma (2017), and Hurricane Dorian (2019). He led the Division to become one of few local programs in the nation to become an accredited emergency management program. Prior to Palm Beach County, Bill worked as the Assistant Director for the Broward County and Miami-Dade County emergency management departments.

Bill has been deployed to numerous major disasters including to New York City’s Emergency Operations Center to assist with incident command after the 9/11 “Attacks on America” (2001), to Lee County after Hurricane Charley (2004), to Monroe County after Hurricane Irma (2017), to Calhoun County after Hurricane Michael (2018), and to the FEMA Region IV RRCC in Atlanta after Hurricane Ian (2022). He is a registered nurse, Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM), and was a certified paramedic for 28 years.

Key positions:

• Public Health Advisor (IMT), U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS)

• Director, Palm Beach County (FL) Division of Emergency Management

• Assistant Director, Broward County (FL) Emergency Management Division

• Director – Emergency Management, URS Corporation

• Assistant Director, Miami-Dade County (FL) Office of Emergency Management

• Assistant Director, Miami-Dade County (FL) Office of Trauma Services

Contact information:

Twitter: @BillJohnsonRN

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/billjohnsonrn

Introduction

Robert is a private sector emergency management and resilience professional that develops, leads, and revitalizes business continuity programs at global scales. For more than 20-years, Robert has built resilience programs in the telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services sectors. From data center fires to earthquakes to hurricanes Isabel, Charlie, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Wilma, Katrina, Rita, and Ian Robert has experience leading responses to incident from the unexpected to the outrageous. As a resilience professional Robert helps companies focus and prioritize their efforts to achieve resilience. Robert lives outside of Chicago and is an eternal Chicago Cubs fan.

Key Positions

- Director Disaster Recovery, PepsiCo

- Senior Manager Technology Resilience, TransUnion

- Manager Business Continuity/Emergency Management, Verizon

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcclark/

Introduction

Adam Montella, MPA, MHS-V, CMP is an internationally recognized subject matter expert, speaker, and writer on numerous topics relating to emergency management, business continuity, physical and cyber security, homeland security, public health, disaster response, and recovery. With over 35 years of direct disaster experience, Mr. Montella has worked at or as an advisor to local, state, and federal government agencies, private industry, and non-government organizations.

Adam’s experience is underscored by serving in senior leadership positions on over 100 presidentially declared disasters, including the COVID-19 Federal Vaccination mission, Hurricanes Maria, Andrew, Hugo, and Katrina, the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the anthrax release at the U.S. Capitol.

Adam is the President of the International Association of Planning Professionals, a board member of the Mid-Florida Chapter of the Association of Continuity Professionals (ACP), a member of the Department of Energy’s Emergency Management Special Interest Group, the Curriculum Review and Editorial Boards for the American Public University System (APUS) and American Military University (AMU) and Industry Advisory Board at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). He has served on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) National Advisory Council (NAC), as the Human Services Branch Chief for the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT), a member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Private Sector Intelligence Analyst Program, FEMA’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), the ESFS-6 (Mass Care) lead at FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) and as the National Partner for ESFS-6 at the American Red Cross.

Key Positions

- Senior Vice President of Preparedness and Resilience, The Olson Group, Ltd. (Current)

- Senior SME Contractor, Continuous Improvement Program, FEMA (Current)

- General Manager of Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

- Contracted Acting Emergency Manager, United States House of Representatives

- Deputy City Manager/Emergency Management Director, City of Daytona Beach Shores

- Florida State Lead Disaster Director, American Red Cross

- On-camera Disaster, Security, and Survival Expert, Discovery Channel’s THE COLONY

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterguy/

Introduction In this insightful podcast episode, a panel of experts delves into the intricate world of crisis management, dissecting its core elements and offering valuable insights. The discussion begins by defining crisis management as the strategic process of identifying, mitigating, and resolving a wide range of disruptive events that pose significant threats to an organization's people, operations, reputation, and stakeholder relationships. The panel emphasizes the importance of dynamic risk understanding, highlighting the need for cross functionality and collaboration, the need for robust communication strategies, and effective unified decision-making frameworks. Drawing from their diverse experiences, the experts emphasize the critical role of leadership, emphasizing the need for clear, transparent communication, quick adaptation to changing circumstances, and a proactive approach to crisis resolution. Throughout the episode, the panel engages in a thought-provoking conversation, providing practical tips and best practices for navigating crises successfully and emerging stronger on the other side. Panel Members -Neil Bregman Emergency Manager, City of Santa Rosa, CA Public Health Emergency Manager, Public Health Services, San Joaquin County, CA Watch Command Supervisor, New York City Emergency Management -Doniella McKoy Faculty Lecturer, Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Business Continuity Program Administrator, Health Partners Plans Emergency Preparedness Specialist: Continuity of Operations, New York City Emergency Management -Vincent Davis Director of Disaster Services, Feeding America Founder, Preparedness Matters Program Manager Emergency Preparedness & Response, Walgreens -Lawrence Zacarese Vice President for Enterprise Risk Management and Chief Security Officer, Stony Brook University Founder, Zacarese Law Firm Sergeant, Tactical Paramedic, Canine Handler, New York City Police Department Contact Information Each panel member can be contacted through their LinkedIn profile

Summary

In this conversation, Steven Kuhr and Battalion Chief Jerry Tracy discuss the various units and operations of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). They highlight the extensive experience and expertise of the FDNY in responding to complex emergencies and crises. They also discuss the formation and role of squad companies, which are specialized units that can respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of training and preparedness in effectively managing and responding to emergencies. The conversation covers various topics related to firefighting and emergency response. Some key themes include the importance of backup and coordination between different departments, the impact of tragic events on changing tactics and procedures, the need for integration between EMS and fire operations, and the development of rapid intervention teams (RIT) or firefighter assistance search teams (FAST).

Chief Tracy discusses various topics related to firefighting and emergency response. He shares insights on the challenges faced when dealing with high-rise fires and the importance of effective communication during emergencies. Chief Tracy emphasizes the need for clear and concise communication between different agencies and departments to ensure a coordinated response. He also highlights the significance of strategic communication in emergency management. The conversation touches on the importance of training and preparedness, as well as the need for continuous learning and improvement in the fire service.

Takeaways

The FDNY is the largest fire department in the United States.

Squad companies are specialized units within the FDNY that are trained to respond to a wide range of emergencies, including fires, hazardous materials incidents, and technical rescues.

The FDNY has a diverse range of units and resources, including hazmat teams, urban search and rescue teams, wildland fire companies, and mobile respiratory units.

Training, preparedness, and collaboration with other agencies are key factors in the FDNY's ability to effectively respond to emergencies and protect the public.

Backup and coordination between different departments are crucial in emergency response situations.

Tragic events often lead to changes in tactics and procedures.

Integration between fire and EMS operations can improve overall response effectiveness.

Rapid intervention teams (RIT) or firefighter assistance search teams (FAST) play a vital role in firefighter safety.

Firefighters continue to face challenges and make sacrifices in their line of duty.

Buildings can be 'born sick and dying,' referring to new construction, renovations, and abandoned or demolished structures. Emergency responders must be prepared for any situation.

Effective communication is crucial during emergencies. Incident commanders and responders should have clear channels of communication to ensure a coordinated response.

The incident process system is a structured approach to incident command that helps relieve the incident commander of micromanaging tasks. It allows units to fall into place as they arrive on the scene.

Strategic communication between police, fire, and EMS is essential for a unified response. Agencies should work together to develop a coordinated strategy.

The importance of training and continuous learning in the fire service cannot be overstated. Firefighters should be knowledgeable about their responsibilities and be prepared to adapt to different situations.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-tracy-6749b127/

Introduction

Jonathan Reeves is a collaborative emergency management leader with experience developing emergency plans, partnerships, training, and exercises to minimize dangers to the community. Jon is experienced in providing strategic direction and effective roadmaps for organizations to be prepared, equipped, and trained for disaster consequences, mitigate the effects, and recover from impacts. Jon is a trusted advisor to senior leaders and is often called upon to mentor, develop, and coach engagement across functional teams. Jon promotes a resiliency culture with programs for timely recovery and minimized risk while also fostering awareness and understanding for business partners.

 

Key Positions

-President, Reeves Crisis Support

-Principal Program Manager, Disaster Recovery, Amazon Americas,

-Resiliency Lead, Facebook

-Chief of Emergency Management, DC Water

 

Contact Information

Jonathanreeves1@gmail.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreevesem/

Introduction

Zachary Goldfarb is the principal of Incident Management Solutions, Inc., a New York-based certified emergency management consultancy. Chief Goldfarb has served in many capacities during his 25-year career with the New York City Fire Department, retiring as an EMS Deputy Chief/Paramedic. The author of the New York City Emergency Medical Action (Disaster) Plan, he served as an EMS commander at the scene during both the 1993 bombing and the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Since 1999, Chief Goldfarb has been a national thought leader in emergency planning, training, and exercising for healthcare organizations. He has developed best practice models for comprehensive all-hazards healthcare emergency management planning, as well as medical facility evacuation, response to chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear/explosive incidents, and pandemics that are in use across the nation in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health agencies, home care agencies, and primary care facilities. His firm operates the Long-Term Care Emergency Management Program for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Key positions:

Incident Management Solutions, Inc., Founder and President

New York City Fire Department (FDNY)

EMS Command, Deputy Chief/Division Three

Staff Chief/Bureau of Emergency Medical Service

Division Chief/Division Two South Commander

New York City Emergency Medical Service (NYC-EMS)

Assistant Chief/Bronx Borough Commander

Deputy Chief of Operations

Captain/Commanding Officer, Inspectional Services Unit.

Captain/Commanding Officer; Lieutenant/Executive Officer and Founding Member, Special Operations Division

Lieutenant/Operations Officer, Managerial Task Force

Lieutenant; Paramedic; Ambulance Corpsman

Contact information: Zach@IMScommand.com

Introduction Chris Mailliard is a practiced Emergency Manager with experience in emergency preparedness, Incident Management, mass casualty care, rescue, tactical emergency casualty care, and mass violence/active shooter preparedness planning and response.   Key Positions -Manager of Safety, Security and Emergency, Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center -Disaster Response Specialist III, IEM -Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Response Ready -Emergency Management Instructor, Jefferson County School District -Emergency Planning Analyst, USHHS/ASPR/NDMS -Firefighter/Paramedic, West Metro Fire Rescue   Contact Information https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mailliard-response-ready/    

Introduction

Dr. Stephen Hoptay is a Law Enforcement and Emergency Management executive with extensive corporate and public sector experience at senior levels in the areas of corporate security, risk assessment, and crisis management. Dr. Hoptay is a skilled communicator with a proven track record of motivating and manage multiple teams. He is a leader with a strong sense of mission accomplishment and a track record of developing policies, standards and procedures to support security and emergency management programs.

 

Key Positions

-President, Squared Away Consultants

-Vice President, Asset Management, Wakefern Foods

-Captain, New Jersey State Police/Office of Emergency Management

-MICU Paramedic, Union Hospital/Saint Barnabas Health Care

-Firefighter, Linden Fire Department

 

Contact Information

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-hoptay-ed-d-3593bb27/