PDP's Newsletter

Our newsletter, the PDP Communiqué, provides timely and critical information, best practices, and valuable insights about the education and training fields, as well as relevant developments in the larger academic and public service environments. With articles written by practitioners and scholars from diverse settings, the PDP Communiqué informs and sustains inquiry and conversation related to individual and organizational performance in our rapidly changing world.

Volume 30, Spring 2013

Preparedness Planning... It Affects Us All
by Eugene J. Monaco—Executive Director and Public Service Professor, Professional Development Program

September 11th, Katrina, Irene, Sandy, Sandy Hook, avian flu, climate change—the list goes on and as it does, reminds us of our increased vulnerability to human-induced, natural, and public health disasters. Furthermore, by what we have witnessed in the aftermaths of Hurricane Sandy and the tragic Sandy Hook incident, we are reminded once again that governments at all levels continue to be unprepared or unable to handle the immediate effects of such calamities—despite having responded to similar disasters and terrorist attacks in the past. Although our governments have created numerous large bureaucracies, established countless congressional panels, conducted many state inquiries, and produced ample official reports, they have ultimately done little that has had an impact on the way they deal with the human suffering brought on by these events. This dilemma is perhaps more striking here in New York after experiencing, so close to home and within the span of just over one year’s time, the devastation brought about by Irene, Lee and Sandy. The need for deliberative emergency preparedness before and after events has never been more urgent. Fortunately, these recent events have led to one considerable positive result: a renewed attention to preparedness planning and the immediate and long-term responses at the local, state, and federal levels.
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The Story of Hurricane Sandy
by Chris Thorncroft—Chair Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University at Albany

Sandy was one of the most devastating landfalling tropical cyclones to impact the U.S. According to the recent Sandy report created by the National Hurricane Center (NHC)1, U.S. damage due to Sandy is expected to be around $50 billion, making it the second costliest tropical cyclone to hit the U.S. since 1900. There were also at least 147 deaths associated with Sandy along its path through the Caribbean and into the U.S., making it one of the most deadly on record as well. The recovery and repercussions of this event are still playing out.
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Training for High Consequence Events
by Rick C. Mathews—Director National Center for Security & Preparedness

Established in 2007, the National Center for Security & Preparedness (NCSP) is fully engaged in training emergency responders, public officials, and others in being prepared to respond to high consequence events resulting from natural disasters, accidents, and terrorist instigated attacks. The majority of the NCSP’s efforts focus on the preparedness of New York State’s responders. The NCSP supports the efforts of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, especially its State Preparedness Training Center (SPTC). Training developed and delivered by the NCSP in partnership with the SPTC spans the homeland security taxonomy of prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation as it applies to high consequence events.
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PDP Assists in Post-Disaster Training Efforts

The need for emergency preparedness before and after tragic events has never been more urgent. In late fall 2012, PDP’s Early Childhood Education and Training Program planned what turned out to be a very timely videoconference program to help childcare providers better prepare for emergency situations. Originally scheduled to air in November, the program date was changed to late December due to Hurricane Sandy. By the time participating childcare providers attended the conference, many had suffered the effects of the storm themselves, and were eager for information to address their recovery needs and advice on how to better plan for and deal with future emergency situations. In recognition of the tragedy in Sandy Hook, the panelists also shared information about preparing for lock-down situations in childcare centers and ways to help children feel safe. Panelists discussed how to communicate emergency plans with the families in their care—before and during a crisis—and stressed the need for creating and testing a communication network before an emergency situation occurs.
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