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
Learner participating in an asynchronous, web-based training.
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.
(continued in the PDF version)
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.
(continued in the PDF version)
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.
(continued in the PDF version)
Expert panelists discuss emergency preparedness.
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.
(continued in the PDF version)
Also in this issue:
- Did You Know?


