Prep Talk

Spring is back, and the possibility of April showers could bring more than May flowers. As the potential for rain increases, so does the risk of flooding hazards. In the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” special guests Natan Mandelbaum from NYC Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) and Jessica Sanchez of NYC Emergency Management discuss how the agencies work together to mitigate flooding risks in the city. In this episode, you will learn about the importance of flood preparedness along with the steps you can take to be ready before the next major rainfall.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk29

NYC Emergency Management is highlighting March for Meals. In recognition of Meals on Wheels Awareness month, also known as March for Meals, the latest episode of “Prep Talk” features the relationship between NYC Emergency Management and Citymeals on Wheels. “Prep Talk” hosts sat down with Rachel Sherrow from Citymeals on Wheels and Johanna Conroy of NYC Emergency Management to discuss how the partners work together to serve the community and prepare New Yorkers before emergencies. In this episode, you will hear about the importance of March for Meals, which brings awareness to organizations that support the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. Find out how you can become a volunteer for Citymeals on Wheels, the New York City organizations that delivers over two million meals to more than 18,000 homebound elderly New Yorkers annually.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk28

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the latest “Prep Talk” episode features Penny Neferis, the director of business continuity, disaster recovery and emergency response at JetBlue, and Linda Reissman, the director of emergency management at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Listen as both guests discuss how major emergencies like Hurricane Sandy and 9/11 have influenced their careers and shaped emergency management both on a local and national level, and hear what each guest thinks is the greatest challenges facing the field in the future. Find out why collaboration is key to successful emergency planning, preparedness, and response in highly competitive fields like health care and the airline industry.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk27

The best way to prevent the measles is to get the vaccine. That is the message Dr. Demetre Daskalakis — Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene — has for listeners on the latest episode of “Prep Talk.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 127 confirmed cases of measles in 10 states across the country from January 1 to February 14, 2019. In this episode, Dr. Daskalakis debunks myths about the measles, provides vaccination tips for travelers, pregnant women and parents of newborns, and explains why two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine are better than one. The episode also takes a close look at influenza and the best methods of preventing the virus, the steps Dr. Daskalakis his team are taking to end the HIV epidemic in New York City. For more information about the measles, flu virus, and other infectious diseases, visit NYC.gov/health or www.cdc.gov.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk26

In recognition of Black History Month, the latest “Prep Talk” episode features Jerome Hatfield and Calvin Drayton, two African-American leaders in emergency management and public safety. Mr. Hatfield is the former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II administrator under the Obama Administration, while Mr. Drayton currently serves as the first deputy commissioner at NYC Emergency Management. The episode takes a close look at their professional journey and highlights their successes and challenges. Find out Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Drayton’s take on how such events as the 9/11 attacks and Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy have shaped emergency management, what evolving threats may affect the field in the years to come, and what message they have for individuals interested in the field. Get to know which leaders have been an inspiration in both men’s careers, and their take on the importance of inclusion in emergency management.

Read full transcript: https://on.nyc.gov/preptalk25

If you’re looking to reduce your risk for hazards this year, look no further. In the latest “Prep Talk” episode, special guests Heather Roiter and Melissa Umberger provide expert perspective on how New York City works to reduce the impacts of natural and man-made hazards, ranging from winter weather and hurricanes to cyber threats and chemical releases. The guests discuss the new 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan website, developed to represent the City’s plan for accessing hazards that pose a risk to its people and infrastructure, and strategies for reducing the impacts of emergency events. The guests also offer tips on how listeners can take steps to reduce the impact of everyday risks.

Read full transcript: https://on.nyc.gov/preptalk24

It is not too late to make a New Year’s resolution to be more prepared. That is the message the New York City Emergency Management Department wants New Yorkers to know. In the latest “Prep Talk” episode, special guest Katelyn James provides an expert perspective about how individuals can practice preparedness in 2019. James discusses NYC Emergency Management’s “Resolve to Be Ready” calendar, an interactive tool filled with simple tips that can help people work preparedness into their busy schedules. For more information on how you can “Resolve to Be Ready” in 2019, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement, and subscribe to the NYC Emergency Management YouTube channel to stay prepared for emergencies.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk23

It is always good to be a good neighbor. To ensure that New Yorkers are prepared for the winter season, New York Cares and New York City Emergency Management partnered to release a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) about how New Yorkers can donate coats to people in need. In the latest episode, “Prep Talk” hosts chat with Gary Bagley, executive director at New York Cares, and Herman Schaffer, assistant commissioner for community outreach and NYC Emergency Management to discuss the new initiative. Tune in to find out how you can get involved to help someone this winter season.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk22

It’s always good to have a backup plan. In the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” hosts Omar Bourne and Allison Pennisi discuss the City’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) with Tony Marzuillo, director of COOP at NYC Emergency Management. Established as a mayoral executive order in 2007, the order requires each City agency to have a comprehensive COOP plan in place to ensure that agency staff can continue to deliver essential services to the public in the event of an emergency.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk21

“Honor. Rewarding. Privilege.” These are the words members of New York Task Force 1 (NY-TF1) use to describe their work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) team. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” hosts Omar Bourne and Allison Pennisi sit down with three members of NY-TF1 to discuss their September deployment to North Carolina in support of Hurricane Florence relief efforts. You will hear first-hand accounts of the team’s rescues and experience on the ground, along with their motivation to answer the call. The episode features NYPD Emergency Services Unit (ESU) Captain Tom Traynor, FDNY Battalion Chief Bill Reddan, and NYC Emergency Management Assistant Commissioner John Grimm. NY-TF1 rescued 128 people and 61 animals while providing aid for close to two weeks. The New York City Emergency Management Department sponsors the US&R NY-TF1 team, which is made up of specially trained personnel from FDNY and NYPD.

Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk20