Prep Talk

New York City Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) ensures New Yorkers have quality homes by maintaining building and resident safety, preserving affordable housing, and engaging New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength. On this episode of “Prep Talk,” we are joined by HPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services AnnMarie Santiago and Associate Commissioner for Emergency Operations and Enhanced Enforcement Grace DeFina to discuss how housing and public safety intersect during an emergency response. They also discuss the importance of earning New Yorkers' trust and offer advice to anyone seeking to become a civil servant.

On episode 29 of !Preparate! NYCEM's Spanish podcast, Yokarina Duarte and Ines Bebea discuss the potential dangers for flashfloods and how New Yorkers can prepare ahead of storms.

!Preparate! - Episode 27 - Commissioner Iris Rodriguez by NYC Emergency Management

PrepTalk Episode98 Hurricane Preparedness by NYC Emergency Management

With the summer months just a few weeks away, it’s a great time for New Yorkers to restock on sunblock, dust-off the air-conditioner and learn how to recognize the symptoms for a heatstroke. On the latest episode of New York City Emergency Management's Prep Talk podcast, Deputy Commissioner of Community Engagement Herman Schaffer, and Human Services Specialist Jocelyn Rajaballey discuss the Cooling Center Program, extreme heat, and the importance of community groups to provide support during emergencies.

En honor a abril, mes de agradecimiento a los voluntarios, el nuevo episodio de ¡Prepárate! destaca la importancia de la preparación comunitaria con Doris Garrido, cocapitana de las Organizaciones Comunitarias Activas en Desastres (COAD) de East Harlem. Como colíder de una coalición de organizaciones y empresas locales que trabajan para prepararse, responder y recuperarse ante desastres, Garrido trabaja para proporcionar información y recursos ante cualquier emergencia que afecte la vida de los residentes de East Harlem.

In honor of Women’s History Month, NYCEM’s podcasts feature Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson on ‘Prep Talk’ and Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet A. Peguero on ¡Prepárate!’ . They share what inspired them to pursue a career in public service and their commitment to the 1.4 million New Yorkers who call The Bronx home.

!Preparate! Episodio 25 con Janet Peguero by NYC Emergency Management

To celebrate Black History Month, we spoke with Traci Wheelwright, who serves as the Deputy Chief Counsel for New York City Emergency Management. Traci shared what led to her interest in law, challenges black women still face in the workplace, and what she hopes to accomplish in her current role. Prior to joining the agency, she held leadership roles with the NYC Department of Transportation, the Southern District Bankruptcy Court, Nassau County Supreme Court, Amtrak, and the Long Island Railroad.

Learn how many smoke and carbon monoxide alarms you should have in your home, what to do in the event of a fire, how to safely use space heaters, and more from FDNY Captain Michael Kozo, the Officer in Charge of the Fire Safety Education Unit. Captain Kozo also discusses brush fires, which, due to the record-dry fall, have presented the FDNY with difficult and dangerous challenges.

En nuestro nuevo episodio hablamos sobre la prevención de incendios, herramientas de seguridad y cómo los neoyorquinos pueden protegerse a sí mismos y a sus hogares durante el invierno con Fabricio Caro, Subjefe del Personal del Departamento de Bomberos de la ciudad de Nueva York. A través de la Fundación FDNY, la agencia cuenta con un equipo de expertos que realizan presentaciones en toda la ciudad para promover la prevención de incendios, la importancia de los detectores de humo y monóxido de carbono, con el Programa Educativo de Prevención de Incendios.

Prep Talk Episode 93 Large-scale Events by NYC Emergency Management

After recognizing National Preparedness Month's theme of 'Preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities for Risks and Disasters' in September, NYCEM's Ashleigh Holmes and Grace Scullion spoke with President & CEO of RaisingHealth Hewett Chiu, a leader in public health in New York City. Chiu has worked in New York City for decades on improving public health access for immigrant, AAPI , and vulnerable New Yorkers. He's also one of NYCEM's essential community partners as a member of the Strengthening Communities program.

On the latest episode of !Preparate! NYC Deputy Sheriff Sergio Bocanumenth shares how his love for community led him to a career in law enforcement. A career where being bilingual has been an asset, especially when dealing with the public in a city like New York with visitors and residents from all corners of the Hispanic diaspora.

On this episode of ¡Prepárate!, NYCEM Chief of Staff Yokarina Duarte and Community Engagement Specialist Emely Rodriguez sit down with NYPD Chief of Staff Raul Pintos to discuss his remarkable career at the NYPD, the importance of Hispanic leader, and some of the latest NYPD initiatives aimed at keeping the city safe. Pintos, who has dedicated over three decades to the NYPD, shares invaluable insights and advice for young people, particularly those considering a career in law enforcement. This episode offers a rare opportunity to learn from some of the most influential Hispanic leaders in New York City's public safety landscape.

Un episodio especial dedicado al Mes del Voluntariado, con la participación del estimado invitado Matt Lyttle, Director del Segmento de Defensa y Seguridad en Guidehouse, una firma consultora de gestión global. La copresentadora Yokarina Duarte conversa con Lyttle sobre su experiencia como voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz en Nicaragua, lo cual lo preparó para una carrera dedicada a la resiliencia comunitaria ante desastres en Estados Unidos y América Latina. Los oyentes aprenderán cómo ellos también pueden ser voluntarios para ayudar a sus comunidades a prepararse y responder ante desastres, y el impacto significativo que pueden tener como voluntarios.

NYC Emergency Management's latest episode of ¡PREPÁRATE! talks with Commissioner Manuel Castro from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the agency's role in serving immigrant communities of new York.

First Deputy Commissioner Christina Farrell and Director of Individual Preparedness Abby Banks discuss the Ready NY and CERT programs for the 20th anniversary.

In recognition of September as National Preparedness Month, the latest episode of New York City Emergency Management’s Spanish podcast ¡Prepárate!, features Ernesto Morales, alerts coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s San Juan, Puerto Rico office. As part of the National Weather Service team in Puerto Rico, Morales coordinates messages before and during weather events impacting the island. On the heels of the one-year anniversary since Hurricane Fiona, Morales stresses that being prepared can save lives and help with response operations by emergency responders.

On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk’, Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, discusses the dangers of extreme heat during the summer months. Ms. Olson shared what precautions New Yorkers should take to beat the heat, and how the city responds to heat emergencies. “My team is responsible for building a foundation of environmental health data and research, that is then used to improve the health of all New Yorkers,” said Cari Olson, assistant commissioner of the Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “For example, we track the health impacts of heat and who is most vulnerable. The triggers for a heat emergency issued by the National Weather Service and Emergency Management are based on data we compiled. As we began collecting data we observed that, once the heat index hits 95 or above, and that is a combination of heat and humidity, there was an exponential increase in deaths from heat in our vulnerable communities.” To prevent heat illness and learn more ways to beat the heat, visit NYC Emergency Management’s Beat the Heat website at NYC.gov/beattheheat, or DOHMH’s Extreme Heat and Your Health page at nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-heat.page.

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Camille Joseph Varlack, chief of staff to the Mayor of New York City, shares her story about what inspired her to pursue a career in law, challenges women still face in the workplace, and what she hopes to accomplish in her current role. Varlack also discusses what led her to a career in public service and why she eventually started her own law practice. Throughout her career she has overseen the City and State’s response to various emergencies and talks about which disaster was the most difficult to navigate, as well as the most rewarding thing about assisting New Yorkers during emergencies.

On this episode of “Prep Talk” Christina Curry, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, the first African American woman in the role, discusses how she became an advocate for the deaf and people with disabilities. Curry also talks about the many challenges people with disabilities face and how they may differ for people of color. She shares the importance of having diverse voices, especially when it comes to planning for and mitigating emergencies. She also discusses her goals for the agency and things everyone should be mindful of when interacting with people with disabilities. On this episode two ASL interpreters, Emilio Garcia and Jason Colon were present to ensure more accessibility. The transcript can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3JWAgCg

Winter Weather Prep with DSNY by NYC Emergency Management

On September 19, 2022, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, five years to the day of Hurricane Maria. Four days after, Mayor Eric Adams sent a multiagency team of New York City employees to assess the island’s needs after the hurricane. The team was comprised of employees from the New York City Emergency Management Department, New York City Department of Buildings, New York City Department of Design and Construction, New York City Police Department, and  New York City Parks Department. Over the two-week deployment, team members visited over 47 municipalities and gathered information on structural damage to public and private buildings, roads, parks and other vulnerable facilities. On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk’, team member Jason Rolon, deputy director of construction safety and engineering with the Department of Buildings, discussed the differences in the inspections after the earthquakes in Puerto Rico in 2020 and the damages from Hurricane Fiona. Jose Torres, a climber, pruner and crew chief also with NYC Parks Department shared the potential dangers from uprooted trees after the hurricane, in addition to their impact to overhead electrical cables, roadways and critical infrastructure.

As the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy approaches, New York City Emergency Management staff members reflect on the historic storm and the unprecedented impacts New York City faced. The storm forever changed New York City and was a pivotal moment in creating change to combat climate change and the increase in extreme weather events. On this episode of “Prep Talk” Herman Schaffer, deputy commissioner of community engagement and Heather Roiter, assistant commissioner of risk and recovery at NYC Emergency Management, discuss the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Sandy and the role that NYC Emergency Management played during the preparedness, response and recovery stages. They also discuss lessons the City has learned, programs implemented since the destructive storm hit, and how they prepare for future storms.

¡Prepárate! A Conversation with NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez by NYC Emergency Management

Prep Talk - Episode 83: Coordination with Utility Partners by NYC Emergency Management

The latest episode of “Prep Talk” podcast highlights the strategic plan as well as one its key priorities: talent retention and recruitment, and the agency’s goal for its workforce to reflect the communities it serves. The new episode featuring NYC Emergency Management Monitoring and Evaluation Program Manager Jimmy Deats and Deputy Director of Talent & Culture Veronica Geager.

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season outlook forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, discusses the science behind the outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. He reveals what sparked his interest in meteorology and how he got started in field. Rosencrans also shares how NOAA fits into the disaster cycle and how they work with emergency management agencies when disasters occur. He has experienced a variety of severe weather events and discusses how it shaped his outlook of the future.

Prep Talk - Episode 80: Emergency Planning by NYC Emergency Management

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Commissioner Zach Iscol discusses his experiences, expectations, and what he is looking forward to the most in his new role. Commissioner Iscol also chats about what sparked his interest in the emergency management field, what keeps him up at night, and his leadership approach.

As the emergency management field expands, so too does the need for diverse, knowledgeable professionals. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” two women leaders in emergency management from the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Elyse Morris and Cory Pardo, discuss the role of women in public service, leadership, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and much more. Each guest also shared how they expect the emergency management field to evolve and the importance of having more women involved in public service and emergency management.

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Sonja Orgias, acting deputy chief counsel and co-chair of the equity and diversity council at NYC Emergency Management, discusses this employee-led initiative, the importance of diversity and inclusion in hiring practices and emergency operations, as well as mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. She also shares how a lack of diversity in the emergency management field can adversely affect the communities that are being served. Orgias also provides best practices and discusses working with different agencies to highlight social issues and how accessibility needs are being addressed in the workplace.

With an increase in extreme weather like heavy rain, heat waves, and man-made hazards such as oil spills happening across major U.S. cities, emergency managers understand the unique challenges dense urban areas face. To construct the best approach in emergency response, the Council for Excellence in Government founded the Big City Emergency Managers (BCEM) in 2005. The nonprofit organization serves as a venue to exchange vital information and discuss areas of mutual concern in emergency response matters. Today, the group has grown to include 15 jurisdictions. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk76

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Acting Commissioner D’Amora discusses his experience in a career in public service, the challenges in responding to heat and snow emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of technology in emergency management response. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk75

One of the best ways to be prepared for an emergency is having a plan, but it is imperative to practice your plan to ensure you are prepared for anything that comes your way. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Paula Carlson, director of exercises at NYC Emergency Management, discusses the importance of exercising emergency plans and how she and her team conduct drills and exercises to evaluate the City’s emergency plans. Carlson also shares how exercises have helped change the City’s perspective on how to prepare for and respond to different emergencies. For example, during exercises with agency partners through initiatives such as the regional quarterly exercise working group, emergency managers have the opportunity to share best practices and prepare for different hazards. Carlson also gives insight into how she and her team exercise citywide event scenarios involving large crowds, such as marathons and parades, and how to address various challenges that can occur during planned, large-scale events. She also shares her number one concert preparedness tip. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk74

Before an emergency strikes, it is important to that all organizations have a plan, including businesses. New York City has over 200,000 organizations representing four million people. Any major disaster will a have huge impact on the economy. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” NYC Emergency Management’s Strategic Partnerships Specialist Erika Amaya discusses how organizations can be ready for emergencies and what NYC Emergency Management and its partners are doing to support these efforts. Amaya also shares ways businesses can be prepared by creating an emergency plan and how often that plan should be updated. She shares different initiatives and programs available to organizations, including Partners in Preparedness program, which provides targeted resources to businesses and in return organizations will have a greater confidence in their continuity planning. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk73

As the nation continues to face a range of concurrent disasters, from severe weather to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to take the time to make and review our emergency plans. This includes preparing our pets and service animals for disasters. On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” NYC Emergency Management’s Andrew Perlman discusses ways we all can make sure our pets and service animals are ready for emergencies. Perlman also highlights the work of the City’s Animal Planning Task Force, which puts forth several initiatives to make sure New York City’s pets and service animals are safe and prepared no matter what (or when) disasters strike. Initiatives include the COVID-19 Pet Hotline, a cooling center partnership with Petco during periods of extreme heat, and more. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk72

Join us for a very special episode of "Prep Talk," featuring staff members recounting their experiences of 9/11 on the 20th anniversary. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk71

