A Japanese delegation visited SummitET headquarters in St. Petersburg, FL to meet with Emergency Management SME, Adam Montella, and study evacuation procedures for seniors during typhoons. They also reviewed lessons from the 2024 hurricane season, including hurricanes Helene and Milton to use in planning for Japan.
See the ABC Action News coverage in the link below.
A comprehensive training program essential for local and state officials responsible for formulating Protective Action Recommendations (PARs).
This course is meticulously designed to bridge training gaps, providing state decision makers with practical tools and insights for accident assessment and the nuances between exercises and real events. Dive deep into critical aspects of Protective Action Recommendations (PARs), from managing information flow to comparing responder assets and handling diverse incident scenarios. Empower yourself to make informed and effective decisions, ensuring the safety and well-being of your community in radiological emergencies.
This course is for everyone involved in the Protective Action and Decision-Making Process, though the department’s designated “Decision-Maker” must be among the participants.
Others that benefit from participating in addition to the Decision-Maker include: Emergency Management, Dose Assessment Staff, Protective Action Recommendation Staff, Field Response Staff in an EOC or mobile facility, and County Staff.
This comprehensive training is designed to fill training gaps for state decision makers, focusing on the practical use of accident assessment tools and understanding the differences between exercises and real events. Participants will benefit from interactive modules covering everything from the history and duties of Protective Action Decision Makers (PDMs) to contingency planning, data management, and the development of protective action recommendations. With hands-on exercises and expert instruction, this course prepares you to handle the complexities of radiological emergencies, ensuring you can protect public health and safety with confidence and competence. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise and make a meaningful impact in your role as a state radiological coordinator.
Day 1: Introductions, logistics, PDM history, duties, authority, available resources, comparison of exercises vs real events, notification and activation exercises, contingency planning, and direction and control.
Day 2: PAR logic structure, KI policies, impact of HAB incidents, data management, exercise performance issues, relocation, reentry and return, ingestion pathway sampling plan, and preparation for Part 2.
PDM Role: The PDM is responsible for directing and coordinating radiological response activities, developing protective action recommendations (PARs), advising state agencies, and integrating state and federal technical assets.
Differences Between Exercises and Real Events: Real events often have limited staff and resources, occur off-hours, and require more flexible and adaptive responses compared to pre-planned exercises.
Contingency Planning: Emphasizes the need for flexibility and prioritization of resources during an incident, with exercises to practice decision-making under constrained conditions.
Data Management and Quality: Highlights the importance of accurate, valid, timely, complete, and consistent data for decision-making during a radiological incident.
Relocation, Reentry, and Return: Discusses the criteria and processes for relocating populations, allowing temporary reentry, and eventually returning to normalcy based on data and safety assessments.
Ingestion Pathway Sampling Plan: Involves determining the affected areas, prioritizing products, identifying the ingestion pathway, and developing a sampling plan to ensure food safety and public health.
Preparation for Part 2: Part 2 of the training will focus on practical exercises and scenarios to apply the knowledge gained in Part 1, enhancing decision-making and communication skills in various radiological incident contexts.
Part 2 of this comprehensive course offers a deep dive into the critical aspects of being a PAR decision maker, including managing information flow, comparing responder assets, and handling various incident scenarios. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, simulating real-world incidents such as transportation accidents, moisture density gauge incidents, and multi-hazard scenarios, allowing them to practice and refine their decision-making skills. The course also covers the nuances of communicating technical information to non-technical audiences, ensuring that participants can effectively relay crucial data during emergencies. With a focus on practical application, self-critique, and instructor feedback, this training prepares individuals to confidently and competently handle the complexities of radiological emergencies, making it an invaluable investment for professionals in the field.
All of our trainings are customizable for your specific team and goals. Our experts take the guess work out for you during an Initial Planning Meeting (IPM).
We specialize in industries including federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and private corporations. If you have questions about whether our training courses are suited to you and your industry, please contact us.
Our experts will contact you to select your training date(s) once a purchase is made.
If you have more than 48 attendees, we can still accommodate you. Fill out the Request More Information form today and our team will get back to you with additional pricing.
If you have a location for training, our team will come directly to you. If you do not have a facility, we can source one for you after we gather more information from you at the Initial Planning Meeting (IPM).
Once you pre-order with us, we will contact you to begin the planning process to include an Initial Planning Meeting (IPM). The IPM will help us determine the specific scope of your training. We will discuss your goals, then we will tailor our approach to your intended training outcomes. Training objectives, design requirements and conditions, intended audience, and special considerations will be identified.
Only 20% payment required to begin the process. The remaining balance will be due 15 days prior to your training. Any add-ons you choose during your IPM will also be due prior to training.
The pricing will be determined based on customizable factors. The price will be provided during or after the Initial Planning Meeting.
Complete the form below to get started with this workshop or request more information. Our experts will contact you within approximately 1-2 business days.
Contact our team at [email protected]
Ron Crane of SummitET speaks with emergency management students from Massachusetts Maritime Academy at the 2024 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference.
In this special IAEM Conference Series episode of Bridging the Gap, SummitET podcast host and former emergency manager Ron Crane meets with Massachusetts Maritime Academy students about their experiences studying and interning in Emergency Management and their perceptions regarding challenges in the field.