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” NYC Emergency Management Deputy Commissioner Henry Jackson and Director of Government Relations Yokarina Duarte discuss their multiple deployments to Puerto Rico and reflect on some of the challenges still facing the island following Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the 2020 earthquakes. The guests also talk about New York City’s unique partnership with San Juan, and the need for continued city-to-city collaboration. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk70

To commemorate this year’s “Ready School of the Year,” NYC Emergency Management released a new episode of its emergency management podcast, “Prep Talk.” During the episode, NYC Emergency Management Assistant Commissioner Anita Sher and Sal Puglisi of the Urban Assembly School for Emergency Management discuss the importance of students developing emergency management skills earlier in their education. Puglisi discusses the overall mission of UASEM, including how the school combines in-class and hands-on experience to create a more holistic learning experience. The guests also highlight the impact the students have had in the community, providing emergency training to everyday New Yorkers. Read full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk69

To mark the beginning of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, the New York City Emergency Management Department today unveiled the City’s revised hurricane evacuation zones. New York City Emergency Management also relaunched the Know Your Zone hurricane awareness campaign to encourage New Yorkers to find out whether they live in one of the City’s six hurricane evacuation zones, and take steps to be prepared for coastal storms and hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk68

The New York City Emergency Management Department welcomes back John Scrivani to his new role as commissioner for the agency. Commissioner Scrivani brings a wealth of knowledge to the department, which includes leadership roles with New York City government, the New York City Police Department and the Virginia Department of Transportation. A member of public safety community for more than two decades, he is responsible for oversight of the City's efforts to plan and prepare for emergencies, educate the public about preparedness, coordinate emergency response and recovery, and disseminate emergency information. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk67

Ahead of her departure from NYC Emergency Management, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell sat down with “Prep Talk” to discuss her tenure at the agency, including the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ever-evolving threat landscape that the country faces, the importance of equity across all emergency management operations, and the future of the emergency management field. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk66

On the latest episode of “Prep Talk,” Laura Rog, NYC Service’s acting chief service officer, and Moriah Washington, New York City Emergency Management’s director of community engagement, share the impact that volunteers have on assisting agencies and organizations fulfill their mission during National Volunteer Month and throughout the year. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk65

To close out Women’s History Month in March and looking ahead to National Volunteering Month in April, NYC Emergency Management’s latest “Prep Talk” podcast episode highlights the careers of three female emergency managers and Peace Corps alumnae who share how their experiences, including both successes and challenges, have shaped them into the professionals they are today. NYC Emergency Management’s Rachel Sulaymanov, executive director of government relations; Shraddha Ramani, director of public safety and the GIS data development center; and Lindsay Einhorn, interagency exercise specialist, discuss how their time with the Peace Corps impacted their careers and their lives, as well as their take on future of the emergency management field. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk64

Join us as we give a fond farewell to co-host Omar Bourne! Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk63

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions African Americans have made in U.S. history. In a year where COVID-19 has disproportionately ravaged minority communities, it has become transparent that inequities continue to plague neighborhoods where black and brown people reside. This harrowing reality has fast-tracked the need for the equitable distribution of resources to those hardest hit by the pandemic. On the latest episode of ‘Prep Talk,’ Dr. Torian Easterling, first deputy commissioner and chief equity officer at New York City’s Health Department, outlines the comprehensive strategies the department have implemented to ensure vulnerable New Yorkers receive fair and equal access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines. Dr. Easterling discusses the importance of leveraging relationships with houses of worships, nonprofits, community boards, and other trusted partners to build connections with wary community members. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk62

Donating blood can help save a life. That is the message New York Blood Center’s Andrea Cefarelli wants listeners to know on the latest episode of “Prep Talk.” While January is recognized as National Blood Donor Month, Cefarelli encourages listeners to donate year-round. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a chronic deficit in blood donations needed for patients in the hospitals served by the New York Blood Center. Now more than ever, it is important to donate blood to ensure an adequate supply to support New York City hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk61

As the world turns the page to a year filled with new beginnings, an age-old concept should continue to ruminate at the forefront of every emergency manager’s mind: the need for more diversity in the field. That is the message Curtis Brown, state coordinator for Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), shares on the latest episode of “Prep Talk.” In a candid discussion, Brown underscores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in emergency management, noting that these concepts will help reverse inequitable practices that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations that often endure the worst of major emergencies and disasters. Moreover, Brown says emergency managers should integrate individuals from minority groups into every component of the emergency management process – from preparedness and outreach to response and recovery – to reverse systemic racism and structural biases that have plagued these communities throughout the years. He adds that emergency management could mimic the private sector’s model for representation, as studies have revealed the positive results diversity yields on decision making and tackling complex challenges. Read the full transcript: on.nyc.gov/preptalk60