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Adam Montella of SummitET speaks with Kenn Honig, seasoned emergency management professional at the 2024 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference.
In this special IAEM Conference Series episode of Bridging the Gap, SummitET host Adam Montella is joined by Kenn Honig, a seasoned emergency management consultant with a long career in law enforcement and emergency management at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Join this insightful discussion as they navigate the evolution of emergency management practices, the technological advancements over the decades, and the undeniable importance of personal contacts in the field.
Kenn’s journey in emergency management is deeply rooted in some of America’s most significant tragedies, notably the first World Trade Center attack in 1993 and the events of 9-11. As a sergeant assigned to the Port Authority Police Academy during the 1993 attack, Honig was thrust into the heart of crisis management, making quick decisions with limited technology. The attack revealed substantial deficits in emergency response technology, particularly in communication and coordination among various command posts.
One of the key points Honig emphasizes is the transformation of technology from the early 1990s to today. In 1993, pagers and basic communication tools were the norm, often leading to miscommunication and delays. By 9-11, while technology had evolved, it still faced significant limitations. The collapse of the World Trade Center towers highlighted the vulnerability of communication systems. Honig recounts how the Nextel Direct Connect was among the few communication tools that functioned effectively amidst the chaos.
Despite technological leaps, Honig underscores the necessity of simple, reliable, and redundant systems. His experiences taught him that during crises, advanced technology could fail, and having basic, foolproof methods as backups is crucial. For instance, during the aftermath of 9-11, Honig relied on personal contacts and straightforward solutions like “sneaker nets” to relay messages when technology faltered.
Honig advocates for an emergency toolkit that includes not just advanced technology but also essential items like pad and paper, chargers for various devices, and access codes for vital systems. He stresses the importance of having these tools readily available and familiar to all users to ensure seamless operation during emergencies. Try this PIO go bag.
For aspiring emergency managers, Honig’s advice is clear: build a robust network of contacts. Attending conferences, joining professional groups like the International Association of Emergency Managers, and continually engaging with peers across sectors are vital steps. These relationships can prove invaluable during crises, enabling swift coordination and resource mobilization.
Kenn Honig’s extensive career and experiences offer profound insights into the evolution of emergency management. His emphasis on the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining essential, simple methods and the power of personal connections provides a comprehensive guide for both seasoned and new emergency managers. As the field continues to evolve, these principles will remain foundational in managing and mitigating future crises effectively.
Join us next time on Bridging the Gap as we continue to explore the critical aspects of emergency management, featuring experts who share their knowledge and experiences to help us all navigate the complexities of the vital field.
President of Critical Incident Management & Training; Former Sr Mgr for Public Safety with the Port Authority of NY/NJ
Executive VP, SummitET; Former GM of Emergency Mgmt for the Port Authority of NY/NJ; Disaster Management SME
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Ron Crane of SummitET speaks with Shannon McCrone with the U.S. House Sergeant at Arms and Ron Benedict with DC Department of Health at the 2024 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Conference.
In this special IAEM Conference Series episode of Bridging the Gap, our host is joined by Shannon McCrone, TT&E Program Manager with the U.S. House Sergeant at Arms and Ron Benedict, Readiness, Response and Resiliency Program Manager with DC Department of Health. Shannon and Ron share their experiences, challenges, and ideas for improvement in emergency management in the Washington D.C. metro area.
A key challenge in emergency management, as noted by Shannon and Ron, is the slow pace at which public entities adopt new technology including AI and CRM systems. Utilizing resources available through the private sector could greatly enhance efficiency and streamline the processing of evaluations and after-action reports. Coming together and bridging technological gaps can be pivotal for the field with proper support from leaders and communities in both sectors.
Ron and Shannon pointed out that emergency managers may sometimes over-communicate, particularly in after-action reports. They suggest an efficient solution: condensing after-action reports to two pages and focusing on key issues to accommodate leadership’s time constraints.
Regarding planning and preparedness methods, Shannon recommends innovative approaches, such as utilizing games in exercises to engage EM partners and convey information.
The D.C. area, like other metropolitan areas, requires effective collaboration and communication planning to disseminate disaster response information to diverse populations. With overlapping goals and limited funding, emergency management agencies across the region could benefit from coordinating and sharing training, exercise programs, and grant funding, thereby improving efficiency and success rates.
Shannon and Ron advise aspiring emergency managers to leverage their diverse backgrounds and skillsets, network within the field, and remain receptive to undertaking a variety of tasks to gain experience.
Individuals new to and interested in the field of EM are encouraged to volunteer, seize opportunities, accept entry-level positions, and gradually gain experience. They should consider taking calculated risks with their career paths and involve themselves in as many aspects of the field as possible. Individuals from professional backgrounds outside of the field often excel in emergency management due to acquired transferrable skills including event planning, client management, business logistics, etc.
Furthermore, patience is an important quality for new emergency managers, as changes within government processes can be gradual, requiring time for implementation.
TT&E Program Manager with U.S. House Sergeant at Arms
Readiness, Response and Resiliency Program Manager with DC Department of Health
Associate VP, SummitET; Former Emergency Manager; Firefighter & HAZMAT Technician
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